May 8, 2020

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Eleven Canadians are on Baseball America’s recently unveiled 2020 MLB Draft Top 500 Prospects list.

Here’s a rundown of the 11 Canucks:

#68 David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.)

This 17-year-old dazzled scouts with his speed at Tournament 12 at the Rogers Centre in September, registering the fastest 60-yard time (6.43). The left-handed hitting outfielder, who has honed his skills with the Ontario Blue Jays, has continued to impress in the ensuing months, including with the Junior National Team this spring. The 5-foot-9 Calabrese, who has committed to the University of Arkansas, will be one of the youngest players eligible for the draft. Baseball America praises him as a “plus-plus runner who has shown flashes of an impressive hit tool from the left side.”

#134 Trei Cruz (Toronto, Ont.)

This 21-year-old shortstop is the son of former Toronto Blue Jays’ 30-30 man Jose Cruz Jr. A switch-hitting 6-foot-2, 200-pound infielder, the younger Cruz was born in Toronto and has been drafted twice previously, by the Houston Astros (35th round, 2017) and the Washington Nationals (37th round, 2019). For the past two years, he has honed his skills at Rice University. In 2019, he batted .305 with nine home runs in 58 games and was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team. In his abbreviated 2020 collegiate campaign, he batted .328 and had 19 hits - including a home run - in 16 games for Rice. He also drew 18 walks. Baseball America lauds him for his “power from both sides of the plate.” The esteemed scouting publication also adds that “coaches believe he has the ability to play shortstop at the next level with good hands and a strong arm, though scouts believe his footwork needs to be improved to do so.”

#188 Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.)

Born in Ottawa, Ont., this 21-year-old power-hitting outfielder has starred for the University of Michigan. Raised in Ann Arbour, Mich. Nwogu put up strong numbers in his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Wolverines to land himself on the radar of scouts. In his abbreviated 2020 season with the Wolverines, he batted .353 and had 24 hits - including two home runs - in 15 games. “A beast of an outfielder with a powerful, 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame,” reads Baseball America’s evaluation. “Nwogu has immense raw power, but that comes from an extremely funky swing that doesn’t have much precedent.”

#196 Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.)

This 6-foot-4, 190-pound outfielder has honed his skills with the Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team in recent months. If scouts didn’t already know about his left-handed power stroke, they certainly did after his breakout performance at Tournament 12 last September. He was the winner of the home run contest at the event. Caissie also belted a home run to dead centre field for the Junior National Team at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., this spring in their exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Scouts like his athleticism, raw power and strong throwing arm. He has committed to the University of Michigan.

#244 Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.)

This 6-foot-3, 215-pound right-hander honed his skills with the Great Lake Canadians and Tri-State Arsenal before landing at Liberty University. Soon to be 21, he posted a 5-6 record and a 3.76 ERA in 16 appearances - including 15 starts - for Liberty in his sophomore season. Most impressive however, were his 98 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings, which represented a significant jump from his freshman campaign. In his abbreviated 2020 season with the Flames, he posted a 1.96 ERA in four starts and struck out 20 batters in 23 innings. “Big and physical righty with a fastball into the mid-90s and a solid curveball and changeup,” reads the Baseball America report on Skirrow.

#403 Theo Millas (Burnaby, B.C.)

This 6-foot-4, 180-pound right-hander has been a standout hurler with the Langley Blaze and the Junior National Team. The 18-year-old Burnaby, B.C. native first joined the JNT program in October 2017 for its annual Fall Instructional League camp and in November 2018, he helped Canada earn a bronze medal at the COPABE U18 Pan Am Championships. Last summer, he became the 14th Canadian selected to compete in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, which brings together the top 40 high school players in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Scouts like his tall, athletic build and they believe he will become stronger. Right now, his arsenal consists of a low 90s fastball with good sinking action, a curveball and a work-in-progress changeup. He has a college commitment to Louisiana State University.

#413 Jason Willow (Victoria, B.C.)

A Victoria Mariners, Junior National Team and Victoria HarbourCats alum, this 6-foot-2 B.C. native was selected in the 24th round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but opted to attend the University of California Santa Barbara rather than turn pro. Now 21, Willow was in his third collegiate season when the campaign was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was at his best as a sophomore when he posted .378 on-base percentage and had six doubles, three triples, five stolen bases and 20 RBIs in 43 games. A co-valedictorian when he graduated from Lambrick Park Secondary School, Willow began his college career as a third baseman, but has since shifted to the outfield. Scouts like his athleticism, bat speed and the way the ball pops off his bat.

#414 Cooper Davis (Toronto, Ont.)

Chosen in the 25th round of the 2017 MLB draft by his hometown Toronto Blue Jays, this Mississauga, Ont., native opted to play at Vanderbilt rather than go pro. The Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum, who turned 21 on May 7, has evolved into an excellent leadoff hitter for the powerhouse Commodores.  The speedy left-handed hitting Canuck batted .331 and posted a .441 OBP in 35 games in his sophomore season in 2019 and was on pace to register similar numbers - .348 batting average and a .416 OBP in 18 contests – this season before it was cancelled. Scouts praise him for his speed, plate discipline and ability to make consistent contact.

#417 Calvin Ziegler (Heidelberg, Ont.)

This 17-year-old right-hander, who has honed his skills with the Great Lake Canadians and Junior National Team, has dazzled scouts with a heavy fastball that has reached 94 mph. The 6-foot hurler, who attends St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener, Ont. has added strength and power to his frame in recent years. In a story for last year’s Tournament 12, Greg Hamilton, the head coach of the Junior National Team, cited the young right-hander’s “good feel” for his breaking ball and strong competitive nature. Ziegler has a college commitment to the University of Connecticut.

#453 Jack Seward (Port Moody, B.C.)

Like Ziegler, Seward is a 17-year-old right-hander who has honed his skills with the Junior National Team. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Coquitlam Reds hurler has a fastball that was clocked at 92 mph by Perfect Game. His heater helped him toss a seven-inning no-hitter against the White Rock Tritons in a B.C. Premier Baseball League game last June. He struck out 11 batters in that contest. Seward, who attends Dr. Charles Best Secondary School in Coquitlam, didn’t start pitching until he was 13. He had has a college commitment to the University of Oregon.

#477 Logan Hofmann (Muenster, Sask.)

Selected in 35th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, this 20-year-old right-hander opted to attend Northwestern State University rather than sign a pro contract. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Canuck dominated in his pandemic-shortened first season with the Demons, going 4-0 and not allowing an earned run, while striking out 38 in 28 innings, in four starts. Prior to his tenure at Northwestern, he honed his skills with the Muenster Red Sox and Team Saskatchewan, before competing at Colby Community College.