RHP Austin Shields

Hometown: Dundas, Ont.  

B-T: L-R. 

Ht: 6’ 5”, Wt: 220 lbs.

Teams: Great Lake Canadians/C-University of British Columbia.    

         
Previous teams: Canadian Junior National Team, Stoney Creek Blue Jays. 

Coaches: Adam Stern, Greg Hamilton, Dave Burton.

2016 season _ PBR Ontario ProCase: 89-92 mph ... On March trip: Drew a large crowd and didn't disappoint after the Juniors finished their game at Walter Russell in St. Pete's ... Hit 94 mph facing Faith Baptist, a Georgia Academy ... Bettered his draft stock, struck out two in the first, walked one and got harmless grounder. In second walked one, allowed a run-scoring single and fanned three ... pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing two runs -- one earned -- on two hits and two walks. He fanned five ... Great Lakes walked off Faith, which beat the Okotoks Dawgs to win the Perfect Game Academies Showdown ... Second outing also against Faith: between 91-93 mph. Final line was 2IP, 3K, 0H, 0R, 4BB.  Not as dominant as first, still a good week ... Improved his draft stock, 

Baseball America Scouting Report: Shields is this year’s top prospect from the Great Lakes Canadians, a rising travel program whose alumni list includes 2015 third-round pick Miles Gordon and 2015 11th-round pick Nicholos Hamilton. Shields has been on scouts’ radars for a couple years because of his 6-foot-6 frame and promising arm strength. This spring, Shields took a jump in velocity, peaking at 94 mph and sitting at 88-92. His best secondary pitch is his slider, which sits in the low 80s and flashes solid-average potential but lacks the consistency to earn an average grade from scouts. Shields will need to work on his delivery to improve his command, which is below-average right now. His stride length varies and his head moves as his arm comes through its three-quarter slot. Shields has some promising ingredients with physicality and two pitches, but he is likely to be a long-term project for the team that takes him. He is committed to British Columbia.

Perfect Game Scouting Service Scouting Report: 307. Austin Shields, rhp, St. Mary’s Secondary School
L-R, 6-6/225, Dundas, Ontario
College Commitment: None

Shields is an extra large righthander who has slimmed down his big body over the past year and risen up draft boards, although he has had very little exposure in the United States except for the Canadian National Junior Team trips to Florida. He throws in the low-90s from a high three-quarters arm slot and topped out at 94 mph earlier this spring. Shields also throws a low-80s slider that is still inconsistent but shows potential.

2015 season _ At St. Petersburg: Allowed two-run homer Shields facing Orioles first and second year pros, Came back with a strong performance in next inning getting a strikeout and ground out, then after a pair of walks, he escaped with a strikeout ... Tossed three scoreless in 14-5 win over Clearwater College, Left runners on base in each frame. He allowed two hits, walked four and struck out five batters. 

2014 season _ At Lake Buena Vista: Held Nationals first and second-year pros hitless fanning five and walking three as Canadian Junior National Team was edged 2-1. 

What they are saying _ Facing Faith Baptist at St. Pete's hit 94 mph facing ... Bettered his draft stock, At London Bureau camp: “Was 91-93 MPH, one tick off the highest indoor clocking I’ve ever seen in the winter since Michael Clouthier. Sat 91-93. Clean arm. Really had not pitched that much, body has slimmed out. Looks sleek and slim.”  

Honors: 2016: Rawlings/Perfect Game All-Region selection from Canada/Puerto Rico region.

On other lists: 181st (up from 177th) on Baseball America's top 500 combined list ... 307th (down from 260th) on Perfect Game's top 500 list.

Alexis Brudnicki: _ He found a home on the mound

Scott Radley: It all began with a broken cup