Elliott, Futures Showcase thumbnails II: Brault, Dorland, Paul, Perry
Terrriers LHP Jack Perry (Mississauga, Ont.) excelled at the Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre.
September 27, 2025
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Each year at the Canadian Futures Showcase, we try to highlight a few players by asking them the same questions. The answers reveal as much about the players as arm strength or exit velocity.
We know we’re a tad late after being under the weather, but late is better than not at all.
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Showcase thumbnails I: Duncan, Landreville, Ohanian, Rogers
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We’ve discovered the last few drafts that teenagers don’t always read emails, but check for messages.
Out second installment ...
OF Xavier-Raphaël Brault
Hometown: Blainville, Que.
Current team: Académie Baseball Canada
Travel team: Canadian Premier (WWBA Jupiter)
Committed: Uncommitted
What made you choose baseball to focus on over all the other sports you might have played?
“Baseball has always been a family story for me. My older brother chose it first, my dad coached me as long as he could, my mom has always been my biggest supporter, and my grandparents never missed a chance to cheer me on. It’s where I feel at home because it’s both individual and collective — I have to perform for myself, but also for my teammates who count on me. Competing and winning are part of my DNA, and baseball gives me that challenge every time I step on the field.”
If you were reading a scouting report on yourself, what’s the one thing you would most want it to say?
“An explosive two-way player with a powerful arm, a dangerous bat, and the competitive edge to show up in the biggest moments — plays with the grit and intensity of Bryce Harper.”
If you had to say baseball was a certain percentage physical/talent and a certain percentage mental, what would your percentages (out of 100%) be?
“I would say: 40% physical/talent, 60% mental. Everyone has tools, but the players who succeed are the ones with the discipline, confidence, and toughness to perform under pressure.”
Who was your favourite teammate over the years, and why?
“Charles-Antoine Filion (Blainville, Que.). I played many years with him growing up. We went through so many experiences together — games, tournaments, travel — that he became almost like a brother to me. We don’t play on the same team anymore, but we still follow and support each other’s careers.”
Your favourite park to play in, and why … besides Rogers Centre?
“JB Red Owens Park in Easley, S.C. That’s where I represented Canada at the World Senior League tournament when I was 15. The atmosphere, the competition, and the pride of wearing the Canadian jersey made it unforgettable.”
If you turn pro one day, what’s the first thing that you’d like to buy with a portion of the signing bonus?
“A reliable and comfortable car. Not a luxury car, but something that would allow me to make long trips home so I can spend time with my family whenever I can.”
What degree do you want to obtain from university, and why?
“A degree in Health and Science, to become a physiotherapist or anesthesiologist. I like the idea of helping other athletes and staying connected to sports.”
Most influential person in your baseball life and why?
“My dad and my coaches at ABC. But especially my first coach, Benoit Blais, because he was the first one who truly believed in me and gave me the confidence to aim high.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why?
“Shohei Ohtani for his unique talent and inspiration as a two-way player. Bryce Harper: since I was very young, people have compared me to him. Not just with the nickname “Bryce,” but also the way I compete — the look in my eyes, the grit, the hunger to win, and the ability to perform under pressure. I’ve always connected with the way he plays. Paul Skenes because he started as a two-way player, was very good at both positions, and then made a decisive choice that led him to become one of the best in the world. That inspires me in my own journey as a two-way player. And Benoit Blais: my first coach, the one who believed in me before anyone else and gave me the confidence to keep chasing my goals.
RHP Cole Dorland
Hometown: Langley, BC
Current team: Langley Blaze
Travel team: Brewers Scout Team/Junior National Team.
Committed: None.
What made you choose baseball to focus on over all the other sports you might have played?
“I found baseball was the sport that I enjoyed getting better at the most, and it was the one that I felt I couldn’t live without.”
If you were reading a scouting report on yourself, what’s the one thing you would most want it to say?
“I would want scouts to say that I control the game with a sharp mind and an electric arm.”
If you had to say baseball was a certain percentage physical/talent and a certain percentage mental, what would your percentages (out of 100%) be?
“I’d say 50% of the game is mental and 50% is physical. You can only shape your body and mechanics to a certain point, from there it’s depends on who understands the game better and can outthink each other.”
Who was your favourite teammate over the years, and why?
