By: Alexis Brudnicki

Canadian Baseball Network

Austin Shields came out of nowhere.

Factually, the 18-year-old Great Lake Canadians right-handed hurler hails from Dundas, but in just the last couple of years Shields went from finding relatively little success on the diamond to becoming one of the best high school arms in the entire country. 

His latest successes have been recognized with not only an opportunity to continue his education and play with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, but then by also being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in the 33rd round of Major League Baseball’s draft on Saturday.

“It’s amazing honestly,” Shields said. “It shows that you can go from being virtually unknown to something completely different, and that working as hard as you can truly does pay off. I’ve changed a lot over the last two years with the Great Lake Canadians, with the coaching they have, and it’s an incredible organization.”

Before the young pitcher joined the London program, he was a first baseman with plenty of potential. With a place to hone his skills and help to figure out what he was capable of, the work began and so did the progress.

“I can still recall the day that Austin joined the program, and the excitement that we had as a staff for him to be a part of what we do,” said Adam Arnold, Great Lake’s pitching coordinator, as well as strength and conditioning coordinator. “What will not go unnoticed over those two years is the professional he’s become, and the character, and the reputation he’s built for himself…

“He got stronger, his delivery became more connected, and ultimately he started commanding the ball better each time out. On top of that, his increase in velocity started to spike. He stuck to his routine, took his failures as learning curves and used them to get better the next time out. He started to really invest in his career, which only started with his investment in himself.”

Shields made exceptionally huge strides over the most recent winter months, dedicating an additional high school year to making improvements and earning the results he was looking for.

“Over the past off-season I worked incredibly hard to get my body to where I thought it should be at, or close to its best,” the righty said. “I worked out five to six times a week and ran three to four times a week. Also, I got my diet together and was only eating healthy foods. I got 35 pounds down and I was feeling great about myself.

“Also, working with the GLC program has been amazing as well. The coaches all know what they’re talking about and they all love the game. Adam Arnold, my pitching coach, has also given me all the time he could to practice everything I needed to.”

Added Arnold: “At his age, the game can really reward you for the time you put into it. Austin is a perfect example of that right now. That’s what we aim to instill in our players, and to have Austin be a premier example of the opportunities it can create, it makes us as a staff extremely proud…

“What stands out, beyond his ability, would be him realizing his own potential and where it could bring him. This sparked some trust and patience in the process, while igniting a relentless work ethic to get the most out of himself each day he was at the field and in the gym. His continuous commitment to keeping himself in shape, along with refining his delivery led to some pretty special things over the course of the off-season and into the spring.”

Beyond the spring and heading into the selection process, Shields was near the top of many of the country’s draft projection lists. With an understanding that he was a likely pick, the young hurler thought his name might come a little earlier than it did, but he is proud to be a member of this year’s draft class.

“I wasn’t trying to think too much about the draft, but I had a feeling I would be picked,” he said. “Personally I thought I’d go higher, but signability was an issue with some teams. Also, I didn’t perform to the best of my abilities every time I was pitching this spring, so that also had an effect. But all in all, I’m still very grateful to have been chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this year’s draft…

“It means the world to be selected honestly. It has always been a dream of mine to be drafted, so it’s a dream come true. To think about how only 25 Canadians were picked, and to be one of them, is something on its own. It’s honestly amazing.”

With a decision now to be made between going pro or heading off to college on the west coast, the Canadians are looking forward to the next steps for Shields.

“What excites me the most, as it would for most coaches, would be what Austin is capable of doing with the opportunity presented,” Arnold said. “Now it’s about taking full advantage of it. If it’s now or if it’s after his time at UBC, he’s going to become a professional player who really gives himself a chance to maximize his potential and reach his ceiling.”

Currently unsure of where he will wind up next, Shields knows he can’t make a bad choice and is looking forward to fulfilling his potential.

“I’m most excited for the opportunity to further my knowledge and my abilities with the craft of pitching,” he said. “If it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates or the University of British Columbia, I will make the most out of the opportunity that has been given to me.”

With more in the tank, and a definite home to continue to use it, the sky’s the limit for Shields.

“You can expect a 6-foot-5 righty with momentum and motivation,” Arnold said. “He’s going to continue to add polish and feel for his command and secondary offerings. He is consistent reps away from finding these aspects of his game, and whether it be at the collegiate or professional level, these will allow him to separate himself from the rest.”

Shields is one of six players from the Canadian Premier Baseball League selected in the draft this June, among a total of 12 high schoolers hailing from north of the border. Toronto Mets catcher Andrew Yerzy was taken in the second round, 52nd overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ontario Blue Jays hurler Jordan Balazovic followed in the fifth round, taken 153rd overall by the Minnesota Twins.

OBJ backstop Luke Van Rycheghem was selected by the Diamondbacks in the 23rd round, and was followed by Mets southpaw Matt Jones in the 28th round, also taken by the Twins. GLC outfielder Jake Wilson was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 39th round.