27 Canucks drafted, 16 sign, plus 1 FA
* 3B Eric Wood (Pickering, Ont.), shown here with the Ontario Blue Jays at Vero Beach, Fla., had 13 doubles, four homers and39 RBIs in 53 games for the Blinn Buccaneers to be the top Canadian drafted in 2012/Photo: Bernie Hann Studios, Baseball Canada ... 2012 Canadians in the Minors 2012 Canadians Drafted 2012 Canadians in College Letters of Intent Canuck$ with $ix-figure $igning bonu$e$ Brewers, MLB to stage open workout camps
JAMES PARKER -- Badger Valeriote drafted by Jays
Dykxhorn hopes to go from backyard mound to Reds system
ALEXIS BRUDNICKI -- What Tom Robson would tell Ryan Kellogg
Canadians selected in the 2012 June draft of high schoolers and collegians:
1. 6th (196th over-all) Pirates -- 3B Eric Wood 6' 2", 195 lbs. Pickering, Ont., Blinn College. SIGNED --- for $100,000 US bonus.
Drafted by Pittsburgh scout Trevor Haley.
Baseball America's State rank: 43rd best JUCO prospect in Texas
Hit .326, 13 doubles, five HRs, 44 RBIs
First Blinn Buccaneer AND first Canadian selected
BEN KASHIN: Canuck off the board
2. 7th (245th) Brewers -- LHP David Otterman 6' 3", 210lbs. Coquitlam, BC, University of British Columbia. SIGNED -- $141,700 US.
Selected by Canadian scout Marty Lehn (White Rock, BC).
ELLIOTT PAP -- Otterman expects to sign
STEVE EWEN -- Thunderbirds lefty impresses Brewers
JOHN KURUCZ -- Brewers land Otterman
Ranked: 6th best prospect in Canada
Baseball America Scouting report: Otterman is the country’s best college prospect. He has a solid build at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, throws his fastball in the 88-91 mph range and mixes in three other pitches. His slider is his better breaking ball and he doesn’t use his changeup much, but his delivery is clean, has projection remaining and pounds the strike zone. Otterman is still raw, much more than the typical college junior, so he’ll need time to develop. Was 5-3, 2.84 in 11 GS, 33 BBs, 59 Ks in 64.1 IPs
PG Scouting: Because of his Canadian upbringing, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Otterman is a little farther behind in his development than the typical college junior, but his arm works well, his delivery is clean and there is plenty of projection left in his big frame. His fastball typically sat in the 88-90 mph range most of the spring, occasionally peaking at 91. He also mixed in a slider, curve and change, and his slider has a chance to be a plus offering in time. Though it plays against NAIA competition, UBC is Canada’s most-recognized intercollegiate baseball program, and Otterman topped the club with a 2.57 ERA and .192 opponent batting average while going 5-3 with 22 walks and 45 strikeouts in 77 innings. More than anything, he needs to refine his command going forward to get the maximum out of his ability.
3. 9th (300th) Cardinals -- C Rowan Wick, 6' 3" 200, North Vancouver, BC, Cypress College. SIGNED -- $70,000 US.
ANDY PREST -- Wick drafted by Cards
Transferred after attending St. John's as a freshman, has scholarship to North Carolina State.
.250 Avg. 3 HRs, 10 RBIs in 13 starts, e
State rank: Not in Baseball America’s Top 500. Ranked 120 in Calif.
BA Scouting report: 19th-round pick out of a Vancouver high school in 2010, Wick started his collegiate career at St. John’s before transferring to Cypress. He created some buzz among scouts in the fall but had a pedestrian spring for Cypress, hitting .310 in just 87 at-bats, though he heated up down the stretch and finished with a team-best six homers. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Wick stands out for his plus to plus-plus raw power, but his feel for hitting is a huge question mark. He also has an above-average arm and average speed. Wick’s raw tools are intriguing, but he has a long way to go to harness them.
4. 9th (303) Diamondbacks -- RHP Jeff Gibbs, 6' 4" 210, East York, Ont. University of Maine. SIGNED -- $90,000 US.
3-4, 8.30 ERA 42 walks, 56 Ks in 66 IP
National Rank: 334 by BA.
PETE WARNER -- Gibbs among UMaine drafts
BA scouting report: There were high hopes for Gibbs this season with his arm strength and 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame. But Gibbs has struggled, going 3-4, 7.81 with 52 strikeouts and 38 walks in 55 innings. He also hit nine batters and threw 19 wild pitches. He sits 90-92 mph with ease and can get up to the mid 90s, but his fastball is a true pitch and he gets behind in the count a lot. His slider and changeup are average, but he tends to nibble too much and needs to pitch with more confidence.
