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Ontario Nationals Fall Trip: Quick Hits

October 24, 2023
Phil Jankulovski
PBR Ontario Staff

PBR Ontario and the Ontario Nationals partnered up for their annual Fall Trip as they travelled through Michigan, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia over 11 days for games and workouts at college/university campuses. We had staff travelling with the group throughout the trip collecting video and providing coverage.

The trip got underway on October 12th as the Nationals opened up the trip with a matchup against Cleary University, an NAIA program in Howell, Michigan. The rest of the trip included games against a pair of Division I programs in Gardner Webb and VCU, as well several other two-year and four-year programs.

With the Fall Trip now complete, our staff breaks down the notable players within the program who handled themselves well against college hitters and arms. Below, we provide scouting notes and video on eight players who impressed.

Andrew Bishop 1B / 3B / Resurrection Catholic, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 37 / POS: 2

2024 1B Andrew Bishop was one of the top performers for the Nats throughout the whole trip. Physical XL-framed LHH at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds. Bishop collected a hit in every stop of the trip, batting .455 throughout the games. On top of that, he had 2 HRs both to RF and a max EV on the trip of 103 mph. Working out of a narrow stance, with a short swing to the ball, he displayed feel for the barrel and lived mostly to his pull-side and up the middle. An uncommitted 2024 that will be an impact bat for a program at the next level.

Jackson Tjart OF / OF / Resurrection Catholic, ON / 2025

2025 OF Jackson Tjart was a catalyst at the top of the order for the Nats. Highlighting high bat-to-ball skill this trip, consistently barreling up baseballs, even when they were outs. Works out of a wide base and gets in his legs well, when swinging. Present contact in his game, that will only continue to develop. Defensively, manned CF with little issue. Showcased good tracking to the ball and working through it as well, throwing a runner out at 3rd. An uncommitted 2025 who’s game is trending upwards.

Thomas Harmsworth RHP / Kincardine District, ON / 2024

2024 RHP Thomas Harmsworth was one of the better arms we saw out of the Ontario Nationals. Making 3 appearances throughout the trip, Thomas was able to showcase his high pitch ability, consistently attacking hitters early in counts and showing feel with all 3 of his pitches. CB has a vertical look to it, generating swing and miss with it. There was no shortage of strikes when Harmsworth was on the mound. An uncommitted 2024 RHP, who can work deep into appearances and throw multiple pitches for strikes.

Chase Rollings 2B / SS / Mother Tersea, ON / 2024

2024 INF Chase Rollings put together a solid showing on the Fall Trip. Defensively, Chase showcased good footwork and hands when fielding in the infield. At the plate, Rollings has a line-drive approach, mostly lives up the middle and to his backside. Collected hard contact and multiple hits throughout the trip, leading to a trip to be proud of for Rollings. Uncommitted 2024 that can play multiple positions in the INF and hit for contact.

Kai Thompson RHP / OF / Cameron Heights , ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 57 / POS: 17

2024 RHP Kai Thompson made multiple appearances throughout the Trip. Big framed at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, who works solely out of the stretch and utilizes a deceptive arm action. Kai showed feel with his slider, throwing it often for strikes. Fastball sat 86-88 mph, throwing it early in counts and getting ahead with it, often. A USC Sumter commit, who should be an intriguing follow through his 2 years of Junior College.

 

Karson Cassidy OF / Ancaster, ON / 2024

2024 OF Karson Cassidy showcased skills on both sides of the field through the trip. At the plate, Cassidy is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound LHH, that’s aggressive at the dish and looks to do damage. Creates elevation with his swing, collecting several hits and hard barrels. Defensively, Cassidy highlighted his arm from the outfield, showcasing multiple times his ability to throw it accurately and on a line. An uncommitted 2024 that has some tools to his game, that will only grow with added strength gains.

 

Braxton Mathews LHP / LHP / Grand River Collegiate , ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 72 / POS: 8

2024 LHP Braxton Mathews was another top arm for the Nats. Making multiple appearances throughout the trip, Braxton showed feel with his pitch mix. Consistently filling up the zone with strikes and throwing his off-speeds for strikes. Easy, repeatable delivery that sat in the low-to-mid 80s, with more in the tank, as he develops. An uncommitted 2024 LHP that has the tools to pitch at the next level.

 

Jordan Taylor RHP / St. Bennidicts, ON / 2024

2025 RHP Jordan Taylor made three appearances throughout the trip. Taylor was able to generate a ton of weak contact in his innings, which led to him throwing 2 scoreless innings at VCU. Ran the fastball up to 85 mph, with more in the tank. Flashed some feel with his off-speeds, throwing them for strikes, also generating out-of-zone swing and miss with it. Overall, a 2025 that should be interesting to follow as he develops.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 Sudbury Voyageurs Scout Day ON 11/04 The Baseball Academy
2023 Canes Canada Scout Day ON 11/05 BP Sports Park
2023 Bullettproof Scout Day ON 11/19 BP Sports Park
2024 Terriers Scout Day ON 04/24 King's Christian Collegiate
Improve My Profile with Game Video (Ontario) ON 08/29 Ontario

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