Athlete of the Week: Kas Ocasio, West Orange baseball

As the West Orange Warriors baseball team finished its 2025 regular season campaign with a 19-6 record — the most wins the team has accumulated since 2017 — one of the unsung heroes leading this club can be found making one of the most difficult positions in the sport seem like a walk in the park. 

Although senior shortstop Kas Ocasio has been effective in the batter’s box for the Warriors offense, hitting .289, scoring 16 runs and often setting the tone offensively as one of the early bats in the lineup, it’s his leadership and range defensively that has truly made him a vital piece to the special season West Orange has put together. 

On 61 total chances as a fielder, Ocasio has only committed two errors and has a .967 fielding percentage. That type of consistency in the middle infield has led to attention from various collegiate programs from around the country and made Ocasio one to keep an eye on as the Warriors begin their playoff push. 

The Basics

Age: 17

Sport: Baseball

Grade: Senior

School: West Orange High

Q&A

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?

It feels great knowing all my hard work is being recognized.

What do you enjoy the most about baseball?

I enjoy the feeling of getting the barrel of the bat on the ball.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from baseball?

I’ve learned how to handle failure.

What is your favorite baseball memory?

Throwing a complete game in the district championship for the Little League All-Stars when I was 11 years old.

Who is your favorite athlete?

Anthony Volpe because he is the shortstop for the Yankees, and his style of play reminds me of myself.

What is your go-to pre-game meal?

Whatever the team meal is that day.

What is your go-to pre-game hype song?

I do not listen to music pre-game much, but if I do, it would be “Power” by Kanye West.

What is your favorite non-sports hobby?

Spending time with family and friends.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Anatomy because I like learning about the human body.

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island?

A machete for defense and food purposes, a fire starter so I could stay warm and cook my food, and a flare gun so I could leave the Island.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?

LeBron James because he is the greatest of all time.

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?

I’d go to the future to see how my life pans out and so I could find out if I needed to fix anything I did wrong.

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?

I’d tell myself to be more disciplined and listen to my parents more.

If you could ask your future self a question, what would it be?

What should I do differently?

Who is your favorite superhero?

Spider-Man because I like his story.

Who is your favorite supervillain?

Thanos because he is the most feared and powerful.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation so I can travel to anywhere in the world.

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?

Japan for the culture and food, Italy for the history and Thailand for the scenery.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why?

I would be a bird, so I can feel what it’s like to fly.

What is your most controversial food take?

Tuna is the best seafood.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

No, cheese pizza is the best pizza.