October 1, 2026

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

He’s been a mound monster for the Miller Express.

Westin Walls, a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher, was both a workhorse and a strikeout artist when he took the bump for Moose Jaw.

The towering Texan led the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) in earned run average (minimum 54 innings pitched), with a 4.04 ERA during the 2026 regular season.

He also led the circuit in innings pitched (82 1/3), posted a 6-1 record, and set a new single-season record for strikeouts, with 92.

As a result of his diamond dominance, Walls was selected as the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the WCBL. He received 18 first-place votes on 22 ballots, which were submitted by head coaches and media members who cover the league.

“I’m honoured and proud,” said Walls of receiving the award.

“I was able to spend several seasons in the WCBL and I’m very thankful for the opportunities it gave me to grow as a player and a person.”

Walls credited “newfound mentor” Geoff Freeborn – the pitching coach with the Miller Express - for much of his success this summer.

“We discussed everything that could happen between the foul lines and he challenged me to try new things. I was lucky to have him and I’m happy to call him a friend,” said Walls.

“I also had the pleasure of being on the best all-around staff that I’ve ever competed with, and they helped me to keep my head on a swivel each and every day.”

Heading into his final WCBL campaign, Walls approached the coaching staff about pitching every five days, similar to how Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers set their schedule.

“That's something that is not usual for this league, but since he was a senior and he wasn't going back to school he trusted his body and he trusted that he could go every five days and give our bullpen a rest and help the other pitchers with their schedules as well,” said Michael Gonzalez, head coach of the Miller Express.

“He said he wanted to do that and with the way he goes about the weight room and the recovery after pitching, I knew that it wouldn't be a problem for him.”

Added Gonzalez: “I think Westin's work ethic was something that carried over to the rest of the pitching staff.”

Walls’ pitching helped set the tone for the Millers this summer.

Moose Jaw produced a 14-game winning streak that helped lift their overall record in the regular season to 41-15, which put them in first place in the East Division. The streak and the wins total were both franchise records.

“Just knowing that he was our guy and having the trust in his teammates and everyone oozing confidence in him, because he knew it was his last ride and so did the boys, so they wanted to go out there and give their best every time he was on the mound,” said Gonzalez.

“His personality is great. He's an older guy on our team, but he's like a kid, you know. He's just a big kid that wants to play the game and that's something that I appreciate from him.”

The high innings totals for Walls and the strikeout record – which eclipsed the mark of 91 strikeouts recorded by Josh Tucker of the Sylvan Lake Gulls in 2022 – saw the Central Methodist University student build on his previous summers in the WCBL.

Walls worked mainly out of the bullpen during the 2024 season, but two of his 10 appearances were starts. That year, he went 2-1 with four saves, a 3.80 ERA and 24 Ks in 23 2/3 innings.

In 2025, he embraced the role of a workhorse and an ace with the Millers. Through 72 1/3 innings, Walls was 4-5 with 89 strikeouts and one complete game.

As a member of the Eagles at Central Methodist University this year, the righty produced a 6-2 record, four complete games and 62 Ks in 67 2/3 innings.

Walls said the push to chase down the WCBL’s single-season K record was inspired by his father, Winston.

“The strikeout record was something that was really important to my dad,” he said.

“After getting so close last year, we both shared the understanding that it was achievable. However, he was convinced that having another season to chase it was all I needed. I don’t focus as much on result-based goals, but I didn’t have to. Halfway through the season, he had already calculated how many I needed each game, given that I stay healthy and continue to take the ball every fifth day.”

In claiming Most Outstanding Pitcher honours in the WCBL, Walls beat out Logan Lynch (Weyburn Beavers), Noah Bourgeois (Sylvan Lake Gulls), Kaegan Baker (Regina Red Sox) and Brody Forno (Okotoks Dawgs).

Previous award winners include Levi Abbott (Lethbridge Bulls), Colton Anderson (Regina Red Sox), Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake Gulls) and Josh Tucker (Sylvan Lake Gulls).

Walls was not content to sit around at the conclusion of the 2026 WCBL season. He inked a deal to pitch in Lithuania and put together and impressive run for Kaunas Lituanica on their way to a championship title. Walls went 4-0 with four complete games, 52 strikeouts and a 0.67 ERA in his 27 innings, while holding opposing batters to a .044 batting average.

"It was a phenomenal experience. The people welcomed me with open arms and treated me like family," said Walls, who was able to set a personal high with 19 strikeouts in one game.

Walls is now back home and is set to put his workhorse skills in action at the Walls Family Farm.

October 2, 2026

Baseball Canada

OTTAWA – Baseball Canada is pleased to announce that Brian Morris will join the organization as senior director of operations, beginning October 13.

Morris brings more than 20 years of experience in sports management and organizational leadership to Baseball Canada, including five years working in professional baseball.

“Brian brings a tremendous amount of experience, leadership and perspective to Baseball Canada, and we’re excited to welcome him to our team,” said Jason Dickson, CEO of Baseball Canada. “His background across professional and amateur sport, major events and organizational leadership will be a valuable addition to our organization.”

A former executive with the Ottawa Senators and Canadian Tire Centre, Morris has been involved in the planning and delivery of several major sporting events, including two NHL outdoor games, an NHL All-Star Game and a Women’s World Hockey Championship.

His international experience includes serving as a team executive with Team Sweden through the Swedish Hockey Federation at both the World Cup of Hockey and the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Morris has also provided consulting services to sports, community and public-sector organizations and has taught sport business management at Algonquin College.

In addition to his professional experience, Morris remains actively involved in grassroots sport. He has volunteered as a convenor and coach with the Kanata Baseball Association, Kanata Minor Hockey Association and West Ottawa Soccer.

Morris currently serves on the board of directors of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. He lives in Kanata, Ont., with his wife, Annie, and their two sons, Connor and Cameron.

“I’m thrilled to join Baseball Canada and grateful for the opportunity to support the game at every level across the country. Baseball has been an important part of my family’s life, which makes joining the organization especially meaningful,” said Morris. “I’m looking forward to working with the staff, provincial associations and broader baseball community to help the sport grow and thrive in Canada.”

October 2, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

And then there were eight.

The MLB Division Series are set.

And of the eight teams still alive in the MLB postseason, four are certain to have Canadian players on their rosters, while the other four have Canucks working prominently in their organizations.

Here’s a summary of the remaining Canadian content in the MLB postseason:

Cleveland Guardians relievers Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) and Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) celebrate together after the Guardians clinched the AL Central title on Saturday. Photo: Erik Sabrowski\X

1. Cleveland Guardians

In 2024, the Guardians became the first major league team to have four Canadians on a postseason roster.

Since then, Josh and Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) have moved on, but the Guardians will still have two Canucks suiting up for them in the American League Division Series — and those two are arguably the team’s best relief pitchers.

On Sept. 22, Guardians closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) became the first Canadian to record 40 saves in a season since John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) had 46 with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) is the only other Canuck to accomplish this feat, doing it for three consecutive seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2002 to 2004.

In 69 appearances in his first full season as the Guardians closer, Smith was 6-1 with a 1.95 ERA and had 107 strikeouts in 74 innings. For his efforts, he earned his first All-Star Game selection.

But it’s unlikely Smith would’ve been able to rack up 41 saves this season (tied for the AL lead with Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Bryan Baker) without the assistance of left-hander Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.). A key middle reliever for the Guardians, Sabrowski was 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA in his final 15 regular season appearances. During that span, he permitted just four hits and fanned 19 batters in 14 1/3 innings.

Overall, in 60 relief appearances this season, Sabrowski was 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and had 76 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings, while picking up 28 holds.

The Guardians will begin their AL Division Series against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field at 1 p.m. E.T. on Saturday.

Players: LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.), RHP Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC)

Minor league players: RHP Will Hynes (Mississauga, Ont.), C Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.), 1B Riley Nelson (Toronto, Ont.), LHP Adam Tulloch (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Jacob Zibin (Richmond Hill, Ont.)

Executive: Dr. Stephen Osterer (Ottawa, Ont.), director of pitching development

2. San Diego Padres

No big-league team has drafted more impact Canadian big league players over the last decade than the Padres.

How’s this for a list of Padres’ draft selections?

- RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), first round 2016

- LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.), 14th round 2018

- RHP Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), fourth round 2019

- OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.), second round, 2020

And they added to this list when, on the recommendation of Canadian scout Chris Kemlo, they selected infielder Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) in the second round this summer.

On top of all of this, their Opening Day starter was right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC), whom they signed to a four-year, $56-million contract prior to the 2025 campaign. The 6-foot-5 Canuck went 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, with 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings, in four regular season starts after being activated from the 60-day injured list on September 7. He had been sidelined with right elbow inflammation.

Pivetta started Game 2 of the Padres’ Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs and allowed just one run, while striking out four in 3 1/3 innings. The Padres won 4-1 to complete a sweep of the Cubs.

The Canuck righty will likely start Game 3 of the Padres’ NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, which begins on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. E.T. at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Player: Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC)

Scouts: Chris Kemlo (Bowmanville, Ont.), Lou Pote (Okotoks, Alta.), Geoff White (Kelowna, BC)

Minor league players: RHP Garrett Hawkins (Biggar, Sask.), C Lamar King (Vancouver, BC), INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Brandon Langley (New Glasgow, PEI), RHP Jack Pineau (Thunder Bay, Ont.), RHP A.J. Rogers (Dartmouth, N.S.).

3. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the postseason for the 10th time, but this will be the first year they will have a Canadian on their October roster.

The American League East division-winning Rays acquired catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) from the Miami Marlins on Aug. 3, and Hicks has been a key part of their offence ever since. In 41 regular season games with the Rays, he had a .288/.379/.440 slash line with four home runs and 20 RBIs. And he had already been enjoying a breakout campaign with the Marlins.

In total, the Toronto Mets alum batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 142 regular season games in 2026. He also finished the season as one of a select group of MLB hitters with more walks (56) than strikeouts (55).

In September, Hicks regularly batted cleanup behind slugger Junior Caminero, who socked 41 home runs this season.

The Rays, who finished with a 98-64 record, will battle the New York Yankees in their American League Division Series that’s set to begin on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. E.T. at Tropicana Field.

Player: C Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.)

Minor league players: OF Slater de Brun (Bend, Ore., mom, Julie, lived in Toronto), C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), INF Jack Lines (Okotoks, Alta.), INF Taj Marchand (Charleston, N.C., father, Hugo, from Montreal), OF Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), LHP Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.)

4. Atlanta Braves

It was just over 11 years ago that Blue Jays fans were chanting “Thank you, Alex!” to their GM, Alex Anthopoulos, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, as the Blue Jays clinched their first American League East division title since 1993. The Montreal native has since moved on to the National League and his Braves have won a World Series (2021) and seven division titles (2018 to 2023, 2026) during his reign as general manager and president of baseball operations.

Though they don’t have a Canadian on their major league roster, the Braves are well-stocked with Canucks in their organization.

On Thursday, they eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-three Wild-Card Series that went the distance. Their reward is to play the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a National League Division Series that will begin on Saturday at 4 p.m. E.T. at Dodger Stadium.

Executives: Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.), president, baseball operations and general manager; Mike Shaw (Oakville, Ont.), vice-president, team travel.

Minor league players: OF Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.), C Archer Brookman (Pointe-Claire, Que.), RHP Cedric De Grandpre (St-Simon, Que.), RHP Cole Dorland (Langley, BC), OF Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), RHP Ryan Heppner (Richmond, BC), RHP Adam Maier (North Vancouver, BC), INF David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.)

Minor league coaches: Mike Steed (Beamsville, Ont.), pitching coach, double-A Columbus Clingstones

Off-field Canadian talent: Michael Copeland (Whitby, Ont.), lead developer, baseball systems

5. Chicago White Sox

The last Canadian to play for the White Sox in the postseason was Kirk McCaskill (Kapuskasing, Ont.) when the right-hander made three scoreless relief appearances in the club’s 1993 American League Championship Series’ loss to the eventual World Series champion Blue Jays.

That changed when Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) started in centre field for the Sox in their Wild Card series against the Houston Astros. Peters went 2-for-7 and scored a run in the White Sox sweep of the Astros.

The White Sox couldn’t have predicted how good Peters would be in his first full big league season after they purchased him from the Rays last December. Peters had a reputation as an excellent fielder, but the Okotoks Dawgs grad also quickly showed he could handle himself at the plate. He finished the regular season with a .265/.337/.437 slash line with 12 home runs, 31 doubles, four triples and eight stolen bases. Statistician Neil Munro also points out that Peters did not ground into a single double play in 491 plate appearances this season.

On July 10, he became just the second Canadian big leaguer - joining George Kottaras (September 3, 2011 with the Milwaukee Brewers) - since 1900 to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat against the A’s. That same month, Peters was selected to play in the All-Star Game.

Peters and the White Sox will begin their ALDS against the Guardians on Saturday at 1 p.m. E.T. at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Player: Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.)

Scout: Josh Krstulovich (Brampton, Ont.)

6. Milwaukee Brewers

When Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) was the general manager of the Brewers from 2002 to 2015, and Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was his assistant GM, the Brewers seemed to consistently have the most (or close to the most) Canadian players in their system. This changed under more recent regimes, but it has rebounded somewhat in the past five years when thanks to input from the club’s director of international scouting and player personnel, Taylor Green (Comox, BC), and area scout Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), the Brewers selected Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB draft and INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.) 102nd overall in 2022.

The Brewers also added catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) from the Guardians on August 1. Naylor played with the Brewers’ triple-A Nashville Sounds in August before being called up and going 2-for-7 in three games with the Brewers in September. With catchers William Contreras and Gary Sanchez ahead of him, Naylor is unlikely to be on the Brewers’ postseason roster when it is announced on Saturday morning.

Also, former Okotoks Dawgs right-hander and ex-Brewers closer Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) is the Brewers’ pitching coordinator.

The Brewers finished with 103 wins this season - the most in MLB - and they will play the Padres in a Division Series that will begin on Saturday night.

Player: Bo Naylor (Mississauga,Ont.)

Minor league Players: INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.), LHP Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.)

Coach: Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), MLB pitching coordinator

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), special assistant to the general manager; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), vice-president, baseball projects; Taylor Green (Comox, BC), director of international scouting and player personnel

Minor league coaches: Brad McKay (Fredericton, N.B.), lead strategist, skill acquisition

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, BC), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Taylor Frederick (Ottawa, Ont.)

7. Los Angeles Dodgers

The two-time reigning World Series champion Dodgers don’t have a player born in Canada on their roster, however, first baseman Freddie Freeman’s parents were born north of the border, and he played for Canada in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics. Prior to the 2022 season, Freeman inked a six-year, $162-million contract with the Dodgers. And he certainly hasn’t disappointed. He has been an All-Star in each of his five seasons with the club. In 2026, he batted .288 and had a .362 on-base percentage with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 153 games.

Freeman will face his former team - the Atlanta Braves - in a National League Division Series that will commence on Saturday afternoon.

The Dodgers also employ Beeton, Ont., native Ellen Harrigan, who is one of Major League Baseball’s most respected executives. After beginning her career with the Blue Jays as an administrative aide in player development in 1981 and later becoming the general manager of the club’s New York Penn League affiliate in St. Catharines, Harrigan moved on to the Dodgers and has risen through the organization’s ranks to hold a number of key executive positions. Now in her 27th season with the club, she is currently the team’s vice-president, baseball administration.

Player: Freddie Freeman (Villa Park, Calif.), WBC eligible

Executive: Ellen Veronica Harrigan (Beeton, Ont.), vice-president, baseball administration

Minor league players: OF Charles Davalan (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), RHP Cam Leiter (Bayville, N.J., lived for part of his youth in Vancouver, BC), RHP Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.)

Doctor: Dr. Keith Pyne (Niagara On The Lake, Ont.), medical consultant

8. New York Yankees

There isn’t a Canadian on the Bronx Bombers’ postseason roster, but there’s no shortage of Canucks working in the organization. The club employs a trio of Canadian scouts in Steve Wilson (Victoria, BC), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.) and Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.). They also boast a Canadian broadcaster in Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.), who works for the YES Network and sits in the same chair Mel Allen once sat.

And this year they added another Canuck to their organization in left-hander Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), a Langley Blaze and Junior National Team grad, whom they selected in the second round of the MLB draft in July.

Duncan marks the fourth Canuck player added to the Bombers’ organization over the past two years. In 2025, the Yankees chose infielder Core Jackson (Wyoming, Ont.) and right-hander Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) in the fourth and ninth rounds of the MLB draft respectively. They also signed right-hander Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) as an amateur free agent.

The Yankees outscored the Boston Red Sox 18-2 in their two-game Wild Card Series sweep earlier this week. They will now face the Rays in an American League Division Series that will begin on Saturday evening at the Trop.

Minor league players: RHP Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.), LHP Kyle Carr (father, Darcy, is from Sydney, N.S.), LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), RHP Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.), INF Core Jackson (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tyler Wilson (father, Steve, is from Victoria, BC)

Scouts: Steve Wilson (Victoria, BC), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.), Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.), Cory Melvin (Doug Melvin’s son)

Broadcaster: Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.) New York Yankees Magazine, host, YES Network

Off-field Canadian talent: Jessica (Lack) Ventura (Calgary, Alta.), class-A Tampa Yankees, director, partnership and community activation; Isiah McDonald (Kelowna, BC), minor league strength and conditioning coach

October 1, 2027

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The National Association of Professional Baseball (formerly known as the Frontier League), a Major League Baseball partner league, and the Ottawa Titans have announced the 2027 regular season schedule.

