By Nicole Fiorini

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO – Shortstop Jaden Brown had his eyes on the prize – playing at Canada’s only Major League Baseball park – while competing in the Toronto Blue Jays’ Tournament 12 at Rogers Centre last week.

The 16-year-old is the No. 2 prospect on the 2019 Canadian Baseball Network Draft List and Tournament 12 has given him the opportunity to showcase his skills against the country’s finest high school players.

“I feel like when you first get out here you’re really pressing to get hits and do your best and not make mistakes,” Brown said, after displaying his skills on Scout Day at Tournament 12. “But at the end of the day, I feel like you just have to do what you do best, just play baseball.”

The Mississauga native is in his third consecutive Tournament 12, which is now in its sixth year, and he has set high expectations for himself.

“I’ve learned that being here is a huge honour, and that playing on this field is kind of a dream come true. Especially when you’re from the area, its like, ‘Wow I can’t wait to play on this field,’” Brown said. “I feel like performing at a high level is important, and doing your best is really important.”

The 6-foot-1 Brown was all smiles as he reminisced on how many times he had sat in the stands as a kid to watch his idols play, including the T12 commissioner, Roberto Alomar, and other Toronto Blue Jays alumni.

“My favourite Blue Jay is Robbie Alomar,” Brown said. “Because of all the Gold Gloves, you can’t get better than that. Just watching him play defence, I mean I wasn’t around during that time but I always look up highlights and try to copy what he does.”

Alomar played for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1991-1995, and his 10 Gold Glove awards are more than any other second baseman in league history.

The Puerto Rican 12-time All-Star works closely alongside the Blue Jays Baseball Academy to further develop the sport of baseball in Canada, and to showcase the talent to NCAA schools and Major League scouts.

For any athlete to meet their idol, let alone be critiqued by them, is a once in a lifetime opportunity, as Alomar watched Brown closely on the field.

“Him being here is awesome because you can ask him whatever you want, he is really open. You can ask him all the questions in the world, and performing in front of him is kind of nerve-wracking,” said Brown.

“At the end of the day, he’s a nice guy, I don’t think he will judge you that hard.”