Shushkewich: Mina making great strides with Mississauga Tigers
Mississauga Tigers middle infielder Zij Mina (Wasaga Beach, Ont.) has committed to Vernon College. Photo: Vernon College/X
June 12, 2026
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
Standing at 6-foot-4, Zij Mina (Wasaga Beach, Ont.) towers over most of his competitors on the 18U circuit.
The left-handed hitting middle infielder has made his presence known on the Mississauga Tigers High Performance Program over the last couple of years and has been making great strides.
“I was looking for more playing time and got in contact with Sean Travers (director of player development), and things just took off from there,” said Mina. “I didn’t play summer ball that year, just worked out in the gym, but then I eventually joined on with the 17U team with coach Byron, and things took off from there.
“I really liked what the Tigers had to offer. They just focus on making you better from a development standpoint and give you the opportunities to play. We recently went to a tournament through Perfect Game, and every single player got into the game; everyone got an opportunity. And that sticks out to me.”
“Zij has really worked hard,” said Greg Byron, head of college placement for the Tigers. “He continues to build on his physicality, and people are starting to see the type of athlete he is. He can hit for average, for power, and can really run. Add that to playing from the left side, and playing everywhere on the diamond, it’s truly exciting to think about his future.”
Mina has found himself on the diamond almost every day this year. The Tigers play in the Future Stars Canada Scout League, but the program also plays south of the border. They take various trips and tournaments to help players get more exposure on the diamond, developing and getting players in front of more college eyes.
The Tigers also recently qualified for the Road to Okotoks tournament, becoming one of the seven teams from the Ontario qualifier to advance to the first-ever installment of the showcase between Canada’s top prep teams.
“That qualifier was really fun, there was a lot of good energy coming from the players and the stands,” explained Mina. “I hit a home run that I am really proud of, sitting in a 3-2 count and was able to do damage on a fastball.
“It really comes down to just feeling confident lately, and that translates into hitting the ball well. I spent some time in the Dominican Republic earlier this year with a couple of the guys, and we just played every day, getting better, sharpening our skills. It’s come a long way.”
At 19 years old, Mina is in the midst of a gap year before heading to Vernon College, a program in the NJCAA route.
He committed to the Chaparrals in August of 2025 and will be heading down to Texas later this fall to get ready for the upcoming season as he moves on to his post-secondary endeavours.
“Vernon really wanted me from the start, and I was able to experience their facilities and the field during one of our visits with the Tigers' fall schedule,” explained Mina. “The coaching staff was very approachable, and I found that they put a lot of work into their impressive facilities. What also sets them apart is their approach to development. Other programs told me that they thought I could help them win games, but Vernon gave me a detailed plan on how I could develop as a player and as a person to get better, and where that could take me moving forward.”
For now, Mina has a busy summer ahead of him.
He will continue to suit up for the Tigers in their Future Stars league play, but will also be part of the Tigers' schedule down south later this year at various tournaments. Then the Road to Okotoks tournament is slated for mid-July, which will see him head out west before taking his talents to the post-secondary route.
Regardless of what lies ahead, Mina was still critical of things he wants to work on before heading down to Texas later this year. Focusing on what he can control to get better before taking that next step in his baseball career.
“I just really want to get my approach down at the plate, and make it more consistent,” explained Mina. “And that starts with just getting at-bats, and taking reps in the cage. Over and over. Getting the approach down to an exact science. Really focusing on what I am trying to do and what I can control, and that will help shape what I can do at the plate.”