Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team grad Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) has been voted the Canadian Baseball Network’s Randy Echlin Award winner, as top offensive player in the affiliated minor league ranks, for a second straight year after a strong season with the triple-A Iowa Cubs.

November 18, 2025

Official Canadian Baseball Network News Release

The Canadian Baseball Network named the winners of its 2025 awards for top Canadian minor league hitter and pitcher in both the affiliated and unaffiliated ranks on Tuesday.

Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.), who belted 22 home runs in triple-A in the Chicago Cubs’ organization, is the repeat Randy Echlin Award winner, as the top minor league hitter in the affiliated ranks.

Meanwhile, right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), who topped all minor league pitchers with 179 strikeouts with the New York Mets’ double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and triple-A Syracuse Mets, has been named the Wayne Norton Award winner as the Canadian minor league pitcher of the year.

In the unaffiliated ranks, Mathieu Vallée (Saint-Eustache, Que.), who set a Frontier League record with 83 stolen bases with the Trois-Rivières Aigles, was named the Murray Zuk Award winner, as offensive player of the year, while right-hander Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.), who went 15-3 for the independent Atlantic League’s Lancaster Stormers, received the Claude Pelletier Award, as top pitcher.

Caissie spent the bulk of the season with the Cubs’ triple-A affiliate in Iowa. In 99 games, he batted .286 and posted an .937 OPS with 22 home runs, 55 RBIs and five stolen bases. His performance earned him his first big league call-up on August 14. He belted a home run and had four RBIs in 12 major league games. Following the season, the left-handed hitting outfielder was named a Triple-A All-Star by Minor League Baseball.

Caissie also won the Echlin Award in 2024. This makes him the fourth player to win the award more than once. The others are Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.) who took home the honour in three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017 and two-time winners Brett Lawrie (Langley, B.C., 2010-11) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que., 2017-18).

Toronto Mets alum Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) has been voted the Canadian Baseball Network’s Wayne Norton Award winner, as top Canadian pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks, after his dominant season with the New York Mets’ double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and triple-A Syracuse Mets.

Tong put together a dominant season with the New York Mets’ double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies and triple-A Syracuse Mets, combining to go 10-5 with a 1.43 ERA in 22 starts. His 179 strikeouts were the most by any pitcher in the affiliated minor league ranks this season. He also topped all minor league hurlers in ERA and opponents’ batting average (.148). For his efforts, he was selected a First Team Minor League All-Star by Baseball America. His minor league dominance earned him his first big league call-up in late August.

ABC alum Mathieu Vallée (Saint-Eustache, Que.) has been voted the winner of the Canadian Baseball Network’s Murray Zuk Award, as top offensive player in the unaffiliated minor league ranks, after he set a Frontier League record with 83 stolen bases for the Trois-Rivières Aigles in 2025.

Vallée set a Frontier League record with 83 stolen bases in 88 games for the Trois-Rivières Aigles. He also ranked third in the league in hits (127), sixth in batting average (.352) and tied for sixth in runs (75). The left-handed hitting outfielder also had 19 doubles, 47 walks and a .428 on-base percentage. His performance earned him selection to the Frontier League’s 2025 All-Star Team that was announced in late August.

Great Lake Canadians alum Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.) has been voted the Canadian Baseball Network’s Claude Pelletier Award winner, as the top Canadian pitcher in the unaffiliated minor league ranks, after he topped the Atlantic League with 15 wins for the Lancaster Stormers in 2025.

Skirrow went 15-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 25 starts, spanning 137 1/3 innings, for the Lancaster Stormers in 2025. He topped all Canadians in the unaffiliated pro ranks in wins, starts, innings pitched and was second in strikeouts (143). His 15 wins also led the Atlantic League, while he finished second in innings pitched and strikeouts. For his efforts, he was selected the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year and the starting pitcher on the 2025 Atlantic League All-Star Team following the season.

Eleven baseball experts were polled for the Canadian Baseball Network’s annual awards that have been handed out in 16 previous years. Each award has been named after a Canadian who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to baseball. Randy Echlin (1950 to 2011) was a judge and former head of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Selection Committee, while Wayne Norton (1942 to 2018), Murray Zuk and Claude Pelletier have served as legendary scouts in Canada.

