Canadian JFG Rewind
September 30, 2021
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Junior Future Games Rewind
It was a breath of fresh air to have a summer filled with baseball and as the summer has drawn to a close, it’s time to unpack all of the talent we saw across the country this past year.
Every summer our Junior Future Games team gives an early indicator on some names to watch in the coming years and this year was no different. With no JFG team in 2020 due to COVID-19, it put even more emphasis on the 2023s, 2024s and 2025s making up the roster.
There was talent and athleticism across the board and we’re going to look back on six players who stood out back in late July with our Juniors.
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ASAFA JONES / OF / BREBEUF , ON / 2023Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 2
Report: The 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder ranks as one of the top 2023s in the province and he looked the part throughout the entirety of the Junior Future Games. He has a mature approach at the plate with a powerful stroke from the left-side, consistently looking to do damage at the dish. With the arm strength, good reads and good routes, Jones can take care of any position in the outfield. He always shows up in big moments and even came on to strike out the final batter in a tight, emotional final game against Illinois.
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ESTEBAN DESSUREAULT 3B / 1B / ACADEMIE ESTACADES, QC / 2025Report: Desserault is just 13-years-old and already comes with an imposing frame at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. The left-handed hitting corner infielder from ABC Academy has bat speed and swings with intent. He consistently finds barrels and there’s projectable power there as he continues to fill out. With his youth, his size and overall look to his game, Dessereault will be a name we will hear a lot going forward.
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MATTHEW MARSH OF / LHP / ADAM SCOTT, ON / 2024Report: 2024 Matt Marsh was a name that jumped onto the scene at the JFG’s and made a splash on the first day. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound Team Ontario left-hander topped out at 84 in his first outing and then sat 83-85 in his second outing, topping out at 86. He was spotting up throughout both appearances and there was lots of swing and miss. There’s lots to like from Marsh and although there’s more upside on the mound, he can swing the bat well from the left-side also.
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MICHAEL YUSYPCHUK RHP / SS / S BRUCE SMITH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AB / 2024Report: 2024 Michael Yusypchuk, an Alberta native, was one of the more fundamentally sound players we saw in Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 155-pounder impressed on the mound, the left-side of the diamond and with the bat. He sat 81-83, topping out at 84 and could spin the curve. The right-handed hitter makes hard contact and gets on plane at the plate. Defensively, his athleticism and arm strength plays on the left-side. He does a lot of things right and the upside he showed us on the mound really stood out to the staff. A must follow for all college coaches.
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RYAN PRESS LHP / OF / TANENBAUMCHAT, ON / 2024Report: 2024 Ryan Press was another lefty that stood out with his pitchability, mechanics and easy velocity. The southpaw sat 81-82, T83 with his fastball and had tight spin on his 12/6 curveball at 69-70 mph with downer type action. At 5-foot-10, 143-pounds, there’s still lots of growing to do but there’s a lot to like. He moves well on the mound with a repeatable delivery and a quick arm. Press will be an exciting arm to follow in the in the coming years.
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