Is the Sochi Olympic medalist also participating in the US national baseball team and the players to watch out for? – Tokyo Olympics [野球]: Asahi Shimbun Digital

The US national team for the Tokyo Olympics (Olympic Games) baseball (4th in the world ranking) does not have any players who are active in the current major leagues, but it is made up of players of various ages and backgrounds. On the night of the 2nd, they will play against Japan National Team “Samurai Japan” (1st in the world ranking) to advance to the semi-finals.

Its characteristics are reflected in the center poles of Nos. 3 to 5 that were formed in the two games of the first league.

Austin, who has been assigned the third designated hitter, has been a member of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars professional baseball team since last season. The arrival to Japan was delayed due to the influence of the new coronavirus this season, and although it was not in time for the opening, it improved in June. With a batting average of 40%, 6 home runs, 9 home runs, and 25 RBIs, he won the monthly MVP in the Central League batter category. Japanese coach Atsunori Inaba also said in the same month that he was wary, saying, “If it’s in great shape, you can walk when the first base is free.”

Behind Austin are young and veterans who are 14 years old.

Fourth baseman Casas is a 21-year-old Hope who was nominated first by the Red Sox in 2018. In the match against Korea Rep., He hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Frazier, the third baseman who hits the back, is 35 years old who signed with Reds in 2007. He has traveled to the White Sox and Mets, and boasts a total of 218 home runs in the major leagues. Currently playing in an independent league in the United States. “When you finish your career, you may have grabbed a gold medal,” suggesting retirement after the Olympics.

The most unique career is Alvarez, who hits No. 2. In college, he played both baseball and speed skating short tracks. He participated in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and won the silver medal in the 5000-meter relay.

After that, he narrowed down to one baseball game, saying, “Becoming a baseball player is my goal,” and in June of the same year, signed a minor contract with the White Sox. Last year he made his major league debut in the Marlins.(Shota Inoue)