ABC outfielder William Polanco (Laval, Que.) smacked the first 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase home run to right field in the sixth inning as Team New Blue opened Day 4 with a lopsided 9-2 victory over Team Black, on Friday morning at the Rogers Centre.
Read More“After attending last year’s Canadian Futures Showcase in Ottawa, earning a spot back at the event in 2023 means just a little bit more to John Hughes (Mississauga, Ont.).
Coming to the Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays growing up, Hughes is getting to range the same field as some of his baseball heroes this week for Team Grey.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing here,” the Ontario Blue Jays outfielder said after helping his team to a 7-1 win Thursday. “On showcase day, it was very cool. Just looking up and seeing everything, just being on the field and seeing how big it is.”
Read MoreOntario Blue Jays catcher Liam Kirsh (Toronto, Ont.) had a two-run single and picked a runner off third base for Team Grey in their 7-3 win over Team Black at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Thursday night.
Read MoreFieldhouse Pirates infielder Matthew Kolodziej (Oakville, Ont.) had a clutch, bases-loaded two-run single in the fourth inning to help Team Navy to a 7-3 win over Team Royal at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Thursday afternoon.
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 MoreStepping on the field at Rogers Centre during the Canadian Futures Showcase brought a rush of emotion for Terriers outfielder Ethan Mota-Dias (Halton Hills, Ont.) and left-handed pitcher Russell Kwinter (Toronto, Ont.). It began with nerves, transitioned to excitement and probably ended with some relief after seeing and throwing their first pitches. Canadian Baseball Network writer Matt Betts caught up with the two Terriers to talk about their experience at the Rogers Centre this week.
Read MoreGreat Lake Canadians left-hander Mark Rogers (Cambridge, Ont.) pitched three scoreless innings and Ontario Blue Jays outfielder Jorge Valdes Jr. (Milton, Ont.) singled in the eventual winning run as Team New Blue rallied to pick up a 6-5 victory against Team Red at the Rogers Centre on Thursday afternoon.
Read More“There’s something unique about the Team Red dugout at the Canadian Futures Showcase.
As Andrew Albers and Dustin Molleken roam about preparing for their next game, it’s not lost that the two Saskatchewan-born former big leaguers are standing side-by-side throughout the week.”
Read MoreBob Elliott asked four more players at the Canadian Futures Showcase a series of questions and also shares a rundown of the scouts and college recruiters in attendance.
Read MoreA triple by Ontario Blue Jays outfielder John Hughes (Mississauga, Ont.) in the first inning helped Team Grey defeat Team Navy 7-1 on Thursday morning at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre.
Read MoreOntario 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 MoreCoquitlam Reds infielder Tim Piasentin (Coquitlam, B.C.) had a two-run single to help Team Black complete a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Team Red at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.
Read MoreOntario Blue Jays infielder Philip Cheong (Richmond Hill, Ont.) had three stolen bases and scored two runs for Team New Blue, while UBC Thunder infielder Oliver Clements (Vancouver, B.C.) had two hits with a run scored for Team Royal Blue in a 2-2 tie on Wednesday night at the Rogers Centre.
Read MoreFieldhouse Pirates right-hander Ben Goodacre (Ancaster, Ont.) pitched two scoreless innings and Okotoks Dawgs Academy infielder Leo Cote (Sainte-Catherine-De Hatley, Que.) delivered a clutch two-run double in the sixth inning to lead Team Red to a 3-2 win over Team Navy in the third game of the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. Langley Blaze lefty Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) struck out six in three no-hit innings for Team Navy and was named player of the game.
Read MoreOntario 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 MoreOntario Blue Jays first baseman Lee Jones hit the ball the hardest at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound slugger belted a ball with an exit velocity of 105 mph.
Read MoreABC right-hander Jacob Wallace (Pincourt, Que.) went two scoreless innings and Team Alberta outfielder Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) had three hits, two runs and two stolen bases for Team Royal Blue to lead them to a 6-3 victory over Team Black in the second game at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Wednesday.
Read MoreOttawa Nepean Canadians outfielder Preston Schwarz ran the fastest 60 at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre on Tuesday, clocking in at 6.46 seconds.
Read MoreWesley Johnston (Toronto, Ont.) threw three no-hit innings and Keenan Parker (St. Albert, Alta.) hit a two-RBI single to lead Team New Blue to a 3-1 victory against Team Grey at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday morning, in the opening game of the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase.
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.”
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