Voting Breakdown:

Randy Echlin Award - Top Canadian Offensive Player - Affiliated Minor Leagues

Name Hometown Level Organization Points

First-place votes in ()

Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) triple-A Iowa, Cubs (7) 36

Jared Young (Prince George, BC) triple-A Syracuse, Mets (3) 29

Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) triple-A Durham, Rays 9

Matt Coutney (Wetaskiwin, Alta.) double-A Rocket City, class-A Tri-City 6

Emilin Pitre (Repentigny, Que.) class-A Bowling Green, Rays (1) 6

Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) triple-A Worcester, Red Sox 6,

David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.) triple-A Gwinnett, double-A Columbus, Braves 5

(One player had less than five points)

Wayne Norton Award - Top Canadian Pitcher - Affiliated Minor Leagues

Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) triple-A Syracuse, double-A Binghamton, Mets (7) 50

Garrett Hawkins (Biggar, Sask.) double-A San Antonio, class-A Fort Wayne, Padres (2) 24

Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) double-A Frisco, double-A Amarillo, Rangers, Diamondbacks 12

Curtis Taylor (Port Coquitlam, BC) triple-A Memphis, Cardinals (1) 10

Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.) triple-A Omaha, Royals (1) 8

(Two pitchers received less than five votes)

Murray Zuk Award - Top Canadian Offensive Player of the Year - Unaffiliated Minor Leagues (Independent or Foreign leagues)

Mathieu Vallee (Saint-Eustache, Que.) Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Frontier League (3) 25

Dane Tofteland (Grand Prairie, Alta.) Rockey Mountion Vibes, Pioneer League (2) 21

Marc-Antoine Lebreux (Montreal, Que.) Quebec Capitales, Frontier League (2) 14

Billy Germaine (Aldergrove, BC) Heidenheim Heideköpfe, Germany (2) 10

Justin Gideon (Pickering, Ont.) Quebec Capitales, Frontier League 7

Connor Panas (Etobicoke, Ont.) Pirates de Campeche, Mexico (1) 6

Jacob Robson (Windsor, Ont.) Winnipeg Goldeyes, Atlantic Association (1) 6

(Two players received less than five votes)

Claude Pelletier Award - Top Canadian Pitcher - Unaffiliated Minor Leagues (Independent or Foreign Leagues)

Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.) Lancaster Stormers, Atlantic League (4) 30

Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, BC) Yokohama Bay Stars, Japan (4) 28

Logan Hofmann (Muenster, Sask.) Heidenheim Heideköpfe, Germany (2) 14

Braeden Allemann (Surrey, BC) Quebec Capitales (1) 13

(Two received less than five votes)

Honour Roll

Affiliated Players

Offensive Player Of The Year

(Starting in 2011 the award was named after the The Honourable Mr. Justice Randall Echlin, former head of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame selection committee and a man with a baseball-shaped heart.)

2008 _ Tim Smith (Toronto, Ont.) Rangers.

2009 _ Tyson Gillies (Langley, BC) Mariners.

2010 _ Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) Brewers.

2011 _ Taylor Green (Comox, BC) Brewers and Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC) Jays.

2012 _ Oscar Taveras (Montreal, Que.) Cardinals.

2013 _ Sean Jamieson (Simcoe, Ont.) Diamondbacks.

2014 _ Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.) Blue Jays.

2015 _ Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC) Mariners.

2016 _ Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC) Mariners.

2017 _ Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC) Mariners/Cardinals and Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) Blue Jays.

2018 _ Vladimir Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) Blue Jays.

2019 _ Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) Astros.

2020 _ Minor league seasons cancelled, COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 _ Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) Blue Jays.

2022 _ Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.), Twins.

2023 _ Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) Brewers.

2024 _ Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) Cubs.

2025 _ Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) Cubs.

By province

BC 6, Ontario 6, Quebec 6.

By Organization: Blue Jays 5, Mariners 4, Brewers 3, Cardinals 2, Cubs 2, Astros, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Twins, one each.

Pitcher Of The Year

(Renamed the Wayne Norton award for 2021 season)

2008 _ Scott Diamond (Guelph, Ont.) Braves.

2009 _ James Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) Brewers and John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) Brewers.

2010 _ Scott Mathieson (Langley, BC) Phillies.

