Who will be the next Canuck big leaguer?
Kingston Thunder alum Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) was called up by the Seattle Mariners at the end of the 2021 season but did not get into a game. Photo: Everett AquaSox/Twitter
March 18, 2022
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
The 2021 season saw the likes of Detroit Tigers outfielder Jacob Robson (Windsor, Ont.), Toronto Blue Jays infielder Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.), and Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) make their big league debuts.
Other Canadians were also prominently in the news. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC) won his second Gold Glove and belted 34 home runs as the St. Louis Cardinals made a late-season surge into the postseason. Hometown right-hander Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) solidified himself as the Blue Jays’ closer, locking down 23 saves.
1B Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) former Etobicoke Ranger hit 36 homers with 99 RBIs — season highs since 2017. INF Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) was part of a deadline deal that sent him and former Blue Jays reliever Joe Smith from Houston to Seattle for another former Blue Jay, closer Kendall Graveman.
And who can forget what Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) did, finishing second in MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani.
But who’s likely to be the next Canadian to make their big league debut?
Most likely: Seattle Mariners RHP Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.)
While righty Brash was called up by the Seattle Mariners on September 28, he didn’t get into a game, making him eligible for this list (in my opinion anyway). Brash is by far the leading candidate to be the next Canadian to make their big league debut.
For one, he was rubbing elbows with fellow big leaguers as the Seattle Mariners tried to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. That’s high praise for the former Niagara Purple Eagle. If you combine that with his dominance in the minor leagues across High-A and double-A where he went a combined 6-4 with a 2.31 ERA and 142 strikeouts over 97 1/3 innings, he seems to be a safe bet to throw his first big league pitch in 2022.
He’s already on the Mariners’ 40 man and will get a serious look leading up to Opening Day.
Next in line: Minnesota Twins RHP Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.)
Former Ontario Blue Jay Balazovic is also knocking on the big league door. He’s on the Twins’ 40 man roster which clears a hurdle. He made a name for himself in double-A in 2021 with the Wichita Wind Surge, going 5-4 with a 3.62 ERA over 20 starts, spanning 97 innings.
An appearance in the 2019 MLB Futures Game in Cleveland helped put him on the map. He was the Twins’ No. 4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline in 2021, with the 2022 rankings to be unveiled shortly.
With a shortened Spring Training and pitching depth likely to prove valuable, Balazovic might just make his debut in 2022.
Potentially: Atlanta Braves RHP Indigo Diaz (North Vancouver, BC)
A 27th rounder in 2019, Diaz made his way to double-A Mississippi in 2021. Over 18 innings he posted a 2-1 record and a 1.50 ERA. That was after dominating in High-A Rome where he went 4-1 with an even 1.00 ERA in 27 innings. Diaz has spent his entire professional career, and most of his days with Michigan State (four starts in 25 appearances), in the bullpen.
With pitching depth at a premium, Diaz may make a case for a midseason call-up.
Keep an eye on: Cleveland Guardians C Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.)
A little further down the line is another former Ontario Blue Jay in Naylor. Cleveland’s first-round pick, 29th overall, in the 2018 draft has received a non-roster invitation to big league Spring Training.
Naylor spent the entire 2021 season at double-A with the Akron Rubber Ducks, hitting .189 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs. While the average is less than impressive, the Guardians’ current big league catchers haven't lit the world on fire offensively either. Austin Hedges hit .178 over 88 games in 2021 and Sandy Leon was just a clip higher, hitting .183 in 83 games for the Marlins.
MLB Pipeline has Naylor’s arrival in the big leagues slated for 2023, so he doesn’t appear to be far off.
And how about two Naylor’s in one big league lineup? Josh and Bo are definitely an intriguing Canadian baseball story to follow going forward.
A ways off: Milwaukee Brewers INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), Chicago Cubs OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.), Baltimore Orioles INF Adam Hall (London, Ont.)
Caissie has already been part of a blockbuster trade. He was selected in the second round, 45th overall by San Diego in 2020, only to be flipped in a deal that sent Yu Darvish to the Friars and the young power hitting outfielder to the north side of Chicago.
Still a few years out, Caissie has a lot of potential. Many believe he has plenty of room to add strength and power to his 6-foot-4 frame. He hit seven home runs in 54 games between the Cubs’ Rookie affiliate and Single A Myrtle Beach during his first professional season in 2021.
It may not be long before Caissie is patrolling the outfield at Wrigley.
Hall is in a favorable position because of the organization he’s in. The Orioles have been in full blown rebuild mode the last few years and it looks like it could continue for a few more. Hall hit .248 in 81 games for High-A Aberdeen in 2021, but his most valuable offensive tool may be his legs. He’s swiped 98 bases in 410 games, including 45 in 2019.
A 2022 infield that looks to feature Rougned Odor, Jahmai Jones, Kelvin Guttierez, Jorge Mateo and Richie Martin certainly leaves possibilities open.
And hey, MLB Pipeline had his big league arrival in 2022, so who knows?
Everywhere he’s played, Black has hit. Whether it was with Rich Leitch’s Toronto Mets, or Alex Sogard’s Wright State Raiders. Black is a competitor and it paid off when he was selected 33rd overall in 2021 by the Brewers.
After hitting .500 in three games for Milwaukee’s Rookie ball affiliate, he quickly climbed the ladder to the class-A Carolina Mudcats. In 23 games and 83 at bats he hit .222.
He may still be a few years off from the bright lights of American Family Field, but he appears to have a bright future ahead of him.