Texas Rangers draft Morrison from CBL's Barnstormers

The Texas Rangers selected Chatham-Kent Barnstormers all-star second baseman Evan Morrison (Wheatley, Ont.) in the MLB draft on Sunday. Photo: Chatham-Kent Barnstormers

July 13, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

CHATHAM, ONT. – Evan Morrison, Chatham-Kent's all-star second baseman, became the first Canadian Baseball League player drafted to Major League Baseball when the Texas Rangers selected him in the 10th round on the weekend.

Morrison, 23, is slashing .333/.417/.433 in his second season with the Barnstormers. His nine doubles are third in the CBL, and he ranks seventh with 25 runs. The Wheatley, Ont., native represented the South squad in Sunday’s All-Star Game.

Morrison batted .402/.470/.582 with six home runs, six triples, 15 doubles and 49 RBIs in 58 starts at shortstop for Grand Valley State University in 2026 – his sophomore season with the Lakers after playing one campaign apiece at McPherson College and the University of Waterloo.

He opened the college season on a 31-game hitting streak and garnered American Baseball Coaches Association First-Team All-American, Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association Second-Team All-American, and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year honours.

More than 40 players from the 108-year-old league – previously the Intercounty Baseball League – have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the league following their MLB careers.