Fitzpatrick: Why I Love the Canadian Futures Showcase, 2024 preview
Red Deer Braves alum Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) won the Home Run Derby at the Canadian Futures Showcase last year. Ten months later, he was selected in the third round of the MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Photo: Trevor Fitzpatrick.
September 15, 2024
Why I Love the Canadian Futures Showcase: A 2024 Event Preview
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
As I marched into the Rogers Centre for the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase I had no idea where I was going.
It was my first time entering the dome as media instead of a fan. My school’s president David Lanys had approached my first year class a few months earlier letting us know that there was a “baseball opportunity” available.
That was all that we were told. Fortunately, that was all that I needed. I was the only one in my class to raise my hand for this mystery baseball gig.
Never did I imagine that it would lead to writing about Canadian players from across the country for Bob Elliott’s Canadian Baseball Network.
By the time I walked through the doors of gate 9A at the dome, I had only written a handful of articles for the site. Perhaps I felt I had something to prove, but nonetheless, I told myself I was going to be a workhorse for the five days I was there.
Nine feature articles later, I had gained a newfound appreciation for the talent to be found in Canada and their stories.
I had always known it existed. This, however, was far greater than I could have imagined. My first in-person view of it was spectacular.
As the 10th rendition of the event approaches in a few days time, I look forward to doing it all over again.
This year’s showcase will feature 150 of Canada’s top prospects from all across the nation battling it out in front of recruiters from numerous colleges and even major-league scouts.
The event kicks off on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with a scout day ... a day of evaluations: the 60-yard dash times, batting practice, and field work will all be observed. Then, the fun begins.
From Wednesday until Friday 12 games will be played as players fight for spots in both the home run derby and all-star game on Saturday.
Since the event’s first year in 2013, over 100 alumni have been drafted and over 700 have received college scholarships.
One that I had the honour of interviewing and writing about last year was C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.). He won the home run derby, played in the all-star game, and then went on to be drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Rays in July.
Another of my favourite interviews from last year was Nate Lodewycks (La Salle, Man.). He was the sole representative from Manitoba and as we talked, I learned about his tenacious return to sports from a broken pelvis when he was younger.
There was also Cam Gravelle (Smithville, Ont.), who’s committed to the University of Toledo. He was a unique interview in that he was a true student of the game. He was the first – and only – to tell me that he wanted his baseball IQ to stand out.
If you want a list of names to keep an eye out for this year, eight of the top 10 players on our projected 2025 draft list will be on the diamond:
On top of all of this, the showcase is run entirely by Canadian talent as well. Each team is led by four of the nation’s top coaches.
Even the umpires are all-Canadian, chosen by Baseball Canada.
Simply put, it’s a can’t miss week of if you’re in the area. I’ll be there with our team of fellow Canadian Baseball Network writers.
I hope to see you there as well.
Highlights from a year ago …
Fitzpatrick: Flewelling wins Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby
Fitzpatrick: Manitoba’s Lodewyks shows off dual-sport athleticism
Fitzpatrick: Gravelle’s skills, baseball IQ on display at Showcase