Elliott: Happy campers led by Valero, Brown, Macko, Saul, Pelletier, Diodati
Great Lake Canadians C Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) showed well in front of scouts at the Athletes Matrix. Photo: Adam Morissette.
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
The Major League Scouting Bureau -- and its travelling road show it produced each winter and each spring -- has long since disbanded.
Yet, amateur scouts still made the trek -- six stops in four provinces -- looking for the best high schoolers last month. This year’s draft is takes place June 3-to-5. Not that far away ... 92 days away as we type this.
We asked a number of scouts on the trip, just who had the best outing ... improved their stock?
The No. 1 answer in a close vote was C Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) of the Great Lake Canadians.
And the other receiving interest were: INF Cesar Valero (Calgary, Alta.) of the Okotoks Dawgs, OF Dasan Brown (Oakville, Ont.) of the Ontario Blue Jays, LHP Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) of the Vauxhall Academy Jets, RHP Eli Saul (Vancouver, BC) of the UBC Thunder and C Raphael Pelletier (Mascouche, Que.) of the Academy Baseball Canada.
At The Baseball Zone
Hosted by the Ontario Terriers.
Mississauga, Ont.
Scouts on hand: Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins and Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team.
For 2019
INF Austin Gomm (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Terriers/C-Virginia Commonwealth.
Loud contact. Best hitter of the group. Showed improved arm strength and foot speed.
OF Ethan Sanasie-Edwards (Brampton, Ont.) Ontario Terriers/C-Wabash Valley.
Tall athletic frame with power from the left side. Best OF arm at the camp.
For 2020
LHP Connor O’Halloran (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Terriers/Michigan.
Best arm shown. Velocity was up and commanded all pitches.
C Zack Laurie (Peterborough, Ont.) Butler Prospects.
Big, strong body. Possess power. Quick hands, combined with the ability catch and throw.
LHP Campbell Ellis (Georgetown, Ont.) Ontario Terriers/C-Virginia Commonwealth.
Ball jumped out of his hand. Fastball had lots of movement, while his curve and change had late life.
C-OF Ben Baker (Toronto, Ont.) Ontario Terriers.
Has made tremendous strides offensively and defensively. Showed power offensively. Another top young arm.
For 2021
MIF Elijah Hammill (Oakville, Ont.) Ontario Terriers.
Showed power from both sides of the plate. Continues to get stronger. Plus runner. Showed well defensively.
At Athletes Matrix
Hosted by Ontario Blue Jays
Mississauga, Ont.
Scouts on hand: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.), San Diego Padres, Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins, Claude Pelletier (Ste-Lezard, Que.), Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.) and Mike Steed (Burlington, Ont.) Cincinnati Reds, Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.) New York Yankees, Jay Lapp (London, Ont.) and Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) Toronto Blue Jays, Matt Higginson (Oakville, Ont.), Oakland Athletics; George Halim (Dundas, Ont.) Arizona Diamondbacks; Myer Shemtov Colorado Rockies (Richmond Hill, Ont.) Colorado Rockies; Kirk Barclay (Wyoming, Ont.) and Derek Bloomfield (Strathroy, Ont.), Kansas City Royals; Cody Martin, Atlanta Braves, Zach Friedman, Philadelphia Phillies, Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team and Jeremy Booth P15/Future Stars
For 2019 draft
C Owen Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.) Great Lakes Canadians/C-Alabama.
Legitimate bat, Continues to improve
Ontario Blue Jays OF Dasan Brown (Oakville, Ont.) has committed to the Texas A&M Aggies.
OF Dasan Brown (Oakville, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays/C-Texas A&M.
Quickest man in building. Speed has always been top tool, has matured physically and mentally greatly over last year. Hit tool has been constant now flashing power.
C Ryan Leitch (Whitby, Ont.) Toronto Mets/C-Marshall.
Bat will play but scouts want to see him behind the plate.
INF David McCabe (Courtice, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays/C-Charlotte.
Strong loud batting rounds from both sides of the plate.
INF TJ Schofield (Brampton, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays/C-Chipola.
Impressive batting practice facing strike machine Every Day Eddie.
OF Eric Martin (Kitchener, Ont.) Great Lake Canadians/C-Indiana State.
At 6-foot-5, the 200 pounder throws well and runs well for a big man
INF Jaden Brown (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays/C-Kentucky.
Showed an arm clocked at 95 MPH. Has increased arm strength with clean, easier action, strength in tools continues to progress and develop, in game performance key this spring
RHP Brandon Deans (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays
Was 90-92 - 6-foot-4, 200 pounder tall lean body, creates angle to bottom, short tilt curve ball still developing with strong feel for change up.
Fieldhouse Pirates RHP Will Watson (Brampton, Ont.)
