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Best of the West: Quick Hits (Elimination Games)

May 13, 2023
Cam Black-Araujo/Josh Arce
PBR Canada Staff

The 2023 Best of the West Tournament concluded last Sunday with the Vauxhall Jets defeating the Okotoks Dawgs in the final and going 5-0 throughout the week. Both nationally-recognized programs out of Alberta deservedly met in the final game of the tournament and both entered the game without a loss.

Both programs were no-doubt the two most dominant teams throughout the week with good defenders all over the field on both teams, along with deep batting lineups and a plethora of high-quality arms. It was another thrilling tournament in Kamloops that saw PBR Canada enter a team comprised of tops players across the country who's club teams weren't already competing. 

Below, we conclude our coverage of this year's Best of the West with scouting notes and video on standouts from the final three days.

To view Best of the West: Day One Quick Hits, click here.
To view Best of the West: Day 2/3 Quick Hits I, click here.
To view Best of the West: Day 2/3 Quick Hits II, click here.

Patrick MacInnis RHP / RHP / Vauxhall High School , AB / 2024

2024 RHP Patrick MacInnis (uncommitted) got the ball in the championship game for Vauxhall and did his part in helping the Jets secure the title. Length and projection on the mound at 6-foot-6, 200-pounds and despite the size, he controls his body well. It’s a two-pitch mix right now with the fastball sitting 83-86mph and a breaking ball at 71-72mph. MacInnis works around the edges with the fastball and doesn’t leave it over the heart of the plate much. The curveball has some depth and top-to-bottom action to it, as well as feel to locate the pitch. The Okotoks hitters consistently put up quality, long at-bats and MacInnis was up to the task, with very few walks during the outing. With the size and advanced feel for both his pitches, the development of a third-pitch will be huge for MacInnis as it looks like the velocity will continue trending upwards.

Tyrus Hall SS / Oak Bay, BC / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2

Hall’s bat came alive the last couple of days at the Best of the West with multiple barreled balls to RCF for singles. His speed is an asset on the bases, also stealing multiple bags within the first couple of pitches. In PBR Canada’s last game, Hall jumped on the mound, and he impressed. Very raw, but the arm speed and strength plays on the mound, with his 85-88 mph FB that generated tons of swing-and-miss, with developing secondary pitches. In his one inning of work, he struck out the side with ease. The recent Bossier Parish commit is known for his defensive tools and speed, but there is definitely something on the mound, as well.

Benito Bonilla 3B / RHP / Okotoks dawgs , AB / 2024

Bonilla was one of the most feared hitters at the dish all week in the middle of the loaded Okotoks lineup, and it was more of the same the last 2 days of the tournament. Several base hits for Bonilla, but none was bigger than the no-doubt solo shot he hit in the semi-final game to help Okotoks beat the North Shore Twins. Already has a pro looking frame, Bonilla is as physical as they come for a high-school player and the ball was jumping off the wood bat with ease. The Missouri State commit raised his stock after his eye-popping performance all week in Kamloops.

Cardel Dick C / SS / Vauxhall, AB / 2023

2023 Cardel Dick (Nebraska-Omaha) stole the show at the Best of the West, taking home MVP honours. He seemed to reach base multiple times in each game, typically with an extra-base hit in there and was the driving force in the Vauxhall offense throughout the week. He also impressed with his ability to standout at multiple positions on the field, playing a strong game behind the dish against North Shore and showing confidence and the ability to make plays on the infield, as well. Potentially an under the radar player before the tournament, but has no-doubt put himself in the conversation as one of the more well-rounded 2023 players in the country.

Colin Fisher C / OF / Franco Cite, ON / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 146 / POS: 20

Fisher was a difference maker behind the dish and in the box for 

Vauxhall all weekend long at the Best of the West. In the finals, his defensive abilities stood out with soft hands while receiving, and his ability to anticipate and block difficult pitches in the dirt was key all game while also throwing a runner out at 2B. In the bottom of the 6th inning, he extended the lead with a barreled deep sac fly to CF to extend the Jets lead to 5-3. Good overall showing from the Jets catcher as he swung it against some of the best arms in the country, while playing a premium position well defensively. 

