infielder

But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this weekend belongs to a stilted pitcher, juggling infielders and a yellow-suited, top hat-wearing carnival barker.

It was the future he imagined for his star infielder, the then-Big West Conference player of the year.

Of the A’s top picks in the past five drafts, three play prominent roles now: outfielder Tyler Soderstrom and infielders Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson.

The South Korean infielder followed the Japanese superstar’s career while beginning his own baseball journey in the Korean Baseball Organization.

The ceremonial first pitch was delivered by junior infielder Jett Teegardin, whose family has bounced between living out of hotels and with friends in the area since their home was lost in the flames.