2027 Ottawa Titans Schedule

As announced on April 22 of this year, the Frontier League has undergone a brand transformation and will henceforth operate under the name National Association of Professional Baseball (NAPB), effective immediately.

The reigning Frontier League Champions are set to begin the campaign at home once again – starting on Friday, May 7, against Canadian rivals, the Trois-Rivières Aigles.

Once again in the regular season of 2027, the National Association of Professional Baseball will have a 102-game schedule, with the Club hosting 51 home games.

Fresh off yesterday’s announcement by the National Association, the League will now consist of 20 teams – with the Cleburne Railroaders and Kane County Cougars joining. Also, the League has reshuffled Divisions, outlined below.

The Titans will once again play out of the North Division of the Atlantic Conference alongside Brockton, Québec, Tri-City, and Trois-Rivières. The East Division of the Atlantic Conference consists of Down East, New Jersey, New York, Sussex County, and Washington.

The Midwest Conference will see Evansville, Florence, Kane County, Lake Erie, and Schaumburg align the Central Division – while Cleburne, Gateway, Joliet, Mississippi, and Windy City form the West Division.

Of the 87 contests within the Conference, the Titans will play all teams 12 times, except for New Jersey, whom they will see nine times, while the Club will face Down East, Sussex County, and Washington six times each.

As for their fellow Canadian rivals, the Titans will play six at home and six on the road against Québec and Trois-Rivières.

With days off scheduled for each Monday over the course of the season, there is one exception. The Titans will open a series with the Brockton Rox on Monday, May 24, at 1:00 p.m., to mark Victoria Day. That week, Thursday, May 27, will be a scheduled day off.

For the fourth straight season, the team will be at home for Father’s Day weekend against the Washington Wild Things from June 18-20. It will be Washington’s first visit to Ottawa Stadium since the inaugural 2022 season.

Once again, the Titans are home on Canada Day, Thursday, July 1, at 12:00 p.m., hosting the New Jersey Jackals.

Next year, the Titans will play cross-Conference games, playing three Midwest Conference teams at home and two on the road. The Titans will embark on a six-game road trip August 24-29, visiting the Florence Y’alls for the first time since 2022 and the Lake Erie Crushers for the first time since the 2024 campaign. For the first time, the Kane County Cougars will head to the Nation’s Capital for a three-game series May 18-20. Also from the Midwest, the Schaumburg Boomers and Gateway Grizzlies are in town for a six-game homestand from August 10-15.

Fan Appreciation Week will see the Titans entertain the Brockton Rox and Québec Capitales to open the month of September, with the final regular-season home game scheduled for Sunday, September 7.

Once again, eight teams (by winning percentage) will qualify for the postseason: four from the Atlantic Conference and four from the Midwest Conference.

It will be formed by the four division winners (by winning percentage) and then two wild card spots per conference (by winning percentage), regardless of division.

A best-of-three Wild Card will be followed by a best-of-five Conference Championship Series – between each division winner to determine the participants in the best-of-five League Championship Series, which will see the Midwest Conference have home-field advantage. As of 2024, home-field advantage in the League Championship Series alternates between conferences each season.

Fans can expect the postseason to begin as early as Wednesday, September 8.

Standard game times at home are 6:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Thursday), 7:00 p.m. (Friday), 6:00 p.m. (Saturday), and 1:00 p.m. (Sunday).

Exceptions for home games include:

Wednesday, May 19, Thursday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 26, at 11:00 a.m.

Monday, May 24 (Victoria Day), Thursday, June 10, and Thursday, July 1 (Canada Day), at 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 30 and Saturday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m.

All game times for road games are to be announced later.

The Promotional Schedule is also in the works and will be announced in the coming months.

2027 Ottawa Titans Schedule Breakdown:
Total games: 102
Home games: 51
Road games: 51

Home Games by Day of the Week:
Monday: 1
Tuesday: 8
Wednesday: 8
Thursday: 7
Friday: 9
Saturday: 9
Sunday: 9

Home Games by Month:
May: 12
June: 11
July: 13
August: 10
September: 6

Total vs. Midwest Conference: 15
Cleburne Railroaders: 0
Evansville Otters: 0
Florence Y’alls: 3
Gateway Grizzlies: 3
Joliet Slammers: 0
Kane County Cougars: 3
Mississippi Mud Monsters: 0
Schaumburg Boomers: 3
Lake Erie Crushers: 3
Windy City ThunderBolts: 0

Total vs. Atlantic Conference: 87
Brockton Rox: 12
Down East Bird Dawgs: 6
New Jersey Jackals: 9
New York Boulders: 12
Québec Capitales: 12
Sussex County Miners: 6
Tri-City ValleyCats: 12
Trois-Rivières Aigles: 12
Washington Wild Things: 6

October 1, 2026

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

It was a powerhouse performance that ripped up the record book.

Jake Hiromoto, third baseman with the Swift Current 57’s, had a season for the ages in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL).

When it was all said and done, the product of Honolulu, Hawaii set impressive new single-season records for home runs (22) and runs batted in (77).

In recognition of the outstanding campaign, Hiromoto has earned a pair of major WCBL awards in the form of Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year (ROY) honours.

“Looking back on the summer, it's still kind of like I'm on cloud nine. I feel like it's just unbelievable that I was able to accomplish what I accomplished and I just had such a great support staff and I felt so welcomed,” said Hiromoto.

“Everybody welcomed me with open arms and my billets were amazing, and I think that goes into play for how well I was able to compete on the field. When you feel comfortable and they make you feel at home that goes a long way, and it's just like the mental part of the game that people don't see behind the scenes.”

The long ball record topped the previous mark of 20 homers, which was set by Brooks Bombers catcher Riley MacDonald in 2018, while the RBI total blew past the 66 that were recorded by Kaleb Warden of the Lethbridge Bulls in 2019, and later tied by William Edwards of the Moose Jaw Miller Express in 2025.

“When I broke the record, I was always saying that any big achievement, any big award is really, really cool, but I really want those team awards. I really wanted to win a championship. I really wanted to have more wins,” said Hiromoto, who is a sophomore studying finance at the University of San Francisco.

“I also just wouldn't be here without any of my teammates. For me to get the RBI record they still had to get on base so that I could drive them in and they had to do their part for me to have success, so I give a lot of credit to them too.”

Hiromoto described setting the home run record as an unforgettable experience and “one of the coolest moments in my baseball career.”

In addition to the record-smashing feats, the Mitchell Field masher also displayed a well-rounded toolbox at the plate. He led the league in OPS (1.227) and hits (89), while batting .394 with 65 runs, 17 doubles and 11 stolen bases in 56 games.

“When I came my freshman year to San Francisco, I probably had only a handful of at bats. And I was coming into the summer just wanting to have fun and get a lot of ABs and just compete and play baseball like how I did growing up and I've checked all those boxes,” said Hiromoto, who admitted to tinkering with his batting stance throughout the WCBL season.

“Baseball is just a game of failure and a game of just changing and adapting and sometimes your body is going to change, you're going to get more tired, you're going to make changes that you don't even mean to make just because you have to compensate for your body being tired. You are playing so many games in a week, you're traveling and I think that that's the cool part. You go out there and you compete and if you have a bad day, you're back out there the next day, and my coaches believed in me and they helped me through it all, so that was really amazing to see.”

Hiromoto was a landslide winner of both the WCBL MVP and ROY awards, which were voted on by league coaches and select members of the media. He received 17 first place votes on 22 ballots in each category.

For the MVP honours, he came out ahead of Saskatoon Berries outfielder Ethan Murdoch and Moose Jaw Miller Express shortstop Thomas Soto, whose own record-breaking campaign established new highs in stolen bases (49) and runs (75).

The Rookie of the Year voting placed Hiromoto ahead of Okotoks Dawgs outfielder Cal Gates and Saskatoon Berries infielder Gael Salinas.

Previous regular season MVP winners include Ethan Menard (Saskatoon Berries), Cooper Ciesielski (Sylvan Lake Gulls), Jonah Weisner (Sylvan Lake Gulls) and Ricardo Sanchez (Okotoks Dawgs).

Recent ROY winners include Zane Skansi (Okotoks Dawgs), Carter Beck (Saskatoon Berries), Eric Rataczak (Brooks Bombers), Diego Aragon (Regina Red Sox) and Tristan Peters (Okotoks Dawgs).

“There’s just mutual respect through the whole league, and I really appreciate that, and I think that this summer was super competitive and anybody in the East (Division) could beat anybody on any given day and that's what was super cool about it. But I mean, I really appreciate that and I'm very thankful to have these awards,” said Hiromoto, adding he would love to return to Swift Current in 2027.

“I love it there … there's no doubt, they know I love it there and I love my billets, and there were tears when I had to leave and that's how much it meant to me. If I if I was to go back to the WCBL, I would definitely go back to Swift. I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't trade that for nothing.”

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on October 1, 2026. You can read it here.

October 2, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

He was on the brink of being an afterthought during the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.

Eric Hartman has made the Atlanta Braves look really good by taking a chance on him with their 20th round selection.

611th overall … when there were only 615 players who heard their names get called.

Just two years later, the St. Albert native and Dawgs Academy product has been named the Braves’ Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Player of the Year and the MILB Breakout Player of the Year.

The numbers speak for themselves: a .249 batting average with 26 home runs, 74 runs batted in and 56 stolen bases in 128 games split between High-A and Double-A.

Hartman also became the first minor leaguer since Andruw Jones in 1995 to put up a 25-homer, 50-swipe season.

“Every day I wake up and just take it a day at a time,” the high-flying prospect said during an interview on the MiLB Awards Show.

“Baseball is a great sport to play and a great opportunity all around.”

Hartman is now the Braves’ top prospect and, if he keeps going at this rate, could be on the cusp of a big-league call-up sooner rather than later.

SPEED DEMON

Coming into the 2026 season, everyone knew that Hartman’s biggest tool was his speed.

His first season of professional baseball saw him steal 48 bases in 90 games to go along with a .240 batting average, five homers and 42 RBIs, mostly with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets.

“Learning to pick your times and picking your battles is really important, but also not losing sight of being aggressive,” said Hartman, who also had to battle some injuries during the year.

“I think being aggressive on the basepaths can help a team win and I think stolen bases are starting to become underappreciated, but I love doing it.”

Determined to be more than just a “speed guy,” the 6-foot-1, 185-pound outfielder entered the offseason looking to become stronger.

POWER BOOST

Earning a promotion to the High-A Rome Emperors out of Spring Training, Hartman quickly got to work refining his swing.

“I think I’ve always been a strong guy and I love getting after it in the weight room,” he said.

Crediting Emperors hitting coach Connor Justus, the former Okotoks Dawgs outfielder started seeing his work payoff almost immediately, hitting three home runs in his first seven games.

Against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on April 21, Hartman had his first pro three-homer game on his way to finishing the month with eight roundtrippers.

He added five more in May, six in June and another five in July.

“Just cleaning up my misses most of all so that my misses can be home runs instead of ground balls,” said Hartman, who had also registered 38 stolen bases by mid-summer to have a 20-30 season with more than a month to go in the season.

MOVING ON UP

With a new crop of prospects looking to move up the Braves’ depth charts and having proven himself in High-A, Hartman earned a promotion to the double-A Columbus Clingstones on Aug. 4.

He struggled in the early going, hitting around .200 through the first couple of weeks and not hitting his first double-A homer until Aug. 22.

However, Hartman was still drawing walks and stealing bases, finishing his time with the Clingstones with a .182 average, two dingers, 10 RBIs and 18 swipes in 34 games.

The accolades and recognitions keep piling up for the 20-year-old, who now enters the offseason knowing what to expect at the double-A level and aspirations to keep moving up the Braves’ depth chart.

The buzz is also creating some expectations, with some analysts thinking he could become a 40/40 player in the big leagues one day.

For now, Hartman is staying where his feet are at, soaking in the moment and happy with how his 2026 season turned out.

“It’s been a grind, a lot of games, but I’m grateful,” he said in an interview with the St. Albert Gazette. “I’m grateful to be able to play all of them and have a healthy body, healthy mind.”

September 30, 2026

Official CPBL News Release

The Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL) is proud to announce that Diamond Baseball Academy has officially joined the league’s Prospect Division, becoming just the second organization from outside Ontario to earn membership in the CPBL.

The addition represents another significant step in the CPBL’s continued growth and further strengthens the league’s presence in Quebec, while welcoming an organization that has demonstrated a strong commitment to player development, competitive excellence and long-term organizational growth.

Under the leadership of president Benoit Blais and Roch Seguin, Diamond Baseball Academy has emerged as a program on the rise, building a development model focused on preparing its athletes to compete at increasingly higher levels of the game.

For Diamond Baseball Academy, entry into the Prospect Division provides an opportunity to continue that progression within the CPBL’s structured and highly competitive environment.

“Joining the CPBL is a direct reflection of our mission to provide our players with the highest level of development and competition,” said Benoit Blais, president of Diamond Baseball Academy. “We are honoured by the trust shown by the CPBL leadership, and we approach this new chapter with great ambition and enthusiasm.”

Competing in the CPBL will provide Diamond athletes with regular opportunities to test themselves against high-level programs and players from across the league while gaining increased exposure to collegiate programs and professional scouts.

The CPBL has established itself as an important development pathway for Canadian players. At the most recent Canadian Futures Showcase, more than 70 percent of the players selected to participate came from CPBL organizations, highlighting the significant presence of league-developed athletes at one of the country’s premier amateur showcase events.

The addition of Diamond Baseball Academy also represents another step toward the CPBL’s goal of strategically expanding beyond its traditional Ontario footprint while maintaining the standards that have driven the league’s growth.

“We can’t reiterate enough how excited we are about the league’s expansion and the number of new organizations, teams, and players we’ve welcomed,” said TJ Burton, CPBL director of strategy & growth. “We’ve raised a bar that was already set extremely high, and welcoming Diamond Baseball Academy to our Prospect Division is another important step as we continue expanding our footprint in Quebec.

“Growing the league north, south, east, and west — where it makes sense and with the right organizations — has been an important goal for us. Diamond has been a program on the rise over the past two to three years, and under the leadership of Benoit Blais and Roch Seguin, they’ve taken significant steps forward.

“We’re very fortunate to welcome them to the league and look forward to supporting their continued growth in any way we can.”

Diamond Baseball Academy joins the CPBL during a significant period of expansion for the league, with several new organizations entering the CPBL and creating additional competitive and developmental opportunities for players across a growing geographic footprint.

The CPBL looks forward to welcoming Diamond Baseball Academy’s players, coaches, and families and seeing the organization begin the next chapter of its development as a member of the CPBL Prospect Division.

October 1, 2026

Official Okotoks Dawgs News Release

OKOTOKS, ALTA. — Baseball Canada and the Okotoks Dawgs Baseball Club are pleased to announce that Okotoks and the Seaman Stadium Complex will remain as the host site for the Road to Okotoks National Championship through 2029 with an option to extend through 2032.

The agreement to extend hosting privileges reflects the phenomenal success of the inaugural Championship, which was won by the Dawgs Academy 18U Black this past July. In capturing what has been referred to as “the Memorial Cup of baseball”, the Dawgs became the first team ever to hoist the Morneau Cup, named after and presented by former Major League MVP, Canada’s own, Justin Morneau.

The Road to Okotoks attracted the top 16 academy and travel teams from across Canada who earned the right to participate in the prestigious national championship through Regional Qualifying Tournaments held in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

In addition to the extension of hosting privileges, Baseball Canada and the Dawgs announced that the 2027 Road to Okotoks will be held at the Seaman Stadium Complex and Tourmaline Field from July 27 to August 1, 2027.

“The first Road to Okotoks showed exactly what this event can be,” said Jason Dickson, CEO of Baseball Canada. “The level of play was outstanding, but what really separated the event was the environment in Okotoks. Seeing these young players compete in front of large, passionate crowds at Seaman Stadium created something incredibly special. It’s an experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in Canadian baseball, and we want even more programs to have the opportunity to be part of it in 2027.”

Dawgs Managing Director John Ircandia added:

“As hosts, the Dawgs’ goal with the inaugural Road to Okotoks was to provide participating teams a quality of championship that they had never experienced. We knew with Seaman Stadium and Tourmaline Field there were no better facilities in the country. We knew that the passion of fans in our community was unmatched. And we were thrilled that the thousands of fans who attended the Road saw firsthand the extraordinary level of baseball being played from coast to coast in our country. Year 2 will be bigger and better!”

The agreement to host the Road to Okotoks through 2029 and potentially beyond, gives players, teams and fans a destination to look forward to each summer, with the Okotoks community and the Greater Calgary Area being at the heart of a truly extraordinary championship experience.