Eric Machej SS / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2024

2024 SS Eric Machej (Illinois State) may not have had the loudest week among a loaded Okotoks roster but was one of their more reliable players with his work at shortstop and timely ability to get on-base with a hit or walk. Machej does a lot of things right on the field and it starts with his confidence up the middle where he was one of the top defensive shortstops in Kamloops. Athleticism throughout his game and it’s evident on the infield and bases. Right-handed hitter and it’s still a gap-to-gap approach and put up quality AB’s throughout the week.

Alexandre Laurence C / 2B / Vauxhall, AB / 2025

Laurence was one of the more impactful bats for Vauxhall in the championship game against Okotoks, finding his way on base all 3 at-bats and scoring a couple runs in the process. Worked a full-count multiple times and had impressive plate coverage to force those extended at-bats. In the field, Laurence played a solid 2nd base all week for the Jets, showing some clean footwork and quick hands. After a standout performance at the Lethbridge Spring Open ID in late April, he was on our Radar and did not disappoint at Best of the West.

Jerome Pare RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2024

2024 RHP Jerome Pare (Gonzaga) had some of the better stuff on the mound we saw during our time at Best of the West. 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander with some athleticism on the mound and a long, whippy arm-action with arm speed. Fastball had life through the zone at 87-89 T90 and the go-to secondary offering was the slider at 80-82mph with tight, cutter-like action. Pare was attacking hitters early with the fastball and induced a ton of weak contact through his first several innings, also flashing the occasional changeup at 84mph. Impressive stuff from the Gonzaga commit who will be a 2024 arm to keep tabs on this summer in Alberta.

Tate Martin SS / RHP / Vancouver College, BC / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1

2024 RHP/INF Tate Martin was a standout two-way player at the tournament with the ability to truly impact a game on the mound or at the dish. Came out of the bullpen in the semi-finals for his second appearance and once again flashed a fastball that sat comfortably in the upper 80s. Two-pitch mix right now with a fastball and curveball and fills up the zone with both. Swung the bat well throughout the entire week with a quiet, rhythmic swing from the right-side and there’s some strength in there at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds with the ball jumping when he finds the barrel. One of the top uncommitted prospects in BC.

Owen Pote RHP / RHP / Archbishop Jordan, AB / 2024

After throwing to just one-hitter in his first outing where he picked up a punchout on three pitches, we got our second look at Pote with a two-inning appearance against Saskatchewan. Long, skinny frame at 6-foot-6, 195-pounds with a ton of projection. His first outing the fastball sat 86-87mph and was down to 81-84mph in his second outing with cold, damp conditions. True feel for his entire arsenal and pounds the strike zone. One of the more intriguing overall profiles on the mound in Alberta 2024s class and there’s not much to knit-pick with him on the mound… Everything seems to come easy and the velocity should continue trending upwards as he continues to fill out and mature. High-follow in Alberta’s 2024 class and still uncommitted.

Kyle Yip OF / C / Vauxhall Academy of Baseball, AB / 2023

Yip manned the 3 hole for Vauxhall all week long, and he was one of their better hitters in the lineup. The former West Coast Gamer has bat-to-ball skills and a line-drive approach, which helped him put together mature AB’s and collect multiple base hits. Yip also played sound defense in the outfield as well, and moved well for his physical 6-foot, 195-pound frame. Good overall showing from the UBC commit.

Jack Baxter LHP / Vauxhall High School - Alberta, NB / 2024

2024 LHP Jack Baxter (uncommitted) put together a good outing on the mound against the Blaze and comes with a good combination of size and stuff from the left-side. 6-foot-2, 190-pounds and works with a three-pitch mix. The fastball sat 83-84 T85 and was locating it on both edges of the plate, along with a curveball at 65-69mph and was getting swings/misses on both pitches. Also flashed a changeup at 76mph. Competes and attacks hitters on the mound and there looks to be more in the tank for Baxter but it was an impressive showing with his size from the left-side and command. Another intriguing 2024 arm in Alberta that college coaches need to be on.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 Future Games Trials - North Vancouver BC 06/02 Parkgate Park (North Vancouver)
2023 Island Future Games Trials BC 06/07 Serauxmen Stadium (Nanaimo)
2023 New England Academic Games (Invite Only) BC 06/28 Yale
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/25 LakePoint

 

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