2018 Canada Cup - Team Alberta Preview
August 8, 2018
2018 Canada Cup - Team Alberta Preview
The 2018 Baseball Canada Cup kicks off this week in Moncton, NB. The prestigious event will host the top 17U players from each Province across Canada for a five day tournament crowning a National Champion, a title that Team Saskatchewan has held the past two years. Alberta will be looking to improve on the strong showing they had last year, we take a look at the roster and breakdown some of the top prospects to keep an eye on during the tournament. Prep Baseball Report will be on site in Moncton for all game action, follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates, highlights, videos, and more.
The Arms
 |
Liam Froment LHP / Morinville community, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 3
The uncommitted lefty out of Prospects Academy is coming fresh off a Provincial Championship with his summer club the St. Albert Cardinals and will be a big part of Alberta’s success in this tournament. He is poised and confident on the mound, has experience having pitched for Alberta last year. Good three pitch mix highlighted by a tight breaking ball that he throws in any count for strikes. The win at provincials may put him on a limited pitch count so will be interesting to see how he is used. |
 |
Brady Kobitowich RHP / Bellerose Composite, AB / 2019Kobitowich looked very good at our Alberta Top Prospect Games a few weeks ago attacking hitters low in the zone with his fastball at 78-80 mph. Like Froment, he was a big part of the victory this past weekend for St. Albert and could be limited on pitch count as well. The uncommitted 2019 has shown good feel with his changeup, uses it effectively when behind in the count. He will be an arm to watch as he continues to develop with the Prospects Academy over the coming off season. |
 |
Matthew Dobberthien OF / RHP / Bishop O'byrne, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 2
Dobberthien is an exciting uncommitted two-way prospect out of the Okotoks Dawgs Academy, we had him up to 83 mph at the Top Prospect Games with a tight breaking ball at 71 mph. He looked good both defensively in the outfield and offensively at the plate. Strong and athletic with room to grow. He ran a 7.2 60 which should also improve as he continues to mature physically. Has the ability to get outs on the mound at this level and should be effective for Team Alberta either out of the pen or as a starter. |
 |
Jared Arnold RHP / OF / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 25 / POS: 5
Arnold is one of more intriguing prospects in his 2019 class, with a very projectable body type and live arm, the uncommitted 2019 right-hander who just spent his first year at Vauxhall Academy could eventually develop into one of the top arms in the province. He made some major changes this past year with Coach McTavish and has shown great strides. He was one of the standout arms at our Alberta TPG with his fastball getting up to 84 mph, the arm action is loose and easy, effortless delivery. His game experience with the Jets in 2018 should help him in Moncton when he takes the bump for Team Alberta. |
The Bats
 |
Ayden Makarus C / 3B / WH Croxford, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1
Makarus is another exciting player to come out of the Dawgs Academy in Okotoks. The LSUE commit is listed as a catcher but can just about play anywhere for you on the field. He is a gamer, loves to play and will do anything to win. Listed at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, he is a very physical player, athletic and quick with a 7.0 60 a few weeks ago. He showcased his strength during BP hitting multiple no doubt home runs out of Legion Memorial Park, similar to his rounds during the T12 tryouts in Okotoks where he was a standout as well. Makarus will be one of the top players on any roster this week in Moncton and we wouldn’t be surprised if he is the running for tournament MVP. |
 |
Dryden Howse SS / C / Foothills Composite, AB / 2020The uncommitted Okotoks Dawgs product is one of the top ranked 2020’s in the province. He has a smooth swing from the left side, easy power to all parts of the field, slight uphill bat path with good balance throughout swing and finish. Howse will be a power threat for Alberta whenever he comes to the plate, good approach and aggression in fastball counts are key to his success, an exciting prospect and must watch for college coaches this weekend. |
 |
Justin Breen 3B / 2B / Father Mercredi, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1
Breen who is listed at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds provides Alberta with some legit power from the right side in the middle of the lineup, he has big game experience and has faced some very good arms this summer with both his home team Fort McMurray and the Alberta Prairie Sticks tournament team where he put together some great at bats against 2019 TCU commit Riley Cornelio. The uncommitted 2019 will do anything to get on base and has great awareness at the dish. He is another must watch for coaches this weekend looking to add a quality 2019 bat. |
The Gloves
 |
Jean Luc Bussieres C / OF / Edmonton Cardinals, AB / 2020Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 2
The uncommitted 2020 catcher who played with the Edmonton Cardinals this summer and is one of the top catchers in his class. Quick actions and athleticism behind the plate, along with arm strength and overall approach to the game make Bussieres a game changer for Team Alberta. He takes charge behind the plate and manages his pitcher’s confidence very well for a young player and should have no issue taking that approach with his new pitching staff. |
 |
Michael Brisson SS / 2B / St. Albert catholic, AB / 2019Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 4
Brisson just continues to get better every time we see him, he was a standout on both sides of the field at our TPG event where he ran a 6.9 60 and put up an exit velo of 88 mph. He looked very confident and smooth and shortstop all day making nice plays in the hole and showing off his arm strength across the diamond. The uncommitted Prospects Academy infielder plays aggressively but under control, fields the ball out front of his body and keeps his feet moving with balance in tough positions. |
| |
Roen Helgren OF / RHP / Beaumont Composite Highschool, AB / 2019Helgren who is listed at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds can cover a lot of ground in the outfield and has the arm strength to keep runners out of scoring position and help out the Alberta pitching staff. The uncommitted outfielder out of Prospects Academy gets good reads off the bat, quick first step, and takes effective routes to balls. Arm strength is there when needed but he does not try to do too much, makes smart baseball plays and knows who his strengths and weaknesses. Helgren can help Alberta win games on both sides of the ball as well, he is a threat to drive in runs from the right side. |