Fitzpatrick: Baker named Canadian Futures Showcase MVP

Webber Wildcats outfielder Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) is presented with his Most Valuable Player belt at the Canadian Futures Showcase by ex-big league left-hander Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.). Photo: Trevor Fitzpatrick

September 24, 2023

By Trevor Fitzpatrick

Canadian Baseball Network

After four hard days of play at the Canadian Futures Showcase, everything paid off for Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) as he accepted his Most Valuable Player belt before the Prospects Game on Saturday.

The young class of 2024 outfield prospect is still uncommitted to a school, but his 9-for-11 batting during his Team Royal Blue’s four games has certainly turned heads.

Now possibly one of the most highly touted uncommitted Canadian prospects, all that was left was for Baker to represent his Webber Wildcats in the event’s Prospects Game.

In his first at-bat of the game against lefty hurler Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, B.C.), Baker was trying to fight out of a 1-2 hole – before he was hit with a fastball right in the liver area.

“It certainly knocked the wind out of me. I was looking curveball expecting the pitch to break back into the zone, but instead, I got caught pretty good.”

Baker was slow to get to his feet and had to be helped back to the dugout. His day was over before it even got going.

Fortunately, he was able to recover quickly enough to stay in the dugout and cheer on his teammates.

While having to be removed from the final game of the tournament was the last thing that Baker was hoping for, he still has been able to take a lot of experience with him back to Alberta.

“I’ve met a lot of people from across the country and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. Hopefully, I’ll get to play with some of these guys again soon.”

As a whole, the province of Alberta raised the bar for all the others with their performances at the showcase. Not only did Baker win the MVP award, but Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) took home the home run derby championship belt.

One of the biggest appeals of the showcase in the eyes of a scout is not only getting to see top young Canadian talent such as Baker and Flewelling play, but play on a major league diamond with wooden bats. An atmosphere that Baker appreciated being able to play in.

“The stadium is huge – maybe a little too huge, there were a lot of empty seats,” Baker said smiling, “All jokes aside, the atmosphere was great.”

When it comes to events like the showcase, there can be a slight pressure that players feel, that of being an entertainer. While scouts are interested in how well players handle the fundamentals, being flashy can help set a player apart.

“I was trying to bring my best swing forward. No one wants to see me walk over and over. Being aggressive was a big part of my game plan.”

Baker’s team, the Wildcats, have been steadily developing into a larger and larger force on the national stage. This year alone they sent Baker and four other athletes to show off their skills.

Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) bats for the Webber Wildcats. The team sent five prospects to this year’s Canadian Futures Showcase. Photo: Brad Robertson (CochraneNow)

Fellow players from the Webber Wildcats Academy who were at the showcase included: Sawyer Jensen (Wheatland County, Alta.), Dylan Dekker (Kamloops, B.C.), Matt Macdonald (Kamloops, B.C.), and Dylan Chopp (Calgary, Alta.).

As for how the showcase came to a close, Baker’s Team Blue went on to defeat Team Jays 5-2 even without the MVP in the lineup in large part thanks to William Polanco’s (Laval, Que.) second home run of the tournament.

The event will return for another run in 2024 as a new young talent looks to take Baker’s spot as reigning MVP.