Elliott Jupiter II: Millas, Parson, Siniscalchi -- Updated

RHP Theo Millas (Burnaby, BC) pitched four scoreless for the DBacks Langley Blaze.in a scoreless 0-0 tie. Photo: Baseball Canada

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Theo Millas has opened eyes before. At the Area Code Games. Pitching for the Canadian Junior National Team and at Tournament 12.

Loreto Siniscalchi?

Well, yes, but that years light years away when he dominated at the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Penn.

Millas (Burnaby, BC) and Siniscalchi (Burnaby, BC) both drove on Highway-90 as Doug Mathieson and Jamie Bodaly’s DBacks Langley Blaze played the Braves Scout Team/Team Elite to a 0-0 tie.

Millas allowed one hit -- a single to centre by Jordan Walker, the No. 1 ranked high schooler in North America -- in his four scoreless innings. He struck out seven and his fastball was timed at 90 MPH in his 61-pitch outing (68% strikes).

Siniscalchi opened the eyes of recruiters and scouts as he hit 90 MPH in his scoreless inning. He walked one and fanned on in his 17-pitch outing (64% strikes).

Siniscalchi drew attention at the LL World Series as he moved into uncharted waters for a Canadian pitcher. Pitching for Canadian champ Hastings he struck out 13 and scattered six hits over 5 2/3 as Canada beat Japan 10-4.

The Japanese representatives at Williamsport have won four of the past six Little League World Series and had not lost an opening-round game since 1965. The roadside to the draft -- Siniscalchi is eligible in 2021 -- is littered with LL heros who had peaked or were unable to make the adjustment.

The Blaze were no hit facing Oklahoma RHP Nate Wohlgemuth, ranked No. 4 among high schoolers. He hit 97 MPH and fanned 14 while walking a pair.

Big Jules: When he pitched -- and caught and played shortstop -- for Mississauga Southwest Twins and coach Aaron Thompson -- Julian Parson was known as “Jules.”

RHP Parson (Mississauga, Ont.) was out-STAND-ing for the Ontario Blue Jays pitching 5 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks, while fanning six. He threw 100 pitches (65% strikes). He averaged 83 MPH on his fastball.

David Coleman (Mississauga, Ont.), Josiah Devapalan (Brampton, Ont.), Ryan Kush (Guelph, Ont.) and Darius Armorer (Whitby, Ont.) each had a hit.

LHP Alex Coles (Milton, Ont.) and Kush each had a scoreless outing. Coles walked one, threw 10 pitches and his fastball registered at 83 MPH. Kush walked one and fanned one as he threw 83 MPH.

Scouting blog: Not to be lost in Wohlgemuth’s great feat was DBacks Langley Blaze starter Theo Millas (2020, Burnaby, B.C.), who was very good in his own right as the Louisiana State commit allowed just one hit on four shutout innings while striking out seven hitters. At 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, Millas has a huge frame from a physical standpoint with broad shoulders and lots of room to hold strength. The arm stroke is loose, if not a bit unorthodox, with some length that he uses to whip through a three-quarters arm slot. The fastball worked mostly in the 88-90 mph range for Millas as he got some good life down and to the arm side at times. He dips back a bit at the balance point and then accelerates hard down the mound, which looks awkward but Millas is athletic enough to repeat and still throw pitches where he wants to. The breaking ball has made progress, sitting in the mid-70s with good shape and depth while he also mixed in a changeup at 79 mph.

– Vinnie Cervino