Posts in Canadians in College
Shushkewich: Lawson studying first base and political theory with Florida Gators

“Balancing academic commitments and time on the diamond is a constant struggle for college players.

Brendan Lawson is no stranger to this balancing act, fresh off completing his freshman campaign at the University of Florida.

Whether Lawson (Toronto, Ont.) is working on his footwork at first base or hitting the books, he is always moving – so much so that the phone interview for this article had to be postponed because of a late-night exam that Lawson had to prepare for.”

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Elliott: Jean made a good bet - himself, drafted 2,233 days after his previous selection

“It has been said that the game should be called perseverance.

Take Antoine Jean for example.

He didn’t have to battle a bad-hop single or a bad call on the black by the umpire.

Drafted in the 17th round in 2019 by the Minnesota Twins he turned down life-changing money for a high schooler attending Academy Baseball Canada. He said no to $495,000 US to pitch for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Initially he had committed verbally to Pitt.”

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McFarland: Wilde ride with Purple Eagles sees Albertan transition from pitcher to first baseman

“The caption on Evan Wilde’s Instagram post thanking Niagara University after his final season said it all.

“Started as a pitcher, finished as … not a pitcher.”

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound hurler-turned-infielder was on his way back home reflecting on a memorable end to his collegiate career.”

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Verge: From the soccer pitch to pitcher, Gillespie ready to begin pro career with Yankees

“The MLB draft wasn’t even on a 13-year-old Blake Gillespie’s radar.

Why would it be?

Baseball wasn’t part of his repertoire.

The young teen was busy dribbling a soccer ball around cones at the field, not coming set on the mound about to throw a zinger to the catcher.

But it was, unbeknownst to Gillespie, part of his future. The now 21-year-old, who didn’t pick up baseball until he was 14, was drafted in the ninth round by the New York Yankees on July 14. “

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ICYMI - Elliott: Will top Canuck Bremner get chance to pitch on Bremner Blvd?

“What are the odds of finding the top-rated draft-eligible Canuck less than 15 weeks before the annual selection of high schoolers and collegians?

Over the years, we have found a few, yet we never have we found anything like this:

Santa Barbara Gauchos RHP Tyler Bremner.

Tyler was born in San Diego. His parents are Jason Bremner, of Mississauga, and Jennifer, of Queensville, Ont., north of Newmarket. They now call southern California home.

Tyler has a Canadian passport.

And he’s really good ... no, we mean really, really good.”

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Elliott: Hicks, Pinkney, Hartman, Poturnak, Rienguette enjoying Draft League -- Update

“Well, if there was any doubt, the West Virginia Black Bears are Canada’s team in the MLB Draft league.

Especially since the Junior National Team vacated the league after playing a five-game partial schedule, of course.

The Black Bears have the most Canucks of any of the six teams with Connor Hicks of the Southeastern Fire, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds’ Jonny McGill and Scott Rienguette from Kansas State Wildcats.”

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