November 27, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Outfielder Justin Gideon was named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Murray Zuk Award winner, as the top Canadian offensive player in the unaffiliated minor league ranks, last week.

The 29-year-old Gideon (Pickering, Ont.) belted 20 home runs for the independent Frontier League’s Quebec Capitales in 2024, which were the most by any Canadian in the minor pro ranks.

“It kind of caught me by surprise,” said Gideon when asked about being named CBN’s Murray Zuk Award winner. “It’s not something you think about when you are playing. I woke up to text messages and a post from Baseball Canada and it definitely means a lot to be part of the growth of baseball within Canada and to be recognized for your efforts, it means a lot to earn this award.”

On top of leading all Canadian non-affiliated players in home runs, he also topped them in RBIs (65) and earned himself a spot on the 2024 Frontier League All-Star Team.

His .287/.387/.543 slash line and .930 OPS helped the Capitales secure first place in the East division with a 64-32 record and later the Frontier League championship, on a walk-off home run by Anthony Quirion (Dixville, Que.) in Game 4.

In the post-season, Gideon had a .363 batting average and collected 12 hits, 10 runs and eight RBIs. The win secured the third straight championship for the Capitales, a Frontier League record.

“The walk-off home run to win the championship this past season was great to be a part of,” said Gideon. “I had a similar experience last season during the playoffs as well, and it is such a great feeling. My first at-bat against Washington in the championship series, I hit a home run to left field, and I think that really set the tone for my plate presence for that series, which went a long way.”

Gideon led the Capitales in numerous statistical categories, including SLG, OPS, home runs, RBIs, doubles (20) and triples (3), and he finished second in batting average among everyday players. Defensively, Gideon suited up in the outfield and registered 15 assists and a .987 fielding percentage.

“When I step in the batter’s box, I want to stay calm and trust myself,” said Gideon. “I try and stay relaxed in the box as much as I can because it is impossible to think of every different mechanic or tweak when you are up there. I usually focus on one or two specific points and just punish the ball when I get the chance.”

This was Gideon’s second campaign with the Capitales. He suited up for 94 games with them in 2023.

Before taking his talents to the Frontier League, Gideon suited up for the Brock Badgers during his university days and also had a seven-year stint in the Intercounty Baseball League, stretching from 2015 to 2022 (there was no 2020 season). In the IBL, he played for Burlington (Bandits and the rebranded Herd), the Hamilton Cardinals, and the Welland Jackfish.

His top season came in 2022 – split between Hamilton and Welland – where he posted a .389 batting average with 19 home runs, 45 RBIs and seven stolen bases.

“The biggest difference between the IBL and the Frontier League is definitely the amount of games played, six games here a week with Quebec versus two to three a week in the IBL. It’s something that takes some adjusting to after all the years I spent in the IBL but you know deep down that you are there (Quebec) to play baseball every day and once you set the routine and stick to it, it goes a long way.”

Following his brief tenure with Welland to finish the 2022 season, Gideon made the jump to the Capitales to begin his journey in the Frontier League.

“The general manager for the Jackfish, he and Pat Scalabrini had a good relationship and he was able to get us in touch following the 2022 season,” said Gideon. “When it comes to playing at the next level, Quebec is in a league of their own. They are a top-notch organization and do everything the right way to win games. To make contributions on the field with the club during my first year was such an honour.”

With the Murray Zuk Award in his back pocket, Gideon is already putting in the work this winter by taking his talents to Australia to continue playing. The Canuck competed for the Sydney Blue Sox last winter and is currently getting reps down under while waiting for the right opportunity within the Australian Baseball League.

As for the 2025 season? All options are on the table.

“I just want to keep getting better, and I want to keep staying in shape and be ready for any opportunity that comes my way,” said Gideon.

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Another Capitales player wins Zuk Award

Heading into this year’s voting, the Quebec Capitales of the Frontier League and SK Wyverns (now the SSG Landers) of the Korean Baseball Organization had the same number of Murray Zuk Award winners.

Since 2008, each organization had taken home the Murray Zuk Award for the top offensive player in the non-affiliated ranks four times each. Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) held a grip on the honour from 2017 to 2020 suiting up overseas while Pete LaForest (Hull, Que.), Jonathan Malo (Laval, Que.), and two-time winner Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ontario) had taken home the award for the Capitales.

However, the tie was broken this year when Gideon captured the honour, earning seven of 10 first-place votes from a panel of baseball experts from across North America. Jared Young (Prince George, BC) finished second with three first-place votes. Young played 38 games with the Doosan Bears in Korea and had 10 homers and 39 RBIs and a 1.080 OPS.

Previous Murray Zuk Award Winners:

(Independent/Foreign Leagues)

Top Offensive Player Of The Year

(Renamed the Murray Zuk award for 2021 season)

2008 — Drew Miller (Medicine Hat, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2009 — Pete LaForest (Hull, Que.) Quebec Capitales and Colin Moro (Calgary, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2010 - Drew Miller (Medicine Hat, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2011 – Matt Rogelstad (Port Moody, BC) Edmonton Capitals.

2012 – Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2013 – Jonathan Malo (Laval, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2014 - Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2015 - Jim Adduci (Burnaby, BC) Lotte Giants, Korea.

2016 - Carter Bell, (Courtenay, BC) Joliet Slammers.

2017 - Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns/triple-A El Paso.

2018 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea.

2019 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea

2020 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea

2021 _ David Glaude (Quebec City, Que.) Équipe Québec.

2022 _ L. P. Pelletier (Montreal, Que.) Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

2023 _ Kole Cottam (Memphis, Tenn./Burlington, Ont.) Spire City Ghost Hounds.

2024 _ Justin Gideon (Pickering, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

*Bold indicates winner played in the major leagues.