Shushkewich: Next Canuck to make his big league debut? Tyler Black?

Former Toronto Mets INF Tyler Black stealing his 40th base at double-A Biloxi. He had 47 before being promoted to triple-A Nashville.

August 15, 2023

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

This season 20 Canadians -- including three who are World Baseball Classic eligible -- have suited up for a major-league team with 82 other Canucks in the minors.

A total of 12 players with Canadian ties also turned pro in July, with 10 players hearing their names called during the draft. Two others signed as undrafted free agents.

Looking across the majors, almost every team has at least one Canadian on an affiliate roster, with numerous players spread throughout the different levels of the minors. With active rosters set to expand on Sept. 1 (one position player and one pitcher for a total of 28), let’s take a look at five Canadians who are next in line to realize their dream of making the big leagues.

1. Tyler Black – INF

Milwaukee Brewers – Triple-A

A first-round selection in 2021, Black (Stouffville, Ont.) has hit his way up the ladder in a hurry, with the lefty-batter recently finding himself promoted to triple-A Nashville on Aug. 6.

Starting the year with the Biloxi Shuckers, Black posted a .273/.412/.513 slash line with 14 home runs and a team-leading .925 OPS through 308 at-bats prior to his promotion. His 48 RBIs ranked third on the squad behind only top prospect Jackson Chourio (71) and Wes Clarke (61) while adding 47 stolen bases with his plus speed.

Currently ranked at No. 55 on the prospect list via MLB Pipeline, scouts praise his plate discipline, where he currently generated 61 walks compared to 71 strikeouts and continues finding ways to get on base with his short swing. Defensively, Black has been spread across the infield, mostly at third base (69 starts in double-A this year) but the organization has experimented with him in the outfield before as they try to find a home for his plus speed and athleticism.

Looking ahead, Black’s path to the big leagues will likely be thanks to his bat and ability to steal bases but sticking at third could benefit the 23-year-old, as he is the clear-cut prospect to take control of the position if he can keep the errors in check. While he is getting close to knocking on the doors of the clubhouse in Milwaukee, a move to the big leagues in 2024 might make more sense after he gets some more at-bats under his belt in Nashville.

Former Okanagan Coyotes and Kelowna Falcons RHP Trevor Bridgen (North York, Ont.)

2. Trevor Bridgen – RHP

Tampa Bay Rays – Triple-A

Heading into his fourth season as a pro, Brigden (North York, Ont.) has found a groove these past two seasons, slotting himself into games out of the bullpen with regularity in double-A and triple-A.

While he split last season between both levels (3.05 ERA through 59 innings), Brigden has spent the entire 2023 campaign in triple-A with the Durham Bulls and has primarily worked as an innings eater, going two or more innings in 19 of his 33 outings (57.6%), boasting a 3.47 ERA on the season. The right-hander has finished nine games this season with one save on record and two spot starts under his belt while already eclipsing his previous innings pitched high mark with 62 1/3.

On top of his regular season play, Bridgen was also named to Team Canada’s WBC roster earlier this year and made two appearances in the tournament, pitching a clean 1 1/3 innings while striking out three and not allowing a single hit.

With the Rays’ pitching corps struggling to stay healthy, Brigden could find himself in the big leagues later this year when rosters expand but will require a spot on the 40-man roster to do so.

Chilliwack Cougar and Abbotsford Cardinal grad Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC)

3. Cade Smith – RHP

Cleveland Guardians – Triple-A

Signing with the Guardians as a free agent following the 2020 draft, Smith (Vancouver, BC) has made quick work of his time in the organization.

Making his pro debut in 2021, Smith has advanced all the way to triple-A Columbus this season, with the 6-foot-5 reliever beginning the year in double-A before earning a promotion on June 6. Since being moved to Columbus, Smith has pitched to a 4.76 ERA through 17 appearances and 22 2/3 innings, striking out opposing hitters at a 13.1 K/9 but being a bit wild with his command at times with 16 free passes.

Armed with a fastball that sits in the high 90s, Smith uses this pitch and a mid-80s slider to generate swings and misses as well as weak contact to go along with a sinker and a changeup to round out the arsenal.

Smith also joined Team Canada for the 2023 WBC earlier this year, making two relief appearances.

While the stats may dissuade some, Smith has been pitching well as of late, allowing just three hits through his last five outings while striking out nine and earning his first save in triple-A. The base on balls is one thing the 24-year-old will have to work on but a potential call-up in 2024 is not out of the question given his plus velocity and strikeout abilities.

FieldHouse Pirates OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) is on a fast track in the Chicago Cubs system.

4. Owen Caissie – OF

Chicago Cubs – Double-A

Selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 MLB draft, Caissie’s time with the Padres was short-lived when he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs as part of the trade package for Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini the following offseason.

While the Padres were in ‘win now’ mode heading into 2021, trading Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) may become a major sore spot when looking ahead given how he is progressing within the Cubs system.

Since 2021, Caissie continues to progress up one level within the farm system each year and has spent the entire campaign so far with the Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League within double-A ball. At 20 years old and almost four years younger than the average player, Caissie continues to find ways to get on base, posting a .293 batting average and a .948 OPS through 95 games with the club, both of which are leading the team.

Caissie also owns a team-leading 21 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .554 slugging percentage that is getting him noticed across the league from scouts and analysts alike. Compared to other Southern League players, Caissie ranks second in home runs and doubles (25), third in RBIs and OPS, and fourth in batting average and slugging while being one of the younger players near the top of the leader boards.

Defensively, the Junior National Team alum has found a home in right field, utilizing his solid arm to collect 13 assists so far through his three seasons as a pro, but it will be his bat and raw power that will carry him to Wrigley at the end of the day.

Caissie also has some experience at one of the highest levels, going 3-for-13 with Team Canada at the WBC in March, while also adding one home run and four RBIs in the tournament. The one caveat to his game is his swing-and-miss, as he and his 132 strikeouts so far this year which will need some tidying as he continues to develop within the Cubs system. It’s not unreasonable to think Caissie will see some time in triple-A before the season comes to a close or at least to start next season, which would be on par for his development.

While Cubs fans may not see him this year, if he can continue to hit for power next season, the Cubs’ No. 3 ranked prospect will be in the big leagues sooner rather than later hitting home runs over the Wrigley Field ivy.

Toronto Mets grad OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.) is at double-A Midland.

5. Denzel Clarke – OF

Oakland Athletics – Double-A

After three years at Cal State Northridge, Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.) was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Oakland A’s. They inked him to a $700,000 USD bonus.

While he saw limited action in Rookie Ball following the draft, Clarke split last season between Single-A and High-A before moving to double-A to start the 2023 season. With the Midland RockHounds so far this year, Clarke’s bat has been impressive to the tune of a .496 slugging percentage and a .877 OPS through 234 at-bats.

He is on pace to best his career-high 15 home runs set last year (12) and already has 43 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, utilizing his plus speed to put himself in scoring position while avoiding getting caught.

Ranked as the A’s No. 6 prospect, Clarke’s plus athleticism and 6-foot-5 frame gives him the potential to slot in any of the outfield spots moving forward but can likely stick in centre field for the time being given his plus arm (four outfield assists through 123 games).

Baseball runs in Clarke’s bloodlines considering he is a cousin of the Naylor brothers and the right-handed hitter projects as one prospect who could emerge in a big way over the next two years. Unfortunately for Clarke, he hasn’t appeared in a game since July 21 due to a shoulder strain but should return before the end of the month.