Shushkewich: Five JNT players that shone during Dominican Pro Academy tour

Fieldhouse Pirates infielder Robert Omidi (Mississauga, Ont.) belted three home runs for the Junior National Team on their Dominican pro trip earlier this month. Photo: Baseball Canada

May 28, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

The Junior National Team was back in action this month, with the squad taking their talents to the Dominican Republic for their annual road trip against a new crop of professional players and teams.

Across nine days from May 12 to May 20, the Canucks played 11 games against DSL squads from the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays.

This trip is another way for Canadian prep players to play against fellow talented players that hail from Latin America but sit in a similar 16-19 age group, versus their extended spring training trip in Florida, where they face older, more polished talent.

Here are five players who stood out on the Dominican trip:

Robert Omidi – INF

It’s safe to say that nobody swung a hotter bat than Robert Omidi on this trip. The Fieldhouse Pirate and Mississauga, Ont., product led the way with three home runs and 1.317 OPS, collecting six hits through 20 at-bats (.300 batting average). He also topped the JNT squad in SLG with an .800 mark, thanks in part to his round trippers and additional double.

Omidi also added a team-high eight runs and walked seven times compared to three strikeouts. He suited up in eight games for the Canucks and produced a strong .517 OBP.

Omidi also had a .214 BABIP and was tied for the team lead with his four extra-base hits.

Heading into the summer, Omidi is ranked No. 7 on the 2026 Canadian Baseball Network Draft List.

Rogan Rivard – OF

The Vauxhall Jets scored an organizational win when Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) made his big league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this month, and the good times keep rolling for Les McTavish and his crew.

Outfielder Rogan Rivard (Bonnyville, Alta.) was one of the other top bats down in the Dominican, producing a .333/.583/.400 slash line with a .983 OPS, sitting just behind Omidi. Rivard went 5-for-15, while also chipping in with a double and an RBI. He walked three times compared to one strikeout and got hit six times at the plate.

Rivard was also tied for the team lead in steals (3) while committing zero errors in the outfield on 12 chances. Kansas State University has already locked up the 2027 grad, but if he continues this strong showing, big league clubs will come calling for the Alberta product.

Calum Andersen – RHP

Keeping in line with the Vauxhall Jets players, right-hander Calum Andersen has been causing a ruckus on the JNT stage.

The 6-foot-4 Calgary product was downright dominant in the Dominican, leading the Canadian hurlers in innings pitched (6 1/3) while starting two games. He threw 115 pitches and produced a 2.21 ERA with a 1.421 WHIP while striking out eight compared to four walks.

The right-hander allowed just five hits and two earned runs and finished with one of the top ERAs amongst the starting crew for the JNT squad. The walks hurt his FIP total (4.61), but he was effective on the mound, holding opposing bats to a .208 average while producing a 75% weak contact rate.

Ranked No. 4 on the CBN’s 2027 Draft List, Andersen has the size and frame to be a starter, and it’s why the University of Oklahoma locked him up this past winter.

Sam Davis – LHP

Hello, Sam Davis.

Making his debut with the Junior National Team this trip, the left-hander from AHP Academy and the pride of Beaumont, Alta. put on quite the show.

Working as a bulk reliever, Davis finished the trip with a 1.17 ERA in six innings. The southpaw allowed five hits with one earned run while walking four compared to nine strikeouts, tied for second best on the team.

Davis is one of the few uncommitted 2026 arms on the team, but there is a lot to like in his 6-foot-6 frame. He held opposing bats to a .217 average and produced a strong 1.59 FIP in his first foray against pro hitters.

Cole Dorland – RHP

Right-hander Cole Dorland is no stranger to the junior squad. The Langley, B.C., product put together a strong showing in what will likely be one of his final trips with the JNT before he heads off to the University of Alabama.

Making two starts, Dorland allowed just four hits and one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .174 average and finished the trip with a strong 3.66 FIP.

Striking out three batters, Dorland was efficient in his outings and finished second on the team with his 121 pitches.