Elliott: Futures bios - Bello, Morris, Reason, Whiteford
September 28, 2026
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Just because the best high school players were at Nat Bailey Stadium in BC, we are not going to ignore our yearly bios and questions since this event began . . .
Name: RHP Jack Bello
Hometown: Richmond, BC.
Team: Okotoks Dawgs Academy/Team Black.
Committed to: Washington State University.
The most influential person in my baseball life: “Besides my father, Pedro, it would be Mike Trout because I admire the way he goes about the game, his work ethic and the way he treats others.”
Greatest day on the ball field “Winning the Road to Okotoks this past summer because it was a surreal feeling to win the inaugural championship.”
My favourite player: “Mike Trout because of his play style, hard work and the way he is outside of the game.”
If not a pro player, the next best job “I’d want to be a physiotherapist for a pro team.”
The most important thing I’ve learned playing ball: “To take in the moment and enjoy the experience.”
Four people dead or alive you would invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “Mike Trout, my grandpa, Juan, Clayton Kershaw and Adam Sandler.”
Name: INF Tanner Morris
Team: Vauxhall Jets/Team Grey.
Hometown: Sudbury, Ont.
Committed to: Not committed yet.
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My teammates and coaches and the amazing community of Vauxhall that has pushed me to be the best player I can be. My own family, mom, dad, and brother are the backbone of everything, including my grandpa who also played and was a pitcher and literally lives through every game ... But my team have become my extended family and truly inspire and push me to be better and they are the most important people in my baseball life.”
Greatest day on the ball field “So far was winning the Road to Okotoks qualifier! That was the most amazing day. We worked so hard as a team and did it with class and pride.”
Favourite player and why?: “Freddie Freeman because he is humble and carries himself with pride. He is also an all-around great player and someone I have always looked up to.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A lineman for Hydro. I would get to be outdoors, help people during big storms and be challenged every day in my work.”
What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “That it is so important to be a better person, as it will allow me to be a better player. When I give back to my own community and do things off the field, it allows me to reset and make me realize I can do the hard stuff when it comes back to ball. Learn and grow from the setbacks, the losses and the slumps ... always remember that these things are temporary.”
What four people — dead or alive — would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions? “Derek Jeter to ask ‘do you have specific things you did to stay so humble and grounded all those years playing? How did you block out all the ‘noise’ and people who did not see your value?’ Yadier Molina to ask him for some tips for me as a young catcher? My future self (Tanner Morris) ... to ask if he was happy and still playing the game he loves? And my dad, Jamie, to ask if I made him proud? And thank him for joining me on every adventure over all these years.”
Name: LHP Ethan Reason
Teams: Toronto Mets/Team Royal.
Committed to: Uncommitted
Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “The most influential person in my is my friend Nate Rowan because we have played ball together our whole lives and there is always a battle between us and always hoping for the best things for our baseball career.”
Your greatest day on the ball field? “My start at Lakepoint, Ga. when I threw a complete game, one-hitter against Boston Prime. The lone hit should have been an out. But I had a blast pitching and it was a really fun day.”
Your favourite player and why? “My favourite player is Kevin Pillar because when he used to play for the Blue Jays back in the day, I would always watch him wanting to be him and seeing his diving plays made him become my favourite player.”
If not a pro player, what’s the next job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A micro biologist because I think what they do is pretty cool and it looks really fun to do.”
What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “The most important rule that I have learned is to forget what just happened and move on, to shake it off and get it right the next time.”
What four people — dead or alive — would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “Dr. Pepper, Kevin Pillar, (singer-songwriter) Mac Miller and my dad, also named Jeremy.”
Name: C-INF Rhys Whiteford
Hometown: Duncan, BC
Team: Okotoks Dawgs Academy
Committed to: Div. 1 Xavier University.
The most influential person in my life: “My grandma, Dinah, and my grandpa, Don, because they push me the most to play my hardest and have always taught me that you never know who’s watching at all times. Since my grandma’s passing, I’ve always had something to play for and it’s her name. The other most influential person is my mother, Erin. She’s the one that got me playing and is the person that always wants to see me succeed in anything I do.”
My greatest day on the ball field “Playing against the Dodgers Dominican Summer League team with the Junior National Team. I threw out five guys from behind the plate at second and had a base hit as well.”
My favourite players: “Munetaka Murakami. Everyone underestimated him saying he wasn’t going to do well and through the first few months of his rookie campaign being the favourite for rookie of the year, and Cam Schlittler. Cam doesn’t care who he’s facing he knows he has the stuff to beat anyone in the league.”
If I wasn’t playing ball: “I’d either like to be a teacher or a coach because I feel like it’s something I’d be really good at.”
The best thing I’ve learned from playing baseball: “No matter how tall you are, what your build is, or any of the above, if you have the skillset, you get a shot to go as far as you possibly can.”
Four people I’d love to have dinner with: “Barry Bonds. I’d like to talk ball with him when he was at his best, Tiger Woods being [on] top of the world for that long and not folding under pressure and keeping his composure at all times, Denzel Washington I feel like he is one of the most influential people in the world, and Will Ferrell. I always have loved his movies and think he is one of the funniest people ever.”
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(We have emailed about 20 players at the Canadian Futures Showcase ...(after emailing their parents first) but apparently not many people read their emails. Check your email and answer away ... if you have time. We have the room. Thanks.)