“My favorite teammate over the years has been Liam Burt. We played in BC Minor at North Langley and the first couple years of the Premier League together. He was always the faster one, the one who threw harder and hit the ball further. By always trying to catch up to him and surpass him, I found great motivation to get better and now stand where I am.”
Your favourite park to play in, and why ... besides Rogers Centre?
“I have been fortunate to play in some pretty cool parks but I thought it was incredible pitching in and against the University of Washington.”
If you turn pro one day, what’s the first thing that you’d like to buy with a portion of the signing bonus?
“I would like to pay off my parents’ house -- Joanna and Ron -- for them. They have done everything to allow my brothers and I to play sports.”
What degree do you want to obtain from university, and why?
“I would probably obtain a Kinesiology degree. By learning about how the body works and moves, I think it could help me out with pitching.”
Most influential person in your baseball life and why?
“My dad has been the most influential person in my baseball life. He has given me so many opportunities to get better at the sport I love and keeps pushing me to get better as well.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why?
“I’d invite my Granny, Diane Rigter, I never got to meet her and think she would love to see where I am in my sports. I would invite my Opa, Wilf Rigter he watched me play when I was younger, but he, too, I think would be proud of where I am now. I would invite my Grandma Nel and Grandpa Gord Dorland, who has always came to all my games and still try to make it out and support me as often as he can. I would lastly invite my mum (Joanna), she always is getting me to my games and practices and deserves a good meal.”
1B Ben Paul
Current team: Ottawa Nepean Canadians
Committed: Midland (verbal).
What made you choose baseball to focus on over all the other sports you might have played?
“For me choosing baseball took me a while. Didn’t start playing until 11 or 12 after quitting soccer. I chose baseball over any other sport because I enjoyed going to practice and working out outside of scheduled ones. With other sports like hockey it always felt forced but with baseball it was easy putting in the work because it was fun. For me it was a no brainer, baseball all the way.”
If you were reading a scouting report on yourself, what’s the one thing you would most want it to say?
“What I would most want on a scouting report is the ability to battle through at-bats. I pride myself in putting up good AB’s against high-end pitchers. Over the years I’ve worked the most on minimizing strikeouts and putting more balls in play. With many AB’s exceeding 10 pitches this year I think I’ve done that well and a great way to help my team which is most important to me.”
If you had to say baseball was a certain percentage physical/talent and a certain percentage mental, what would your percentages (out of 100%) be?
“In my opinion baseball is more mentally straining then many other sports and with that being said I think it weighs 60% mental and 40% physical. So much of the game relies on a person’s ability to wipe away negative outcomes and have strong understanding of the game to be successful. Without either one an athlete could look lost or get overwhelmed really quickly especially with baseball’s high rate of failure only succeeding 30% of the time, at the plate at least. One mistake could domino into multiple with a bad mindset which is why people with the most amount of talent and physical strength you see in the sport can still be unsuccessful.”
Who was your favourite teammate over the years, and why?
“My favourite teammate over the years without a doubt has been Tanner Bisson (Ottawa, Ont.). I’ve played with so many great guys over the past few years that all deserve to be mentioned but Tanner has been with me for years now. Played in the same organization for four years now and he has always been there for me. Him and I go, get extra reps constantly, always early and stay later. He has always been there pushing me and we want nothing but the best for each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate than him.”
Your favourite park to play in, and why ... beside Rogers Centre?
“I love playing at home. Getting to stay in the area to play games. There is the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton stadium where the (independent) Ottawa Titans play that is kept incredibly well. The field is perfect every single time you play there and I love the dugouts as well as the large stands. Nothing beats playing at home and being near family so I be sure not to take it for granted.”
If you turn pro one day, what’s the first thing that you’d like to buy with a portion of the signing bonus?
“The easy answer is a car or something I can get around with would certainly be high up there. I would love to set up a second indoor facility purely for baseball in the Ottawa area. Ottawa Isn’t very well known for its baseball but there are a lot of really good young players in the city who could benefit a lot from extra reps. I would love to also have it for myself to hit and field in but it would be great to give back and have some fun while doing so.”
What degree do you want to obtain from university, and why?
“I’d love to stay somewhere in the world of sports. Something along the lines of sports management or sports therapy. Anything along those lines I find extremely interesting. I love sports and always have and it would be great if I could stay in the world of sports with any profession I end up doing in the future.”
