Prep Baseball Report

Holiday Hitters - Toronto: Quick Hits


Brendan Mahood
Scout, Prep Baseball Ontario

On Tuesday, December 18th, the Prep Baseball Ontario staff hosted the second of two annual Holiday Hitters Showcases (Hitters-Only) with the Holiday Hitters - Toronto at Pro Teach Baseball in Etobicoke, Ontario... The home of the Etobicoke Rangers. This event featured roughly 50 players in 2025 - 2029 classes in the Toronto area and allowed our staff an opportunity to get an in-depth look at the players, as well as collect updated metrics via our tech partner TrackMan for the final time in 2024.

Holiday Hitters always serve as our final showcases of the year, allowing players one final chance to update their profiles with headshots, video and hitting data before the year concludes. It also gives us a sneak peak at some hitters who are eligible for the Best of the West Tournament, Future Games, Jr. Futures Games, West Coast Games and more (although it does not serve as a qualifier).

Today, we will begin our post-event coverage with a look at the top TrackMan Hitting data collected during the event with each player getting three full rounds of BP.

For complete event results, click here.

To register the Canadian College & University Showcase (Feb. 8)click here.
To request an invite to the Mississauga Preseason Invite (Feb. 14), click here.
To request an invite to the Ottawa/Gatineau New Year Open (Feb. 19)click here.
To request an invite to the Toronto New Year Open (Feb. 22)click here.

HOLIDAY HITTERS TORONTO - QUICK HITS

'26 OF/3B Alexander Wallace (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Wallace put together one of the stronger performances on Wednesday, pacing all 2026’s (third overall) with a peak exit velocity of 96.4mph. The left-handed hitting Fieldhouse product also placed towards the top of our leaderboard in Sweet Spot percentage (70%) and led all hitters in hard hit percentage (48%). Moves efficiently and direct to contact from a high-set and it should get more violent as he continues to add strength. It’s a build with projection yet to realize at 6-foot-1, 170-pounds and our staff can see Alex making some noise heading into 2025. Should be a strong recruiting follow for college programs next summer.


'27 1B/3B Landen Creasey (Sudbury Voyageurs): It was Landen Creasey that posted the top exit velocity on the day, and that’s no surprise with the physicality he brings to the table. At 6-foot-2, 235-pounds, Creasey worked up to a peak exit velocity of 98.5mph. Frequented the pull-side with deep fly-balls and reached a peak distance of 352ft, which would stand as the top mark among underclassmen in attendance. The upper half rotates well and the hands work to get some lift from a low set. As his swing is refined and Creasey unlocks the lower body more, expect the Sudbury Voyageur to be a power bat to follow in a loaded Ontario 2027 class. 


'27 3B/RHP Wes Crozier (Barrie Baycats): Crozier was one of our winners in Etobicoke and one of many strong 2027s in the building. Posting a peak EV of 94.6mph (86.3 avg.) and peak distance of 350ft, Wes showed off the development since the last time we had eyes on him in September. Also posted one of the stronger Hard Hit %’s on the day at 37%. The hands work well in creating momentum from a tall set in a swing that’s come a long way since Crozier broke onto the prep circuit, but look for more explosive gains as he continues to lock in the mechanics long-term. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound infielder also carries two-way upside and we’re eager to see how much further the Barrie standout can progress this offseason. 


'26 3B/RHP Gavin Friederichsen (London Badgers/Uncommitted): Another big winner on Wednesday, Friederichsen showed substantial gains in the time since Badgers Scout Day in September. The peak exit velocity has jumped from 78 to 88.8mph and his average has followed suit, rising from 68.6mph to 82.3. The toe tap works into a violent launch/swing with adept barrel control that worked to the tune of one of the stronger Sweet Spot %’s on the day at 69%. There’s twitch and looseness in the hands and frame yet to fill at 5-foot-10, 150-pounds. The hit tool has played in-game to this point and our staff will keep tabs on Gavin as he looks to be a top-of-the-order threat for the Badgers next summer and beyond.


'26 C/1B Juliano Goncalves (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Goncalves came down for his first event with us this week and did not disappoint. The Fieldhouse backstop posted some of the stronger exit velocities among underclassmen this week, reaching a peak exit velocity of 94.1mph and peak distance of 325ft. With a short stride to contact, hands work cleanly and remain in the hitting zone for a long time. Violent, snappy finish that generated backspun line drives. With physicality present in the 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Goncalves checks off a lot of boxes and should find himself a home amongst Ontario’s stronger 2026 catchers in future rankings. We look forward to seeing him on the summer circuit.


'26 SS/2B Colton Lafleur (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Some of the louder numbers throughout our Holiday Hitters sessions belonged to Lafleur, including the top exit velocity of all 2026 grads in attendance at 95.7mph. Peak distance was also among the better we saw this week, maxing out at 342ft.  The swing is synced up from the right side with an efficient lower half, strong hand speed and effective bat path. It’s quiet, simple and loose with a compact setup and is a swing that we’re excited to see play in-game. Colton is an upperclassman that college programs should be taking note of in the near future and we will be following along.