Stats from the first Road to Okotoks played in July 2026

• Over 5,000 visitors attracted to Okotoks and the Greater Calgary Area 

• 400 of Canada’s most elite 19U players from the Maritimes to British Columbia 

• 18,696 fans in Road to Okotoks attendance 

• 3,481 fans, record attendance for the Championship Game 

Former big league catcher Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.) has been elected to the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame. Photo: Quebec Sports Hall of Fame

October 1, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Russell Martin has been elected to the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made on Wednesday.

Martin will be inducted in a ceremony on October 26 at the Casino de Montréal alongside former CFL player Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, late ex-NHLer Claude Lemieux and short track speed skater Marianne St-Gelais.

Born in East York, Ont., Martin moved to Montreal when he was two. He would make his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 5, 2006. He proceeded to bat .282 with 10 home runs in 121 games that season. For an encore, he hit .293 with 19 home runs and a career-best 87 RBIs in 2007 and was selected to his first All-Star Game. He was also honoured with a Silver Slugger Award, a Gold Glove Award and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award.

After three more seasons with the Dodgers, he split his next four campaigns between the New York Yankees (2011-12) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-14). Following the 2014 campaign, Martin signed a five-year contract with the Blue Jays. In his first season with Toronto, he belted a career-best 23 homers to earn his fourth All-Star selection and help the club to their first postseason appearance in 22 years.

Martin played his final major league season with the Dodgers in 2019.

The legendary catcher ranks in the top 10 among Canadians in most major league statistical categories, including first in dWAR (16.5), third in WAR (38.8), fourth in games (1,693), fifth in runs (803) and sixth in hits (1,416). He also holds Canadian major league postseason records in games (58), hits (38) and runs (24).

On the international stage, Martin played for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2009 and coached for Canada at the event in 2017, 2023 and 2026.

The Quebec Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1990. It’s dedicated to the promotion of sport and the recognition of athletes and builders of sport in the province.

This year will mark their 35th induction ceremony.

Three builders - Christiane Ayotte (Sports Science), Eugène Lapierre (tennis) and Danièle Sauvageau (hockey) - will also be inducted.

September 30, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – Winnipeg Goldeyes play-by-play voice Trevor Curl has been named the American Association’s Broadcaster of the Year.

The award was decided by a vote of directors, general managers, and broadcast personnel from each of the league’s 12 teams.

Curl completed his third season behind the microphone for the Goldeyes in 2026. His calls are heard on CJNU 93.7 FM and cjnu.ca, and he also hosts The Inside Pitch, the club’s offseason radio program.

“Trevor brings preparation, energy, and a genuine love of baseball to every broadcast,” said Goldeyes President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Katz. “He has a gift for making listeners feel as though they’re right there at the ballpark, and he has built a strong connection with our fans in a short time. We’re delighted to see his work recognized by his colleagues across the league.”

“Trevor puts a tremendous amount of work into every game, and we’re pleased to see that commitment recognized,” said Goldeyes General Manager Andrew Collier. “He knows our players, understands the game, and makes each broadcast engaging for our fans. Whether they’re listening from home or following the team on the road, he helps them feel connected to the Goldeyes.”

Curl’s work has also taken him beyond Winnipeg. He handled broadcasting duties for the Baseball Champions League tournament in Mexico City this March and the Arizona Fall League last October. He will return to the Arizona Fall League broadcast booth again this year.

Before joining the Goldeyes in 2024, Curl was the voice of the Auburn Doubledays of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League in 2023 and the Swepsonville Sweepers of the Old North State League in 2022. A graduate of Eastern Oregon University, he played two seasons as an infielder for the Mountaineers and called basketball, volleyball, soccer and football games while attending the school.

The most recent Goldeyes broadcaster to receive the award was Steve Schuster, who was honoured in 2022.

September 29, 2026

By Ian Wilson

WCBL

There was no mystery to what Ethan Murdoch did on the diamond this year.

The outfielder with the Saskatoon Berries was the picture of consistency during the 2026 Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) regular season.

Through 278 plate appearances and 55 games, the Swift Current, Sask., native posted a .358 batting average, .453 on-base percentage and a 1.069 OPS (on-base plus slugging).

He finished among the WCBL batting leaders in hits (82), doubles (17), home runs (14), RBIs (62), walks (36) and at bats (229).

Numbers aside, Murdoch was a leader in the clubhouse and a reliable veteran with the Berries.

The league took notice of his performance and have rewarded the 6-foot-2 righty batter with the 2026 Most Outstanding Canadian award.

“I feel so proud when I hear the Canadian part of the award, for sure. Obviously, any accolade you get is a good achievement. It feels good, but yeah, I feel some sense of pride when you hear the top Canadian … you're representing your home country in a league that is close to home and means a lot to me,” said Murdoch, who also finished second in the WCBL’s MVP voting.

The regular season award is voted on by more than 20 WCBL coaches and members of the media who cover the league. Other finalists included Carter Roth (Medicine Hat Mavericks), Brady Bye (Regina Red Sox), Elijha Hammill (Sylvan Lake Gulls), Hudson Unger (Swift Current 57's) and Nash Crowell (Okotoks Dawgs).

“If they respected the season I had, then it means a lot to me to know that, because I really respect all the people around the league and in the media. The coaches, there's a lot of really good baseball people around the league, and if they felt that I was deserving of it, then that's something I'm really appreciative of, because I know it's a group that I respect,” said Murdoch.

The award was the cherry on top of a dream season for Murdoch, his final WCBL campaign.

The postseason ended with the Berries hoisting the Harry Hallis Memorial Trophy as league champs for the first time in franchise history.

“I'm proud and happy to go out on top. Really, for me going into the season, it was more about us winning and going out with the big team win,” said Murdoch, who began his WCBL career with the Swift Current 57’s and played south of the border with McCook Community College and Marshall University.

“It shows me that all the work I put in and the long season, all the stuff you go through, was worth it. I handled it well and had good habits. I'm proud of myself for that.”

Added Murdoch: “I'm really grateful to have done it and have a good season, personally, but just looking back on it, I just wanted to have a good time and to win it all, accomplish both of those things, so I can't ask for much more.”

While his college baseball career is now behind him, Murdoch has decided to remain in sports and has taken a job as a strength and conditioning coach/performance analyst with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

“It's a fun transition for me. I'm enjoying the challenge and being in a new environment, working with some great athletes. I think that's something I really wanted to focus on when I was moving away from baseball is not completely getting out of sports,” said Murdoch.

“That's something that I enjoyed as much as anything when I was in college is just the training and challenging each other and working out and working hard day-to-day and that's something I get to still experience now, is I get to push these guys and help them get better, help them reach their goals physically.”

If his time at the rink proves to be anything like his time at the ballpark, Broncos fans can expect outstanding things from Murdoch.

September 30, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

It is post-season time.

Which means A) the best big-league teams from the TV League are playing to win the World Series ...

And B) the best high schoolers from across the country are bound for the annual Perfect Game World Wood Bat championships in Jupiter, Fla.

Like the Ontario Blue Jays and Canadian Premier teams, the Brewers Langley Blaze are regular visitors and familiar faces to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and the 12 diamonds occupied each spring by the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins.

In all, 22 future major-leaguer players have worn the Blaze uniform whether it was for three seasons or for a trip to Jupiter in the fall or Arizona in the spring.

Over the years Doug Mathieson, Jamie Bodaly plus catching coach Kayden Beauregard and
Thomas Green have coached 26 major leaguers:

Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC), Brett Lawrie (Langley, BC), Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC), Scott Mathieson (Aldergrove, BC), Taylor Green (Comox, BC), Jared Young (Prince George, BC) and Rowan Wick (Vancouver, BC).

Plus, Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.), Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.), Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Owen Cassie (Burlington, Ont.), Phillipe Aumont (Gatineau, Que.), Jordan Romano (Markham, Ont.), Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.), Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.), Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.), Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Edouard Julien (Quebec, Que.), Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Eric Cerantola (Oakville, Ont.), Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) Charles Leblanc (Laval, Que.), Jacob Robson (Windsor, Ont.), Jesen Dygestile-Therrien (Montreal, Que.), Brendan McKay (Beaver Falls, Penn.) and Jackson Wolf (Gahanna, Ohio),

Strutting their stuff for evaluators and recruiters this year are the following -- plus 12 additions from south of the border:

Santiago Acosta LHP L/L 2029 6-1 160 Home School Maple Ridge, BC

Calum Andersen RHP L/R 2027 6-5 195 Vauxhall Academy Calgary, Alta. C-Oklahoma

Jake Carriere OF L/L 2028 5-11 165 Yale Secondary Abbotsford, BC

Lucas Carroll C L/R 2028 6-1 203 Calgary, Alta,

Sam Craven RHP R/R 2027 5-11 170 Oak Bay Victoria, BC

Benjamin Dartnell RHP R/R 2027 5-10 175 Vancouver, BC

Fox Ferguson SS R/R 2029 5-10 160 Surrey, BC

Sawyer Gelling 3B R/R 2027 6-3 170 Lambrick Park Academy Victoria, BC

Oscar Leah OF L/L 2027 5-11 185 Maple Ridge, BC C-Kansas State

Evan Maloney SS L/R 2026 6-0 168 GW Graham Chilliwack, BC

Caleb Miller LHP L/L 2028 6-2 185 Delta, BC

Brett Rienguette OF L/R 2027 5-11 210 Val Caron, Ont.

Jonathan Slogocki RHP R/R 2027 6-3 170 Surrey, BC

Lucas Sproule RHP R/R 2027 6-3 180 Collingwood, Ont.

Rhys Whiteford C L/R 2027 6-2 190 Okotoks Dawgs Academy Duncan, BC

Previous Langley drafts

Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), Cole Dorland (Langley, BC), Connor Caskenette (Duncan, BC), Jonny McGill (Richmond, BC), Will Zeilinski (Victoria, BC). Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.). Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), Josiah Romero (Caledon, Ont.), Adam Maier (Vancouver, BC) and Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.).

Noah Takacs (Victoria, BC), Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, Alta.), Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), Sam Shaw (Victoria, BC), Reid Clague (Victoria, BC), Kason Siguenza (Abbotsford, BC), Connor Dykstra (Chilliwack, BC), Shane Brinham (Vancouver, BC), Micah Buckham (Abbotsford, BC), Tim Piasentin (Maple Ridge, BC) and Antoine Jean (Montreal, Que.).

Tyrelle Chadwick (Burnaby, BC). Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.), Eli Saul (Vancouver, BC), Jacob Zibin (Langley, BC), Nate Ochia (Burlington, Ont.), Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.), David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.), Calvin Ziegler (Kitchener, Ont.). Jordan Marks (Sarnia, Ont.) and Adam Shoemaker (Cambridge, Ont.).

Damiano Palmegiani (Surrey, BC), Conor Angel (Pointe-Claire, Que.), Dominic Hambley (Victoria, BC). Adam Mckillican (Comox, BC), Noah Skirrow (Stoney Creek, Ont.), Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (Oakville, Ont.), Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, BC), Matt Lloyd (Calgary, Alta.), Indigo Diaz (North Vancouver, BC) and Owen Diodati (Niagata Falls, Ont.).

Jason Willow (North Vancouver, BC), Ryan Leitch (Whitby, Ont.), Jaden Brown (Mississauga, Ont.), Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.), Mitch Robinson (Surrey, BC), Ben Onyshko (Winnipeg, Man.), David Rhodes (Surrey, BC), Ben Abram (Acton, Ont.), Landon Leach (Toronto, Ont.) and Adam Hall (London, Ont.).

Rhys Cratty (Surrey, BC), Clayton Keyes (Calgary, Alta.), JD Osborne (Oshawa, Ont.), Andrew Yerzy (Toronto, Ont.), Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.), Alex Webb (Surrey, BC), Jacob Polancic (Abbotsford, BC), Louis-Phillipe Pelletier (Montreal, Que.), Matt Jones (Whitby, Ont.) and Will Sierra (Montreal. Que.).

Tyler Duncan (Sooke, BC), Tristan Clarke (Brampton, Ont.), Brayden Bouchey (Vancouver, BC), Carter Loewen (Abbotsford, BC), J.D. Williams (Toronto, Ont.), Darren Shred (Brampton, Ont.), Marc-Andre Berube (Terrebonne, Que.), Owen Spiwak (Mississauga, Ont.), Devon Stewart (Maple Ridge, Ont.), Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.) and Demi Orimoloye (Ottawa, Ont.).

Jeff Degano (Surrey, BC), Miles Gordon (Oakville, Ont.), Robert Byckowski (Toronto, Ont.), Kurtis Horne (Sooke, BC), Austen Swift (Etobicoke, Ont.), Julian Service (Whitby, Ont.), Cody Chartrand (Nanaimo, BC), Brock Dykxhoorn (Goderich, Ont.), Gareth Morgan (North York, Ont.) and Malik Collymore (Misissauga, Ont.).

Lachlan Fontaine (North Vancouver, BC), Travis Seabrooke (Peterborough, Ont.), Morgan Lofstrom (Nelson, BC), Kurtis Kostuk (Abbotssford, BC), Dylan Brooks (Dorchester, Ont.), David Otterman )Vancouver, BC), Jeff Gibbs (Toronto, Ont.), Shane Dawson (Drayton Valley, Alta.), Dayton Dawe (London, Ont.) and Johnny Caputo (Etobicoke, Ont.),

Keaton Briscoe (North Vancouver, BC), Eric Wood (Ajax, Ont.), Fernando Fernandez-Beltran (Chateauguay, Que.), Logan Seifrit (Edmonton, Alta.), Damion Smith (Windsor, Ont.), Dustin Houle (Penticton, BC), Kellin Deglan (Langley, BC), Vaughn Covington (Burnaby, BC), Chase Larsson (Vancouver, BC) and Nic Cuckovic (Victoria, BC).

Carter Bell (Courtenay, BC), Ethan Elias (Evansburg, Alta.), Justin Atkinson (Surrey, BC), Ben Dartnell (East St. Paul, Man.), Skylar Janisse (Cambridge, Ont.), Cory Scammell (Edmonton, Alta.), Les Williams (Toronto, Ont.), Jalen Harris (Toronto, Ont.), Eric Brown (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Marcus Knecht (Toronto, Ont.).

Steve McKinnon (Duncan, BC), Jake Eliopoulos (Toronto, Ont.), Joel Pierce (Windsor, Ont.), Brandon Dailey (Brantford, Ont.), Mark Hardy (Campbell River, BC), Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC), Ethan Stewart (Campbell Rivers, BC), Kelly Norris-Jones (Victoria, BC), Wes Darvill (Langley, BC) and Chad Stang (Surrey, BC).

David Narodowski (Vancouver, BC), Jon Hesketh (Langley, BC), Terrence Dayleg (Burnaby, BC), Mike Monster (Kelowna, BC), Colin Kleven (Kamloops, BC), David Kington (Coquitlam, BC), Bobby Wagner (Port Coquitlam, BC), Rory Young (Chase, BC), Brooklyn Foster (Langley, BC) and Andrew Ruck (Whitby, Ont.).

Stosh Wawrzasek (Burnaby, BC), Michael Crouse (New Westminster, BC), Mitchell Delaney (LaSalle, Ont.), Michael Gosse (Pitt Meadows, BC), Justin Betts-Robinson (Langley, BC), Kyle Lotzkar (Langley, BC), Mitch Hodge (Vancouver, BC), Evan Hildenbrandt (Surrey, BC), Colin Buckborough (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and Thomas Mabee (Victoria, BC).

Travis Nevakshonoff (Langley, BC), Ryan Jensen (Vancouver, BC), Cody Phipps (Round Hill, Alta.), Kyle Haas (Prince George, BC), Kyle Orr (New Westminster, BC), Jonathan Waltenbury (Whitby, Ont.), Shayne Willson (Surrey, BC), Tyson Gillies (Langley, BC), Jordan Lennerton (Langley, BC) and Denver Wynn (Kamloops, BC).

Paul Wourms (Kamloops, BC), Phillipe-Alexandre Valiquette (Montreal, Que.), Adam Parliament (Penticton, BC), Morgan Brinson (Victoria, BC), Chris Lemay (Langley, BC), Lyall Foran (Ladner, BC), Evan Bailey (Kamloops, BC), Ryan Lennerton (Langley, BC) and Cooper Davis (Mississauga, Ont.).

Jupiter Schedule

Wed Oct 7

-10am vs Canes American @ Marlins 6 @ Roger Dean Complex

-5pm vs Florida Atlantic University @ FAU Campus

Thur Oct 8

-1240pm vs US Nike Scout Team @ Cardinals 6 @ Roger Dean Sports Complex

Fri Oct 9

-3pm vs Northeast Pride Nationals @ Cardinals 5 @ Roger Dean Sports Complex

Sat Oct 10

-8am vs Richmond Braves @ Marlin 6 @ Roger Dean Sports Complex

Sun Oct 11

-playoffs or consolation

Mon Oct 12

-playoffs or consolation (am game)

September 29, 2026

Official MLB News Release

All-Star closer Cade Smith of the Cleveland Guardians has been voted the American League Reliever of the Month for September and relief pitcher Mason Montgomery of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been named the National League Reliever of the Month for September.

The announcements were made on Tuesday on MLB Network.

Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) earned his second award this season and third overall after previously winning in September 2025 and May of this year. Smith has now garnered each of the Guardians’ last three awards and is one of three Guardians relievers to win the award, joining Cody Allen (April 2017) and Emmanuel Clase (7x: August 2021, June 2022, August 2022, September/October 2022, May 2024, July 2024 & September 2024). Smith became the 19th reliever to earn the award on three-or-more occasions and joined Mason Miller (3x: March/April, May & July) as the only relievers to earn the award on multiple occassions this season.

Montgomery earned his first career award and the first for a Pirates reliever since David Bednar won in June 2025. Montgomery became the sixth Pirates relief pitcher to win the award, joining José Mesa (April 2005); Joel Hanrahan (June 2011); Jason Grilli (2x: April & May 2013); and Bednar (2x: May 2022 & June 2025).

Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians

-The 27-year-old pitched to a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/13.0 IP) while converting all six of his save opportunities across 11 appearances in which he allowed three hits with two walks, 21 strikeouts, a 0.38 WHIP, a .073 opponents’ average and 14.54 strikeouts per nine innings.

-The Abbotsford, B.C., native’s 47.7 strikeout percentage and 43.2 strikeout-to-walk percentage led all qualified relievers while his ERA tied for first; saves tied for second; strikeouts ranked third and opponents’ average ranked fourth.

-The University of Hawaii at Manoa product picked up his 40th save of the season on September 22 against the Red Sox, becoming the seventh reliever in Guardians franchise history to reach the mark, joining Doug Jones (1990); José Mesa (1995); Mike Jackson (1998); Bob Wickman (2005); Joe Borowski (2007); and Emmanuel Clase (3x: 2022-24).

-The 2026 All-Star picked up his 41st save of the season on September 24, finishing the season tied with Tampa Bay’s Bryan Baker for the most saves. Smith became the first Guardians relief pitcher to collect 40-or-more saves and 100-or-more strikeouts in a season and the first in MLB to do so since Kirby Yates accomplished the feat with the Padres in 2019.

-The 16th round selection in the 2017 Draft (by Minnesota) earned six saves and three wins in a month for the second time in his career after previously accomplishing the feat in August 2025. Smith is one of two Guardians relievers to reach the marks in a month along with Ted Abernathy who did so in 1963, and is the only reliever in franchise history to do so on multiple occasions. Smith became just the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach the marks while not allowing an earned run through the month.

Mason Montgomery, Pittsburgh Pirates (@mason_monty1)

-The 26-year-old pitched to a 2.08 ERA (1 ER/13.0 IP) while converting 11 of his 12 save opportunities across 13 appearances in which he allowed eight hits with four walks, 16 strikeouts, a 0.92 WHIP, a .174 opponents’ average and 11.08 strikeouts per nine innings.

-The Austin, Texas native paced all qualified relievers in saves; and tied for sixth in strikeouts.

-The sixth-round selection in the 2021 Draft (by Tampa Bay) became the fourth Pirates pitcher in the Modern Era (since 1901) with at least 65 appearances and 100 strikeouts in a season, joining Hall of Famer Rich “Goose” Gossage (1977); Enrique Romo (1979); and Joel Hanrahan (2010). Along with bullpen mate Yohan Ramírez who also accomplished the feat this season, the Pirates became the sixth team in the Modern Era with two pitchers who made 65 appearances-or-more and recorded at least 100 strikeouts.

-The Texas Tech University product amassed 24 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings from July 27-September 24, the longest such streak of his career and the longest by any Pirates pitcher this season. Montgomery allowed just nine hits and issued seven walks with 37 strikeouts during the streak.

-The southpaw picked up 11 of his 18 saves in the month and collected a save in 10 consecutive outings from September 3-24, joining fellow Reliever of the Month Cade Smith as the only pitchers to record a save in 10-or-more consecutive outings this season. Montgomery recorded saves in back-to-back contests on September 9-10 and again on September 19-20, marking the first such occurrences in his career.

September 28, 2026

By Ian Wilson

Western Canadian Baseball League

Every bullpen has a fireman, but the Sylvan Lake Gulls have the top cop in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

While the fireman role typically sees relievers enter the game at crucial moments to put out fires, Brayden Stewart of the Gulls was handcuffing hitters all summer long.

As a result of his sworn duty to protect leads and maintain order on the scoreboard, Stewart has been named the 2026 Top Relief Pitcher in the WCBL.

“It's a great award to get. It was a very tough league this year, so I feel honoured to get that award,” said the 6-foot-3 righthander from Warsaw, Kentucky.

“When I go on the mound, I'm not going to think anyone else is better than me. So, I just went out there with that type of confidence and just believed that my stuff was better than what the hitter could do against it. So, I just trusted myself and my team that they're going to make plays for me and just go out there and do my thing.”

The results in the regular season saw Stewart produce a 1-2 record, five saves, a 2.32 earned run average (ERA) and 55 strikeouts over 31 innings pitched.

More than 20 voters – including head coaches and media who cover the WCBL – cast ballots to determine the league’s major regular season award winners and all-star selections.

Stewart beat WCBL saves leader Nathan Pisio, who closed out seven games for the Moose Jaw Miller Express, as well as Brooks Jones of the Saskatoon Berries and Lucas Huynh of the Lethbridge Bulls to capture the Top Relief Pitcher award.

“It means a lot. I kind of pride myself on being able to get the job done. I feel like I did a pretty decent job of that this year and I'm very grateful that everyone that gets to vote on this decided to give me this award,” said Stewart, who helped lead the Gulls to the WCBL championship series by picking up a win and a save in the postseason.

Sylvan Lake head coach Matt Hape was happy to see Stewart recognized for his successful campaign.

“Brayden pitched in virtually every high-leverage situation for us and was as reliable and consistent as a closer can be,” said Hape.

“His work ethic, bulldog mentality and plus stuff are the exact makeup you want in a guy who is closing games for you and he proved that on a consistent basis.”

Stewart was lured to Sylvan Lake by Wyatt McKnight, an assistant coach with the Gulls who worked with the pitcher at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis.

“When I was there, the whole time, he was just telling me how great it was and that I need to go,” recalled Stewart, who has worked as both a starting pitcher and a reliever throughout his collegiate career.

“And then I got up there and just loved every second of it. It was probably the best summer of my life … the way they talked about it, I couldn't believe it was going to be as good as it was, and it honestly exceeded the expectations”

Now a student at Gonzaga University, Stewart is rooming with Mickey McClaskey, who pitched for the Gulls in 2025 and was named the WCBL’s Top Relief Pitcher for his performance during that season.

“We talked about Sylvan a lot. I mean, he absolutely loved his time there as well,” noted Stewart.

“He said the same thing I did. It's the best summer he's had. And I mean, we've just talked about everything about it: the coaches, the organization, how the owners treat us. It's just amazing. The fans are great. And we just both love it there. Pretty much everyone that I've talked to that's been there absolutely loved their time there.”

Added Stewart: “I'm definitely hoping I can go back up to Sylvan. I genuinely love that place and I love everything they have going on there. So, if the opportunity comes to me, I'm most likely going to take that opportunity and head back up there and see what I can do for one more year.”

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on September 29, 2026. You can read it here.

September 30, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

Gabe Fink flew to Vancouver for the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase with one thing on his mind: retribution.

A year earlier, the highly touted Edmonton native struggled with his command in his one outing at the showcase.

Undeterred and buoyed by being among the first 50 players invited to this year’s event, he wanted to make amends and did so in a big way.

Earning two starts, including the championship final, Fink showed why he’s among the top high school hurlers in the country while helping Team New Blue claim the 2026 title with a 6-1 win over an offensively gifted Team Royal.

The Baseball Canada Junior National Team two-way couldn’t help but smile as his teammates celebrated with the showcase trophy.

“This means a lot,” Fink said. “They have all the names of everyone that’s ever won on there, so it’s going to be cool to have my name on there, too.”

His performance sets the stage for a busy offseason as he gets ready for graduation next spring and an eventual move to the University of Southern California.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories interview Gabe Fink here.

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MAPLE LEAF DEBUT

Lauded for his talent on the mound and at the plate, Fink went into the 2025 Canadian Futures Showcase hoping to show the hype was real.

Instead, he found himself in trouble more than he would have liked, finishing his lone outing allowing three runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts over three innings.

“Something would happen in the field and then I would just kind of let it get to me,” the AHP Academy product admitted. “A lot of people would advance on wild pitches … it just wasn’t my best and not much was working for me.”

Instead of getting into his head more, he decided to take matters into his own hands and show he could brush it off.

His first big opportunity came with the Langley Blaze Pro Tour in the spring, where he struck out four in two innings of work against prospects from the Athletics.

Fink then found himself getting an invite to the Junior National Team’s Extended Spring Training Camp trip, where he twirled two innings of no-hit, four-strikeout baseball in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

His final outing of that trip didn’t go as smoothly, as he surrendered six earned runs on five hits and two walks over a little more than an inning of work in a loss to the New York Yankees.

He was invited back for the Dominican Republic Professional Academy Tour, where he once again tossed three innings of scoreless baseball against the San Diego Padres prospects, working himself out of jams caused by six walks.

The righthander got roughed up a bit in his final JNT outing, allowing three earned runs while striking out five in an inning-and-a-third against the Pirates’ prospects.

DRAFT LEAGUE EXPOSURE

Despite the up-and-down trips with the Junior National Team, Fink impressed the Baseball Canada brass enough to keep rolling with the squad to their first-ever MLB Draft League trip.

He made two appearances during that trek, with the first in mop-up duty against the Aberdeen IronBirds, where he allowed two unearned runs on five walks and two strikeouts in an inning-plus.

Fink’s last outing came against Mahoning Valley, where the Scrappers picked up four runs on three hits and three walks against the young hurler, who also struck out three over two relief innings.

While the numbers might not have been eye-popping, the Canadians had to be reminded that they were playing against professional ballplayers and that it’s much more about process than it is about results.

The busy summer continued with AHP, which included The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, where Fink made one appearance on the hill for the Renegades.

Knowing he was going to the showcase, Fink says it was time for a refresh.

“I give a lot of credit to (AHP head honcho) Taylor Burns,” said the 17-year-old. “I had a rough stretch over the summer and we took all of August to really work on my mentality going into stuff and to work on the pitching side, too.”

GETTING HIS PAYBACK

That time off paid dividends right away for the reinvigorated Fink.

He got the start against Royal in New Blue’s third game of the Canadian Futures Showcase, starting things off by striking out highly ranked 2028 prospect Mikey Batiste and 2027 grad Ira Rootman before getting another draft-ready slugger, Jalen Jacob, to ground out.

Fink retired the side in order again in the second, then allowed one run to score in his third-and-final inning of work, leading New Blue to the 7-2 victory.

“I feel really good,” he said after the contest. “I handled myself pretty well. I could have thrown more first-pitch strikes as I feel like I was getting behind in a lot of counts, but I was really happy that I was able to work back into those counts and win most of them.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Fink admits his 2025 performance was the fuel he needed to bounce back in a big way.

Not knowing if he was getting another opportunity to pitch, he grabbed a bat thinking he might get a chance to hit in the team’s final round-robin game or in the final.

FINE FINALE FINISH

After New Blue cruised to an unbeaten record and taking a boatload of bonus points for stolen bases, they earned top spot and a berth in the championship.

Fink didn’t get a chance to hit in the round-robin finale against Team Black, but got some good news on the morning of Championship Sunday: he was getting the start in the final.

It was a rematch against Royal and Fink stood up to the challenge, getting Rootman and Dayne Liske to ground out before walking Jacob and striking out Batiste for a second time during the tournament.

“I was mostly just trying to throw strikes,” Fink said after New Blue capped off its 6-1 win. “I was trying to work ahead more and it didn’t really work out, but I got a lot of ground balls and ended it with a K, so that was good.”

It was the perfect way to put the cap on a memorable 2026 campaign for Fink, who enters the offseason looking to keep working at AHP.

He wants to put on some weight, add some muscle and add to his mobility.

Fink would also like to fine-tune his arsenal, which features a top-three fastball velocity from the showcase (92.3 miles per hour) and top-two slider velocity (85.0 miles per hour).

“Maybe tune up my change-up,” he smiled. “I feel like that pitch wasn’t working for me a tonne recently, so if I can tune that up and have that be a good pitch for me going into next year, that would be really awesome.”

September 29, 2026

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

No matter how the 2026 Major League Baseball draft unfolded, Elliot Lascelles was going to be okay with the result.

If he was selected and ultimately signed, he’d be realizing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. If the pick process didn’t work out the way he wanted, he’d head off to Yale University to obtain a prestigious education and play for the Bulldogs.

It was the former that ended up happening when the San Diego Padres took the Toronto Mets infielder with the 60th overall pick in the second round, thanks in part to 2026 Canadian Baseball Network Scout of the Year Chris Kemlo (Oshawa, Ont.).

Like a true professional, Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) was confident in his on-field ability and knew his worth off of it. He inked a $2,800,394 signing bonus shortly after hearing his name called.

“I was really prioritizing academics,” Lascelles said about his mindset ahead of the draft.

“I felt like it had to be a really high selection and a lot to persuade me away from Yale. It ended up happening. I knew I had a great opportunity in Yale, so I think I would’ve been happy either way.”

It was the fall of his Grade 11 year when Lascelles felt the chance of going pro was a possibility. By this past spring, he considered it a “50/50 chance.”

He credits his performance in the MLB Draft League, where he hit .394 with a 1.068 OPS in 44 plate appearances, for helping him further solidify his standing in the eyes of scouts.

“I played really well in the Draft League,” Lascelles said. “That helped me out a lot and it all worked out.”

So far, it appears to be money well spent by the Padres.

In 56 at bats to begin his minor league career, Lascelles slashed .321/.406/.429 with six stolen bases with the eventual Single-A California League champion Lake Elsinore Storm.

Elliot Lascelles just keeps hitting and hitting and hitting and hitting...

He has 8 hits in his last 13 at bats 👀 pic.twitter.com/l7bcbk7jce

— Lake Elsinore Storm (@Storm_Baseball) September 3, 2026

It didn’t take long for Lascelles to find his way to Single-A from the Friars’ Arizona complex. Still, it was an adjustment, he said. One that was made easier thanks to his time with the Junior National Team.

“Playing with the Junior National Team, I felt like I had basically 200 at bats at the Arizona Complex League level,” he said. “I got a taste of pro ball with the JNT with the schedule we were on, the competition and the routine. That prepared me to make that next jump.”

Canada isn’t the only team that Lascelles credits for his development.

After being drafted, he spent a week at home before making his way to Arizona. Over the seven days, he attended Mets practices to say goodbye.

It was important for him to do, given the impact the organization had on him.

“It was great, the coaches there were incredible,” Lascelles said. “I went to the Mets in 16U and that’s a bit late for most in the Canadian Premier Baseball League. Defensively, I really improved a lot. They gave me all the resources I needed to become the player I am today.”

While young, Lascelles still doesn’t take the opportunity in front of him for granted.

“I’ve loved baseball ever since I was four years old and being able to do that for a career is amazing,” he said. “Hopefully I can do it for many more years.”

September 28, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays failed to make the postseason following their magical run to the World Series last year.

But while the Blue Jays will be cleaning out their lockers at Rogers Centre, there will be plenty of Canadians participating in the MLB postseason.

So which one of the 12 postseason teams is the most Canadian?

Well, we’ve done some research and tried to come up with an answer for you.

Cleveland Guardians relievers Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) and Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) celebrate together after the Guardians clinched the AL Central title on Saturday. Photo: Erik Sabrowski\X

1. Cleveland Guardians

In 2024, the Guardians became the first major league team to have four Canadians on a postseason roster.

Since then, Josh and Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) have moved on, but the Guardians will still have two Canucks suiting up for them this October — and those two are arguably the team’s best relief pitchers.

On Sept. 22, Guardians closer Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC) became the first Canadian to record 40 saves in a season since John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) had 46 with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) is the only other Canuck to accomplish this feat, doing it for three consecutive seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2002 to 2004.

In 69 appearances in his first full season as the Guardians closer, Smith was 6-1 with a 1.95 ERA and had 107 strikeouts in 74 innings. For his efforts, he earned his first All-Star Game selection.

But it’s unlikely Smith would’ve been able to rack up 41 saves this season (tied for the AL lead with Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Bryan Baker) without the assistance of left-hander Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.). A key middle reliever for the Guardians, Sabrowski was 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA in his final 15 regular season appearances. During that span, he permitted just four hits and fanned 19 batters in 14 1/3 innings.

Overall, in 60 relief appearances this season, Sabrowski was 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and had 76 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings, while picking up 28 holds.

Players: LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.), RHP Cade Smith (Abbotsford, BC)

Minor league players: RHP Will Hynes (Mississauga, Ont.), C Deiten Lachance (Sherbrooke, Que.), 1B Riley Nelson (Toronto, Ont.), LHP Adam Tulloch (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Jacob Zibin (Richmond Hill, Ont.)

Executive: Dr. Stephen Osterer (Ottawa, Ont.), director of pitching development

2. San Diego Padres

No big-league team has drafted more impact Canadian big league players over the last decade than the Padres.

How’s this for a list of Padres’ draft selections?

- RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), first round 2016

- LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.), 14th round 2018

- RHP Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.), fourth round 2019

- OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.), second round, 2020

And they added to this list when, on the recommendation of Canadian scout Chris Kemlo, they selected infielder Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) in the second round this summer.

