Elliott: Happy Futures for Duncan, Ellis, Lascelles, Siguenza, Tregaskis, Perry, Henderson
Langley Blaze LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) was the arm to see at the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre.
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
A total of 20 of 30 major-league clubs were represented at the 14th Canadian Futures Showcase as once again the Toronto Blue Jays showed what solid corporate citizens they are.
Whether you were from Comox, BC, Mississauga or Halifax, it cost the players the same amount of cash to sign up.
Tournament director Geoff Seto, who did an excellent job, reported that 31 recruiters from colleges and universities were on hand.
Former London Badgers C Chris Robinson, who played for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg at triple-A Iowa.
SIFTT (Stuff I forgot to Tweet -- or put on X) when it was relevant and should have been sent out:
One winter meetings I spoke to Hall of Famer Ryan Sandberg. When he found out where I was from, he asked about C Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.) who Sandberg managed at triple-A Iowa in 2010. Sandberg said that first time that Robinson was “like an adopted son.”
Every time I saw the Hall of Famer after that -- be it in Clearwater, the winter meetings or in Cooperstown -- he’d ask “how is my adopted son?” I would provide a quick update. And usually Chicago Cubs or Philadelphia Phillies writers who saw our interaction would slide by and after a few pleasantries would ask “so ... what did Sandberg have to say about his club?” I never ever told them because it was none of their business.
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Each year we ask some pro scouts and coaches to evaluate the best players at the event. This year’s results are in ...
LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) Langley Blaze.
“I saw three major league pitches with a lot of projection left.”
Toronto Mets INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.)
INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“He continues to get better and noticeably more physical. Plus hit and plus speed make him pretty dynamic.”
LHP Jack Perry (Mississauga, Ont.) Terriers.
“He’s athletic with plenty of space left in his body. His breaking ball is a major league pitch and his fastball will get there too.”
RHP Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) Vauxhall Jets.
“He is how they look. Will be 17 at draft in ‘27. Good looking prospect.”
INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) Okotoks Dawgs.
“I think he is a big-league defender at shortstop.”
OF Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) FieldHouse Pirates.
“True centre field profile. Bat has made major strides.”
RHP Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont.) Capital Reds.
“Professional world tends to give this sort of guy (6-foot-8) a chance.”
LHP Korbin Greaves (Ajax, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“Athletic LHP with some present stuff as a ‘27 draft.”
LHP Josh Mills (Leduc, Alta.) Okotoks Dawgs.
“Showed advanced pitchability. Throws easy with angle. Fastball looked crisp. Will be 17 at draft in 2027.”
RHP Dominic Fiorenza (Bolton, Ont.) Team Ontario.
“Interesting project. He’s got a big fastball that looks heavy and is a very physical kid. Delivery/off speed need work but there is something here.”
_ Former major leaguer.
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Top 10 in no specific order
LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) Langley Blaze.
“Above average stuff across the board. Athletic, loose easy and repeatable delivery. Have seen him twice this year and has a chance to be a first round pick next summer.”
SS Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“True shortstop with good instincts and quick release. Elite bat to ball skills & ability to use the whole field as well as hit for some juice. Very well rounded player.”
Mississauga Tigers INF Joey Khananisho (Pickering, Ont.)
SS Joey Khananisho (Pickering, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“Ran well on workout day and showed off his ability to drive balls from foul line to foul. Impressed in game at both shortstop and at the plate. A hard nosed kid and like Lacelles probably one of the most well rounded ball players there.”
OF Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta,) Vauxhall Jets.
“Easy to see why he has committed to Miami. Left handed bat with elite hit tool and ability to hit for power. Super athletic and can play all over the field. Special talent.”
OF Sammy Ellis (Wakefield, Que.) Ottawa-Nepean Canadians.
“Sammy immediately showed off his big league tools set setting the bar with a 6.3 60 on Tues. It’s the second year in a row he’s been the fastest man on the field. What impressed this year is the growth he’s made since transitioning to the outfield. Made several very difficult plays look very easy while making the much larger outfield look as small as a high school field tracking balls down. Also showed improvement at the plate with multiple balls in game over 95 MPH exit veloctiy and multiple extra-base hits, while showing off speed on the bases.”
