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2024 Best of the West: BC Scouting Notes

May 10, 2024
Brady Turner
West Coast Director

Another Best of the West Tournament in Kamloops, British Columbia is behind us which means the baseball season is in full swing across the country. Each year, the tournament includes top club programs from Alberta and British Columbia, as well as a couple programs beyond the West Coast such as the HPP Tigers (Ontario) and Prep Baseball Canada's 18U National Team.

The tournament provides some of the most exciting games and action you'll see throughout the year, outside of national championship events. The Okotoks Dawgs took home the championship this year as they brought a loaded roster to Kamloops and didn't surrender a single loss, taking down the Langley Blaze in the final game.

With the tournament now completed, our staff will begin breaking down some of the top performers from the event. Below, we'll start our Best of the West Standout Series with a look at the talent out of British Columbia.

To view Alberta Scouting Notes, click here.
To view Eastern Canada Scouting Notes, click here.
To view 15U Scouting Notes, click here.

2025 Shane Brinham (Uncommitted): Brinham’s outing against the ISB Selects might have been the best we’ve seen him as he had everything working going 5.1 IP striking-out 13 batters. The FB sat 85-88 comfortably, but he went up and got multiple 89’s when he needed to. The CB generated plenty of uncomfortable swings, especially for lefties sitting 75-77 and mixed in a CH at 78-81. Standing 6-foot-2, 170-pounds, the North Shore Twins prospect is one of the top arms in the country who’s already generated buzz in the recruiting world, hard to not believe Brinham will continue to improve and impress on the summer circuit.

2026 LHP Sean Duncan (Uncommitted): Duncan dominated once again in his outing at the Best of the West with a complete-game shutout allowing only 1 H and 0 BB with 1 K’s. Fluidity and feel to pitch are the immediate standouts, being able to change-speed, spin, and command the zone. Moxie on the mound, doesn’t waste any time when he’s out there working with tempo and ahead in the count more often than not. Look for Duncan to field numerous calls on August 1st when the NCAA contact period begins.

2024 C Coen Niclai, Alaska (Oregon commit): Niclai was a standout on the Langley Blaze Pro Tour back in March and his mature approach, couple with extra-base power, stood out once again at the Best of the West Tournament. The Alaska native and 2024 MLB Draft prospect did the majority of the work behind the dish for the Blaze and blasted a HR in the team’s second game against the AHP Renegades. The Oregon commit came through with several big-hits for the Blaze during the week and was no-doubt a big part in the team’s success on their way to the championship game. Niclai will be a name to keep an eye on during Day 2 and 3 of the 2024 MLB Draft.

2025 OF Logan Booth (Uncommitted): Booth was a threat all week in the middle of a potent Langley Blaze lineup. He finished the tournament batting .400 with multiple extra base hits, including a homerun he drove off the scoreboard in right-centre. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound outfielder shows present strength with some bat speed to go with it, and has the makings to be an impact bat at the next level. Booth is one of the top uncommitted 2025 bats on the west coast and he continues to garner attention after an impressive week in Kamloops.

2026 INF Luke Laird (Uncommitted): Laird was the catalyst in the two-hole of a potent Langley Blaze line-up with dynamic speed and bat to ball skills. Has improved significantly since last year, looking comfortable against velo and doing damage with it, highlighted by a back-side HR in the night-cap on Day 1 of the tournament. Laird will be a close follow on the West Coast as he is up there with the top 2026 prospects in the country.

2024 LHP Reid Clague (Uncommitted): One of the more dominant pitching performances at the Best of the West came from uncommitted 2024 Reid Clague. At 6-foot-5, 185-pounds his long levers create deception and a steep vertical approach angle. His fastball sat 87-89 mph and he struck out 9 over 4.1 hitless innings. Although he struggled a bit in his 2nd outing on short rest, the Canadian Junior National Team member is one of the most sought after arms in the country and will be a heavy follow as he enters his senior season.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2024 Island Future Games Trials BC 05/22 Royal Athletic Park
2024 BC Future Games Trials BC 05/23 Parkgate Park
2024 New England Academic Games (Invite Only) BC 07/09 Yale
Future Games (Class of 2026/27) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
2024 Whalley Summer ID BC 08/17 Whalley Athletic Park

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