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Alberta Insider: Initial Class of 2019 Player Rankings (February)

With the 2018 Alberta rankings live with committed and uncommitted talent, we are proud to announce our first edition of our 2019 Alberta Rankings. This class is highly anticipated with athletes, arms, and potential big time bats. A promising list of players that includes; Canadian Junior National Team members, a crafty Purdue commit, along with a number of exciting prospects that are ready to break out in 2018.

To view the entire list of 65 prospects please click here.

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Top Prospect

2019’s top prospect and number one ranked player is Oregon State University commit Cesar Valero, a player who has been well known and heavily followed since he began playing in Fort McMurray, AB.

Cesar Valero SS / C / Okotoks Dawgs, AB / 2019 Rankings  OverallRank: 84 / POS: 15 Report:The Junior National Team shortstop who now trains and plays out of Okotoks with the Dawgs Academy is bursting with natural talent. Effortless swing showing potential for plus power and could play multiple positions at the college level right now. Extremely projectable frame, wide shoulders, long arms and legs, and massive hands, Valero is arguably the top prospect we have seen since first round draft pick Mike Soroka.

Number Two Spot

Vauxhall Academy’s Adam Macko comes in as the number two ranked prospect in the 19’ class as the left-hander, who played with Team Rawlings SE ran by Todd Greene this past summer is the best Alberta has to offer on the mound at any age.

Adam Macko LHP / Vauxhall High School, AB / 2019 Rankings  OverallRank: 99 / POS: 8 Report: Ayden MakarusSitting 84-87 and touching 89 with his fastball this past fall, a consistent 90 is not far away for the Purdue commit. He has a good feel for his curveball in the 68-70 range and shows good late arm side action on his changeup at 72-75 mph. Clean and quick arm action that puts him in a good position at foot landing, repeatable mechanics allow him to fill up the zone with all 3 pitches attacking hitters with confidence. Now that he has committed to play for Purdue in the fall of 2019, Macko joins a list of fellow lefties and recent Jets alumni to move on to pitch at the Division 1 level; Jared Kennedy (Canisius), Wesley Matthews (CSUN), and Garrett Nicholson (Central Michigan).

Makarus and McDowell Not Far From Top Dawg

The Dawgs Academy’s 2019 class may be highlighted by the aforementioned Valero, but the OSU commit is not the only player that will get national attention this year.

Ayden Makarus C / 3B / WH Croxford, AB / 2019 Report: Ayden Makarus, a catcher who also sees time at third base sits at number three on our list, and he is without doubt the most physically ready to play at the next level currently on our list. Listed at 6-foot-2, 185-pounds, large frame, very strong and shows signs of athleticism that could progress and translate into potential for draft prospect status.

Micah McDowell SS / OF / Foothills Composite, AB / 2019 Report: Ayden MakarusInfielder Micah McDowell, also a product of Okotoks was the MVP of Tournament 12 this year and at 6-foot-1, 165-pounds, he definitely has a lot of room to add muscle and size to his current frame. He has very good bat speed, shows quick and explosive actions and utilizes his lower half well throughout his swing. Proven he can play multiple positions at a high level with above average speed as his number one tool along with good hands and enough arm strength to patrol a corner spot in the outfield. Both of these players are looking to step out of the shadow and share the spotlight in 2018.

Five Academies Complete 2019 Top 10 List

There's a nice mix of players and academies from all across the province that complete our top 10 list. Froment and Breen will both play a big part in Team Alberta’s success this year at the Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, AB. We next have a pair of exciting prospects in the outfield in Willy Alexander Diaz Vasquez from St. FX Academy and Dayton Peters from Vauxhall Academy who sit seventh and eighth respectively. Rounding out our list is two catchers, at 9 Ben Prediger from the Calgary Junior Dinos and Skylar Braun from Prairie Baseball Academy at 10.

Liam Froment LHP / Prospects Academy, AB / 2019 Number four ranked prospect is left-hander Liam Froment out of Prospects Academy. Froment is very motivated and dedicated to his craft, taking a mature approach to his progress on the mound. 6-foot, 195-pounds, athletic build, works low to mid 80’s with his fastball and has great feel and confidence with his secondary stuff. With Froment being the top ranked uncommitted player in the 2019 class, we envision him getting plenty of looks this year and not lasting very long on the uncommitted trail.

Justin Breen 3B / 2B / Father Mercredi, AB / 2019 Coming in at number five is infielder Justin Breen of the Fort McMurray Oil Giants. Listed at 6-foot, 185-pounds, he displays a wide frame with broad shoulders and strong lower half. Raw power to all parts of the field, his exit velocity topped at 88 mph at our Calgary College Prospect Showcase in January.

Willy Alexander Diaz Vasquez OF / 2B / St. Francis Xavier, AB / 2019 Vasquez is listed at 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with an athletic build and room to add strength and size. The uncommitted outfielder has legit speed with a top 60 time of 6.50 and shows power potential and arm strength from the outfield. He burst on the scene last year with the provincial champions in the Parkland Twins, earning a spot with Team Alberta in 2017.

Dayton Peters OF / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2019 Peters is another Vauxhall product appearing in the top 10, listed at 6-foot-1, 175-pounds, Peters has great bat speed that works with an upward path, generates good backspin off the barrel, and runs a 6.90 with room to get quicker and stronger.

Ben Prediger C / 1B / St. Francis, AB / 2019 Rounding out our list is two catchers, at 9 Ben Prediger from the Calgary Junior Dinos and Skylar Braun from Prairie Baseball Academy at 10. Both catchers show athletic and quick actions behind the dish. Prediger with a pop-time of 1.95 and Braun a 1.94 just a few weeks ago, room to improve footwork and strength for both as well.

Skylar Braun C / Lethbridge collegiate , AB / 2019 Rounding out our list is two catchers, at 9 Ben Prediger from the Calgary Junior Dinos and Skylar Braun from Prairie Baseball Academy at 10. Both catchers show athletic and quick actions behind the dish. Prediger with a pop-time of 1.95 and Braun a 1.94 just a few weeks ago, room to improve footwork and strength for both as well.

 

With 80 players ranked in the 2019 class, we feel that the talent level here in Alberta continues to grow on a regular basis. With commitments to big time programs like Oregon State and Purdue, it’s obvious that the West Coast of Canada is producing top end talent, especially with a loaded 2019 class full of athletes, guys with live arms, pitchability, and big time bats that will contribute and play a considerable role at the next level whether it be the professional or college ranks.

Our staff is proud to present the top 80 ranked players from the province of Alberta in the 2019 class, and be sure to continue to follow as we slowly move our way into the 2020 rankings, as well continue to add and update not only the 19’s, but the 2018 class as well.

PBR Alberta Class of 2019 Top 80

Rank	Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
1	Cesar Valero	AB	Okotoks Dawgs	2019	SS	Oregon State
2	Adam Macko	AB	Vauxhall High School	2019	LHP	Purdue
3	Ayden Makarus	AB	WH Croxford	2019	C	LSU-Eunice JC
4	Liam Froment	AB	Prospects Academy	2019	LHP
5	Justin Breen	AB	Father Mercredi	2019	3B
6	Micah McDowell	AB	Foothills Composite	2019	SS
7	Willy Alexander Diaz Vasquez	AB	St. Francis Xavier	2019	OF
8	Dayton Peters	AB	Vauxhall Academy	2019	OF
9	Ben Prediger	AB	St. Francis	2019	C
10	Skylar Braun	AB	Lethbridge collegiate	2019	C

***** To view the entire top 80, please click here.