RHP Max Nantais-Vlahovich (Mississauga, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“The 2027 arm continues to impress on the big stage as he did at Best of West and Canada Games and continues to climb as one of Canada’s next top arms. Was up to 91 MPH in his outing Tuesday, with three pitches he showed all with the ability to command and get swing and miss in the zone. Also showed ability to spin the ball Extremely well and is going to only continue to get better.”
LHP Jack Perry (Mississauga, Ont.) Terriers.
“Another arm that continues to climb and was very impressive this past week. Showed ability to command three pitches for strikes including a wipe out breaking ball and a fastball with really good angle to it and ability to command to both sides of the plate.”
RHP Cole Dorland (Langley, BC) Langley Blaze.
“Repeatable and athletic delivery, and made 91-93 MPH look effortless paired with a good breaking ball and change up at times. Athletic kid with a good build and easy to see why he has had the success hes had up until this point and why he will continue to have success at the next level. One of the top arms at the event.”
INF Lincoln Rose (Peterborough, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“Coming off a very good spring and summer campaign, he looked as good if not better this week displaying above average tools on both sides of the ball. Very young and talented kid, will be a name we will hear for while I would think. Impressive talent.”
OF Quinn Lightfoot (Caledon, Ont.) Mississauga Tigera.
“Really impressive week going 6-for-9 at the plate with multiple extra-base hits, including a three-run homer and added two more hits including a double in the championship to propel his team in the final. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound body is hard not to dream on and he also showed off his impressive athleticism running a 6.7 60 on Scout day.”
_ Ex-pro and coach.
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In no particular order, not necessarily the best, some things that stood out to me.
1. Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) Langley Blaze.
“He is the real deal. He looked like he would get outs in the big leagues on Wednesday night.”
Okotoks Dawgs INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC).
2. INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) Okotoks Dawgs.
“From BC, he is as clean defensively as anyone who plays the position. He has advanced actions.”
3. C Gabriel Laroque (Azilda, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“He looks the part behind the dish.”
4. OF Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
A switch-hitter, who is not eligible until 2028. He has an impressive stroke from both sides of the plate for such a young hitter and as physical as anyone at the tournament, even for such a young age.”
5. Kason Siguenza (Abbotsford, BC), Langley Blaze.
“He looks like he’ll have no trouble hitting at the next level.”
6. OF Sam Ellis (Wakefield, Que.) Ottawa-Nepean Canadians.
“He has a good stick complimented by plus speed on the bases.”
7. OF William Henderson (Mississauga, Ont., FieldHouse Pirates).
“He was one of my favorite players in the tournament. He is fun to watch on the base paths.”
8. 1B Ben Paul (Ottawa, Ont.) Ottawa-Nepean Canadians.
“He is a big boy (6-foot-3, 200 pounder) with decent pop, plays a solid first base.”
_ Veteran elite coach.
OF Sam Ellis (Wakefield, Que.) of the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians
OF Sam Ellis (Wakefield, Que.) Ottawa-Nepean Canadians.
“He owns game-changing speed, can really got get it in the outfield, bat is more advanced then I originally thought.”
LHP Sean Duncan (Port Cotquiliam, BC) Langley Blaze.
“Name me the last 95mph arm from the left side in Canada like Duncan.”
OF Easton Kitura (Spruce Grove, Alta,) Vauxhall Jets.
“Unfortunately he suffered an injury and didn’t have his best week, but still one of the better prospects in the event.”
RHP Caleb Depuis (Georgetown, Ont.) FiledHouse Pirates
“Shows an easy operation, he could be a front line starter if keeps climbing.”
RHP Will Steinman (Toronto, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“Could he be Will Hynes 2.0?”
INF Logan Cummins (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Giants.
“He is an athletic mover with a quick arm, room to fill and has lots of upside.”
INF Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) Webber Wildcats.
“Made significant jumps since last years event, he’s a ball player.”
INF Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) FieldHouse Pirates.
“Unfortunately he was injured.”
INF Jake Carriere (Abbotsford, BC) Abbotsford Cardinals.
“He was one of the youngest kids in the event who really stood out, plays with a lot of confidence.”
OF Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“Dave Winfield?”
INF Kadyn Armitage (Surrey, BC) Okotoks Dawgs.
“The best shortstop in the country in my opinion.”
OF Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) FieldHouse Pirates.
