Betts: Nimmala gives Blue Jays' system a needed potential star
“It’s understandable if Blue Jays fans were unfamiliar with the name Arjun Nimmala when Toronto selected him in the first round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft out of Strawberry Crest High School in Tampa.
High schoolers don’t always carry the same name recognition as their college counterparts, like 2024 first-rounder Trey Yesavage who made waves as a star at East Carolina University.
But as Nimmala’s confidence continues to grow with each passing day, so do the expectations from fans who now have his name firmly etched in their minds.
“I think it’s super high,” Nimmala said of his current belief in himself. “
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Shushkewich: Nori shows grit at the plate in Spring Breakout Game
Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.) went 0-for-3 in the Spring Breakout Game on Friday, but he impressed Canadian Baseball Network writer Tyson Shushkewich with his grit at the plate. Nori batted second for the team of Phillies’ prospects and saw 24 pitches in three at bats.
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UBC extends win streak to eight games with doubleheader sweep
The UBC Thunderbirds now have an eight-game winning streak thanks to a doubleheader sweep of the Oregon Tech Owls on Saturday.
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Betts: Harry happy to be a Blue Jay after trade from Twins
“Jay Harry didn’t see it coming.
He was 82 games into the 2024 minor league season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels when he received a phone call that changed the trajectory of his career.
The Toronto Blue Jays were in the midst of a modest sell off and struck a deal with the Minnesota Twins to send right-hander Trevor Richards to the land of 10,000 lakes.
Their target in return? Harry.”
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Betts: Yesavage makes first pro appearance in Blue Jays Spring Breakout game
Toronto Blue Jays’ 2024 first-round pick Trey Yesavage threw two scoreless innings in his first professional appearance in Saturday’s Spring Breakout Game. The Blue Jays’ prospects beat the Minnesota Twins’ prospects 10-0 in the contest played at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla. Canadian Baseball Network writer Matt Betts was at the game.
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Betts: Five takeaways from the Blue Jays Spring Breakout game
Canadian Baseball Network writer Matt Betts offers five takeaways from the Spring Breakout Game between the Toronto Blue Jays prospects and the Minnesota Twins prospects played at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., today.
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Betts: Matt Brown relishing senior season at USF
“Time sure does fly.
Most high school players hear a variation of that phrase before embarking on their college baseball careers.
And right now, University of South Florida right-hander Matt Brown (Oakville, Ont.) gets it.
“It’s definitely gone by fast,” Brown said following a 5-2 USF loss to Maryland on Friday night.
“Every fall feels like it’s the longest thing ever but then once the season gets here, it just flies. Each year I think gets faster and faster.”
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McFarland: From Dawg to Dragon, speedy Griffin excelling in first college season
“Leo Griffin was undoubtedly going to play baseball.
With a family heavily involved in the game, the challenge was actually in deciding where on the field he wanted to play.
Playing the utility role throughout his youth baseball career, the Boucherville, Quebec native moved with his family to Okotoks after his older brother joined the Dawgs Academy program.
Even then, the younger Griffin was torn on his position on the field, until deciding that his most dangerous skill, his speed, needed to be exploited.
His career took off with a move to the outfield and is now enjoying a breakout freshman campaign at Hutchinson Community College.”
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IBL's London Majors sign Sugi
The Intercounty Baseball League’s London Majors have signed outfielder Kenneth Sugi (North Vancouver, B.C.).
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Betts: Kiermaier, Varsho … Brown? Canuck impressing Blue Jays with Gold Glove defence
Ontario Blue Jays alum and Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Dasan Brown (Oakville, Ont.) was recently presented with a minor league Gold Glove Award for his defensive prowess. He also been selected to play for the Blue Jays squad in their Spring Breakout Game. Canadian Baseball Network writer Matt Betts caught up with Brown at the Blue Jays’ minor league complex in Dunedin.
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Whicker: Rays to dance in Tampa, while Blue Jays won't miss The Trop
Canadian Baseball Network writer Mark Whicker chimes in on the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situation in Florida, which seems more up in the air than ever after the club backed out of a stadium deal in St. Petersburg this week.
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Betts: Manoah returns to bullpen mound after Tommy John surgery
“Nine months after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, Alek Manoah was back on the mound at the Toronto Blue Jays’ Player Development complex on Friday.
It was just 15 fastballs, but for the high energy, emotional Manoah, it was a big step in his attempt to get back to his former self.
“It’s a whirlwind of emotions but it feels amazing right now,” said Manoah.”
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Verge: Doucette inspired by fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby
Now in his sophomore season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Ty Doucette (Dartmouth, N.S.) says he has been inspired by fellow Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby. Canadian Baseball Network writer Melissa Verge recently spoke with the young slugger.
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Baseball Canada seeking candidates to fill Board positions
Baseball Canada is seeking candidates to fill four Director positions on the Baseball Canada Board of Directors and two Athlete Representative Director positions (one male and one female).
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OBA announces hosts for national qualifier tournaments through 2027
The Ontario Baseball Association has announced the host cities selected for the next three years of national qualifier tournaments.
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WCBL to hold first Rural Roots Classic on June 8
“The Western Canadian Baseball League is returning to its roots this summer.
With the inaugural Rural Roots Baseball Classic, the WCBL will pay homage to its history and championship spirit.
The highlight of the weekend will be a regular-season game between the Lethbridge Bulls and Sylvan Lake Gulls at Doug Lehman Field in Oyen, Alberta. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.”
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Gallagher: Ontario teen Corson Scobie turning heads with his play
“When Corson Scobie (Renfrew, Ont.) was enrolled in T-Ball by his parents Lindsay and Jeremy, he hated it -- to their surprise.
A few years later, he wanted to get back into baseball again and he's been loving it ever since.
While many kids were watching cartoons, this lad from the Upper Ottawa Valley town of Renfrew grew up more attuned to watching baseball highlights on TSN Sports Centre -- on repeat.
As he gets older and older, he's thinking of professional baseball and the majors. First things first, though, he wants to get playing for a U.S. university or college.”
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Kennedy: R.I.P. Dick Cherry
Canadian Baseball Network contributor Patrick Kennedy pays tribute to former NHLer and Kingstonian Dick Cherry who passed away on March 6 at the age of 88.
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IBL's Guelph Royals re-sign Deans
The Guelph Royals have re-signed reliever Brandon Deans (Mississauga, Ont.).
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Betts: Where each Canadian Spring Breakout player played their college baseball
Canadian Baseball Network writer Matt Betts shares where each of the Canadians selected to participate in MLB’s Spring Breakout games went to college.
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