Prep Baseball Report

2018 Future Games - Team Canada Preview


Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting


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2018 Future Games - Team Canada Preview

With the Future Games being one of our favourite weeks of the year, we take a look at the team that will be representing the country in Indianapolis this week as there is a bit of a different twist with players from three separate provinces taking place in the 2018 Future Games.

This event is by far one of if not the best scouting opportunity for uncommitted players in the country, with over 500 of the best uncommitted 2020 and 2021 prospects in the nation all in one place; Grand Park fields in Indianapolis.

To view the complete schedule, click here.

To see the pitching rotations, click here.

Below we take a look at the names that will be representing the Canadian Team at this years 2018 Prep Baseball Report Future Games

THE ARMS

Connor O'Halloran LHP / 1B / St. Martins, ON / 2021

Report: The top 2021 prospect in Ontario, O’halloran has a smooth and easy delivery from the left side and a three pitch mix with a fastball that has been up to 86 mph this summer. The actions are clean and he can spin his curveball with the best of them. Fills the zone up and has a quiet bulldog demeanor. Lots of maturing physically left to do, he wins with above average stuff for his age and class presently, a guy that needs to be on coaches radars.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Thursday vs Michigan at 12:45

Simon Lusignan RHP / 1B / De Mortagne, ON / 2020

Report: One of the more physically-gifted players in the age group with lean muscle throughout a long, 6-foot-4, 185-pound frame. Methodical, compact delivery that gives way to a release point at high 3/4 to near 3/4. Medium-sized arm swing with quick hand speed out front. Fastball ran up to 90 mph on multiple occasions, and he held 87-88 from the stretch on a hot day with multiple miscues behind him. Minimal effort combined with room to continue adding to his frame leaves lots to dream on about his future. Showed feel for changeup at 78-80 that gained a few swings and misses. Also showcased a developing slider at 73-76. Ran into some trouble with tough luck plays, but remained poised throughout with a high sun on a hot day.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Thursday vs Michigan at 12:45pm

Campbell Ellis LHP / 1B / Christ the King , ON / 2020

Report: Big 6-foot-4 left-hander with clean, easy delivery and overhand curveball that he spins very well with depth and late action. Love the frame and upside in Ellis as he works with minimal effort and repeats his delivery. He continues to make strides and adds velocity, he is just scratching the surface and everything points towards he being read for a coming out party.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Friday vs Ohio at 6:00pm

Evan Soules RHP / SS / Stayner Collegiate , ON / 2020

Report: Soules has made big strides since the winter and the 6-foot-2 right-hander with an easy and clean delivery has been up to 87 mph this summer with his fastball from a loose ¾ slot. The secondary stuff is still developing but for someone who sees more time at shortstop than on the mound, Soules is an arm that has many miles left on it and is only going to get more polished every time out. Sleeper guy who will catch the eye of many coaches this week.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Saturday vs Pennsylvania at 11:00am

Levi Abbott RHP / Vauxhall , AB / 2020

Report: 6-foot-2 right-hander from Alberta out of Vauxhall Academy. Pitches with presence and fastball/curveball combo that comes out the hand with life and gets on hitters quickly. Sits in the mid 80’s while touching 87 this summer, Abbott has the athleticism and frame that will allow him to increase his velo and stuff, will get to see twice this week and will be a guy that catches people’s attention with the actions, stuff, and body.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Thursday vs Michigan at 12:45 pm and Saturday vs Pennsylvania at 11:00am

Benjamin Adams LHP / OF / Longfields-Davidson Heights, ON / 2020

Report: Top prospect and two-way player from the 2020 class of Ontario. Left-hander with a quick arm and fastball that works in the 83-86 range to go along with a developing changeup and curveball that has 1/7 shape and gets swings and misses with depth and spin. Also will let it eat at the plate with bat speed and exit velo of 95 mph. Athletic player that has a chance to be one of the top players in the country moving forward.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Friday vs Ohio at 6:00pm

Graham MacNeil 3B / RHP / Brooklin, ON / 2020

Report: Macneil will be making his second appearnace at the Future Games, this time as a 15 year old and will see the mound as well time at the corners in the infield. The arm is clean with strength and a curveball, with his fastball up to 86 mph and will be able to hold the velocity as he repeats his delivery. The bat has juice and when he is going right, can leave any park as the barrel gets through the hitting zone quickly with extension.

Pitching Rotation: Will pitch Saturday vs Pennsylvania at 11:00am

Caden Griffin LHP / OF / John McCrae, ON / 2020

Report: Griffin has been nails all summer after his first stint with the Canadian National Team in March. Undersized lefty with a quick arm and a fastball that has been up to 88 mph. The compete level is high, he attacks hitters and pitches like he is 6-foot-5. Changeup backs up well off his fastball while the curveball has improved over the summer as it allows him to work with three pitches that he commands and has made quick work of his opponents. Going to be fun watching Griffin get after it this week.

