Borden, Forgrave JUCO returnees, Hrynkiw, Jaco, Toro top newcomers
Noah Renaud hits at Tournament 12.
Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
The NJCAA recently released a pair of lists for the top returning pitchers and the top incoming freshman for all three of its divisions. Both lists were littered with Canadians. Players from our great nation were mentioned in both Division 1 and Division 2.
The Division 1 top returning pitchers list featured right handed pitcher Jesse Borden (Dartmouth, NS). Borden went 3-1 with a 6.48 ERA a year ago. He would appear in 21 games, throwing 50 innings while walking 19 and fanning 42. Those are numbers Borden will look to improve on with Midland College Chaparrals.
The top incoming freshman for division 1 saw a fair share of Canadians crack the list. Noah Renaud (Amherstburg, Ont.) of Indian Hills community college was listed as a new player to keep an eye on in the Northern District. Renaud patrols the outfield for the Falcons.
Tony Hrynkiw (Brampton, Ont.) of the Connors State Cowboys and Hayden Jaco (Coquitlam, BC) of Vernon College made the list for division 1, both are catchers for their respective schools.
Shortstop Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) should play a big role as a freshman for Seminole State (OK). Jose Vasquez of Grayson County College made the list as a right-handed pitcher.
Righty Brady Moxham (Oakville, Man.) will join Borden on the Midland pitching staff as a top incoming freshman. JT Patterson (Calgary, Alta.) also cracked the list as a utility man for Northeastern junior college.
Jake Forgrave (Toronto, Ont.) is a top returning arm to keep an eye on in NJCAA division 2 baseball this season. He is coming of a year that saw him post a 4-3 record with a 5.71 ERA. He made 10 appearances, tossed 41 1/2 innings, surrendering 53 hits, 20 walks and struck out 33 hitters for Garrett College.
Monroe Community College is represented on the list of top incoming freshman by third baseman Ryan Bothwell (Napanee, Ont.).
Right fielder Jake Foden (Toronto, Ont.) represents Allegany of Maryland.
Tyler Fosslet will roam the outfield for CCBC Dundalk as a top incoming freshman to watch in division 2. Garrett college will have an all Canadian battery when catcher Tyler Dobie (North York, Ont.) is behind the dish for Forgrave.
It is an exciting time for Canadians in college baseball and these recent honours further prove that point. Canadians continue to make impacts at all levels including the NJCAA. Keep an eye out for these players in the weekly edition of the BMOC.