5. 11th (345th) Padres -- INF Maxx Tissenbaum, 5' 10", 185 lbs. Toronto, Ont., Stony Brook University. SIGNED -- $100,000 US.
All-Conference, All-regional honours, .390, 3 HRs 48 RBIs.
State rank: 20th, by BA.
6. 12th (379th) A's -- 3B Johnny Caputo 6' 3", 210 lbs. Toronto, Ont., Toronto Mets/Canadian National Junior Team.
Drafted by Matt Higginson.
BEN ESTES -- Giants return to college route on Day II
7. 12th (385th) Jays -- LHP Ryan Kellogg 6'5" 220 lbs. Whitby, Ont., Ontario Prospects/Canadian National Junior Team.
Drafted by Jamie Lehman.
GREGOR CHISHOLM -- Jays nab Kellogg
SHAWN CAYLEY -- Tough decision ahead
ALEXIS BRUDNICKI -- What Tom Robson would tell Ryan Kellogg
BA's National Rank: 203.
BA Scouting Report: Kellogg shows average fastball velocity, consistently sitting in the 87-90 mph range and has projection remaining in his impressive 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame. His curveball was soft and loopy last summer, but he’s tightened it up this spring and shows a good feel for spinning it. He’s still working to get comfortable with a changeup, but prep lefthanders of his stature don’t typically last too long in the draft. Kellogg has pitched well for the Canadian Junior National team--even against professional competition--and will likely be picked in the top five rounds in order for a team to buy him out of his Arizona State commitment.
PG Scouting: The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Kellogg has been established as Canada’s top prospect for the 2012 draft for the better part of a year, and has only enhanced that standing this spring with a number of strong outings for the junior-national team against pro talent in Florida in spring training and extended spring training, as well as on Team Canada’s annual trek to the Dominican Republic just before the draft. In one noteworthy outing in March, Kellogg blanked the Toronto Blue Jays for two innings, retiring the likes of Jose Bautista, Brett Lawrie, J.P. Arencibia and Adam Lind without giving up a hit. Kellogg gets excellent downward plane on his pitches, and his fastball has typically been 87-89 mph, topping at 90-91. He should throw harder as his body matures. Kellogg’s changeup is a solid secondary pitch, while his curveball has shown steady improvement and is much firmer this spring. His greatest advances, though, have come in better command of all his pitches. He has an excellent feel for pitching, and few scouts question his competitive approach with the way he has stepped up this spring against pro-level competition. With limited high-school baseball in Canada, Kellogg has gained most of his experience playing for Canada’s junior-national team and also for the local Ontario Prospects, coached by former big-league brothers Rob and Rich Butler, since age 12. He has a college commitment to Arizona State.
8. 14th (448th) Giants -- OF Tyler Hollick, 6' 1" 185 lbs. Calgary, Alta. Chandler-Gilbert College. SIGNED -- $90.000 US.
58 runs scored in 48 games ... .475 Avg. .604 OBA.
JAY LEE -- Giants get their man (men)
JEREMY FREEBORN -- Calgarian goes to Giants
KRISTEN ODLAND -- Dawg's day: Hollick inks contract
BA's State rank: 13th
BA Scouting Report: Hollick put up video game numbers on his way to being named the region’s junior college player of the year. Over 162 at-bats he hit .475/.605/.636 with seven doubles, eight triples and one home run. He drew 52 walks and stole 61 bases. Hollick has a 6-foot-1, 185 pound frame and came to Chandler-Gilbert as a pitcher and a second baseman. The Coyotes moved him to center field. He is an above-average runner, but his calling card is his lefthanded bat. He has a short, compact swing and always puts together quality at-bats. He’s a gap-to-gap leadoff type, and some teams are interested in moving him back to second base. He is committed to Ohio State.
9. 15th (487th) Yankees -- RHP Dayton Dawe 6' 2" 175 lbs. London, Ont. Ontario Terriers/Canadian National Junior Team. SIGNED -- $100,000 US.
DALE CARRUTHERS -- Big league draft beckons London pitcher Dayton Dawe of Ontario Terriers.
DALE CARRUTHERS -- Dawe Tweets "I'm a Yankee"
PETE WARNER -- Gibbs among UMaine drafts
CTV: Dawe: "School's not for me."
BA’s National Rank: 341
BA Scouting report: Dawe has an average build for a pitcher at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. He’s a good athlete which allows him to repeat his clean, easy delivery. He has a quick and smooth arm action, which allows scouts to project on his 88-91 mph fastball. He throws both a two-seam fastball with some sink and a four-seamer with nice run and he’s able to command the pitches to both sides of the plate. Dawe holds his velocity well into the later innings and mixes in a mid-70s curveball. He also has feel for a changeup. Dawe is committed to Maine but is expected to sign.