The Catchers

Raphael Pelletier C / SS / Edouard-Montpetit, ON / 2020

Report: Defends behind the plate, loose relaxed hips and receives with ease. Was a standout at the ProCase this summer with feel for the barrel and drove the ball in game with 2B to right field and put together some really good at-bats. Lots of upside and a chance for him to blossom into one of the better catchers in the country who should be able to contribute offensively as well.

Brady Wagenhoffer C / 3B / Dr. Denison, ON / 2020

Report: Wagenhoffer is a defensive minded catcher with one of the strongest arms in his class and good feel and presence for the position. Was a 1.94 pop time in April and sits right around 2.00 in game with online carry. The bat plays up with BBCOR in his hands as there is bat speed and strength to work with plus more to come, had exit velocity of 86 mph indoors in April. Chance to stick with the tools behind the plate and should grow into a bat that can spray the ball with some potential pop in the future.

Tyson Gomm C / OF / Port Credit, ON / 2021

Report: Gomm is a young 2021 left-handed hitting catcher with athleticism that plays on both sides of the ball. Hard nose gamer who gets after it, line drive approach at the plate who barrels up balls and can also surprise some with the pop he can generate. Gets himself into a good hitting position, stays through the ball and works gap to gap. Defensively, moves well, quick feet behind the plate to go along with arm strength that should only improve as he matures. Like the look of Gomm and should be a household name here in Ontario for some time.

The Outfield

Owen Caissie OF / Notre Dame, ON / 2021

Report: Caissie continues to grow as a young 2021 prospect and gets stronger at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds. Quiet setup from the left side of the plate, showed in-game power this summer and ability to use the whole field. Strength is the biggest tool missing which is natural for age, the actions all play defensively and Caissie has a chance to be a smooth swinging left-handed hitting outfielder and one of the top prospects in his class for a long time to come.

Zach Laurie OF / RHP / Crestwood, ON / 2020

Report: A stocky 6-foot, 178-pound catcher out of the Stouffville Yankees, Laurie has the makings of an advanced hitter at a young age. The 2020 grad shows balance and strength with the lower half, an easy swing with jump off the bat. What makes him special at the moment is his timing and explosiveness at the plate, showing the ability to drive pitches with authority to all fields. While he's currently a catcher, he projects to be a third baseman, or even an outfielder given his speed and arm strength. Aggressive approach at all times, dirtbag type player with advanced tool set for his age.

Simon Menier OF / Seminaire Chicoutimi, ON / 2020

Report: Compact, athletic frame with high waist. L/L and moves around easy as an athlete in centerfield. Strong arm and we saw make two big throws to the plate to nab runners. At the plate it is a bit raw from the left side but he has strength with a short path to the ball. Hands cast out slightly in approach, and works downhill through the zone. Balanced, slightly crouched stance. Plays hard and will be an eye opener for many coaches this week.

The Infield

Elijha Hammill SS / 3B / Holy Trinity SS, ON / 2021

Report: Exciting young switch hitter with athleticism and actions on the infield while speed and the bat are a big part of his game. A short, quick swing that can go the other from both sides of the plate, Hammill shows understanding of the strike zone with hand eye at the plate. Not a lot of swing and miss and gets out the box and down the line well. Defensively, there's arm strength from both shortstop and the outfield, body control and smooth actions speaks to athleticism, versatile defender who makes plays. One of the top 2021 players in his class.

Tyler Hinrikus 3B / SS / Resurrection Catholic, ON / 2020

Report: Added strength with room to still fill out at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, Hinrikus shows bat speed and ability to drive the ball gap to gap offensively. The setup is quiet and upright, he gets the bat started and barrels up baseball and can leave the park with some juice to the pull side. Third baseman with actions and arm strength, also saw time this summer in the outfield at the corners. Intriguing prospect who has taken a big step in his game this summer.

Bryce Arnold SS / 2B / Blessed Trinity, ON / 2020

Report: A small, but toolsy middle infielder who continues to get stronger to make up for his lack of size. Ran a straight and clean 7.15-second 60, showed twitchiness and good athleticism. Not a lot of movement in the box, quiet approach from the right side with quick hands through the zone. Generates good bat speed, shows great athleticism throughout. Very fluid in the field, light on his feet with proper footwork, everything looks clean. Quick transfers, shows quick arm action (up to 86 mph) and throws have carry and are online. An interesting prospect of the 2020 class, who will be fun to watch this week in Indy.