Caillouet changes mind, returns to Ottawa Champions

Infielder Jordan Caillouet has reconsidered his decision to retire and will play for the independent Can Am League’s Ottawa Champions in 2019. Photo: Marc Lafleur

March 28, 2019

By Michael Nellis

Ottawa Champions

OTTAWA – Sometimes, the itch of the baseball season brings players back.

That was the case for INF Jordan Caillouet.

Originally, he was set to retire due to a recurring injury that nagged him during the latter half of the 2018 season – his first in Ottawa. Now, as the season quickly approaches, he’s decided to return.

That wasn’t how Champions manager Sebastien Boucher (Gatineau, Que.) expected his phone call to go when he hit up his former third baseman to wish him well in retirement.

“I was just wishing him well,” said Boucher, “we talked about baseball, and the season here. And I guess it reinvigorated him.”

Caillouet said he wanted to be back in Ottawa this summer. His wrist bug, which required early offseason surgery, has now been rehabbed. Boucher says it’s back to 100 per cent.

“It hurt him offensively last year,” Boucher said of Caillouet’s wrist injury. “He struggled through pain, grinded, and was really solid at third base.”

Indeed, Caillouet was a reliable infielder at the hot corner.

He played in all but two games with the Champions this summer, and registered a .945 fielding percentage during that span. It’s the highest percentage for any Champions third baseman since INF Nick Giarraputo scored .964 in 2015 – but he did that in just nine games.

The Raceland, La. native also led the Champions in doubles during his 2018 season with the team. He hit 24.

The Champions will welcome Caillouet back, along with this cast of other returning players. Here’s the full list, along with their 2018 stats:

INF Vinny Guglietti (.292 – 9 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB, 33 BB)

OF Brian Portelli (.208 – 5 HR, 16 RBI, 11 BB)

RHP Austin Chrismon (8-10, 4.77 – 117 IP, 133 H, 52 ER, 28 BB)

RHP Andrew Cooper (0-1, 4.02 – 56 IP, 63 H, 25 ER, 16 BB)

RHP Miles Sheehan (1-6, 4.33 – 54 IP, 50 H, 26 ER, 23 BB)

LHP Evan Rutckyj (Windsor, Ont.) (2-6, 5.64 –67 IP, 69 H, 42 ER, 29 BB)