Slugger Kole Cottam, whose family is from Burlington, Ont., is the winner of the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2023 Murray Zuk Award winner, as the top Canadian hitter in the foreign or independent pro ranks.
Read More
On the international stage, no one has represented Canadian baseball more than Rod Heisler. The left-handed hurler from Moose Jaw, Sask., made a record 14 appearances in international competitions for Canada, dating back to his first Amateur World Series in 1978. For his efforts, Heisler was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Read More
National Team alum and former big league closer John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) jokingly took credit for the success of the young Canadian players on the national team at the Baseball Canada Awards Banquet & Fundraiser on Saturday night. It was all for fun then, but with all that he has done for Canadian baseball, his statement wasn’t too far off the mark. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Axford to talk about the ex-closer’s career and his Shohei Ohtani tweet that went viral.
Read More
Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick weighs in on Shohei Ohtani’s $700-million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that Ohtani won’t see 97 percent of until 2034 thanks to the deferred payments that are part of the agreement.
Read More
Webber Wildcats outfielder Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) went 9-for-11 in four games during the Canadian Futures Showcase and was named the event’s MVP. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick spoke to Baker on Saturday.
Read More
Red Deer Braves slugger Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) has won the Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick has the details.
Read More
ABC outfielder William Polanco (Laval, Que.) belted the first home run of the Canadian Futures Showcase on Friday and he did it with Toronto Blue Jays legendary slugger Jose Bautista in attendance. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Polanco after the game to talk about the round-tripper.
Read More
Nate Lodewyks (La Salle, Man.) is showing off his dual-sport athleticism at the Canadian Futures Showcase this week as the only player from Manitoba. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick recently spoke with the young infielder and hockey forward.
Read More
“He bats from the right, then switches around and bats from the left in the same game.
He starts at second base, then puts on the catcher’s gear when the team needs a signal caller change.
Heck, he’s even gotten up on the mound and pitched a scoreless inning against top Canadian talent during last year’s Canadian Futures Showcase.
Kamloops, B.C. native Matt Macdonald’s proverbial toolbox isn’t just full, it’s overflowing.”
Read More
Ontario Blue Jays right-hander Matthew Brown (Carlisle, Ont.), who is the No. 5 ranked prospect on the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2024 Draft List, dominated with his enhanced sinker in his first appearance at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday. CBN writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Brown after the game.
Read More
Ontario Blue Jays infielder Brendan Lawson (Toronto, Ont.) is ranked No. 1 on the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2024 Draft List. So far, he is living up to that billing at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre. CBN writer Trevor Fitzpatrick recently caught up with Lawson.
Read More
“At Rogers Centre this week, there are 160 of Canada’s best prospects all fighting for attention. Each with something unique that they bring to the table.
With that comes nerves. It’s only natural, for many of the players this is the largest stage they’ve been on.
Some embrace the nerves and aren’t afraid to show them. Some attempt to hide them – to varying levels of success – and some make you wonder if they’re even capable of feeling pressure.
Cam Gravelle (Smithville, Ont.) fits decidedly into the last category. Just by looking at him, you can tell he’s been waiting for this moment.”
Read More
Okotoks Dawgs Academy standout Colton Ullyet-French might be the youngest player at the Canadian Futures Showcase, but with his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame and impressive skillset, he sure doesn’t look like it. Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick caught up with Ullyet-French at the Rogers Centre on Tuesday.
Read More
There may not be a better feeling in the world than hearing your name called on draft day. For Junior National Team alum Jérémy Pilon (Salaberry-De-Valleyfield, Que), it’s an experience he’s had twice. Last year, he was selected in the 18th round by the Toronto Blue Jays but opted not to sign. This year, he was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 18th round and signed with the club and has since started his pro career in the Florida Complex League.
Read More
“The name T.J. Bennett (Lethbridge, Alta.) is one likely unfamiliar to Canadian baseball fans.
While the 30-year-old was born in Lethbridge, his hometown is usually listed as Mesa, Arizona -- a side-effect of having a well-travelled father.
Jim Bennett, T.J.’s father, played minor league baseball for 13 seasons in the Seattle Mariners system, before being offered a job as a pitching coach with the Lethbridge Mounties who played in the Pioneer League.
“Baseball has always been in my blood,” recalled Bennett.
During this time, T.J. Bennett was born, hence the listing of his birthplace. It wasn’t long before the family travelled to Mesa, causing the confusion between his birthplace and hometown.”
Read More
“It’s not easy to be a good pitcher in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Division I.
Seventy-five of the league’s batters finished the season with a batting average of .400 or higher, a stat that makes the year Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) had on the mound even more impressive.
Finishing the season with a 12-2 record, Boudreau led the Midland College Chaparrals in wins while posting a 3.97 ERA."
Canadian Baseball Network writer Trevor Fitzpatrick recently caught up with the Canadian right-hander to talk about his season.
Read More