Fitzpatrick: Seto takes reins of Canadian Futures Showcase
Geoff Seto (Richmond Hill, Ont.) is the new director of the Canadian Futures Showcase which is set to begin on Tuesday. Photo: Jenny Lamothe, Sudbury.com
September 12, 2025
By Trevor Fitzpatrick
Canadian Baseball Network
For the first time in its 11-year history, the Canadian Futures Showcase will be held without T.J. Burton (Ottawa, Ont.) at its director.
The former Canadian Olympian and big league pitching prospect has moved on from his nearly 14-year tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays as their amateur baseball program manager to lead the Ottawa Nepean Canadians.
While Burton will return as a coach, a new, but familiar, face by the name of Geoff Seto (Richmond Hill, Ont.) will lead the Showcase this year.
A marketing graduate and D1 baseball alumni of Niagara University, Seto has worked for the Blue Jays since 2018. He originally served as an academy instructor, then as a program specialist, and now, the program’s manager.
“T.J. has really put amateur baseball on the map. He’s built the showcase into something that he didn’t even think was possible,” explained Seto, “Fourteen years in this role is something that I think this organization will truly miss. I’m honoured and privileged to take over, but I’m also up to the task. I want to rise to the occasion.”
This year’s festivities under Seto’s lead will feature 150 of the nation’s top high school players facing off against one another. They’ll get the chance to perform in front of both college and MLB scouts.
Notable Futures Showcase alumni who have cracked the major leagues this year include Chicago Cub Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) and New York Met Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.).
“We host more than 10 tryouts across the country every year. From B.C. to Newfoundland, we see over 2,000 kids,” said Seto, “These decisions (the cut process to 150 kids) are incredibly difficult. That’s a good problem though. It shows how far talent in Canada has come. What jersey you wear, which club you’re with doesn’t matter, we’re looking at you, the player, first and last name.”
The pool of prospects hoping to show off on the big stage this year features a solid mix of returning and new players.
They’ll be split into six teams and compete for the chance to play in the championship game at the end of the week – a new addition for Seto’s first time in charge, which is replacing the All-Star game that was the standard for the past decade.
It brings a new level of team competition to an atmosphere that has been laser focused on individual achievement.
Prior to his current position with the Toronto Blue Jays, Geoff Seto (Richmond Hill, Ont.) was a utility player with the Niagara University Purple Eagles. Photo: Niagara University Athletics
Seto’s competitive spirit is what likely inspired the change. He described his Niagara University Purple Eagles as frequent underdogs when it came to funding and opportunities.
In his first games with the team, they traveled down south to play Florida State. Standing on second base, the Florida shortstop asked him how his team’s charter flight was.
“Chartered flight? We took like three buses! Our original plane got diverted because of a winter storm in Buffalo, we almost didn’t make it!” Seto laughed, before continuing, “I remember we flew to Houston, then to Tampa. We rolled right into batting practice without stopping at the hotel.”
“All joking aside, it taught me a lot. It gave me that lunch pail mentality, not having as much as these better-funded Division 1 schools had, it gave me that sense of, ‘we can compete with the best on any day,’” he said, “I take that with me every day when I come into work now.”
This year’s showcase kicks off on Tuesday with scout day, where players will be tested on their hitting, fielding, and 60-yard dash times. There will also be two games later in the day with Team Royal playing Team New Blue and Team Grey facing off against Team Black.
For everyone participating, Seto has some simple advice:
“Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Stick to the process that got you here. Not everyone is going to mash multiple home runs or run a 6.2. Know your role, that’s what makes a great player and team.”