December 22, 2022

Western Canadian Baseball League

First baseman Nolan Machibroda has received the “best Christmas present” in the form of a free agent deal with the Minnesota Twins.

The long-time member of the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) played 96 regular and postseason games for the Weyburn Beavers dating back to 2018.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity … I’d say it’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten,” Machibroda told Cumberland University Athletics.

“It has all happened super quickly over the past two days and out of nowhere really. I’m just really blessed and thankful for the opportunity.”

In 2022, the Saskatoon, Sask., product was named a WCBL All-Star and Weyburn’s most valuable player. In 55 games for the Beavers, the infielder posted a .287 batting average while hitting seven homers, collecting 44 RBIs, scoring 40 runs and smacking 17 doubles.

At the WCBL All-Star Game at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks in July, Machibroda won the Home Run Derby.

“The Beavers organization wants to extend a huge congratulations and wish the best of luck to Nolan,” said the Weyburn Beavers in a social media post.

With the Cumberland Phoenix this year, the 6-foot-3 slugger put up a .460 batting average – the third best in that school’s history – and swatted 17 long balls. Machibroda also recorded a 23-game hitting streak and a 10-game multiple hit streak.

He is set to arrive in Florida for spring training in late February of 2023.