PG Scouting: Dawe is still growing into his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, and projects to throw harder as he gets stronger as he has a quick, easy, clean arm action and repeats his delivery consistently. His fastball has been typically in the 88-91 mph range this spring, but he has shown flashes of his anticipated velocity gain by occasionally touching 92, and he even reached 93 on Team Canada’s trip to the Dominican Republic just before the draft. He gets good sink on his two-seamer and run on his four-seamer, and controls both variations of his fastball well to both sides of the plate. His secondary pitches, a curve and change, are solid but not plus, though he is able to throw them for strikes consistently. Dawe has been very steady all spring, and more than held his own against professional and international competition. With a commitment to the University of Maine, Dawe may the toughest sign of all the Canadians projected to be selected in the top 10-12 rounds.
10. 17th (535th) Blue Jays -- LHP Shane Dawson 6' 1" 180 lbs. Drayton Valley, Alta. Prairie Baseball Academy. SIGNED -- $90,000.
Drafted by scout Jamie Lehman.
GORD MONTGOMERY -- Dawson one of two locals selected
11. 20th (622nd) Reds -- RHP Brock Dykxhoorn 6' 8" 225 lbs. Goderich, Ont. Ontario Nationals/Canadian National Junior Team.
Drafted by scout Bill Byckowski.
Dykxhorn hopes to go from backyard mound to Reds system
BA Ranking: Not in Baseball America’s Top 500. Ranked 5 in Canada
BA Scouting: Dykxhoorn has an imposing presence on the mound at 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds. His fastball sits in the 88-91 mph range and shows good life. His breaking ball can get slurry, but he has a feel for spin and has deception. There’s a little effort to Dykxhoorn’s delivery which, along with his size, could mean a move to the bullpen is in his future.
12. 21st (642nd) Orioles -- CF Julian Service 6' 3" 180 lbs., Whitby, Ont., Ontario Blue Jays .
Drafted by first-year scout Tyler Moe (Oakville, Ont.)
Ranked #247 in Baseball America’s Top 500.
BA Scouting: Service has a physical frame at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. He’s a solid-average runner right now and projects best as a right fielder because of his potential with the bat and his well above-average arm strength. Service shows good bat speed and is beginning to show more power this spring. He projects to hit for average power as a pro. Service is considered signable and is committed to Northeast Texas CC.
13. 24th (732nd) Orioles -- INF Tommy Richards 5' 11" 195 lbs, Toronto, Ont., Washington State Cougars -- SIGNED.
Drafted by former Jays scout Gary Rajisch, O's scouting director.
14. 24th (791st) Red Sox -- INF Keaton Briscoe 6' 0", 190 lbs. North Vancouver, BC, University of British Columbia. SIGNED.
Drafted by Red Sox scout Chris Pritchett
SEAN TREMBATH -- Yellow Jackett selected by Red Sox, headed to FLA soon
15. 26th (794th) Cubs -- RHP Jasvir Rakkar 6' 2" 200 lbs. Brampton, Ont. Stony Brook University. SIGNED.
Drafted by Chicago Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken, formerly of the Blue Jays and scout Matt Sherman.
Brampton trio selected on day 3
16. 26th (798th) Rockies -- RHP Adam Paulencu 6' 4" 205 lbs. Sherwood Park, Alta., Embry-Riddle University. SIGNED -- $20,000 US.
Drafted by Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt
17. 26th (805th) Blue Jays -- OF Nathan DeSouza 5' 11" 175 lbs. Milton, Ont., Ontario Blue Jays/Canadian National Junior Team. SIGNED -- $100,000 US.
Drafted by Jamie Lehman.
Ranking: Not in Baseball America’s Top 500. Ranked 7 in Canada
BA Ranking: DeSouza has a lot of whip to his lefthanded swing and has no problem catching up to quality fastballs. He hit a home run off Carson Fulmer in Florida last fall and performed well against pro competition with wood bats this spring. He has a muscular, 6-foot, 185-pound frame, and teams that believe in him are buying the bat. He could be an average hitter with solid-average power potential, and all his other tools are fringy. DeSouza missed time this spring with a back injury, and he is considered signable away from his commitment to Connors State (Okla.) JC.
18. 27th (843rd) Diamondbacks -- OF Damion Smith 6' 4" 180 lbs. Windsor, Ont. Windsor Selects/Canadian National Junior Team. SIGNED -- $80,000.
Drafted by Doug Mathieson.
