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Tournament 12 Preview - Alberta

One of our favourite weeks of the calendar year, Tournament 12 is fast approaching with the kickoff of games at the Rogers Centre beginning this Thursday. With over 160 players from across the country all in one place, this is a great opportunity for the players, as well as us at PBR Canada to see players compete in one of a kind setting and at a very high level.

PBR Alberta will be on site with coverage all week, but first we take a look at the roster for Alberta going into the weekend.

Below we take a brief look at the roster, and make sure to follow on our home page and social platforms this week as we bring you live coverage of the 2018 Tournament 12.

THE ARMS

Adam Macko LHP / Vauxhall High School, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 158 / POS: 23 Report: The left-hander is coming off a successful summer, pitching south of the border for Team Rawlings out of Georgia showing he could work his fastball up to 90 mph. He has shown great command in the mid 80’s range complimented with a plus breaking ball and changeup that continues to develop. If the Purdue commit can get low 90’s with consistency in his senior year, we will see his name on draft day 2019.

Thomas Little LHP / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 5 Report: Little is a very intriguing prospect, listed at 6-foot-7, he has a lot of room to add size and strength to that frame. The lefty looks effortless throughout his mechanics, getting out front utilizing his size and leverage. Fastball has late arm-side run making it very tough on left-handed hitters. He is a must watch this weekend on the mound for Alberta.

Branden Woods LHP / Okotoks Dawgs, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 4 Report: Another quality lefty, Woods is out of the Dawgs Academy in Okotoks. Throws a fastball in the mid 80’s with good command to both sides of plate, has the ability to throw both off-speed for strikes in fastball counts. Repeatable and deceptive delivery, good rhythm and works quick, knows how to pitch to his strengths and doesn’t try to do too much on the mound.

Levi Abbott RHP / Vauxhall, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 498 / POS: 144 Report: Coming off his appearance at this year's Future Games with Team Canada, Abbot is the top ranked 2020 in Alberta. He topped out at 88 mph with his fastball this past summer, breaking ball is one of the best in country, ability to throw it for strikes and as an out pitch. Clean arm path with easy and repeatable delivery. The uncommitted 2020 is another must watch for Alberta this weekend.

Matt Wiggins RHP / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 11 Report: Listed at 6-foot-7, 220-pounds. Wiggins is a physical presence on the mound, fastball in the mid 80’s gets good down angle out of his hand, big breaking ball with late break at 68-70 and a changeup at 70-73. The uncommitted righty has a big upside, there is more left in the tank as he continues to develop physically and mechanically.

Chase Florendine RHP / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 3 Report: Florendine joined his Jets teammate Macko this past summer in Georgia with Team Rawlings where the right-hander continued to improve his velocity, working his fastball in the upper 80’s with consistency, along with a changeup that he can use as an out pitch. Breaking ball continues to develop, the uncommitted 2019 should play a big role for Alberta on the mound.

Liam Froment LHP / Morinville community, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 3 Report: The uncommitted left-hander Froment is a crafty lefty that works with a good pace and knows how to attack hitters for outs. Uses all three of his pitches in any count with confidence and command. Training out of the Prospects Academy in St. Albert, Froment is a student of the game and has very high pitchability. Will be interesting to see the gains he can make this coming offseason.

Jared Arnold RHP / OF / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 7 Report: Arnold is another uncommitted 2019 heading into his second full year with Coach McTavish and the Jets in Vauxhall. Originally out of Red Deer, AB, he showcased a mid 80’s fastball at our Top Prospect Games this past July. There is a lot left in Arnold’s tank, clean arm path and easy action, velocity should continue to develop as he gets more comfortable with delivery.

Andrew Yusypchuk RHP / SS / St. Francis Xavier, AB / 2020 Report: Yusypchuk is an uncommitted 2020 out of the Prospects Academy, making his first appearance at Tournament 12 this year coming off a good season with the Edmonton Cardinals. Works his fastball in the low to mid 80’s along with a breaking ball that has good depth and late action. He is another exciting 2020 arm to watch as he continues to develop.

INFIELDERS

Cesar Valero SS / OF / Okotoks Dawgs, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 58 / POS: 13 Report: Valero is a standout for the Alberta roster, the Oregon State commit and Canadian Junior National Team shortstop is no stranger to Tournament 12 as he has been here multiple times in years past. A smooth infielder with good hands and natural power from the right side of the plate, Alberta will be looking for him to lead the way offensively.