For the 2020 draft
RHP Will Watson (Brampton, Ont.) Fieldhouse Pirates.
A specimen at 6-foot-5. Was 88-90 MPH. He’s what they look like.
OF David Calabrese (Thornhill, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
One of the quickest in the building, has a strong left-handed bat that plays.
LHP Caden Griffin (Ottawa, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays/C-Missouri.
Was 87-90 MPH. Short compact strong body, strong direction is key for command, short quick arm stroke with big 11/5 two plain curve and showed great separation on change that night.
For the 2021 draft
OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) Fieldhouse Pirates/C-Kentucky.
Left-handed hitter with long projectable frame - consistent batting practice rounds
RHP Nelson Mercado (Brampton, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays
Was 86-88 MPH. Strong young arm, fastball velocity easy for age, secondary stuff still in infancy but flashes plus projection with three-pitch command. One to follow.
At the Claude Robillard Centre
Hosted by the ABC
Montreal, Que.
Scouts on hand: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.), San Diego Padres, Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins, Claude Pelletier (Ste-Lezard, Que.), Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.) Cincinnati Reds, Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.) New York Yankees, Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) and Kory Lafreniere (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) Toronto Blue Jays, George Halim (Dundas, Ont.) Arizona Diamondbacks and Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team.
ABC C Raphael Pelletier (Mascouche, Que.)
For 2019
C Raphael Pelletier (Mascouche, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada/C-TCU
Very athletic, a plus defensive catcher and a good release
RHP Antoine Jean (Montréal, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada
Spins breaking ball real well, 86-87 MPH
RHP Cedric De Grandpre (St-Simon-De-Bagot, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada
Was 88-89 MPH easy, Has length and leverage
For 2020
RHP Simon Lussian (Varennes, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada.
Was 88-to-90 MPH, Good size with a loose, very athletic
OF Jean-Christopher Masson (Levis, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada
Good size at 6-foot-4, good extension from the left side, has a chance to hit
For 2022
INF Joshua Jones (Blainville, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada
Very athletic arm works, the makings of a swing.
At Vauxhall, Alta.
Hosted by Vauxhall Jets at Vauxhall Indoor.
Scouts on hand: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.) and Allen Cox (Okotoks, Alta.) San Diego Padres, Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins, Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.), Cincinnati Reds, Les Mactavish (Vauxhall, Alta.) Seattle Mariners, Dale Tileman (Taber, Alta.) Detroit Tigers, Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) and Kory Lafreniere (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) Toronto Blue Jays, Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.) Milwaukee Brewers, Conor Glassey, Cleveland Indians, Cody Martin, Atlanta Braves, Zach Friedman, Philadelphia Phillies, Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team and coach Todd Hubka Prairie Baseball Association.
Vauxhall Jets’ LHP Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.)
For 2019 draft
LHP Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) Vauxhall Academy/C-Purdue
Lights out 89-91 MPH
RHP Chase Florendine (Lethbridge, Alta.) Vauxhall Academy/C-Cal State Northridge
Very good 89-91 MPH
RHP Evan O’Toole (Bridgewater, NS) Vauxhall Academy/C-Iowa Western.
Good 89-91 MPH
OF Josh Malainey-Rambridge (Saskatoon, Sask.) Vauxhall Academy.
Much improved showing a short compact swing that squared up the ball.
OF Dayton Peters (Abbotsford, BC) Vauxhall Academy.
Now healthy. Showed bat speed. Strength and pop.
For 2020 draft
RHP Levi Abbott (Lethbridge, Alta.) Vauxhall Academy.
Very good 87/88 MPH
Vauxhall’s RHP Maddux Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.)
RHP Maddux Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.) Vauxhall Academy.
86-89 MPH
LHP Ben Adams (Ottawa, Ont.) Vauxhall Academy.
83-85 MPH
C Max Grant (Fredericton, NB) Vauxhall Academy.
Bat speed. Strong. Chance to really hit.
INF Nick Gravel (Fall River, NS) Vauxhall Academy.
Had a good day at the plate. Much improved with the added strength.
2021
OF Jackson Clemett (Calgary, Alta.) Vauxhall Academy.
Might have had one of the best days offensively. Squared up just about every pitch. Athletic with good genes. Dad (Jason Clemett) played in the CFL for the Stampeders.
At Okotoks, Alta.
Hosted by Okotoks Dawgs
Okotoks Dawgs INF Cesar Valero (Calgary, Alta.)
Scouts on hand: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.) and Allen Cox (Okotoks, Alta.) San Diego Padres, Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins, Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.), Cincinnati Reds, Les Mactavish (Vauxhall, Alta.) Seattle Mariners, Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) and Kory Lafreniere (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) Toronto Blue Jays, Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.) Milwaukee Brewers, Conor Glassey, Cleveland Indians, Cody Martin, Atlanta Braves, Zach Friedman, Philadelphia Phillies and Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team.
