Elliott: Bucknam, Doucette impress at 35th annual Area Code Games

RHP Micah Bucknam (Abbotsford, BC) of the Abbotsford Cardinals was one of five Canadians invited to the 35th annual Area Code Games.

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

A year ago about now Great Lake Canadians’ Calvin Ziegler was wondering where it all went wrong.

The COVID-19 virus had shortened the major league draft of high schoolers and collegians to five rounds and Ziegler did not hear his name called.

This July, Ziegler went in the second round -- 46th overall in North America -- to the New York Mets. That was a victory lap worth taking for Ziegler (Heidelberg, Ont.).

RHP Micah Bucknam (Abbotsford, BC) of the Abbotsford Cardinals was selected in the 16th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in July. Bucknam didn’t sign and is now trying to travel the same road Ziegler travelled.

Bucknam was one five Canadians invited to the 35th annual Area Code Games at the University of San Diego.

Bucknam impressed the most, according to three scouts, and will get a good look in the spring as his fastball sat at 92 mph.

Coming out of the bullpen for the New York Yankees, Bucknam worked three innings in an 8-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Bucknam allowed four runs -- one earned -- on three hits and two walks. He struck out five and gave up a homer.

1B Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, NS) of the Okotoks Dawgs

While four attended the Area Codes -- mostly for 2022 draft selections -- the most productive player was 1B Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, NS) of the Okotoks Dawgs, who played for the Kansas City Royals in the underclassmen event.

Doucette’s week that was:

_ Hitting sixth and playing first base, he was 1-for-1 in a 12-4 win over the Oakland Athletics.

_ Pinch-hitting in a 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals he was 0-for-1.

_ Hitting third and playing first he was 2-for-3 for the Yankees in a 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. He doubled, singled and walked

_ Playing first and hitting third, Doucette singled and drove in a pair in a 10-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Doucette batted 4-for-7 (.571) second in the tournament. Thanks to three walks he had a .700 on-base percentage. He is listed on the Area Code site as a 2023 grad and has a scholarship to Oregon State for 2023, yet he is scheduled to graduate from Foothills Composite high in 2002. So he should be draft eligible next summer.

After the Area Code games, Doucette headed to the Junior National Team camp in Ajax.

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How the others fared ...

INF Tyrus Hall (Victoria, BC) Victoria Eagles 2022 Kansas City Royals

_ Was 0-for-2 in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

_ Was 0-for-2 with an RBI in an 11-3 loss to the Washington Nationals.

_ Did not play in an 8-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers

_ Was 0-for-3 in a 7-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics

LHP-OF Ty Hamilton (Orleans, Ont.) Watson Elite 2023 New York Yankees.

_ Played in the outfield but did not have an at-bat in an 8-3 loss to the Athletics.

_ Was 0-for-1 in a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

_ Pitched two innings in a 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals, allowing three runs on two hits, while striking out a pair. He became an official member of the pitcher’s union allowing a home run.

INF Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays 2023 New York Yankees.

_ 0-for-3 in an 8-3 loss to the Athletics.

_ 0-for-1 in a 6-5 win over the Brewers.

_ Was 0-for-2 in a 6-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

_ Was 0-for-1 in a 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals.