2012 Canadian draft list

*RHP Jeff Gibbs (East York, Ont.) of the Maine Black Bears is the early summer book to be the top Canadian selected ion next June's amateur draft. Letters of Intent

2011 Canadians in College

2012 Canadians draft list

 

By Bob Elliott

Each day we move closer to the 2012 draft.

So who is the top dog for next June?

Well, scouts days Maine Black Bears right-hander Jeff Gibbs (East York, Ont.), who pitched Maine to a win over Florida International at the NCAA regionals, pitching  eight innings allowing two hits and one run while striking out eight.

Gibbs was 7-4 with a 3.42 ERA holding opponents to a .214 batting average. Gibbs walked 34 and struck out 70 in 76 1/3 innings.

A Team Ontario grad, Toronto Blue Jays scout Kevin Briand (Montreal, Que.) drafted Gibbs in the 48th round in 2009 and made him a contract offer.

Gibbs chose to go to school where he has blossomed throwing 96 mph as a freshman going 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA and a team-high 72 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings. He America East Second Team and All-Rookie Team honours.

And this spring he hit 97 mph.

Next best is 6-foot-6 lefty Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.) of the Ontario Prospects. Kellogg pitches for Rob and Rich Butler and is now with the Canadian Junior National Team.

The top five is rounded out by RHPs Dayton Dawe (London, Ont.) and Michael Clouthier (Guelph, Ont.) who both pitch for Scott Van de Valk’s Ontario Terriers and slugger Bryan Saucedo (Toronto, Ont.) who plays for Danny Bleiwas’ Ontario Blue Jays and

While British Columbia dominates usually when it comes to quality, at this early stage that does not appear to be the case for 2012.

 

 

Bob ElliottComment