“He does it all.”
3B Kason Siguenza (Abbotsford, BC) Langley Blaze.
“Best bat to ball skills in the event.”
OF Quinn Lightfoot (Caledon, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“Winning tournament MVP speaks for itself. He has made significant strides since last year’s event, much more confident.”
INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“Had a slow start but finished the week strong. Will he stay at SS long term?”
_ Veteran elite coach.
Mississauga Tigers’ OF Quinn Lightfoot (Caledon, Ont.)
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OF Quinn Lightfoot (Caledon, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“He had a couple of homers and earned tournament MVP.”
OF Daril Rodriguez (Red Deer, Alta.) St Joseph Academy
“Was the Home Run derby champ who put on a show.”
RHP Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) Delta Premier Blue Jays
“He had two solid outings on short rest and was 88-91mph.”
C Connor Simpson (Victoria, BC) Victoria Eagles.
“He had the first homer of the tournament in his at-bat, went 2-for-5 with a few walks and showed solid defense.”
3B Will Zielinski (Victoria, BC) Vauxhall Jets
“Had 105-plus mph exit velocity, was a stand out at the showcase especially during batting practice.”
OF Rogan Rivard (Bonneyville, Alta.) Vauxhall Jets.
“A little left handed hitter with compact swing from Vauxhall, hit a ball into the second deck.”
LHP Jack Perry (Mississauga, Ont.) Terriers.
“A lefty with great mound presence from the Terriers, he was 89-91 (maybe 92 MPH). He created a lot of buzz,”
INF Joey Khananisho (Toronto, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“A tenacious infielder with smooth actions. He took control of the field and was a standout defensively and offensively.”
INF Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.) Webber Wildcats.
“Had a good showing on both sides of the ball at shortstop and off the mound (88-90 MPH).”
INF Lincoln Rose (Peterborough, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“A 2027 and he is an up and coming shortstop, a smooth infielder with gap to gap power, a high ceiling player.”
_ Veteran coach.
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LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) Langley Blaze.
“Before he pitched was all I heard was that he was only 90-91 in one inning the week before at the Under Armour game at Camden Yards in Baltimore. I saw him throw one ball in two innings and I think it was a waste pitch. He was 93-94 and touched 95 MPH.”
Canada Reds RHP Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont. — Canada’s first capital).
RHP Lukas McDowell (Kingston, Ont.) Canada Reds.
“He’s 6-foot-8, it will take a while but there is a real chance from him to throw hard. I heard he was going to Northwest Florida where former Montreal Expos Brad Wilkerson is a coach.”
RHP Desmond Tregaskis (Delta, BC) Delta Blue Jays.
“I liked him a lot. He’s the best from the west -- next to Duncan of course.”
RHP Julian Sabourin (Hamilton, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“Was impressive in three innings, think he allowed two-hits, two walks and one earned run, as he struck out one. Topped out at 91 but was more 87-89 MPH range.”
RHP Lucas St. Laurent (Ascot Corner, Que.) Academy Baseball Canada.
“Has had plenty of exposure at Perfect Game events.”
RHP Austin Blair (Victoria, BC) Victoria Eagles.
“There is a lot to like here.” RHP Cole Dorland (Langley, BC) Langley Blaze.
“I think we’ll see him on the Junior National Team, he’s a young guy with a future.”
OF Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) FieldHouse Pirates.
“A speedy outfielder who can run. He was fun to watch.”
INF Luke Laird (Langley, BC) Langley Blaze.
“A good hitter, I think he will hit. Hopefully he gets a good look. He was always on base, going 7-for-11. He has a 1.600 OPS for John’s sake. He swings a lot like Robert Omidi.”
RHP Noah Powell (Toronto, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“I saw him with the Junior National Team, think he is headed to Missouri State.”
INF Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) FieldHouse Pirates.
“Unfortunately he got hurt sliding into second and had a high angle spring.”
INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) Toronto Mets.
“Nifty infielder who made all the plays.”
Ontario Blue Jays 1B Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.)
INF Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) Ontario Blue Jays.
“A solid hitter. I liked his exit velocity.”
OF Quinn Lightfoot (Caledon, Ont.) Mississauga Tigers.
“A good looking player, batted 6-for-9 and went deep twice. He rose to the occasion.”
_ Veteran pro scout.