19. 27th (848th) Phillies -- LHP Fernando Fernandez-Beltran 6' 1" 170 lbs. Montreal, Que. Academy Baseball Canada/Canadian National Junior Team
Selected by Phillies scout Alex Agostino.
20. 28th (860) Mets -- RHP Jake Marks 6' 1" 160 lbs. Bright's Grove, Ont. Sarnia Braves/Canadian National Junior Team
Selected by Mets veteran scout Claude Pelletier.
21. 29th (905th) Brewers -- 1B Bryan Saucedo 6' 3" 210 lbs. Toronto, Ont. Ontario Blue Jays/Canadian National Junior Team
Chosen by M's scout Jay Lapp.
22. 30th (914th) Padres -- OF Jacob Robson 5' 10" 175 lbs. Windsor, Ont. Ontario Blue Jays/Canadian National Junior Team.
Drafted by Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.)
23. 33rd (1001st) Mariners -- RHP Logan Seifrit 5’ 11” 185 lbs. Spruce Grove, Alta. Vauxhall Academy/Canadian National Junior Team. SIGNED.
Signed by Wayne Norton.
LARRY STONE -- Mariners focus on pitching
BRIAN SWANE -- Former St. FX hurler signed
GORD MONTGOMERY -- Dawson one of two locals selected
Ranking: Not in Baseball America’s Top 500. Ranked 9 in Canada
BA Scouting: Seifrit is undersized at 6 feet, 190 pounds, and he’s also a diabetic, but he has the quickest arm in the country. He can run his lively fastball up to 93 mph and shows an above-average changeup. Scouts can project on his velocity because of his arm speed. His slider is below-average right now.
24. 34th (1034th) Cubs — RHP Christian Botnick, 6’ 3” 195 lbs. Brampton, Ont. Ontario Blue Jays/Canadian National Junior Team.
Drafted by scouting director Tim Wilken and scout Matt Sherman.
25. 38th (1175th) Brewers -- C Chris Shaw 6’ 1” 185 lbs. Winnipeg, Man. Okotoks Academy/Canadian Junior National Team
Drafted by Marty Lehn (White Rock, BC)
Ranking: Not in Baseball America’s Top 500. Ranked 8 in Canada
BA Scouting: Shaw has an average build at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. He gave up curling to focus on baseball full-time and has improved greatly over the past year and a half. He has a compact righthanded swing with gap power, and his bat will play at the next level. He will need to work on his defense to stay behind the plate, which would give him the most value. His feet work well and he has arm strength, but he needs to improve his receiving, blocking and transfers. Shaw has the grinder mentality to catch every day and the work ethic to make those improvements.
26. 39th (1195th) Jays -- Shaun Valeriote, 6’ 1” 200 lbs. Guelph, Ont., Brock University. SIGNED -- $1,000 US.
Drafted by Jays scouting director Andrew Tinnish.
Valeriote won the OUA triple crown. Ran a 6.8 60 at Jays workout and hit more home runs in the workout during BP than any other player. Has versatility defensively. Former Intercounty rookie of the year.
JAMES PARKER -- Badger Valeriote drafted by Jays
Jays look to OUA's Brock Badgers
TONY SAXON -- Tinnish goes to his roots
BILL POTRECZ -- Badger drafted by Jays
NEATE SAGER -- Jays cap week to remember at Brock
27. 39th (1205th) Brewers -- OF Derek Jones 6’ 3” 175 lbs. Brampton, Ont., Ontario Blue Jays
Selected by Jay Lapp (London, Ont.)
Brampton trio selected on day 3
Ranking: Ranked #248 in Baseball America’s Top 500.
BA Scouting: Jones is actually a similar player to fellow Ontario outfielder Julian Service. Both have similar builds, both bat and throw righthanded and the two players have similar tools for the most part. The biggest difference is that while they’re both solid-average runners now, Service is more physically mature and projects to remain an average runner in the future, while Jones has a leaner physique and could become faster as he gets stronger. For that reason, Jones has a chance at being a center fielder at the next level. Jones is considered signable and is committed to Rose State (Okla.) JC.
Players drafted/signed:
Drafted by: Blue Jays 4, Brewers 4, Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2, Orioles 2, Padres 2, A's 1, Cardinals 1, Giants 1, Mariners 1, Mets 1, Phillies 1, Pirates 1, Reds 1, Red Sox 1, Rockies 1, Yankees 1.
By Province: Ontario 18, Alberta 4, BC 4, Manitoba 1, Quebec 1.
All-time since 1985 by province: Ontario 346, British Columbia 225, Quebec 96, Alberta 81, Saskatchewan 25, Manitoba 20, Nova Scotia 14, New Brunswick 13, Newfoundland 3, Prince Edward Island 2.