On top of all of this, their Opening Day starter was right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC), who they signed to a four-year, $56-million contract prior to the 2025 campaign. The 6-foot-5 Canuck went 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, with 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings, in four starts after being activated from the 60-day injured list on September 7. He had been sidelined with right elbow inflammation.

Pivetta will likely start Game 2 of the Padres’ Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs.

In total, in eight starts this season, the Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team alum was 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA. He had 42 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

Player: Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC)

Scouts: Chris Kemlo (Bowmanville, Ont.), Lou Pote (Okotoks, Alta.), Geoff White (Kelowna, BC)

Minor league players: RHP Garrett Hawkins (Biggar, Sask.), C Lamar King (Vancouver, BC), INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.), RHP Brandon Langley (New Glasgow, PEI), RHP Jack Pineau (Thunder Bay, Ont.), RHP A.J. Rogers (Dartmouth, N.S.).

3. Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the postseason for the 10th time, but this will be the first year they will have a Canadian on their October roster.

The American League East division-winning Rays acquired catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) from the Miami Marlins on Aug. 3, and Hicks has been a key part of their offence ever since. In 41 regular season games with the Rays, he had a .288/.379/.440 slash line with four home runs and 20 RBIs. And he had already been enjoying a breakout campaign with the Marlins.

In total, the Toronto Mets alum batted .284 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 142 regular season games in 2026. He also finished the season as one of a select group of MLB hitters with more walks (56) than strikeouts (55).

In September, Hicks regularly batted cleanup behind slugger Junior Caminero, who socked 41 home runs this season.

The Rays, who finished with a 98-64 record, have a bye until the Division Series.

Player: C Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.)

Minor league players: OF Slater de Brun (Bend, Ore., mom, Julie, lived in Toronto), C Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), INF Jack Lines (Okotoks, Alta.), INF Taj Marchand (Charleston, N.C., father, Hugo, from Montreal), OF Noah Myers (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tom Poole (Winnipeg, Man.), LHP Jeremy Pilon (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que.)

4. Atlanta Braves

It was just over 11 years ago that Blue Jays fans were chanting “Thank you, Alex!” to their GM, Alex Anthopoulos, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, as the Blue Jays clinched their first American League East division title since 1993. The Montreal native has since moved on to the National League and his Braves have won a World Series (2021) and seven division titles (2018 to 2023, 2026) during his reign as general manager and president of baseball operations.

Though they don’t have a Canadian on their major league roster, the Braves are well-stocked with Canucks in their organization.

They will play the Philadelphia Phillies in a Wild Card series that will start on Tuesday afternoon.

Executives: Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.), president, baseball operations and general manager; Mike Shaw (Oakville, Ont.), vice-president, team travel.

Minor league players: OF Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.), C Archer Brookman (Pointe-Claire, Que.), RHP Cedric De Grandpre (St-Simon, Que.), RHP Cole Dorland (Langley, BC), OF Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), RHP Ryan Heppner (Richmond, BC), RHP Adam Maier (North Vancouver, BC), INF David McCabe (Oshawa, Ont.)

Minor league coaches: Mike Steed (Beamsville, Ont.), pitching coach, double-A Columbus Clingstones

Off-field Canadian talent: Michael Copeland (Whitby, Ont.), lead developer, baseball systems

5. Chicago White Sox

The last Canadian to play for the White Sox in the postseason was Kirk McCaskill (Kapuskasing, Ont.) when the right-hander made three scoreless relief appearances in the club’s 1993 American League Championship Series’ loss to the eventual World Series champion Blue Jays.

This will change when Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.) starts in centre field for the Sox in their Wild Card series opener against the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

The White Sox couldn’t have predicted how good Peters would be in his first full big league season after they purchased him from the Rays last December. Peters had a reputation as an excellent fielder, but the Okotoks Dawgs grad also quickly showed he could handle himself at the plate. He finished the regular season with a .265/.337/.437 slash line with 12 home runs, 31 doubles, four triples and eight stolen bases. Statistician Neil Munro also points out that Peters did not ground into a single double play in 491 plate appearances this season.

On July 10, he became just the second Canadian big leaguer - joining George Kottaras (September 3, 2011 with the Milwaukee Brewers) - since 1900 to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat against the A’s. That same month, Peters was selected to play in the All-Star Game.

Player: Tristan Peters (Winkler, Man.)

Scout: Josh Krstulovich (Brampton, Ont.)

6. Milwaukee Brewers

When Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) was the general manager of the Brewers from 2002 to 2015, and Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was his assistant GM, the Brewers seemed to consistently have the most (or close to the most) Canadian players in their system. This changed under more recent regimes, but it has rebounded somewhat in the past five years when thanks to input from the club’s director of international scouting and player personnel, Taylor Green (Comox, BC), and area scout Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), the Brewers selected Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.) 33rd overall in the 2021 MLB draft and INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.) 102nd overall in 2022.

The Brewers also added catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) from the Guardians on August 1. Naylor played with the Brewers’ triple-A Nashville Sounds in August before being called up and going 2-for-7 in three games with the Brewers in September.

Also, former Okotoks Dawgs right-hander and ex-Brewers closer Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.) is the Brewers’ pitching coordinator.

The Brewers finished with 103 wins this season - the most in MLB. This has earned them a bye until the Division Series.

Player: Bo Naylor (Mississauga,Ont.)

Minor league Players: INF Tyler Black (Stouffville, Ont.), INF Dylan O’Rae (Sarnia, Ont.), LHP Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.)

Coach: Jim Henderson (Calgary, Alta.), MLB pitching coordinator

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), special assistant to the general manager; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), vice-president, baseball projects; Taylor Green (Comox, BC), director of international scouting and player personnel

Minor league coaches: Brad McKay (Fredericton, N.B.), lead strategist, skill acquisition

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, BC), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Taylor Frederick (Ottawa, Ont.)

7. Los Angeles Dodgers

The two-time reigning World Series champion Dodgers don’t have a player born in Canada on their roster, however, first baseman Freddie Freeman’s parents were born north of the border, and he played for Canada in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics. Prior to the 2022 season, Freeman inked a six-year, $162-million contract with the Dodgers. And he certainly hasn’t disappointed. He has been an All-Star in each of his five seasons with the club. In 2026, he batted .288 and had a .362 on-base percentage with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 153 games.

The Dodgers also employ Beeton, Ont., native Ellen Harrigan, who is one of Major League Baseball’s most respected executives. After beginning her career with the Blue Jays as an administrative aide in player development in 1981 and later becoming the general manager of the club’s New York Penn League affiliate in St. Catharines, Harrigan moved on to the Dodgers and has risen through the organization’s ranks to hold a number of key executive positions. Now in her 27th season with the club, she is currently the team’s vice-president, baseball administration.

The Dodgers won the National League West again this season, finishing 100-62. Like the Brewers, they have earned a bye to the Division Series.

Player: Freddie Freeman (Villa Park, Calif.), WBC eligible

Executive: Ellen Veronica Harrigan (Beeton, Ont.), vice-president, baseball administration

Minor league players: OF Charles Davalan (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), RHP Cam Leiter (Bayville, N.J., lived for part of his youth in Vancouver, BC), RHP Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.)

Doctor: Dr. Keith Pyne (Niagara On The Lake, Ont.), medical consultant

8. New York Yankees

There isn’t a Canadian on the Bronx Bombers’ postseason roster, but there’s no shortage of Canucks working in the organization. The club employs a trio of Canadian scouts in Steve Wilson (Victoria, BC), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.) and Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.). They also boast a Canadian broadcaster in Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.), who works for the YES Network and sits in the same chair Mel Allen once sat.

And this year they added another Canuck to their organization in left-hander Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), a Langley Blaze and Junior National Team grad, whom they selected in the second round of the MLB draft in July.

Duncan marks the fourth Canuck player added to the Bombers’ organization over the past two years. In 2025, the Yankees chose infielder Core Jackson (Wyoming, Ont.) and right-hander Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) in the fourth and ninth rounds of the MLB draft respectively. They also signed right-hander Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.) as an amateur free agent.

They will begin their Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

Minor league players: RHP Tyler Boudreau (Sylvan Lake, Alta.), LHP Kyle Carr (father, Darcy, is from Sydney, N.S.), LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC), RHP Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.), INF Core Jackson (Wyoming, Ont.), OF Tyler Wilson (father, Steve, is from Victoria, BC)

Scouts: Steve Wilson (Victoria, BC), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.), Denis Boucher (Lachine, Que.), Cory Melvin (Doug Melvin’s son)

Broadcaster: Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.) New York Yankees Magazine, host, YES Network

Off-field Canadian talent: Jessica (Lack) Ventura (Calgary, Alta.), class-A Tampa Yankees, director, partnership and community activation; Isiah McDonald (Kelowna, BC), minor league strength and conditioning coach

9. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies got a lot less Canadian when they fired manager Rob Thomson (Corunna, Ont.) on April 28 after the club got off to a 9-19 start. Thomson had managed the Phillies to four consecutive playoff berths, including a National League pennant in 2022 before he was let go.

In 2022, Thomson became the first Canadian skipper to manage a team in the big league postseason since Bill Watkins (Brantford, Ont.) led the National League’s Detroit Wolverines to a World Series title in 1887.

Thomson was replaced by former Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, but if the Phillies are looking for further inspiration, perhaps they can call former general manager and now senior advisor and part-owner, Pat Gillick (Canadian citizen), in for a pep talk. He has three World Series rings - two with the Blue Jays (1992-93) and one with the Phillies (2008) - on his Hall of Fame resume.

And a Canadian did play for the Phillies in 2026. Right-hander Zach Pop (Brampton, Ont.) started the season in the club’s bullpen, posting a 3.68 ERA in seven appearances before being designated for assignment on May 30. He finished the season with the Marlins’ triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

The Phillies will play the Atlanta Braves in a Wild-Card series beginning on Tuesday.

Executive: Pat Gillick (Canadian citizen), senior advisor and part-owner

Minor league players: LHP Wesley Moore (Surrey, BC), OF Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.)

Scouts: Alex Agostino (St-Bruno, Que.), Les McTavish (Stettler, Alta.)

10. Chicago Cubs

Last year, the Chicago Cubs headed into October with three Canadians in the mix for their postseason roster - RHP Jameson Taillon (Canadian citizen), RHP Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) and OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.).

All three of them moved on in the off-season.

But if you’re looking for a Canadian around Wrigley Field this postseason, I don’t imagine it will take you long to spot former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC). A special assistant to the president and a prominent analyst on the MLB Network, Dempster bleeds Cubbie blue.

You might also see all-time Cubs great Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) at a playoff game or two. He has been a longtime ambassador for the club.

The Cubs will battle the Padres in a Wild-Card series that will commence on Tuesday night.

Minor league players: RHP Ryan Marton (Toronto, Ont.), OF Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.)

Executives/Front Office: Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, BC), broadcaster, special assistant to the president; Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.), ambassador; Mike Sonne (Hamilton, Ont.) pitching scientist

Scout: James Parker (Toronto, Ont.)

11. Houston Astros

Forty-six years ago, Melville, Sask., native Terry Puhl set a then National League Championship Series record with 10 hits in 19 at bats (.526 batting average) in the Astros’ epic five-game series against the Phillies. Until Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) had a pinch-hit at bat in the 2020 American League Championship Series, Puhl was the last Canadian to appear in a post-season game with the Astros.

There will not be a Canuck on the Astros’ post-season roster this year, but rest assured that Puhl, one of the team’s recent Hall of Famers who still lives in the area, will be at Daikin Park (formerly Minute Maid Park) cheering on his old club.

The Astros, who claimed the American League West title with an 81-81 record, will face the White Sox in a Wild-Card series beginning on Tuesday.

Minor league player: LHP Adam Shoemaker (Cambridge, Ont.)

Scout: Jim Stevenson (Leaside, Ont.)

12. Boston Red Sox

Since the start of the 2024 season, the Red Sox have had four Canadian players suit up for them: Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, BC), James Paxton (Ladner, BC), Nick Pivetta (Victoria, BC) and Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.).

But none of them are still with the club.

O’Neill and Pivetta have been moved to the Baltimore Orioles and Padres respectively. Toro played for the Kansas City Royals’ triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers this season and Paxton has retired.

So, there won’t be a Canadian on the Red Sox playoff roster in 2026 as they take on the Yankees in their much-anticipated Wild Card series starting on Tuesday..

Minor league player: RHP Matt Duffy (Burlington, Ont.)

September 29, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Atlanta Braves prospect Eric Hartman has been named MiLB Breakout Player of the Year.

The announcement was made during the fourth annual MiLB Awards Show that aired on the MLB Network on Monday night.

The honour comes just a week after Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) was named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America.

The 20-year-old Albertan put together a .249/.350/.456 slash line and had 26 home runs and 56 stolen bases in 128 games between the High-A Rome Emperors and double-A Columbus Clingstones.

In the process, Hartman became the first minor leaguer to finish a season with 25-plus home runs and 50-plus stolen bases since Andruw Jones in 1995.

Prior to the 2026 season, Hartman’s speed had been well documented, but his power outburst was a welcome surprise for the Braves.

“I think I’ve always been a strong guy and I love getting after it in the weightroom, but I think it was just cleaning some stuff up with some great coaches . . . It was just cleaning up my misses most of all, so my misses could be home runs instead of ground balls,” Hartman told MLB.com on Monday when asked about his power numbers in 2026.

Selected in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Braves, Hartman is proving to be the steal of that draft.

On Canada Day this year, the Okotoks Dawgs alum belted his 20th home run of the season to become the first player in the history of the High-A Emperors to club 20 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. And he did it in just 71 games.

The 2026 campaign represented Hartman’s second in pro ball. In 2025, he batted .240 with five home runs and 48 stolen bases in 90 games between the FCL Braves and the class-A Augusta Green Jackets.

San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Nolan Perry were the runners up to Hartman for MiLB’s 2026 Breakout honour.

September 29, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Postseason baseball starts today, and after an impressive 2025 season, the Toronto Blue Jays will be watching this time around.

Injuries and struggles from some key players kept the Blue Jays outside of the postseason picture this year.

For those looking to get their Blue Jays fix over the next month, the attention now turns to Arizona and the subsequent Arizona Fall League.

In October, eight Blue Jays prospects will head out West to play for the Mesa Solar Sox, with the group consisting of five pitchers, one catcher and two outfielders.

Leading the charge is No. 11-ranked prospect Jake Bloss, while Jake Cook (No. 20) and Jake Casey (No. 23) will join the right-hander in Mesa. A familiar face will also don a Solar Sox jersey in former top prospect Arjun Nimmala, who was dealt to the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline as part of the package for right-hander José Soriano.

Jake Bloss – RHP

Acquired by the Blue Jays at the 2024 trade deadline, Bloss was the headline piece of the deal that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros. He made three starts for the Astros when injuries ravaged their rotation but spent most of that season in double-A.

Bloss finished the year in triple-A Buffalo and, after making six starts with the Bisons in 2025 was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. The rehab process carried over into this past season, with the right-hander finding himself back on the mound in mid-May.

In 2026, he made 11 starts across four levels, posting a 6.18 ERA while allowing 27 earned runs in 39 1/3 innings. His season was cut short in mid-July when a right teres major strain sent him back to the injured list.

With Bloss heading to Arizona, he appears to be healthy enough to pitch again and will get some additional reps in the desert.

Brandon Barriera – LHP

Speaking of injuries, enter left-hander Brandon Barriera.

The New York product was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft and, entering the 2026 season, had just 27 1/3 professional innings under his belt.

Barriera was healthy entering this season and made seven starts in Low-A Dunedin before landing on the injured list for another two months. The southpaw found his way back to the mound in mid-July and made nine more appearances to cap off the season, including three relief outings in High-A Vancouver.

Across three levels, Barriera posted a 4.89 ERA in a career-high 38 2/3 innings, recording a 1.707 WHIP while allowing 21 runs and issuing 29 walks. He posted a 9.3 K/9 compared to an 8.6 H/9, but struggled significantly with free passes, resulting in a 6.8 BB/9.

Barriera is in an awkward spot this winter, as he is Rule 5 eligible. The raw stuff is there if he can reel in the command issues, and there is a good possibility a team will take a chance on him in a bullpen role, similar to what the Blue Jays did with Spencer Miles this past winter.

Regardless, scouts will likely be in Mesa to see how Barriera fares against some of the top prospects in the game as he gets some more innings under his belt.

Gilberto Batista – RHP

Batista just finished his second full campaign in the Blue Jays' system, with the right-hander joining Toronto at the 2024 trade deadline as part of the Danny Jansen deal with the Boston Red Sox.

This season, Batista made significantly more appearances out of the bullpen compared to starting, with the 21-year-old primarily being used as a bulk reliever for the Vancouver Canadians.

In 31 outings, including four starts, Batista posted a 7.86 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP while opponents hit .307 against him. Under the surface, the Blue Jays prospect wasn't missing many bats, allowing 11.1 H/9 and 2.0 HR/9 while seeing his strikeout rate dip to 6.9 K/9.

Batista is heading to the desert to continue working on his craft after pitching a career-high 87 innings this season.

