LaChapelle-Yonson: Rogan Rivard rolling on Juniors trip to Florida
OF ROgan RIvard (Bonneyville, Alta.) had a trip to remember to Florida with the JUnior National Team.
By Liam LaChapelle-Yonson
Canadian Baseball Network
The son of ex-professional minor-league pitcher Reggie Rivard, Rogan Rivard is creating his own path as a modern-day hitter.
Rogan has the ability to slap the ball to left, to centre and to right. He’s slap-happy -- especially when his hits find the green of the outfield.
When asked about which major-leaguer he’d compare to his style of game most, Rogin answered “Corbin Caroll,” the Arizona Diamondbacks centre fielder.
“I’m fast, I like to get on base,” said Rogan (Bonnyville, Atla.). “I like to cause havoc around the bases, and do the little things right, and do things for the team, like laying a bunt down or moving a guy over.”
While his game is not necessarily tailored to tremendous power, Rogan is still finding ways to create it in the aggregate, whether on the base paths by stretching singles into doubles, stealing bases, or maybe still occasionally running into home runs.
This was all seen as the outfielder faced Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jared Jones, who was on a rehab assignment for the Pirates’ Florida Complex League team. The slap hitter managed to put a ball in play against the fire baller, who made 22 starts for the 2024 Pirates, while in an exhibition game for the Junior National Team. He was 5-for-16 (.313) with an two RBIs with a stolen bases, and a ,665 OPS before getting hit with a pitch.
“He competes really hard,” said Vauxhall Academy Jets coach Les McTavish. “It’s refreshing to be around players where it means a lot to go out and compete every day, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a Tuesday practice or a final game of a tournament on Saturday, he plays the game like it’s meant to be played.”
The young man’s work ethic has also landed him a commitment to the Kansas State Wildcats. So, one option completed and he could hear his named called come in 2027 draft.
The outfielder continues to show good qualities coaches love; he is continually working to improve his game, particularly on his outfield defence by trusting his reads and instincts more.
Rogan comes from a baseball family; his father, Reggie, was a pitcher signed by the Texas Rangers as an undrafted free agent and then moved on to the Milwaukee Brewers (four seasons with the Rangers in his seven-year minor-league career), reaching Triple A with the Brewers before turning to the independent leagues (Edmonton and Calgary) for six years.
“He has always pushed me to do more.” Rogan said. “He knows I’m on top of things, but he is always giving me advice and telling me important information; he has been the best role model I could have asked for.”
Still a year away from finishing high school, Rogan has one last Canadian Futures Showcase before turning to either division one or pro ball, should his name be called in the 2027 draft.