Preview Day 1 Day II Day III Day IV

October 13, 2021

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

There were 71 Canadians at the 23rd annual Perfect Game World Wood Bat championships in Jupiter, Fla.

Four Canucks got an up close and personal look at Ostingers Baseball Academy 2022s, winners of the 100-team tourney, long after pool play was over. Mississauga North Tigers’ RF Taeg Gollert (Toronto, Ont.) went 2-for-2 including a double as his Rawlings National Scout Team lost 3-2 to Ostingers in round of 32 play.

Fellow Tiger 3B Cole Leclair (Toronto, Ont.) and Ontario Terrier DH Dylan Oborne (Thornhill, Ont.) were also in the Rawlings lineup.

Great Lake Canadians RF Caleb Clark (Orillia, Ont.) was in the lineup as the Ohio Warhawks were edged 1-0 by Ostingers in the round of 16.

Ostingers beat Texas Twelve 3-1 in the quarter final, and 5 Star National 3-2 in the semi final.

Then the No. 4-seeded Ostingers Baseball Academy 2022s (8-0-0) edged the No. 23 Dirtbags Scout Team (6-2-0) 2-1 in extra innings to win the title.

And in other Day V news ...

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Ontario Terriers C Hugh Pinkney (Etobicoke, Ont.) singled as Team Northeast knocked off the Brewers Langley Blaze 7-1 in consolation play. Pinkney singled to left to drive in a run and scored in the five-run second.

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Langley Blaze Ayden Hadley (Langley, B.C.) singled for the Brewers Langley Blaze in a 7-1 loss to Team Northeast in consolation play.

Blaze RHP Kai Cumiskey (White Rock, B.C.) was charged with the loss as he allowed five runs -- two earned -- on five hits and two walks. In his 28-pitch outing (53% strikes), he was clocked at 86 MPH.

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Scouts Notes

Day IV

Starting on the mound for the Ohio Warhawks, Caleb Clark (2022, Orillia, Ont.) dominated. The southpaw threw 3 2/3 scoreless frames and struck out seven. Clark lived 87-90 and topped out at 91 with his fastball. The Nebraska commit release from some crossfire and a low three-quarter slot that allowed him to get up to 25 inches of induced vertical break on his heater. He went to his slider as his primary secondary as it worked in the 78-82 range wit tight, short break. Clark works from a clean, smooth, and repeatable delivery. The lefty has good stuff at present and projects for more.

- Kyler Peterson

Day II

Getting the last two outs for NEB National was Boston Warkentin (2022, Lander, BC). Entering the game with the tying run on and two outs to get, the big righthander struck out both batters he faced. Stepping on the mound at 6-2 and 200 pounds, the Washington commit carries himself in a confident manner and justifies it with his pitches. Working from the stretch, he was quick to the plate but did not compromise stuff at the plate. He sinks heavily into the mound, hides the ball with his glove side and works aggressively through release with his core rotation. Warkentin’s fastball sat 87-88 and showed some carry through the zone but his breaking ball was a distinguishing factor for him today. A true slider with ample vertical and horizontal break, it was an 80-mph offering that is a true wipe out pitch. He works at a fast clip and is exactly the kind of arm that teammates love to play behind.

- Craig Cozart

Matthew Grabmann (2022, Dartmouth, NS) came out of the ‘pen for NEB National and displayed a loud arsenal while performing very well in high leverage. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound righty ended his line with three innings in relief while allowing one earned run and punching out six. Grabmann operated in the 91-94 range with his heater and topped out at 95. The fastball featured heavy run and life while missing plenty of bats. The Nova Scotia native has a considerably low release height, at around 5-feet, which helps to allow his fastball to be so effective. Grabmann utilized a slider in the 78-80 range as his out-pitch. It showed consistent tight and late lateral break with the makings of being a true weapon. In addition, he pounded the zone with 67% strikes. The Canadian has power stuff and will be an interesting Draft follow moving forward.

- Kyler Peterson

Day I

Scout’s blogs

All Myles Naylor (2023, Mississauga, Ontario) did was rake in the three-hole of the Ontario Blue Jays lineup. The Texas A&M commit went 4-for-4 on the day with a double and a walk. Naylor stands at a strong 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and is consistent performer. He uses the whole field and consistently finds hard barrels. He has a hitterish look and is really confident in the box. Naylor possesses good rhythm in the box and repeats his swing well. The third baseman shows very strong hands at the point of contact and is just starting to get in to his power potential.

- Kyler Peterson

Anson McGorman (2022, Parksville, BC) was impressive from the standpoint of raw stuff and his impressive physical presence on the mound. The uncommitted arm for Brewers Langley Blaze has a mature, developed body (6-foot-2 and 200 pounds) and in his 2 innings ran his fastball up to 93 while staying consistently in the low-90s. He is long-limbed and ultra-flexible in the upper body, creating a full arm path and bowing effect as he loads his arm. He relies heavily on his lower half as he gets down the mound and his secondary pitches are power as well. McGorman displayed a low-80s slider and mid-70s curveball that are legitimate options in his pitch sequencing. Pitching 2 innings, allowing 1 hit, 3 walks and striking out 2, there should be a chance to see him later this week. He was amped up and ready to compete today and did scatter the zone a bit but there is no doubting his potential.

- Craig Cozart