Fernando Perez – RHP

It was a tough season for right-hander Fernando Perez.

After an impressive 2025 campaign that saw him post a 3.04 ERA in 121 1/3 innings, Perez struggled to find that same form with the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Eastern League.

Through his first four outings with the Fisher Cats, he allowed 10 earned runs across 12 2/3 innings. He also walked 16 batters compared to just seven strikeouts. That prompted the Blue Jays to place him on the Development List for most of the season. He did not making another start until late August.

His return wasn't met with much fanfare either, as he allowed six earned runs over his next three starts while walking nine batters.

A stint in the desert is likely an attempt to provide a confidence boost for the young Nicaraguan, with the Blue Jays hoping it gets the ball rolling toward a return to the form he showed in 2025.

Yondrei Rojas – RHP

At 23 years old, right-hander Yondrei Rojas is no stranger to the professional ranks. After making his debut with the Blue Jays' Dominican Summer League team in 2021, this was Rojas' sixth professional season in the farm system.

After finishing last season in double-A, Rojas was placed on the injured list to begin the year and spent more than a month on the sidelines before beginning a rehab assignment in Dunedin.

Following his lone outing there, he rejoined New Hampshire and eventually finished the season in Buffalo, appearing in four games for the Bisons.

Overall, Rojas saw his ERA climb to 5.47 across 49 1/3 innings. He finished the year with a collective 1.358 WHIP and an 8.0 K/9. Walks weren't as much of an issue for Rojas compared to some of the other Blue Jays heading to Arizona, as he posted a 3.6 BB/9, but the right-hander is trending in the wrong direction at this stage of his development.

Rojas is also no stranger to the Arizona Fall League. He made four appearances for Glendale last year but struggled through 2 1/3 innings, allowing eight earned runs.

Aaron Parker – C

Another year, another level for Aaron Parker.

A sixth-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2024, Parker finished his draft year in Dunedin and took a step forward in 2025 when he was moved to the High-A Vancouver Canadians.

Like clockwork, he was moved to double-A New Hampshire for the 2026 season. In 87 games with the Fisher Cats, Parker posted a .253/.347/.467 slash line with eight doubles, 19 home runs and 48 RBIs while drawing 43 walks. He led the squad in home runs and ranked among the team leaders with his .814 OPS. Behind the plate, Parker threw out 14.3% of attempted base stealers while committing six errors for a .990 fielding percentage.

There is no denying that Parker has power at the plate, but the right-handed hitter saw a significant increase in his strikeout rate, finishing at 32.3% with 113 punchouts on the season.

There is likely a correlation between his increase in power and strikeouts, and finding a solid middle ground will go a long way for Parker, who should be heading to triple-A Buffalo next season.

Jake Casey – OF

After a cup of coffee in Dunedin following the 2025 draft, outfielder Jake Casey was ready to break out in the farm system with his first full season on the horizon in 2026.

Unfortunately for Casey, he suffered an injury in his first game with the Vancouver Canadians and wouldn't return to the diamond until early June.

He spent just over two weeks rehabbing in Florida before returning to Vancouver, where he would finish the season in the Northwest League.

Through 64 games, Casey amassed a .243/.377/.504 slash line with 12 doubles, four triples and 13 home runs while posting a .881 OPS.

Defensively, he split his time between centre field and right field, collecting three outfield assists while committing just one error.

For Casey, the trip to the desert will provide an opportunity to get more at-bats after an early-season injury set him back.

Jake Cook – OF

What could be better than one Jake on the Mesa Solar Sox?

A second Jake with a Blue Jays connection.

Joining the crew in Arizona this October is outfielder Jake Cook, a third-round pick of the Jays in 2025.

Cook didn't find himself in affiliated baseball last season and made his professional debut in the Florida Complex League. A quick five-game stint there culminated in a promotion to Low-A Dunedin, where he finished the year.

In his first professional season, Cook finished with a .247/.366/.361 slash line, five home runs and a .727 OPS. He also added 51 walks and 42 RBIs while spending the majority of his season in centre field.

Cook recorded five outfield assists while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

He had a solid first professional season for the Jays, and he's likely heading to Mesa to get some additional at-bats after a delayed start to the season due to his initial assignment to the FCL, which begins later in the summer.

A Month of Valuable Reps in the Desert

With eight Blue Jays prospects heading to the Arizona Fall League, the Mesa Solar Sox will provide an opportunity for several players to gain valuable experience against some of the best young talent in baseball.

For players such as Bloss and Barriera, the focus will be on getting healthy and building innings. Others, including Parker, Casey and Cook, will have a chance to continue developing their offensive games and make a strong impression heading into the offseason.

September 28, 2026

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

The Baseball Writers Association of America has already voted for this year’s award winners, so don’t get too bent out of shape if Pete Crow-Armstrong goes 0-for-the-playoffs and still wins MVP. 

We’re reasonably sure Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani won’t win either MVP this year. That would be the first time both have missed it since 2020. 

And, in thinking about the manager’s award, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Kevin Cash of the Rays are the only playoff skippers who have gotten to a World Series with their current teams. They met in 2020, with Roberts winning. 

Here is what one ballot would look like. And, yes, the BBWAA ballots are sent by mail. We didn’t even need the Supreme Court to allow it. 

MVPs 

He didn’t win the conventional Triple Crown but Yordan Alvarez led the AL. in all slash categories, won the batting title, had a league-leading 33 intentional walks, and got Houston into the playoffs. He also was the runaway leader in RISP average. Should finish well ahead of Junior Caminero. 

The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong played every game, led the NL. in runs, slugging and on-base, and tied Kyle Schwarber with 45 home runs. He was also a defensive dazzler in centre field. 

CY YOUNG 

It’s a Yankee righthander but not Gerrit Cole. Cam Schlittler, 25, had an AL-leading 1.95 ERA and was one of two (with Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen) to finish with a sub-1.000 WHIP. Toronto’s Dylan Cease might have won it with two or three more starts. 

Looks like another runnerup finish in the NL  for the Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez. You can’t touch Jacob Misorowski of Milwaukee, not when he has a .802 WHIP, a 16-5 record, and a 1.80 ERA. The Miz struck out 13 every nine innings and gave up 96 hits in 30 starts. 

MANAGER 

The Dodgers were not a push-button appliance this year. Will Smith played 73 games, Mookie Betts was cold early, Freddie Freeman was cold late, and pitchers Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani combined for 36 starts. And Kyle Tucker was a crowd pincushion and hit .233. Still, they came in with another 100-win season, with Dave Roberts again refusing to either panic or cruise. 

It’s not just that the White Sox won the AL Central two years after they lost 121 games, it’s that they did it without an outrageous individual performance, except for maybe Miguel Vargas. Will Venable was the guide. 

ROOKIE 

Not giving it to Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart in the NL would be the definition of insanity. He played every game as a 22-year-old and drove in 111 runs on the worst offensive team in the league. 

Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle had a solid rookie year. Cleveland lefty Parker Messick was exceptional, finishing third in ERA, fourth in WHIP and fourth in innings with a 12-9 record – and four losses in quality starts. 

RELIEVER 

Without Mason Miller the Padres would have been buried in the first half. He saved 38 of 41 and struck out 129 in 70 innings. Unfortunately the baseball writers have decided to give relievers a separate award, depriving guys like Miller of Cy Young consideration. 

Tampa Bay’s Bryan Baker went 41 for 44 and should edge Cleveland’s Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) in the AL. It’s called Know Your Personnel: Baker was a fine setup man for the Orioles but never got a chance at the 9th inning. 

EXECUTIVE 

Mike Chernoff, a 23-year veteran with the Cleveland organization even though he’s only 44, has developed a solid young nucleus of position players to support an eternally good pitching staff. Picking up outfielder Jo Adell and pitcher Foster Griffin were the latest examples. Remember, this is the lowest payroll in the game. 

Milwaukee’s Matt Arnold deserves the NL award and not just because they traded Freddy Peralta and remained the best regular-season team in baseball. The minor league mavens think the Brewers have several imminent stars. 

COMEBACK 

Cease cut his ERA almost in half in his first year with the Blue Jays (4.55 to 2.40) and had a career-high 239 strikeouts. He has led his league in strikeouts-per-nine three times in his career. 

The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler doesn’t win in the NL because his pitching was so much better. He wins because no one was sure he could overcome thoracic outlet syndrome (a blood clot, in English) and win half of his 28 starts. 

BREAKOUT 

Lefthander Reid Detmers did yeoman work for the 100-loss Angels, finishing third in AL WHIP with a career-best 3.36 ERA. 

Alec Burleson always had a respected bat, but this year his 116 RBIs for the Cardinals led the NL

COMEDOWN 

Kyle Finnegan symbolized the season in Detroit. Projected as the eighth-inning guy after a terrific 16-game audition in 2025, he had a league-leading 10 blown saves and gave up 9.9 hits every nine innings. 

Miami thought it might have a star in outfielder Jakob Marsee, but he faded to a .232 average and 41 RBIs in 616 plate appearances. 

MIS-MANAGER 

Seattle has already cut Dan Wilson loose, but he still didn’t struggle the way Detroit’s A.J.. Hinch did. 

It’s easy to pick on Tony Vitello, the U. of Tennessee coach that San Francisco hired, but the Giants led the NL in errors, and their oblivious nature regularly drew the ire of Mike Krukow, the nonpareil TV analyst who is retiring. 

EXECU-STIFF 

The Mets had MLB’s highest payroll and had the third-worst record in the National League. It’s doubtful that David Stearns thought they’d improve by ridding themselves of Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz, but he’s the guy in the chair. 

Perry Minasian has already been fired as the Angels’ GM, and John Mozeliak was summoned for a cleanup before the new owners take over. It all falls on Arte Moreno. We’ll see if it’s a case of addition by resignation. 

FREE AGENT BARGAIN 

Lefty reliever Sean Newcomb signed with the White Sox for $4.5 million and was exactly what they needed. He gave them 90 innings out of the bullpen and gave up four home runs. 

Gregory Soto, another lefty reliever, had 16 saves and a 1.164 WHIP for Pittsburgh, after he signed for $7.75 million. 

FREE AGENT RIPOFF 

You can’t put a $60 million (a year) badge on a player and expect him to become DiMaggio, but Tucker actually went in reverse, giving the Dodgers only 17 home runs.

Houston won its division despite a $54 million, three-year contract hiccup. Tatsuya Imai quickly left the rotation after giving up six walks every nine innings. 

WIND FARM 

This goes to the hitters whose bats stir up the most air without result. In the AL., Nimmo hit 14 home runs for Texas and struck out 149 times. In the NL Atlanta’s Austin Riley walked back to the dugout 201 times and compensated with only 19 longballs. What has happened to him? 

GREEN LIGHT 

This goes to the relief pitchers whose appearances make baserunners go into their sprinter’s stance. In the NL., the Pirates’ Evan Sisk inherited 30 runners and allowed 16 of them to score. In the AL., Chase Silseth of the Rangers and Angels greeted 50 ducks on the pond and watched 21 of them quack happily to the plate. 

The opposite of this is Brent Headrick of the Yankees, who inherited a league-high 54 runners. Eight scored. If the Yankees have any luck, you’ll see Headrick as often as you see Aflac duck  this postseason. 

September 28, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

An ABC alum is heading home with some personal hardware this offseason.  

L.P. Langevin, a fourth-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2024, earned the Dan Quisenberry Reliever of the Year Award last week as part of the Royals' annual organizational honours.

Langevin (Quebec, Que.) is the inaugural winner of the award, which celebrates the legendary Quisenberry who recorded 238 saves in 10 seasons with the Royals from 1979 through 1988.  

Langevin spent the 2026 season with the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits and struck out a whopping 106 batters in 55 1/3 innings. His 17.2 K/9 and 44.9 K% led the entire affiliated minor league ranks (minimum 50 innings pitched).

In 40 appearances, the right-hander posted a 3.42 ERA and registered three holds and three saves, while ranking second on the team in innings pitched.

Langevin also held opponents to a .140 batting average, which ranked fourth among minor league pitchers with at least 50 innings.  

Fast forward to the postseason and the River Bandits turned to the right-hander with the championship on the line in the bottom of the ninth inning. Leading 2-1 over the Dayton Dragons in the Midwest League final, Langevin entered the game and struck out all three batters he faced to secure the title.

Across four postseason outings (appearing in every game), Langevin closed out each contest for the River Bandits, striking out eight while allowing one hit and notching two saves.  

Armed with a mid-90s fastball that has some significant rise and run, Langevin generates strikeouts from bats on both sides of the plate. He also mixes in a slider to keep hitters honest, but his fastball is his go-to pitch.  

Ranked No. 30 on the Royals' top prospects list, Langevin will enter next season looking for a spot on the double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Just because the best high school players were at Nat Bailey Stadium in BC, we are not going to ignore our yearly bios and questions since this event began . . .

Name: RHP Jack Bello

Hometown: Richmond, BC.

Team: Okotoks Dawgs Academy/Team Black.

Committed to: Washington State University.

The most influential person in my baseball life: “Besides my father, Pedro, it would be Mike Trout because I admire the way he goes about the game, his work ethic and the way he treats others.”

Greatest day on the ball field “Winning the Road to Okotoks this past summer because it was a surreal feeling to win the inaugural championship.”

My favourite player: “Mike Trout because of his play style, hard work and the way he is outside of the game.”

If not a pro player, the next best job “I’d want to be a physiotherapist for a pro team.”

The most important thing I’ve learned playing ball: “To take in the moment and enjoy the experience.”

Four people dead or alive you would invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “Mike Trout, my grandpa, Juan, Clayton Kershaw and Adam Sandler.”

Name: INF Tanner Morris

Team: Vauxhall Jets/Team Grey.

Hometown: Sudbury, Ont.

Committed to: Not committed yet.

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “My teammates and coaches and the amazing community of Vauxhall that has pushed me to be the best player I can be. My own family, mom, dad, and brother are the backbone of everything, including my grandpa who also played and was a pitcher and literally lives through every game ... But my team have become my extended family and truly inspire and push me to be better and they are the most important people in my baseball life.”

Greatest day on the ball field “So far was winning the Road to Okotoks qualifier! That was the most amazing day. We worked so hard as a team and did it with class and pride.”

Favourite player and why?: “Freddie Freeman because he is humble and carries himself with pride. He is also an all-around great player and someone I have always looked up to.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next best job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A lineman for Hydro. I would get to be outdoors, help people during big storms and be challenged every day in my work.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “That it is so important to be a better person, as it will allow me to be a better player. When I give back to my own community and do things off the field, it allows me to reset and make me realize I can do the hard stuff when it comes back to ball. Learn and grow from the setbacks, the losses and the slumps ... always remember that these things are temporary.”

What four people — dead or alive — would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions? “Derek Jeter to ask ‘do you have specific things you did to stay so humble and grounded all those years playing? How did you block out all the ‘noise’ and people who did not see your value?’ Yadier Molina to ask him for some tips for me as a young catcher? My future self (Tanner Morris) ... to ask if he was happy and still playing the game he loves? And my dad, Jamie, to ask if I made him proud? And thank him for joining me on every adventure over all these years.”

Name: LHP Ethan Reason

Teams: Toronto Mets/Team Royal.

Committed to: Uncommitted

Who is the most influential person in your baseball life and why? “The most influential person in my is my friend Nate Rowan because we have played ball together our whole lives and there is always a battle between us and always hoping for the best things for our baseball career.”

Your greatest day on the ball field? “My start at Lakepoint, Ga. when I threw a complete game, one-hitter against Boston Prime. The lone hit should have been an out. But I had a blast pitching and it was a really fun day.”

Your favourite player and why? “My favourite player is Kevin Pillar because when he used to play for the Blue Jays back in the day, I would always watch him wanting to be him and seeing his diving plays made him become my favourite player.”

If not a pro player, what’s the next job you’d want to have when you grow up? “A micro biologist because I think what they do is pretty cool and it looks really fun to do.”

What’s the most important life rule/thing you’ve learned playing ball? “The most important rule that I have learned is to forget what just happened and move on, to shake it off and get it right the next time.”

What four people — dead or alive — would you invite to a mythical diner to ask them questions: “Dr. Pepper, Kevin Pillar, (singer-songwriter) Mac Miller and my dad, also named Jeremy.”

Name: C-INF Rhys Whiteford

Hometown: Duncan, BC

Team: Okotoks Dawgs Academy

Committed to: Div. 1 Xavier University.

The most influential person in my life: “My grandma, Dinah, and my grandpa, Don, because they push me the most to play my hardest and have always taught me that you never know who’s watching at all times. Since my grandma’s passing, I’ve always had something to play for and it’s her name. The other most influential person is my mother, Erin. She’s the one that got me playing and is the person that always wants to see me succeed in anything I do.”

My greatest day on the ball field “Playing against the Dodgers Dominican Summer League team with the Junior National Team. I threw out five guys from behind the plate at second and had a base hit as well.”

My favourite players: “Munetaka Murakami. Everyone underestimated him saying he wasn’t going to do well and through the first few months of his rookie campaign being the favourite for rookie of the year, and Cam Schlittler. Cam doesn’t care who he’s facing he knows he has the stuff to beat anyone in the league.”

