Shushkewich: Flewelling's bat soared him into third round Rays pick
Red Deer Car Star Braves and Sylvan Lake Gulls C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) was a third round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays.
July 19, 2024
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
Joining a list of Alberta players that younger prairie players will look up to and follow down the road is Nathan Flewelling, who inserted himself into the draft conversation during a stellar year.
A Gonzaga University commit, C Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) played for numerous programs on his way to setting himself apart from the most of the competition – the Red Deer Braves, the TG Dbacks, Junior National Team and the Sylvan Lake Gulls.
And the next uniform he will wear is one in the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization.
Flewelling was the third Canadian of 17 selected, an early Day II choice in the third round by the Rays – who also selected 2B Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.) a round earlier. The top Canadian selected was OF Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), a first-round selection (27th overall) of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Playing for the Junior National Team really helped shape me into the player I am today,” said Flewelling, speaking to the Canadian Baseball Network. “To play under some of the best trained coaches and playing against pro teams during the Dominican tour really helped me toward my goal and development on both sides of the game. Even living in the complex atmosphere and working alongside my teammates, who were some of the best players in the country, went a long way to who I am.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I had with them, the (Red Deer) Braves, and every other organization I had a chance to suit up with.”
Flewelling shot up the draft charts this summer with his hot bat. His impressive feats did not go unnoticed, as he attended workouts -- thanks to Sylvan Lake coach Jason Chatwood -- before the draft for numerous clubs and was invited to the Draft Combine in mid-June at Chase Field in Arizona.
“At first I was a bit nervous given the level of talent from across the country, just trying to settle into the moment and finding my place,” said Flewelling. “Once I stepped into the batter’s box, I felt extremely comfortable and was able to put on a good showing in batting practice, barrelling the ball and putting some good swings in.”
And good swings they were, as the prep star bested numerous college-level athletes with a 112.4 MPH exit velocity, which finished tied for second on the weekend. He was swinging harder than many players almost three years his senior.
This summer, Flewelling took his talents to the Sylvan Lake in the Western Canadian League. Through 20 games, the left-handed hitter slashed .329/.448/.614 with five home runs, 19 RBIs, and a 1.062 OPS.
“It was an exciting but nervous process,” said Flewelling, of the weekend leading into the draft. “There is an element to the whole thing where things are out of your control, but you also know that you left everything out on the field and hope it was enough that a team is willing to take a chance. I felt like I had a solid showing and was not only hitting the ball well but playing well behind the plate and I am fortunate that the Rays saw that in me.”
As for how he feels about being selected by the Rays?
“I have seen what the Rays program can do in terms of development and I am excited to get going,” said Flewelling. “I am happy that the hard work paid off but I know that the work isn’t done when it comes to achieving my goals. This is only the first step in the process and I can’t wait to get back on the diamond.”
While there has been not been an official word in terms of a contract and a signing bonus, the usual scenario concerning drafted high school players between rounds 1-to-10 is that players will likely sign.
With how well Flewelling has performed both at the combine and with various clubs over the past several years, it is easy to see why the Prep Baseball Canada Player of the Year was selected so high.
Each year, the draft provides the opportunity for players both in the high school and college ranks to take their talents to the next level. For Flewelling, his repeatable swing and continuous work ethic have allowed him to pursue those ambitions with the Rays, an organization known for finding ways to maximize internal prospects and development year after year.
The talent on the field also extends off the field, as Flewelling is as mature as someone who has been around the game for decades.
As for parting words, Flewelling left some advice for players who might find themselves in a similar position next summer as the 2025 draft approaches.
“You never know who is watching, so you always want to make sure you conduct yourself in the highest manner on and off the field,” Flewelling said. “The game of baseball has a ton of connections and to make a lasting impression, you want to leave everything you have on the field but extend that mentality to everyone you talk to, whether that is coaches, scouts, players, or anybody in between.
“If you believe in yourself and cut out the outside noise, you are setting yourself up for success in the future.”
The other Albertans drafted were: INF Jack Lines (Okotoks, Alta.) a 12th rounder from TNXL and an Okotoks Dawgs grad, also to the Rays, RHP Cohen Achen (Calgary, Alta.), 14th round, Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders, Baltimore Orioles; RHP Owen Pote (Spruce Grove, Alta.) 19th round, an Okotoks Dawgs grad now with Sylvan Lake, Cincinnati Reds and OF Eric Hartman (St Albert, Alta.) 20th, Okotoks Dawgs, Atlanta Braves. The 17 selected.
The province of Alberta has long produced talented players – RHPs Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.), Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), Chris Reitsma (Calgary, Alta.) and Mike Johnson (Edmonton, Alta.) being the tip of the iceberg.
These talented players go hand in hand with the numerous programs and teams that flood the province like the Vauxhall Jets, Okotoks Dawgs, Webber Wildcats and Prairie Baseball Academy. They are all organizations that are continually producing college level players that are inching their way to the pro level through talent and determination.