Dryden Howse SS / C / Foothills Composite, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 Report: Howse is another exciting prospect out of the Dawgs Academy. The uncommitted 2020 has a smooth swing from the left side with natural and effortless power. Athletic actions on the infield, can play multiple positions, good arm strength.

Michael Brisson SS / 2B / St. Albert catholic , AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 4 Report: Brisson is a quick and athletic uncommitted infielder out of the Prospects Academy making his first appearance at T12. He ran a 6.90 60 at our Top Prospect Games and showcased his arm strength and smooth glove work on the infield. Quick hands and good bat speed from the right side, shows flashes of home run power. One of the top ranked infielders in the province.

Justin Breen 3B / 2B / Father Mercredi, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 1 Report: The uncommitted 2019 infielder has recently made the move from Fort McMurray south to the Okotoks Dawgs Academy where he will spend his senior year training and fine tuning his game for the next level. Has shown pop from the right side, good plate awareness and grinds out at bats. He will be looking to build off of his showing at last year’s tournament and lead the way for Alberta.

Willy Alexander Diaz Vasquez SS / OF / St. Francis Xavier , AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 5 / POS: 3 Report: The uncommitted 2019 vasquez is one of the most exciting players in the country, there is no shortage of tools when it comes to this outfielder/infielder. He is a 6.5 runner with home run pop, plus arm strength and a natural feel for the game that is fun to watch. He has the fastest time at last year's tournament and will be looking to keep his crown as Canada’s fastest this year.

Alejandro Cazorla SS / RHP / Okotoks Dawgs, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 416 / POS: 92 Report: Cazorla who trains out of Okotoks with Valero every day is one of the top players in his class across the country. Smooth actions on defense both in the outfield and infield, arm strength to play multiple positions at the next level. At the plate, Cazorla has the ability to hit the ball to all fields with power, quick hands a slight uphill bat path.

OUTFIELDERS

Dymitri Pavlove OF / 3B / Central Memorial, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 17 / POS: 1 Report: Pavlove who is listed at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds, plays for Babe Ruth in Calgary, AB. He showed his bat speed and strength at this past July at the TPG putting up an exit velocity of 91 mph. He has good balance throughout his swing, with good rhythm and timing. He is another player making his first T12 appearance for Alberta and will look to showcase his skills amongst the country’s best.

Brayden Cust RHP / OF / Prospects Academy, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 2 Report: Cust is one of the top remaining 2019 uncommitted players in Alberta, a two-way guy who ran a 6.83 60, had an exit velo of 87 mph and topped out at 85 mph on the mound at Alberta’s TPG this summer. He is solid defensively at all three outfield positions, showed a good three pitch mix on the mound, tight breaking ball, late run on changeup. Line drive swing from the left side, bat speed continues to develop, great awareness.

Kai Reum SS / RHP / Peace Wapiti Acedemy, AB / 2019 Report: The uncommitted outfielder of of Grand Prairie, AB is the lone representative from the Lights Academy who had a good 2018 season in Alberta’s Midget NorWest League. Reum is an athletic and strong kid, we may see him make an appearance out of the bullpen as well for Alberta as he has shown he can be effective there as well. Ability to play multiple positions on the infield and outfield, will be looking to put himself on the map this weekend at the Rogers Centre.

Tyrese Johnson OF / SS / William Aberhart, AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 2 Report: The uncommitted 2020 outfielder has an athletic and projetable build, he was a standout at our inaugural Southern Alberta Showcase where he impressed scouts both on defense and at the dish from the right side. The Okotoks product will be looking to build off a successful summer in 2018 and show the progress he has made both physically and in his swing.

CATCHERS

Jean Luc Bussieres C / OF / Edmonton Cardinals , AB / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 10 / POS: 2 Report: Brussieres is an exciting uncommitted 2020 catching prospect out the Edmonton area, also making his first appearance at T12 he will be looking to put his name on the map amongst some of the top catchers in the country. He plays with confidence and knows how to take control of a pitching staff, he should have no problems handling the new arms and behind the dish. Athletic actions, quick side to side and works hard to get into good blocking positions.

Ayden Makarus C / 3B / WH Croxford, AB / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 Report: Makarus may be one of the more physically developed 2019’s in the country. He has a wide frame with an athletic build, good core and lower half strength. Listed as a catcher, the LSU Euncie commit can play multiple positions on the field at a high level. He put on a power display during the T12 tryouts at his home field in Okotoks launching several balls over the left and center field walls. He will be a fun player to watch this weekend, he loves to compete and works hard every time on the field.