Top Performers
For 2019 draft
INF Cesar Valero (Calgary, Alta.) Okotoks Dawgs/C-Oregon State.
Third straight solid workout after impressing Brewers and Reds scouts. Changed arm action.
INF Jordan Lussier (Winnipeg, Man.) Okotoks Dawgs/C-Chandler-Gilbert CC.
Quiet hands. Will play at a Divison I school eventually.
C Ayden Makarus (Airdrie, Alta.) Okotoks Dawgs/C-LSU-Eunice.
Bat makes some noise.
C Kendall Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) Martin Academy, Team Saskatchewan Baseball, Okotoks Dawgs/C-Wabash Valley.
Solid, impressive workout
OF Micah McDowell (Coldbrook, NS) Okotoks Dawgs/C-Oregon State.
Did not compete as is a couple of weeks away after an injury to his non-throwing shoulder surgery. A big fave of Blue Jays scouts going back to Tournament 12.
RHP Jordan Lussier (Winnipeg, Man.) Okotoks Dawgs/C-Chandler-Gilbert CC.
Up to 89 MPH.
For 2020 draft
INF Ricardo Sanchez (Mexico City, Mex.) Okotoks Dawgs.
Solid competitor
RHP Martin Ding (Winnipeg, Man.) Okotoks Dawgs
Up to 89 MPH
RHP-INF Dryden Howse (Okotoks, Alta.) Okotoks Dawgs.
Up to 89 MPH, most like him as an INF.
Dawgs Conor Pote (Okotoks, Alta.)
For 2022
RHP Conor Pote (Okotoks, Alta.) Okotoks Dawgs.
Up to 88 MPH. Best future of anyone in the building?
At North Vancouver, BC
(At Inside Performance)
Scouts on hanad: Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.) San Diego Padres, Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, BC) Minnesota Twins, Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.) and Jamie Bodaly (Langley, BC) Cincinnati Reds, Doug Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC), Arizona Diamondbacks; Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) Toronto Blue Jays, Dave Dangler, Detroit Tigers, Zach Freidman, Phillies, Conor Glassey Indians, Marty Lehn (Whhite Rock, BC) Milwaukee Brewers and Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, Ont.) coach Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team.
For 2019 draft
RHP Eli Saul (Vancouver, BC), UBC Thunder
Looked the part, big and tall with a free and easy arm. Fastball was 88-91 MPH with a true slider and a solid change up
INF Josh Walker (Victoria, BC) Victoria Mariners
Interesting, has a loose swing and can run. Best position player there, but has sore shoulder.
RHP Jacob Davies (Surrey, BC) Langley Blaze.
87-89 MPH which was clean and easy, coming off a shoulder strain was one of his first bullpens since the summer. Had a plus curve ball.
RHP-INF Adam Maier (North Vancouver, BC) North Shore Twins
Was very good not only pitching in the top five for velocity but also in the top three for average exit velocity in the hitting portion. He was also near the top of the list for the hardest hit ball of the day as well.
RHP Ryan Scott (Quispamsis, NB) Langley Blaze
Showed a smoother delivery and was the first thing veteran scouts said about him. Easy 87-89 MPH with sharp curve.
For 2020
RHP Jack Seward (Port Moody, BC), Coquitlam Reds.
Showed a live arm topping out at 90. Max effort guy and throws hard but doesn’t look clean. Has put on a lot of size this winter and his fastball velocity has greatly improved.
Langley Blaze LHP Justin Thorsteinson (Langley BC) pitching at Tournament 12. Photo Credit: Austin Owens
LHP Justin Thorsteinson (Langley, BC) Langley Blaze/C-Oregon State
Was 87 MPH, he’s 6-foot-4 and he hasn’t stopped growing
3B Vic Domingo (Vancouver, BC) UBC Thunder.
He has the top exit velocity and the ball made a different sound off his bat.
C-2B Russ Young (Langley, BC) Langley Blaze.
Hit the ball hard, line drives all over the place.
1B Gio Mezzomo (Coquitlam, BC) Coquitlam Reds
Swung the bat well, ball jumped off his bat.
BC has four very capable young catchers:
C Connor Caskenette (Duncan, BC) Mid Island Pirates, C Jayden Cull (Victoria, BC) Victoria Eagles, C Gareth Wintjes (Vancouver, BC) North Shore Twins and Jonathan McGill (Richmond, BC) North Delta Blue Jays.
For 2021
RHP Dominic Hambley (Victoria, BC) Victoria Eagles
Also very impressive as a young guy putting up some big numbers both hitting and pitching.