Shushkewich: Andersen made great strides in eventful 2025
Vauxhall Jets right-hander Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) was named Most Outstanding Pitcher at the New Balance Future Stars Underclass Elite tournament at Globe Life Field in the fall. Photo: X
December 1, 2025
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
While Canadians are hunkering down for the long winter months ahead, it’s tough to see how baseball could be at the forefront for those who normally trade baseball bats for hockey sticks when the snow starts.
At the Vauxhall Jets facility, located just a short drive south of Calgary, right-hander Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) is settling down after a few sporadic months that have seen him play across three different countries and some of the biggest venues in baseball.
“I chose to join the Jets because my brother Carter really set the tone for what the program was like and how I could get better,” said Andersen. “This is my second year in Vauxhall, and I think what really sets this program apart is how you are prepped for that next level of baseball, both on and off the field. I have learned a ton under Coach McTavish and the rest of the staff.”
Under the guidance of McTavish and the Jets staff, Andersen has really shone on the diamond this year. A 2027 grad who is already standing at 6-foot-4, his play on the field is getting him noticed across the baseball world.
The first event for Andersen this year that put him on this path was the Best of the West tournament in late April, where he suited up with his Jets teammates in a showcase of some of the best teams from that part of the country.
From there, outside of Vauxhall’s normal summer schedule, Andersen also found himself at the Rogers Centre this past fall, participating in the Canadian Futures Showcase for the first time with Team Navy. He started one game for his team, going three innings, while striking out three on 62 pitches with two runs allowed.
“The Rogers Centre was a cool experience because of the connection to the Blue Jays,” said Andersen. “Being able to toe the rubber, go out there and just pitch with full conviction and not let the opposing hitter try and get a hit off me, and doing it on a field that you see on TV almost every night in the summer. That’s what I live for; to go out there and just trust my stuff: the fastball, curve, slider and changeup.”
The Futures Showcase helped Andersen get some exposure in front of pro and college scouts. Eyes were also on Andersen at the Best of the West tournament, and it was his work on the mound out there that saw other opportunities arise for the Alberta product.
It was in Kamloops, B.C., that he caught the attention of Jeremy Booth, CEO and president of baseball operations for the New Balance Future Stars Series. What started as a tournament in B.C. turned into a tryout south of the border, leading to Andersen finding himself at Globe Life Field for the Underclass Elite showcase in early October.
“He (Booth) saw me pitch out in Kamloops and from there, Rogan (Rivard) and I ended up in another tryout for the Underclass Elite tournament, and both of us made it into that next round, which was the actual showcase,” explained Andersen.
Like clockwork, Andersen continued to shine when the lights were bright and the pressure was on. Making one appearance, the right-hander pitched three innings, striking out five batters while allowing just one hit to the tune of zero walks and zero runs on the board. It was an impressive feat, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
For his efforts, Andersen took home the Most Outstanding Pitcher Award for the entire showcase.
“Honestly, it was such a blast to pitch in front of some new faces and meet so many new people, and it was great to see that difference between pro baseball and the college system that we are usually exposed to at this point in our baseball careers,” said Andersen. “It was awesome to pitch at Globe Life Field, and it was such an honour to win the award. I had really good control of my stuff that day, and to go out and compete against talented players and still find success just motivates you more to make it your everyday job.”
After a successful outing in the heart of Texas, Andersen’s schedule was only picking up. Soon after returning to Alberta following the Underclass Elite showcase, he was catching another flight down South. It was another new team that Andersen would be pitching for, and it was his work at the Futures Showcase a month before that got him the opportunity this time around.
“Coach Hamilton saw me pitch at the Futures Showcase, and that’s how I earned my spot on the Junior National Team,” explained Andersen. “I got the phone call from him shortly after the tournament, and I later joined my three other Jets teammates for the [winter] Dominican trip.”
It was Andersen’s first time donning the Maple Leaf on the diamond, and he didn’t let the opportunity go to waste.
He earned the start against the Pittsburgh Pirates squad in a shortened outing due to rain coming in from Hurricane Melissa. The game lasted just under two innings, but Andersen found himself on the mound for all of it, going 1 2/3 of the way and allowing just one hit while striking out one in the scoreless affair. He posted a 56.6% strike rate and got some help from Rivard in left field to keep the score tied.
“I just kept thinking to myself that I have to trust my stuff and know that I earned my spot here,” said Andersen, speaking about his outing. “I have to be the one to do it and go out and show all these people that I deserve to be here and that I can reward their faith in me for putting me on this team by pitching well.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for the right-hander, who will be looking to continue upping his game with the Jets and at any future tournament that comes his way in the next calendar year.
For now, the Calgary native has set himself up for the cold months ahead, getting ready for whenever the moment comes that he is needed on the mound again.
“I think the biggest goal for me this offseason is developing better command, especially with my offspeed pitches,” said Andersen. “Just getting that fourth pitch (curveball) dialled in a bit more and having it in my back pocket will make me a much more effective arm on the mound. I know that the Jets staff here will help guide me along the way, and I believe I can only go up from here.”