Before the high school baseball season began, Memorial suffered a huge blow when ace pitcher and standout shortstop Dauri Genao suffered a broken ankle playing basketball.
It appeared to be a major problem for the Tigers and head coach Danny Marroquin, losing a stud pitcher and hitter before the first pitch was thrown.
However, in the mind of junior Joshua Casado, it was just time for the next man up.
Then, another tragedy struck the Tigers.
Justin Willis, considered by some to be the best high school pitcher in New Jersey, a sure-fire prospect for the Major League Baseball free agent amateur draft in June, a pitcher with a scholarship to Vanderbilt tucked away neatly in his back pocket, suffered a broken collarbone in a collision running the bases in the Tigers’ second game of the new season.
No problem for Casado. Same next man up mentality.
“I knew I had to pick it up,” Casado said. “I wasn’t going to be able to replace those guys, but I knew I could do some good things with my bat and my pitching as well. My teammates all told me that I had to be the one to pick it up more, that I was going to be pitching against the top caliber teams. I was just going to take full advantage of my opportunity.”
Marroquin knew that there was no other option. It was Casado or nothing.
“That’s the way we had to do it,” Marroquin said. “As one goes down, another gets the opportunity. Coming into the season, Joshua was our wild card. We knew that he could do it. When Justin went down, we knew we had another ace in the hole. Joshua was going to be ready.”
So when the Tigers faced Trenton Catholic two weeks ago, Casado got the ball. Without feeling any pressure, Casado pitched four innings of one-hit baseball, striking out eight and walking two in a huge 3-1 victory for the Tigers, both physically and emotionally. The Tigers needed to feel good about themselves after losing their top two pitchers. Casado, who was the winning pitcher in that game, calmed down everyone.
“I hadn’t pitched much in the [preseason] scrimmages, so I was a little unsure of how I could do,” Casado said. “But I felt really good after that game. I felt like I was in control.”
Marroquin had a sense that Casado could handle the pressure.
“He pitched a great game against Bloomfield late last season as a sophomore,” Marroquin said. “So I knew he had it in him. I knew he could do it.”
In Casado’s next start, he faced a tough Ferris team with a boat load of dominant hitters. Casado merely fired a one-hitter, striking out 13 and walking just one in a 5-1 Memorial victory, giving Casado two wins on the young season.
For good measure, Casado displayed his fine prowess at the plate, collecting three hits, including two doubles, driving in three runs and scoring twice in the Tigers’ lopsided 13-0 victory. Marroquin moved Casado into the leadoff spot and he obviously responded.
Needless to say, Casado had a week to remember.
And for his efforts, Casado has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Marroquin has been more than pleased with the performance of his talented junior pitcher/infielder.
“He’s a complete player,” Marroquin said. “He’s rolling right now, on the mound, at the plate. I really don’t want him to peak too early. But he’s doing well. He’s seizing the opportunity. We wanted to prove that we had a good team and that we’re not just one guy.”
By the way, Genao has returned to action, healthy and ready. Willis’ injury may keep him out for the entire season. It’s all the more reason why Casado has to keep up his fine play.
Casado has four pitches in his arsenal – fastball, curveball, slider and change-up. He said he learned the slider from teammate Willis at a Velocity Development Camp last summer.
“I use it sometimes more than my curve,” Casado said. “It’s important to have all of them. I can throw them all for strikes and throw them anytime I want. It basically makes me unstoppable. I like the way I’m pitching.”
Casado said that he went to the Dominican Republic last summer for a month and learned some tools from scouts there.
“They taught me to be aggressive, both on the mound and at the plate,” Casado said.
Casado attended the famed Cachaza Instructional Camp in San Cristola, the same camp that produced major league stars Raul Mondesi and Vladimir Guerrero.
“It helped me a lot,” Casado said. “It helped me with my fielding and my hitting. It was great for me, both mentally and physically. I think I just needed some confidence in myself. I was always nervous before, but I’m not anymore.”
Marroquin can relax a little, knowing he has Casado to anchor the pitching staff along with Genao.
“No one is thinking about us especially since Justin is out,” Marroquin said. “In a way, it’s a good thing. I like the reverse role. Last year, everyone thought we were one of the top-ranked teams in the state. This year, we’re the underdogs and I don’t mind that.”
If Casado continues to pitch like he has the last two appearances, then the Tigers won’t be much of an underdog.
“He does everything for us,” Marroquin said of the talented junior. “He hits the ball, steals bases, scores runs. When we need the big hit, he delivers. He’s getting the job done.”
Casado hopes that he continues doing well, both on the mound and with the bat. He would like to play college baseball someday. Who knows? Maybe there’s a chance for Casado to play pro baseball somewhere. Anything is possible with the next man up. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com
