After a tumultuous year away from baseball, powerful outfielder Oscar Colas said he is now ready to sign with a big league club thanks in part to the lessons he learned from his time in Japan.

The 22-year-old Colas refused to play this past season for the Pacific League's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who put him on the restricted list, preventing him from signing anywhere else. On Dec. 2, his baseball limbo ended when the Hawks declined to offer him a 2021 contract, making him a free agent.

Instead of rancor toward the Hawks, the young power hitter said he is thankful for the baseball education he received in Japan and for the chance SoftBank gave him as he pursues a future in the major leagues.