If I wasn’t playing ball: “I’d either like to be a teacher or a coach because I feel like it’s something I’d be really good at.”

The best thing I’ve learned from playing baseball: “No matter how tall you are, what your build is, or any of the above, if you have the skillset, you get a shot to go as far as you possibly can.”

Four people I’d love to have dinner with: “Barry Bonds. I’d like to talk ball with him when he was at his best, Tiger Woods being [on] top of the world for that long and not folding under pressure and keeping his composure at all times, Denzel Washington I feel like he is one of the most influential people in the world, and Will Ferrell. I always have loved his movies and think he is one of the funniest people ever.”

* * *

(We have emailed about 20 players at the Canadian Futures Showcase ...(after emailing their parents first) but apparently not many people read their emails. Check your email and answer away ... if you have time. We have the room. Thanks.)

September 23, 2026

Official Baseball Ontario News Release

The Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) is excited to announce Charles Bolden as a featured speaker for the 2027 OBA Best Ever Coaches Clinic, taking place January 15–17, 2027.

One of the game's rising leaders in player development, Bolden brings an impressive resume spanning collegiate baseball, professional baseball and USA Baseball. He currently serves as an assistant coach with Team Red at USA Baseball's prestigious 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he helps identify and develop many of the top young players in the United States.

Most recently, Bolden was the recruiting coordinator and baserunning coordinator at Georgetown University, following a successful stint in the Baltimore Orioles organization as a minor league fundamentals coach. His expertise in baserunning, outfield play, recruiting and athlete development has made him one of the sport's most respected young instructors.

"Charles has quickly established himself as one of the brightest coaching minds in baseball," said the Ontario Baseball Association. "His experience at the NCAA, professional and national team levels will provide tremendous value to coaches across Ontario."

Bolden's coaching career also includes serving as head coach at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, along with collegiate coaching roles at Illinois Tech and Chicago State University. He additionally founded the Midwest Havoc travel baseball organization, helping more than 30 athletes advance to collegiate baseball.

The 2027 OBA Best Ever Coaches Clinic will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers from across amateur and professional baseball, with additional presenters to be announced in the coming weeks.

Registration is now open through the Ontario Baseball Association.

September 26, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans defeated the Evansville Otters 4-0 in Game 4 of the 2026 Frontier League Finals to be crowned champions for the first time in franchise history.

Ky Hampton led the charge, retiring the first 16 batters he faced. He tossed eight scoreless frames, allowed just three hits, and struck out seven, earning himself Frontier League Playoff MVP honours.

Through 15 innings pitched in the playoffs, Hampton allowed just one earned run on nine hits, walking one, and striking out twelve.

Jackie Urbaez got the party started, launching a 375-foot solo shot to give the Titans a 1-0 first-inning lead. Myles Smith singled and stole second, then scored on an AJ Wright double.

In the fourth, Jake Steels doubled to left, and Urbaez picked up his second RBI of the day with a single to centre, extending the lead to 3-0.

The Otters looked like they had something cooking as Mark Black broke up the perfect game bid in the sixth and advanced to second, putting a runner in scoring position with two outs. Zac Vooletich singled, and as Black attempted to score, Myles Smith fired a frozen rope to nail him at the plate and preserve the shutout.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Titans added insurance on a sac fly from Rainer Nuñez to put the game out of reach.

Eric Pardinho closed out the game, retiring the side in order, as the Titans stormed the field in celebration.

AJ Wright went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Urbaez went 2-for-4 with an RBI. The veteran duo shined in what could be their final game together, achieving their goal and bringing a championship to the Nation's Capital.

As the Frontier League rebrands to the National Association of Professional Baseball for next season, the 2027 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

September 27, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Lopez to finish with most hits in MLB

At the start of the season, no one would’ve predicted that Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez would lead the major leagues in hits.

But heading into the Marlins’ last game of the season today, Lopez is all but guaranteed to do so.

He has 191 hits, which gives him six more than Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez, who has been sidelined since Thursday with a sprained left ankle and is unlikely to play today.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is third with 181 hits.

On top of his impressive hit total, Lopez owns a .305 batting average which ranks third in the National League and he is tied for third in the NL with nine triples. His 6.0 bWAR (Baseball Reference WAR) is also fifth among NL position players.

Lopez spent part of his youth in Montreal and has played for Canada in the last two World Baseball Classics.

Soroka to start for D-Backs with season on the line

The Arizona Diamondbacks head into their final regular season game today trailing the Phillies by one game for the third National League Wild Card spot. If they can beat the Padres and the Phillies lose to the Tampa Bay Rays, the D-Backs will claim the Wild Card spot. The two teams went 3-3 against each other this year, but the D-backs have a better intra-divisional record, which is the second tie-breaker.

With their season on the line, the Diamondbacks will hand the ball to right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.).

On Tuesday, in his most recent start, Soroka allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out nine, in seven innings to pick up the win against the Colorado Rockies. That win was Soroka’s ninth of the season, which equals Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) for the most by a Canadian pitcher in the majors this season.

In total in 2026, Soroka owns a 9-5 record and a 3.31 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) and has fanned 110 batters in 111 1/3 innings.

This season represents the 29-year-old Calgary Redbirds and Junior National Team grad’s seventh in the majors.

Pivetta provides Padres with late season spark

On Thursday, Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) hurled 4 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out seven batters against the Los Angeles Dodgers to help his club to a 4-2 win.

In the process, the Padres clinched a postseason berth (Wild Card) for the fifth time in their last seven seasons.

The 6-foot-5 Pivetta is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, with 19 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings, in four starts since being activated from the 60-day injured list on September 7. He had been sidelined with right elbow inflammation.

Pivetta will likely start Game 2 of the Padres’ Wild Card series against the Chicago Cubs.

In total, in eight starts this season, the Victoria Eagles and Junior National Team alum is 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA. He has 42 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.

Naylor steals 30th base

Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) stole second base in the bottom of the eighth inning in the M’s 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels last night. That was the Canadian slugger’s 30th stolen base of the season. According to the Mariners, that makes Naylor the first, first baseman to have back-to-back 30-stolen base seasons since George Sisler did it for three straight campaigns with the St. Louis Browns from 1920 to 1922.

Overall, Naylor has batted .261 with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs in 151 games for the Mariners this season, his eighth in the majors.

Anniversary of almost no-hitter by Halladay (I was there)

I’ve never witnessed a no-hitter in person, but the closest I came was 28 years ago today at SkyDome when I was seated down the right field line to watch Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay carry a no-hitter into the top of the ninth inning in his second big league start. He had two outs when Detroit Tigers pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson belted a solo home run and Halladay had to settle for a complete-game one-hitter in the Blue Jays’ 2-1 win.

Harris made MLB debut 69 years ago

Sixty-nine years ago today, right-hander Billy Harris (Duguayville, N.B.) made his big league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

With the legendary Roy Campanella as his battery mate, Harris allowed three runs on nine hits, while striking out three, in seven innings but suffered a tough-luck 3-2 loss to the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. The Canadian right-hander was relieved by Sandy Koufax in the eighth inning.

Harris also recorded his only major league hit that day when he singled to centre field off Phillies right-hander Jack Sanford in the fifth inning.

Tong ends season on a high note

Right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) started and allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out nine, in five innings to lead the New York Mets to a 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

It was a positive way to conclude the season for the 23-year-old right-hander.

After being recalled by the Mets on September 7, Tong posted a 3.92 ERA and fanned 26 batters in 20 2/3 innings in four starts.

He was called up after a strong August with the triple-A Syracuse Mets in which he recorded a 2.39 ERA in five starts and held opponents to a .170 batting average. In total, the Toronto Mets alum went 5-6 with a 4.54 ERA in 23 triple-A starts this season.

Tong also made three starts for the big league Mets earlier this season.

He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2025, registering a 7.71 ERA in five starts.

Carter doubled in final MLB at bat 34 years ago

Thirty-four years ago today, Montreal Expos catcher Gary Carter doubled in his final MLB at bat.

It came in the seventh inning with two outs off Chicago Cubs right-hander Mike Morgan with Expos outfielder Larry Walker on first base after a walk.

Carter drove the ball deep to right field and it just eluded the reach of Cubs right fielder and ex-Carter teammate Andre Dawson.

Walker scored to account for the only run of the game in the Expos’ 1-0 win.

Carter received a prolonged standing ovation from the 41,802 fans at Olympic Stadium.

Hicks to be first Canadian to play for Rays in postseason

The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the postseason for the 10th time, but this will be the first year they will have a Canadian on their October roster.

The Rays, who own a 98-63 record heading into today’s final game, acquired catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) from the Marlins on August 3, and Hicks has been a key part of their offence ever since. In 40 games with the Rays, he owns a .281/.376/.421 slash line and has four home runs and 20 RBIs. And he had already been enjoying a breakout campaign with the Marlins.

In total, the Toronto Mets alum has batted .282 with 18 home runs and 82 RBIs in 141 regular season games in 2026. He is also poised to finish the season as one of a select group of MLB hitters with more walks (56) than strikeouts (55).

Raines made history 43 years ago

On this date 43 years ago, Tim Raines went 3-for-4 and had four RBIs in the Expos’ 10-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

His four RBIs gave him 71 on the season, making him the first major league player since Ty Cobb with the Detroit Tigers in 1915 to record 70 stolen bases and 70 RBIs in the same season.

Wilkinson strong in final start for Giants

San Francisco Giants left-hander Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) allowed one run on one hit in three innings to the Dodgers in his final start of the season on Saturday. He struck out two batters and threw 21 of his 37 pitches for strikes.

Wilkinson concluded the campaign by permitting just one run in 13 innings over his last four outings. This lowered his ERA to 3.58 in eight total MLB appearances (six starts).

Nicknamed Tugboat, the young lefty collected his first big league win on September 9 when he pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the Giants’ 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

Prior to being called up in August, the 23-year-old Canadian went 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 10 starts for the Giants’ triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

On May 9, the Cleveland Guardians traded Wilkinson, along with the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft, to the Giants for catcher Patrick Bailey.

34 years ago today, Morris became Jays’ first 20-game winner

It was 34 years ago today that Jack Morris registered his 20th win of the 1992 season for the Blue Jays to become the first 20-game winner in franchise history.

Morris allowed just three hits in six scoreless innings in the Blue Jays’ 12-2 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

September 25, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - Returning home, the Ottawa Titans kept things rolling in Game 3, grinding out an 8-6 win over the Evansville Otters on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Frontier League Championship Series.

The City of Ottawa showed up, setting a new MLB Partner League Playoff record with 10,303 fans in attendance.

Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) found himself in a jam in the second. A single from Logan Brown and a double from LG Castillo put both into scoring position with no outs. Sam Linscott reached on an error, scoring one, while a failed pickoff at first later in the inning led to another run to make it 2-0 for the Otters.

The Titans got those runs back and more in the bottom of the second against right-hander Anthony Tomczak. AJ Wright and Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) each earned a free pass to open the inning. Hunter Stokely got the party started with a line drive to right field to get the home side on the board.

A walk loaded the bases later on, and Mitsuki Fukuda took a scary one off the helmet. A run scored on the hit-by-pitch to tie it. Jake Steels knocked one in on a fielder's choice to take a 3-2 lead.

The Otters took back the lead in the third, bringing in two to make it 4-3, but the Titans stayed in it, putting up a four-run third.

Taylor Wright drove one in on an RBI single to tie it at four. Stokely doubled to give the Titans the lead for good, and Michael Fuhrman got the crowd on their feet, smacking a two-run triple to make it 7-4.

The Otters made it a two-run game in the fifth, but Stokely stayed hot, knocking in his third run of the day with a single to make it 8-5 in the bottom of the frame.

Grills allowed one more in the sixth before his day ended. He tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on 11 hits, while striking out six. Grills left in line for the victory.

The Titans’ bullpen permitted just two hits through 3 2/3 innings of work. Ted Stuka came in with a runner on and stopped the bleeding by getting the final two outs in the sixth.

Brett Garcia was lights out, going a season-high three innings. He allowed just one hit, walked two, while striking out a massive seven batters.

Michael Fuhrman went 1-for-3 with an RBI triple; Taylor Wright went 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs, and two stolen bases. Hunter Stokely had himself a night, going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in.

With the win, the Titans are now one win away from their first title in franchise history.

The Titans continue the 2026 playoffs, attempting to close out the series with Game 4 of the Frontier League best-of-five Championship Series against the Otters on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium. If necessary, Game 5 is Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

September 25, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - The Ottawa Titans Baseball Club set a new MLB Partner League single-game playoff attendance record on Friday, selling out Game 3 of the 2026 Frontier League Championship Series with 10,303 tickets sold.

The record-setting crowd surpasses the previous playoff attendance mark by more than 2,000 fans, set by the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League at 8,143 fans on September 21, 2018, establishing a new standard for postseason attendance.

It also marks the largest playoff crowd for an MLB Partner League game in Canada, passing 8,414 in Winnipeg for Game 3 of the 1994 Northern League Finals.

The historic night comes just months after the Titans set the Frontier League’s all-time single-game regular-season attendance record, welcoming 10,278 fans to Ottawa Stadium for the 2026 Home Opener on May 8.

“Tonight is another incredible milestone for the Ottawa Titans, the Frontier League and baseball in this community,” said Martin Boyce, general manager of the Ottawa Titans. “Our fans continue to show just how special baseball is and how strong it is in Ottawa-Gatineau.”

The record crowd has packed Ottawa Stadium with energy as the Titans continue their postseason run, with the club looking for its first title in franchise history.

The Titans entered Game 3 with the best-of-five series tied at one apiece – with the two teams splitting the opening games at Historic Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana earlier this week.

Tonight’s record crowd marks another milestone in a historic fifth season for the Titans, who finished the 2026 regular season with a franchise-record 57 wins and have continued to build on record-setting attendance growth throughout the campaign.

“This is what #FullSwing looks like,” added Boyce. “Our players, our staff, and most importantly, our fans have brought this place to life all season long. Ottawa Stadium is full of energy tonight, and we’re incredibly proud to share this moment with our community.”

The Ottawa Titans thank the 10,303 fans who helped make MLB Partner League history tonight and continue to support professional baseball in Canada’s Capital.

“We congratulate the Ottawa Titans on yet another attendance record,” outlined Steve Tahsler, Frontier League commissioner. “Starting with the Opening Day sellout, the Ottawa/Gatineau community has shown amazing support for the Titans and the Frontier League all season. It is appropriate that our 2026 season ends this weekend in such a passionate and engaged community.”

The Titans continue the 2026 Playoffs, remaining at home for Game 4 of the Frontier League best-of-five Championship Series against the Otters on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium. If necessary, Game 5 is Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

The highest-paid Canadian from 2026 — Toronto Mets INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.)

September 23, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Both the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves leap-frogged the Baltimore Orioles to become the highest spenders on Canadian talent working their way into major-league systems.

The Padres are back to top spot -- like in 2022 having spent $10,384,843 on Canucks. The Braves are next at $9,798,300, followed by the Orioles, who have spent $9,391,800.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ($7,391,300) and the Pittsburgh Pirates ($7,391,300) round out the top five.

In all, the 30 teams -- 31 if we count the Montreal Expos and we do -- have spent $131,942,981. (We don’t tally signing bonuses of $5,000 or $15,000 amounts only six-figure bonuses.)

The Padres, who employed scouts Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.), Chris Kemlo (Oshawa, Ont.) and scouts south of the border, have signed members of the Junior National Team over the years ...

Former first-rounder Kevin Nicholson (Surrey, BC)

_ First-round SS Kevin Nicholson (Surrey, BC) from Stetson and the Whalley Chiefs in 1997.

_ 20th rounder C George Kottaras (Markham,Ont.) Connors State and Ontario Blue Jays in 2002,

_ Fourth rounder INF Chris Bisson Orleans (Ont.) from Kentucky and the Ottawa-Nepean Canadians in 2010.

_ First-rounder RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) Stanford and the Terriers in 2016.

_ 14th rounder LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) Cloud County and the Prospects Baseball Academy in 2018.

_ Fourth rounder RHP Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) of Niagara University and Kingston Thunder in 2019.

_ Second round selection OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) of the FieldHouse Pirates in 2020.

_ Free agent RHP Brandon Langley (New Glasgow, PEI) from Western Carolina University in 2025.

_ Second round selection INF Elliot Lascelles (Toronto, Ont.) of the Toronto Mets this year.

RHP AJ Rogers (Dartmouth, NS) of the Okotoks Dawgs signed with the Padrees scout Chris Kemlo.

_ Undrafted free agent RHP AJ Rogers (Dartmouth, NS) from the Okotoks Dawgs and Dartmouth Juniors this summer.

_ And finally free-agent RHP Jack Pineau (Thunder Bay, Ont.) from Creighton University.

The Braves, run by Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.) drafted and signed the top Canuck in 2026 first-rounder OF Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.) who signed for $2,684,100.

The biggest movers were the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays who each moved up seven spots.

The Yankees went from 17th last year to 10th, after signing second rounder LHP Sean Duncan (Port Coquitlam, BC) of the Langley Blaze.

The Rangers moved from 11th from to 18th after drafting and signing SS Connor Comeau from the Austin, Tex. suburbs. And the Rays moved 19th to 12th after inking INF Taj Marchand, son of former Toronto Maple Leafs draft Hugo Marchand (Montreal, Que.).

