Fitzpatrick: 2024 CPBL Prospect Games – Class of 2025: Dessureault, Goodacre, Dube, Rompre
A group shot of the participants in the 2025 CPBL Prospects Game played at Royal Field in Dorchester, Ont., on Saturday. Photo: CPBL
August 4, 2024
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
There was no time for breaks at the CPBL Prospect Games on Saturday.
Right as the class of 2026 finished their game, the class of 2025 took to the field to record their 60 times and hit their batting practice.
With these players nearing the end of their high school eligibility, all eyes were on them as they tried to impress the scouts in attendance.
We talked to some of the players fighting for the scouts' attention.
ABC catcher Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivieres, Que.).
1B/3B Esteban Dessureault
Hometown: Trois-Rivieres, Que.
Current team: Academie de Baseball du Canada
Who’s the most influential person in your life and why?
“I would say my brother (Yohann). He plays at Stetson University right now and the Cape Cod League. I’m trying to follow his footsteps, trying to do what he does.”
Who’s the most influential person in your life aside from your brother and why?
“There’s a professional player from my hometown, Raphael Gladu (Trois-Rivieres, Que.), he played in the New York Mets organization and now in the Frontier League. He's one of the most successful players from my town.”
What was your greatest day on a baseball field?
“Probably my first Canadian Futures Showcase. I did my first home run derby and finished third behind Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) and Sam Shaw (Victoria, BC.) who were both picked in the first 10 rounds of their drafts.”
Who’s your favourite player of all time and why?
“Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.), he was a great catcher for a lot of years with the Blue Jays and Dodgers.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want growing up and why?
“An athletic therapist. I’d like to keep working with baseball players and athletes in general.”
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned playing baseball?
“Respect everyone. Your teammates, coaches, opponents, and umpires. It’s important to be a good teammate and show respect in general.”
If the scouts here today could only take away one thing about you to share with their program, what would you hope it is?
“How I act with my teammates. I want to make everyone better and help new players at the academy feel comfortable. I remember when I first got to ABC I was a little anxious but my teammates helped me settle in. That’s what I’m trying to do with my teammates too.”
Ontario Blue Jays right-hander Ben Goodacre (Ancaster, Ont.) has committed to West Virginia. Photo: West Virginia Athletics
RHP Ben Goodacre
Hometown: Ancaster, Ont.
Current team: Ontario Blue Jays
Commitment: West Virginia
Who’s the most influential person in your life and why?
“Probably my parents (Peggy and Simon).They really support me whether I do good or bad, they help me with everything, from my baseball career to life in general.”
Who’s the most influential person in your life aside from your parents and why?
“All of my coaches. I can’t point out a specific one because they’ve all been so helpful to me. They push me past low points and will get on my case if I need it. They point out so many things that help me improve.”
What was your greatest day on a baseball field?
“Winning the Baseball Canada Cup with Team Ontario last year in Saskatchewan. That was really exciting and I loved meeting everyone there. We really bonded and it was a great week.”
Who’s your favourite player of all time and why?
“Right now I’d say Chase Burns is my favourite player. I love his energy and I see myself in him a bit.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want growing up and why?
“I haven’t thought about that much. Maybe something around baseball. I just love the game so much, so I’d be happy doing anything around it.”
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned playing baseball?
“Winning isn’t everything, have fun doing what you do.”
If the scouts here today could only take away one thing about you to share with their program, what would you hope it is?
“I hope they see that I can actually pitch. A lot of people think that I just throw hard, so I want them to know that I’m an actual pitcher, not just a thrower.”
Ontario Nationals catcher Cam Dube (Cambridge, Ont.).
C Cam Dube
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
Current team: Ontario Nationals
Who’s the most influential person in your life and why?
“Probably my dad (Chad). He’s always been my coach growing up, he was a high level baseball player (drafted by San Francisco Giants in 1993) and has always pushed me to be the player I am today.”
Who’s the most influential person in your life aside from your dad and why?
“Either Yadier Molina, or right now maybe Adley Rutshman, since he’s still playing currently. I like his play style and the way he’s always playing hard. He managed to come up through the minor leagues quickly too.”
What was your greatest day on a baseball field?
“Winning the national championship a couple of years ago with the Cambridge Cubs. That was pretty special being with that group of guys.”
Who’s your favourite player of all time and why?
“Yadier Molina (see above).”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want growing up and why?
“A coach, I’d love to give my knowledge to someone else and help them get better.”
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned playing baseball?
“That it’s a sport of failure and you can’t get down on yourself because you’ll fail more than you’ll succeed in this game. You have to stay level-headed and enjoy the game for what it is.”
If the scouts here today could only take away one thing about you to share with their program, what would you hope it is?
“Just my grit. I’m always out there giving it my all and having a good time. I love the sport and love leaving it all out on the field.”
ABC third baseman Justin Rompre (Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade, Que.).
3B Justin Rompre
Hometown: Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade, Que.
Current team: Academie de Baseball du Canada
Who’s the most influential person in your life and why?
“My parents (Julie and Martin), they helped me through the process to get me to where I am now and do everything they can for me.”
Who’s the most influential person in your life aside from your parents and why?
“My girlfriend. She’s everything to me and is always supporting me. We don’t see each other often, but like I said, she’s amazing.”
What was your greatest day on a baseball field?
“We just won the CPBL playoffs, so that will always be a fond memory for me.”
Who’s your favourite player of all time and why?
“When I was still catching, I really liked Yadier Molina. He was a great guy, great leader, and had a cannon of an arm.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want growing up and why?
“Maybe a physiotherapist, just to stay around baseball.”
What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned playing baseball?
“Don’t be selfish, help everyone else on the field and always be a good teammate.”
If the scouts here today could only take away one thing about you to share with their program, what would you hope it is?
“That I hit the ball hard and can find the barrel of the bat easily.”