Verge: East Coast catchers to compete in Canadian Futures Showcase

Vauxhall Academy catcher Jaxon George (Belnan, N.S.) (left) and Premier Sports Academy catcher Kieran Cutler (Paradise, Nfld.) are headed to the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre that begins on September 17. Photos: Twitter

September 5, 2024

By Melissa Verge

Canadian Baseball Network

From the rural town of Belnan, Nova Scotia has emerged an unlikely story: one of the top amateur baseball players in the country.

Jaxon George, a proud East Coast catcher, will be taking the field at the Rogers Centre later this month to showcase his skills in front of possibly the most important crowd of his life.

The 16-year-old is one of only four players representing Atlantic Canada at the Canadian Futures Showcase that will take place from September 17 to September 21. In total, 161 of the best young prospects from across the country will showcase their skills in front of an audience of MLB scouts and college recruiters at this event.

“It’s not a big group of people that get to represent the East Coast that go to the showcase, so it’s nice to be one of the ones who’s named,” George said.

It’s an opportunity that’s been in the works for years, but really took off when 15-year-old George packed up his bags from his N.S. home to follow his dream and attend Vauxhall Academy in Alberta.

Now, the catcher is known by head coach Les McTavish for his arm strength and power at the plate.

“Those two things are tough to teach, and you know, he just continues to refine his game,” McTavish said.

Although his family is far away, they’ve been a big part of his journey here, George said.

The inspiration for him to get to this point in his ball playing career sat across from him for years at the supper table every evening.

Growing up, his older brother Lane (20) motivated him to pursue baseball after he initially hung up his glove to play hockey when t-ball concluded. Seeing all the accomplishments he had on the field and watching him play at the nationals motivated him to really push hard to do the same, he said, and get back into the sport.

“I kind of was like ‘yeah, I want to follow my brother and do everything he’s doing,’” he said, with his goal now to play Division 1 baseball.

The catcher is one of two from the East Coast who will be at the showcase. He’ll be joined by Newfoundlander Kieran Cutler who hails from Paradise and trains at Premier Sports Academy there.

Cutler has completely turned his game around in three years, said Premier Sports Academy owner Ryan Sweeney, to the point he was selected for the showcase.

One of his best qualities is his work ethic, Sweeney said. He was given a good look last year to attend the showcase, but they thought his bat needed some work, so this off -season he focused heavily on improving his skills at the plate.

Catcher Kieran Cutler (Paradise, Nfld.), left, with Premiers Sports Academy owner Ryan Sweeney. Photo supplied.

His hard work paid off and resulted in him being selected for the tournament, Sweeney said.

“Now you’re kind of seeing he’s getting the fruits of his labor so to speak,” Sweeney said. “People are starting to notice him for his bat and the power that he has.”

It was a turning point when three years ago he really started to put in the work training five or six times a week, Cutler said. Following that intense training, he had a successful season both offensively and defensively, and each year following the now 17-year-old put in more work and continued to get better and better.

Those skills will likely turn heads in Toronto, Sweeney said.

“He can steal bases, he can throw guys out, he works like a dog behind the plate to block balls, and I think those characteristics are going to show,” he said.

Although the journey for both East Coast catchers to the Blue Jays showcase was different, it was motivated by the same reason - love.

“It’s just something I love doing every day,” Cutler said.

That passion is echoed by fellow East Coast catcher George.

“I just love that [baseball] it’s similar to life,” George said. “It will knock you down so many times, but it can also reward you really quickly, too.”