2011 _ Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC) Padres.

2012 _ James Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) Brewers.

2013 _ Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.) Twins

2014 _ Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC) Nationals.

2015 _ Adam Loewen (Surrey, BC) Phillies and Shane Dawson (Drayton Valley, Alta.) Jays.

2016 _ Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands, Tex.) Pirates and Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC) Phillies.

2017 _ Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) Braves.

2018 _ Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.) Jays.

2019 _ Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) Twins.

2020 _ Minor league seasons cancelled, COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 _ Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) Mariners.

2022 _ Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) Rangers.

2023 _ Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) Guardians.

2024 _ Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, BC) Guardians.

2025 _ Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) Mets

By province

BC 7, Ontario 7, Alberta 4, Saskatchewan 1. .

By Organization:

Brewers 3, Phillies 3, Braves 2, Guardians 2, Jays 2, Twins 2, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Padres, Rangers, one each.

Affliated award winners

By organization: Blue Jays 7, Brewers 6, Mariners 5, Phillies 3, Twins 3, Braves 2, Cardinals 2, Cubs 2, Guardians 2, Rangers 2, Astros, Diamondbacks, Mets Padres, Pirates, Nationals one each.

By provinces: BC 13, Ontario 13, Quebec 6, Alberta 4, and Saskatchewan 1.

* * *

Non-affiliated

(Independent/Foreign Leagues)

Top Offensive Player Of The Year

(Renamed the Murray Zuk award for 2021 season)

2008 — Drew Miller (Medicine Hat, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2009 — Pete LaForest (Hull, Que.) Quebec Capitales and Colin Moro (Calgary, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2010 - Drew Miller (Medicine Hat, Alta.) Calgary Vipers.

2011 – Matt Rogelstad (Port Moody, BC) Edmonton Capitals.

2012 – Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2013 – Jonathan Malo (Laval, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2014 - Sebastien Boucher (Ottawa, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2015 - Jim Adduci (Burnaby, BC) Lotte Giants, Korea.

2016 - Carter Bell, (Courtenay, BC) Joliet Slammers.

2017 - Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns/triple-A El Paso.

2018 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea.

2019 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea

2020 _ Jamie Romak (London, Ont.) SK Wyverns, Korea

2021 _ David Glaude (Quebec City, Que.) Équipe Québec.

2022 _ L. P. Pelletier (Montreal, Que.) Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

2023 _ Kole Cottam (Memphis, Tenn./Burlington, Ont.) Spire City Ghost Hounds.

2024 _ Justin Gideon (Pickering, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2025 _ Mathieu Vallee (Saint-Eustache, Que.) Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

Top hitters

By province: Ontario 8, Quebec 5, Alberta 3 and BC 3.

Pitcher Of The Year

(Renamed the Claude Pelletier award for 2021 season)

2008 — Michel Simard (Charlesbourg, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2009 — Aaron Wideman (Mississauga, Ont.) New Jersey Jackals.

2010 – Aaron Cotter (Kitimat, BC) Sioux Falls Pheasants.

2011 – John Mariotti (Toronto, Ont.) Quebec Capitales.

2012 – Jeff Duda (Surrey, BC) Quebec Capitales.

2013 – Karl Gelinas (Iberville, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2014 – Karl Gelinas (Iberville, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2015 – Karl Gelinas (Iberville, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2016 – Karl Gelinas (Iberville, Que.) Quebec Capitales.

2017 - Scott Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC) Yomiuri Giants.

2018 _ Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.). Orix Buffaloes.

2019 _ Phillippe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.) Ottawa Champions.

2020 _ Andrew Albers (North Battleford, Sask.). Orix Buffaloes

2021 _ Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions.

2022 - Miguel Cienfuegos (Laval, Que.) Capitales de Québec.

2023 _ Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.) Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions.

2024 _ James Bradwell (Gibsons, BC) Capitales de Québec.

2025 _ Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.) Lancaster Stormers.

Indy/foreign lands winners

Pitchers

By province: Quebec 7, BC 4, Ontario 5, Saskatchewan 2.

Hitters and position players

By province: Ontario 13, Quebec 12, BC 7, Alberta 3, Saskatchewan 2.

Caissie, Tong, Vallée, Skirrow named 2025 Canadian Baseball Network award winners