Most influential person in your baseball life and why?
“There have been many influential people in my baseball life. My parents, Dorothy Stewart-Paul and Jeff Paul, for starters have been huge for me and I would not be where I am today without them. Although they have been great I could never have come this far without Paul Villeneuve, my old coach and president of the Ottawa Patriots club. Paul is widely known across the city as the biggest figure in youth ball alongside TJ Burton. For me what sets them apart is that I’ve known Paul since 15u. Out of the goodness of his heart he has given up his earnings from baseball and put it right back into the sport for the benefit of youth. He has given 30 years of his life to the area and has given me many opportunities to better myself and the people around me. Has generously offered me free time to train at his facility and let me come out and coach for his teams as well as many others in the area. Without Paul, Ottawa baseball is not where it is today which is why he is the most influential person in my baseball life.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why?
“I have been a huge Blue Jays fan for a long time and I would love to get to sit alongside guys like Jose Bautista, Ryan Goins, Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson. Getting to understand different roles different paths and everything there is to know about baseball and that great team.”
LHP Jack Perry
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
Current team: Terriers
Committed: Uncommitted
What made you choose baseball to focus on over all the other sports you might have played?
“I was playing both hockey and baseball until I was 15. There was more love and a larger sense of belonging on a ball diamond than an ice rink. I also felt less worn out from baseball than the hockey mentally. It felt like I could live, eat, sleep, and breathe baseball and never lose the desire to play. I am also a competitor. At the time I chose to focus on baseball, it was also the time where I could choose to play hockey for fun and I was and am still not done competing.”
If you were reading a scouting report on yourself, what’s the one thing you would most want it to say?
“The easy answer is to say something about the breaker because my curveball is my best pitch and closest to a big league pitch I have. But I’d be more proud to see something said about the ride and run of my fastballs and how I can spot them up really well. That’s something I worked on a lot and usually I don’t like to use my breaker until someone can prove they can hit the heater. At the end of the day, anything positive about my pitches on a scouting report would make me happy.”
If you had to say baseball was a certain percentage physical/talent and a certain percentage mental, what would your percentages (out of 100%) be?
“I want to say 70% mental 30% physical and talent. You can’t be a good ballplayer without thinking you are a good ballplayer. It’s hard to do in a game where you’re expected to fail at least seven times out of 10. And the physical side is still so important, natural talent does help but will only get you so far.”
Who was your favourite teammate over the years, and why?
“A guy named Cameron Thompson. We’re like brothers, have the same interests, same humor, just super easy to connect with. Was my roommate throughout the year we were on the same team. But he was a teammate on and off the field. He didn’t care when I was injured, we lifted together, when I couldn’t drive, he drove me, we did a road trip to Montreal together for a weekend of baseball. He was the easiest person to connect with and became a brother to me.”
Your favourite park to play in, and why ... beside Rogers Centre?
“Royal Field in Dorchester, home of the Great Lake Canadians, is beautiful. That mound is definitely one of the better ones in the league and it’s just a nice field.”
If you turn pro one day, what’s the first thing that you’d like to buy with a portion of the signing bonus?
“The first purchase is probably some food or some golf clubs. Food wise, it’ll either be Panda Express or some Lazeez for sure.”
What degree do you want to obtain from university, and why?
“Sociology with an undergrad of biology is what I’m hoping to study. If I have to, it can get me into med school since I’d like to have a profession in sports psychiatry since I can’t see myself not in the sports world.”
Most influential person in your baseball life and why?
“My coach from when I was younger always said whether you believe you can or cannot you are absolutely right. He said it when I was terrible at baseball and I didn’t fully understand it then. But now it’s something that I not only live by in baseball, but also in life. He has had the most influence over my baseball career by far even though he only coached me when I was terrible at the game. Thanks coach Dan.”
What four people (living or passed away) would you invite to a mythical diner and why?
“Give me Bryan Woo and Shane Bieber because I base my pitching motion on them and I want to pick their brains on how they got to where they are. Then give me PK Subban. He is my favorite all-time hockey player since I am Habs fan and a defenceman, plus I love the energy he has. Final choice is Tiger Woods. Why not get a bunch of GOATs around a table for fun. And who doesn’t like golf.”