‘Reformed’ Rudge Finds College Home At Canisius

Trent Rudge RHP / Essex District, ON / 2025

COTTAM, Ontario - A “reformed” Trent Rudge is now a Division I college commit to Canisius.

“Last offseason I went on a meal plan that me and my trainer created with heavy protein,” Rudge said in looking back at where it all began in 2023. “I ended up losing just under 50 pounds in six months. Now I’m trying to maintain that. I’m sitting 210-215 now and was 250ish last October.”

It led to improvement on the mound and with it an important invitation.

“The goal was to play Division I baseball, but for a long time D-II was the highest interest I got,” the 17th-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Ontario explained. “Once I changed my body the velo ticked up and D-I was a possibility. 

“I went to quite a few Prep Baseball showcases, the biggest one the Procase where Canisius saw me. I started hitting with Prep Baseball, but once I was throwing harder I decided to PO. I went to a winter showcase and topped at 89. Afterward, George (Halim, Prep Baseball assistant director of scouting in Canada) asked what I was doing this weekend. He wanted me to come to the Procase and Canisius was there. I really got a lot of recognition going to Prep Baseball events.”

None more important than the Procase with Canisius looking on.

And while “they never reached out,” according to Rudge, once completely “reformed” interest in the 6-1 210-pounder followed.

“I went to the All-Star Game this year and they reached out,” Rudge said of the coaches at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference university. “They also watched me at the Canadian Future Showcase. They wanted to get to know me and have me on a visit. That’s when they gave me an offer which I sat on a little bit. It ended up between two or three schools, but their offer was too good to say no.”

Niagara, which wanted Rudge to reclassify as a 2026, and Northern Kentucky were also in the mix according to the Essex District senior, who only recently committed after taking the visit to Canisius in August.

“Everything stood out about it,” Rudge reflected about his time at the college located in Buffalo, 41/2 hours from home. “I really like the development they have going on. They have a good history of developing guys, especially pitchers. They also have a lot of Canadians there.”

Canisius sees the 38th-ranked senior in Ontario making an impact.

“Everything I threw was hard, they like that,” Rudge said. “I have a three-pitch mix with everything above 80. I have a low ¾ arm slot they think will play well at the next level.” 

Improvement was a vital part of receiving an opportunity to become a Division I pitcher.

“Growing up I was always the hardest thrower but had trouble with command,” Rudge related. “But I grew on the mound as I got older. There wasn’t a single school that reached out on Aug. 1 (of 2023) and I was a little disappointed, but four or five months after Davenport became the first  to reach out. That’s when I thought it could happen.

“When I reformed myself my velo ticked up. The reason the velo ticked up was I’m a lot more mobile. Mobility is a big part of it. I wasn’t moving too well before, but now I’m extremely better with my mobility and my arm speed has definitely increased.”

Trainer Kameron Bags and Windsor Select head coach Chad Matton are credited with playing important roles in the process according to the 17-year-old, with his parents the biggest influences in becoming a college commit.

“It was surreal,” Rudge said of making his commitment. “All the work I put in and I had finally accomplished my goal. But I’m just getting started. The end goal is professional baseball. This is just a step toward that.”

A 3.5 student planning on a major in sport management, Rudge is excited about what is to come in college.

“I’m a competitor, I don’t like to lose,” Rudge said. “Whether it’s as a starter, reliever or closer, I’m going to go out, get the job done and have fun while I’m doing it.”