Ontario Scout Blog - May

Brayden Ricketts C / 3B / Jean Augustine Secondary School, ON / 2024

Ricketts, 6-foot, 205-pound, is a strong LHH catcher that looks the part in the box. He impressed at OBJ Scout Day and we were itching to get out to see him hit in game. He shows juice from the left side, with a strong lower half and quick hands through the zone as he looks to do damage when he’s in the box. He shows good rhythm and timing in his approach here hunting a 2-0 FB and rips it into RF for an RBI single. Ricketts should be on college coaches radar’s looking for a LHH catcher.   

UC 2024 Brayden Ricketts (@braydenr21)

Solid 6-foot, 205 lbs, build that looks good in the box from the left side. Hunting FB in a 2-0 count and rips this pitch to RF for an RBI single. @OntarioBlueJays || #PBRIsThere?? pic.twitter.com/AAkwMcJWcS

— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) May 13, 2022

Matthew Brown RHP / SS / Waterdown District, ON / 2024

Brown, standing 6-foot-5, 185-pounds, is one of the most electric arms in Canada right now in the 2024 class. The FB has life to it sitting 88-90 mph which he commands on both sides of the plate. When he gets on top of his 74-75 mph slider it has sharp break and is a swing and miss pitch and the change up shows fading action at 80-81 mph. Had multiple strikeouts blowing the fastball by hitters, Brown’s imposing frame and feel to pitch is exciting to watch and he will be a close follow through the summer.  

Strong showing for ‘24 Matthew Brown working a clean inning.

Arm was loose with some arm side run on his Fastball. Attacked hitters early and often.

FB: 88-90
CH: 80-81
SL: 74-75 @OntarioBlueJays || @matthewbrown_7 pic.twitter.com/HFID9596XC

— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) May 13, 2022

Brendan Lawson SS / 3B / Lawrence Park , ON / 2024

Although Lawson’s game didn’t jump out at Best of the West against older competition, he looked the part on this night as he was back with his 16U age group. 6-foot-3, 185-pound middle infielder with smooth actions who moves well side to side with arm strength. Profiles on the left side of the diamond. The glove is ahead of the bat right now but he has a good approach from the left side and works up the middle. There’s still lots of room and time to add strength in his offensive game which would make for an intriguing profile. A top 2024 prospect in Ontario on the dirt.

Solid barrel through the middle for ‘24 Brendan Lawson.

Good looking MIF with a lot of upside. Has filled out nicely over the off-season. @OntarioBlueJays || @Brendan_lawson1 pic.twitter.com/e1QKGyJTGA

— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) May 13, 2022

Joe Scott LHP / Riverdale Collegiate Insitute, ON / 2024

It’s hard not to get excited about Joe Scott, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound left-hander who sat 80-82 in the first inning before settling in at 79-80. Not only is the look and size intriguing but he works downhill with a minimum effort delivery. He worked with a breaking ball at 66-68 and although it didn’t induce much swing and miss, it helped set up the fastball throughout the game. While it’s not overpowering stuff right now, he shows signs of an arm just waiting to break out. A sleeper arm to keep tabs on in the 2024 class.  

Another intriguing arm out here in Ajax, ‘24 LHP Joe Scott.

Immediately stands out at 6-4, 200lbs and the FB sat 80-82 in the first inning. CB 66-68.

Still raw on the mound but there’s so much to like in his game going forward. @OntarioBlueJays || @jscott_bb #PBRIsThere?? pic.twitter.com/cnLCO2IBdp

— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) May 13, 2022

Ryan Stalony 3B / 2B / Loyola Catholic School, ON / 2024

Stalony, a 6-foot, 185-pound infielder for the Ontario Blue Jays had a quality week at the plate. Was a tough out on Sunday driving the ball to all parts of the field capped off with a homerun to deep left center. The swing is aggressive with quick actions in his hands, looks to drive the ball gap to gap. Stalony also had a solid day in the field moving well in the infield covering a lot of ground. The bat continues to be a standout in his game with a lot to like about this 2024 standout.

Owen Newman RHP / OF / Streetsville , ON / 2024

Newman, a 6’3 225lbs RHP/OF for the Ontario Blue Jays could not keep himself off the base paths on Sunday. Had an overall good day at the plate lacing a pair of doubles to the opposite field. He consistently barreled up all his swings throughout the day. Has some pop to all parts of the field with simple quick actions on his swing. Promising 2024 that continues to take strides in his game.

2024 Owen Newman

Big Athletic frame with good extension on his swing. #OBJScoutDay pic.twitter.com/KAVUOMZOeb

— PBR Ontario (@PBR_Ontario) April 2, 2022