'29 SS/3B Preston Cartwright (Toronto Mets): We were able to have our first look at a handful of 2029 prospects this week. Cartwright was one of the standouts among the group and will be fun to follow going forward. The body looks right and he should only improve as he grows into it and matures. The toe-tap is utilized as a timing mechanism from a tall set as he works downhill to get behind the baseball, hands worked well and looked relaxed in the box. Posting the top exit velocity of any 2029 this week at 84.7mph, and with some of the more consistent rounds among his peers, Preston had an evening to be proud of at his first event with Prep Baseball.


'28 OF/1B Gabriel D’Ercole (Team Ontario Astros): D’ercole burst onto the scene this week as one of the more exciting 2028’s we saw, as he posted some of the stronger metrics among his class this week and looked comfortable in the box. It’s a twitchy and athletic look from the left side,  using the toe-tap before getting on-plane with some violence and intent. Hands are set high but have no problem getting through the zone for hard contact. Gabriel posted a peak exit velocity of 90.1mph and a peak distance of 313ft, showing noteworthy gains since the 2024 Junior Future Games Trials in April and putting our staff on notice going forward. Should be yet another close follow in a 2028 class that’s taking shape right in front of our eyes.


'28 SS/RHP Hunter Bartha (Fieldhouse Pirates): One of the premier players in our 2028 class thus far, the ‘24 Junior Future Gamer shows improved physicality and is shaping up to be an exciting middle-infield prospect moving into the future. With a peak exit velocity of 87.9mph, Bartha keeps the hands short and direct, a big reason why the bat has made an impact to this point. Quality mover on both sides of the ball with frame yet to fill at 5-foot-11, 170-pounds and should make noise on the prep circuit during his freshman season. While the Holiday Hitters series featured hitting only, it’s worth noting that Bartha carries one of the most advanced defensive profiles in his class to this point. Should be a fun follow with the Pirates throughout his prep career.


'26 OF Aidan Chanderbahn (Etobicoke Rangers/Uncommitted): Chanderbahn made the most of a home-field advantage Wednesday night, putting together a strong display at his own facility. Athletic look to the outfielder in his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, and he should trend up heading into the New Year. Lived on the barrel throughout his three rounds, producing a peak exit velocity of 93.2mph and a peak distance of 314ft, some of the stronger numbers on the day. Short stride, stays on the backside well and gets the barrel turned to contact while getting and staying on-plane. It was an intriguing look at the Etobicoke Ranger and we’re optimistic on his progression going forward.


'26 C/OF Matteo Falsetti-Nadeau (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): Falsetti-Nadeau has improved since we last saw him, utilizing the physicality enroute to a strong showing that featured a peak exit velocity of 92.5mph (avg. 87.2) and peak distance of 333ft, leaving one of the better overall impressions among upperclassmen. Posted the top Sweet Spot % across both Holiday Hitters Sessions at 85%. Compact look from the left side that works through the zone with some snap, using the hips and lower body quite well. Matteo’s blend of pop and consistency throughout his three rounds were impressive and he looks to carry this momentum into 2025.


'28 SS Oscar Gefucia (West Toronto Wildcats): The twitch was on display with Gefucia and he solidified himself on our radar moving forward. The peak exit velocity of 90.7mph was tops among 2028’s in attendance on Wednesday, and came along with a peak distance of 304ft. It’s an athletic look at the dish, hands work through the zone quick after a moderate leg-kick and he was able to stay on-time throughout most of his rounds. Got extended well and worked to the big part of the field. The body and athleticism profiles up the middle going forward. It was our first look at Gefucia in an event setting and he should be a compelling athlete to have eyes on as he enters his freshman season.


'28 LHP/OF Colt McGuire (Fieldhouse Pirates): Colt just continues to grow, and he showed very well in our first viewing of him since he represented Prep Baseball Canada at the 2024 Junior Future Games. Now standing at a limby, projectable 6-foot-1, 160-pounds, added strength was evident in the swing as Colt worked for a peak exit velocity of 88mph and peak distance of 313ft. The hands start low and work best out-front. Was on the barrel with some consistency and it should only improve as he makes tweaks and grows into his body. One of the stronger two-ways we’ve seen in our class of 2028, McGuire will look to continue doing damage on both sides of the ball.


Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
2025 Canadian College & University Showcase ON 02/08 The Yard Athletic Centre
2025 Mississauga Preseason Invite ON 02/14 Athlete's Turf Inc.
2025 Ontario Preseason Invitational ON 02/17 Athlete's Turf Inc.
2025 Ottawa/Gatineau New Year Invite ON 02/19 Bell Sensplex
2025 Toronto New Year Invite ON 02/22 The Yard Athletic Centre
2025 18U Best of the West ON 04/30 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)
2025 13U Best of the West ON 05/01 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)
2025 15U Best of the West ON 05/01 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)

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