Left-hander Gravel a two-way threat on the diamond

ABC OF/LHP Alexis Gravel (Repentigny, Que.) fields a fly ball at the Junior National Team spring training camp in St. Petersburg, Fla., last week. Photo: Michael Mazzei

March 17, 2020

By Michael Mazzei

Canadian Baseball Network

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Alexis Gravel, an outfielder and pitcher on the Canadian Junior National Baseball Team, shares a name with a Chicago Blackhawks goalie prospect.

While they both may have the same name, the baseball Gravel has carved out his own reputation as an all-around solid player who has the tools to be a two-way threat on the diamond.

Gravel said he knows of the Blackhawks goalie prospect but has yet to meet him personally.

“I look at the players in the MLB, that gives me determination,” he said through a translator about trying to stand out among the other Gravel. “I watch them play and I want to play like them.

“The other guy, no, because it’s hockey,” he added, smiling.

Gravel said he watches the likes of Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, trying his best to play like them.

He has been able to find success in both positions. In a game against a team of Toronto Blue Jays hopefuls over a week ago, he threw two innings and allowed only one hit, one walk, and two unearned runs. In another game on Thursday, he recorded a hit and drew a walk.

While his outfield skills were on full display during a Friday practice, Gravel said he wants to work on both his pitching and fielding.

“I’ll definitely be practicing my throwing to help both those aspects of my game,” he said. “I’m going to continue in the bullpen and improve as a thrower and continue to hit well with the goal of making it to a university.”

The experience with the Junior National Team has been beneficial for Gravel, saying that playing against pro teams has helped his development.

Those improvements have not gone unnoticed. Head coach Greg Hamilton said he was impressed with Gravel’s progression as an outfielder.

“He's got a nice balanced swing, so he gives himself a chance every day to play,” he said. “Defensively, he's consistent. He's got a true arm in the outfield.”

With much potential for the 16-year-old, plenty of schools will likely be interested in recruiting him when the time comes in 2021.

For Gravel, he would like to go to a school, but his focus is on enjoying the moment with the Junior National Team.

“I seriously love this, we play against professional teams, it’s just a beautiful moment honestly,” he said. “It’s so nice doing batting practices each day, it feels like we’re in the pros.”