Canada’s team -- at least for advertising purposes forgetting about the Mariners fans in BC, the Tigers fans in Southwestern Ontario and the Red Sox fans in the Atlantic provinces -- did not draft anyone and remain eighth.

The San Francisco Giants have spent the least.

Canadian Players that have received Six-Digit Signing Bonuses

Team Ranks for Canadian MLB Signing Bonuses

September 25, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Twenty-three years ago today, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado became the 15th player in major league history to belt four home runs in a game.

His performance propelled the Blue Jays to a 10-8 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in front of 13,408 fans on a Thursday night at SkyDome.

“Greatest feat I’ve ever seen on a baseball field,” Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca told the Toronto Star about Delgado’s performance after the game.

Delgado remains the only player in major league history to belt four home runs in a game in four plate appearances (the others had at least five plate appearances).

“Sore throat, runny nose, really bad headache,” Delgado told Shi Davidi for his excellent 2016 book, The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the Toronto Blue Jays, about how he felt before his historic power display.

After a couple of rounds of batting practice, Delgado laid on the trainer’s table and told the trainer to wake him up at 6:50 p.m. – 10 minutes before game time. When he woke up, Delgado felt ready to play.

And boy was he.

Facing Rays starter Jorge Sosa in the first inning, Delgado belted a three-run home run that travelled 435-feet off Windows restaurant in centre field. This was also the slugger’s 300th big league round-tripper.

He followed that up with a solo shot off Sosa to right field in the third inning.

Then, with the Rays clinging to 6-5 lead in the sixth, manager Lou Piniella didn’t want Sosa to face Delgado again, so he brought in left-hander Joe Kennedy. It seemed like a logical move. After all, Delgado was just 5-for-36 against the southpaw. But on this day, Delgado couldn’t be stopped. He socked a waist-high curveball from Kennedy into the seats in right-centre field to tie the game.

The Rays, however, would retake the lead and two innings later, Delgado came to the plate with the bases empty with the Blue Jays trailing 8-7. The Rays had summoned closer Lance Carter into the game, but it didn’t matter. Delgado promptly clubbed his fourth home run off Windows restaurant in centre field.

After he hit it, Delgado tossed his bat away before rounding the bases.

“I was pretty fired up. I’m not going to lie to you,” Delgado told the National Post after the game. “You could tell by the bat flip. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was on cloud nine out there.”

So, it seemed was everyone at SkyDome that day. The fans gave Delgado a standing ovation and he made a curtain call from the Blue Jays’ dugout.

Even Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi marveled at Delgado’s performance.

“I’m like everyone else, watching in amazement, seeing something we’ll probably never see again,” Ricciardi told the Toronto Star.

And Ricciardi has been right so far.

No Blue Jays player has hit four home runs in a game since, and just six more major leaguers – Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers, May 8, 2012), Scooter Gennett (Cincinnati Reds, June 6, 2017), J.D. Martinez (Arizona Diamondbacks, September 4, 2017), Eugenio Suárez (Diamondbacks, April 26, 2025), Nick Kurtz (A's, July 25, 2025) and Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies, Aug. 28, 2025) – have done it.

To put into perspective how remarkable and rare a four-home run game is: just 21 players in the history of Major League Baseball have hit four home runs in a single contest. There have been 24 perfect games thrown.

“You can’t predict it,” Delgado told the Toronto Star after his four-homer game. “I felt pretty crappy before the game and it’s definitely the best day in my baseball career. I can’t believe it happened.”

September 24, 2026

Official Regina Red Sox News Release

Regina, Sask. — The Regina Red Sox announced on Thursday that longtime general manager and founding member Gary Brotzel is retiring from his leadership role with the organization after more than two decades of service, dating back to the rebirth of the Red Sox in 2005.

Taking over as general manager for the 2027 season will be Mitch MacDonald, who transitions from assistant general manager into the role. MacDonald enters his 13th season with the Red Sox as either a player, coach or member of management and is one of the most accomplished alumni in WCBL history.

Brotzel played a pivotal role in bringing baseball back to Regina at the Western Canadian Baseball League level, raising the necessary finances and building a community-owned, not-for-profit organization that took the field in 2005.

Since the organization’s return in 2005, Brotzel has served as president or GM, and has been instrumental in building the Red Sox both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the Red Sox captured WCBL championships in 2011, 2012 and 2025.

Brotzel’s contributions to baseball and the community have been recognized throughout Saskatchewan. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 as a Builder and the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. He was also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for his volunteerism and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for his community service. Prior to founding the Red Sox, Brotzel coached the Regina White Sox AAA program from 1995 through 2003.

“It is difficult to put into words what the Red Sox and the baseball community in Regina have meant to me over the past 20-plus years,” said Brotzel. “When we brought the Red Sox back in 2005, we wanted to build something that belonged to the community, and I am incredibly proud of what this organization has become. The championships, the players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and, most importantly, the people who supported us along the way have made this journey incredibly special.

“I was thrilled to see the Red Sox transition to private ownership with Queen City Sports and Entertainment in 2025. It was important to me that the organization had a strong future, and I know the Sox are in very good hands with Mitch MacDonald, Gordon Pritchard and Brandt Sports & Entertainment. The Red Sox will continue to be leaders in the community, and I am excited to watch the organization continue to grow.”

“First and foremost, we want to thank Gary for everything he has done to build the Red Sox into the organization it is today. His vision, commitment and passion for baseball in Regina have left an incredible legacy,” said Red Sox CEO Gordon Pritchard. “More than 20 years ago, Gary was one of the people who had the vision and determination to bring the Red Sox back to Regina, and then dedicated an incredible amount of his time and energy to building the organization into what it is today.

“Gary’s impact goes well beyond wins, championships or what happened on the field. He helped create an organization that has provided opportunities and lasting memories for generations of players, coaches, volunteers and fans, while becoming an important part of Regina’s baseball community. Just as importantly, he has always understood that the Red Sox are a community organization and that we have a responsibility to contribute to the city and the people who support us.

“On behalf of our ownership group and everyone associated with the Red Sox, I want to sincerely thank Gary for his leadership, his commitment and everything he has given to this organization and to baseball in Regina. We are incredibly fortunate to inherit what Gary and so many others built over the past two decades, and we look forward to carrying that legacy forward.”

MacDonald first joined the Red Sox as an 18-year-old player in 2006. Following a stint in professional baseball with the Miami Marlins organization, he returned to Regina in 2009 and played with the Red Sox through 2012. He remains the only player in WCBL history to win the Triple Crown. He was also a three-time WCBL champion with Regina in 2011, 2012 and 2025.

MacDonald later transitioned into coaching and management, serving as an assistant coach in 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2022 before becoming the Red Sox manager from 2016 through 2018. He most recently served as assistant general manager, continuing to play an integral role in the organization’s baseball operations.

“Mitch has been a part of the Red Sox family for nearly two decades, and there are very few people who understand this organization and the game of baseball at the level he does,” said Red Sox CEO Gordon Pritchard.

“Mitch is one of the smartest baseball minds in our community. He understands the game from every angle, from being a player and coach to now working in management, and he also brings an analytical approach to our baseball operations. He is the perfect person to lead our baseball department going forward, and we are excited to see what he can accomplish as general manager.”

MacDonald will oversee baseball operations as the Red Sox prepare for the 2027 WCBL season, continuing the organization’s commitment to developing players, competing for championships and maintaining a strong presence in the Regina community.

The Red Sox organization extends its deepest gratitude to Gary Brotzel for more than 20 years of leadership, service and dedication to baseball in Regina and looks forward to celebrating his legacy as the organization enters its next chapter.

September 23, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Evansville, Indiana- The Ottawa Titans bounced back in a big way in Game 2, thumping the Evansville Otters 11-1 on Wednesday night, evening the Frontier League Championship Series at a game apiece.

Three batters into the first inning, the Titans got to right-hander Colby Morse to take the lead. Jake Steels led off with a double, scoring on a Jackie Urbaez extra-base hit. Myles Smith added an RBI single, while Caleb Burr drove in his first of six on the night with a double. After a half inning, the Titans were up 3-0.

Making his second start of the postseason, Alfredo Villa once again shined, giving the Titans seven innings of one-run ball, striking out six. The lone damage for the Otters came on a second-inning solo homer from Blake Robertson.

Needing insurance, the Titans loaded the bases against Morse with one out in the fifth. In a 2-0 count, Burr demolished a grand slam to blow the game open at 7-1. As the Otters made a pitching change, left-hander Dylan Zentko served up a solo homer to Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.), making it 8-1.

For Villa, the veteran was in cruise control after allowing the homer in the second - at one point retiring 13 in a row to get the win.

In the later innings, the offence added three more runs to cross double digits for the first time in the playoffs. Smith brought in one with a ground out in the eighth, while a single from Burr and a sac fly from Steels in the ninth put the contest to bed.

Out of the bullpen, Ted Stuka and Michael Vilchez combined for two scoreless innings to lock down the victory.

Burr posted three hits, with a double, homer, and a postseason franchise-record six RBIs. Urbaez also had three hits. Smith and Taylor Wright each had two hits in the win.

The Titans continue the 2026 playoffs, coming home for Game 3 of the Frontier League best-of-five Championship Series against the Otters on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium. Game 4 is also in Ottawa on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium. If necessary, Game 5 is Sunday.

September 23, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

WELLAND - The Welland Jackfish have gone back-to-back.

Thanks to some timely hitting and a gem of a performance on the mound by Teodoro Ortega, the Jackfish secured its second-straight Dominico Cup with a 4-2 victory and a four-game sweep of the Hamilton Cardinals at Welland Stadium Wednesday night.

Welland trailed 2-0 after Hamilton scored twice in the third inning, but they answered immediately and never looked back.

Gianfranco Morello got the comeback started in the bottom of the third, reaching on a single then advancing to second. Jonah Weisner then drove him in with a single to left, cutting Hamilton's lead to 2-1.

The Jackfish took control in the fourth.

Justin Gideon and James Smibert reached base before Morello delivered again, lining a two-run double to left field to put Welland ahead 3-2.

Ethan Mann provided some insurance in the eighth inning, launching a solo home run to left field to give the Jackfish a two-run cushion heading into the final frame.

Ortega did the rest.

The Welland starter worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out six and walking two. After Hamilton's two-run third, Ortega settled in and kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard.

Erik Johnson took over in the seventh and slammed the door, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out four to earn the save.

Welland finished with 11 hits, led by Gideon, who went 3-for-4. Weisner and Robert Mullen each collected two hits, while Morello finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Morello also reached base twice and scored the go-ahead run in the fourth.

Hamilton was led by Trevor Nicoll, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Evan Magill and Reyny Reyes also had doubles for the Cardinals.

Hamilton starter Hector Yan went seven innings, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out eight. Steven Hospital surrendered Mann's home run in the eighth.

The Jackfish, who finished the regular season in third place, put an exclamation mark on winning its second-straight Dominico Cup title by sweeping the Cardinals, who took home the regular season pennant, in four games.

September 23, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes from the past few days:

Smith records 40th save of the season for Guardians

Right-hander Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday to secure a 3-2 win for the Cleveland Guardians and collect his 40th save of the season.

With this, Smith has become the first Canadian since John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011 to notch 40 saves in a season. Axford had 46 that year.

Overall, Smith is the third Canadian to record 40 saves in an MLB season. Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) did it three times with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2002 to 2004.

The 6-foot-5 Smith is enjoying an outstanding first full season as the Guardians closer. In 67 appearances, he is 6-1 with a 1.99 ERA and has 104 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings.

Hartman named Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America

On Monday, Baseball America named outfield prospect Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.) the Atlanta Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year.

The 20-year-old Albertan put together a .249/.350/.456 slash line and had 26 home runs and 56 stolen bases in 128 games between the High-A Rome Emperors and double-A Columbus Clingstones.

“He is the Braves’ most exciting position prospect since Michael Harris II and perhaps their most dynamic one since Ronald Acuña Jr. topped the Top 100 nine years ago,” wrote Baseball America’s Gabe Burns about Hartman.

Selected in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft by the Braves, Hartman is proving to be the steal of that draft.

On Canada Day this year, the Okotoks Dawgs alum belted his 20th home run of the season to become the first player in the history of the High-A Emperors to club 20 homers and steal 30 bases in the same season. And he did it in just 71 games.

The 2026 campaign represented Hartman’s second in pro ball. In 2025, he batted .240 with five home runs and 48 stolen bases in 90 games between the FCL Braves and the class-A Augusta Green Jackets.

Tugboat dominates Dodgers

Left-hander Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) started and threw five scoreless innings against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. The rookie southpaw allowed just three hits and struck out six without walking a batter.

The Dodgers eventually won the game 3-1.

With that performance, Wilkinson has now tossed 10 scoreless innings in his last three outings with the Giants and has lowered his ERA to 3.65 in seven MLB appearances (five starts).

Nicknamed Tugboat, the young lefty collected his first big league win on September 9 when he pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the Giants’ 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Prior to being called up in August, the 23-year-old Canadian went 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 10 starts for the Giants’ triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

On May 9, the Guardians traded Wilkinson, along with the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft, to the Giants for catcher Patrick Bailey.

In total, in parts of four minor league seasons, the Okotoks Dawgs grad owns an 18-21 record and a 3.10 ERA in 70 appearances (69 starts).

Quantrill placed on IL

On Sunday, the Texas Rangers placed right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain.

The veteran righty was removed from his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday after recording just four outs.

Quantrill’s injury is a big blow to the Rangers’ postseason hopes. The 31-year-old Canuck had recorded a career-high six consecutive quality starts prior to Saturday’s contest and had posted a 1.75 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) since July 28. During that span, that was the second-lowest (qualified) ERA in the majors to New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler (1.64).

Overall, it has been an outstanding comeback campaign for the Ontario Terriers and Junior National Team grad. He owns a 9-5 record and a 2.86 ERA in 32 appearances (15 starts) for the Rangers.

Roche part of first WPBL championship team

Right-hander pitcher/outfielder Michelle Roche (Burnaby, B.C.) became part of the first Women’s Professional Baseball League championship-winning squad when the Los Angeles Queens defeated the San Francisco Firebells 2-0 on the Wednesday night to claim the league title.

A Women’s National Team member, Roche has been a key contributor to the Queens all season. On the mound, she topped the team in wins (3) and was second in innings pitched (21 2/3) during the regular season.

At the plate, she was 6-for-17, good for a .353 batting average.

She added another win in the postseason.

Roche emerged victorious in the first WPBL final over the Firebells whose roster includes fellow Women’s National Team member Andréanne Leblanc (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.). Leblanc, who plays first base, was outstanding in the postseason, going 11-for-23 (.478 batting average) with a home run and eight RBIs in seven games.

Right-hander Ela Day-Bédard (Gatineau, Que.) and left-hander Liz Gilder (Port Moody, B.C.) also starred for the Firebells, posting 1.24 and 3.65 ERAs in the postseason respectively.

During the 15-game regular season, the Firebells finished atop the standings in the four-team league with a 10-5 record. The Queens were second at 8-7.

September 22, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Evansville, Indiana - Starting the Frontier League Championship Series on the road, the offence managed just three hits, as the Ottawa Titans were blanked 6-0 by the Evansville Otters on Tuesday night - dropping Game 1.

Making his second start of the playoffs, Eric Pardinho served up a two-strike, two-out solo homer off the bat of Dennis Pierce, as the Otters went up 1-0 in the opening inning. It marked the first time the Titans trailed since Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

Otters right-hander Garret Simpson mowed through the Titans' order, pitching around a first-inning walk. Hunter Stokely doubled in the second, Jackie Urbaez bunted for a hit in the third and AJ Wright singled in the fourth. In total, Simpson saw just five base runners get on over seven scoreless frames.

After getting out of trouble in the second, Pardinho kept the Titans in it - at one point retiring 10 in a row.

In the sixth, Urbaez was plunked to open the inning, marking the first time in the game in which the Titans got the leadoff man on. At third with two outs, Simpson got AJ Wright to fly out to right to end the threat.

The Otters tacked on a pair of runs on four hits, knocking Pardinho out of the game after six. The Titans right-hander went six quality innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one, hitting one and striking out nine.

Pitching for the first time in the postseason, Yohanse Morel got the first two outs in the seventh inning before things came crashing down. The Otters added three, blowing it open to 6-0.

After seven scoreless frames from Simpson, right-hander Alex Valdez fired two clean innings to close out the game.

Urbaez and AJ Wright were the only hitters to reach base twice, as the Titans were held off the board in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The Titans continue the 2026 playoffs, playing Game 2 of the Frontier League best-of-five Championship Series against the Evansville Otters on Wednesday night at a time 7:35 p.m. E.T. at Bosse Field in Evansville, Indiana. Game 3 is in Ottawa on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium. If necessary, Game 4 is Saturday, and Game 5 is Sunday.

September 21, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

HAMILTON – Welland is one win from a Dominico Cup title.

The Jackfish’s 7-5 victory in Hamilton on Sunday gave the defending champions a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is in Welland on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Down 5-4 after six innings – its first time trailing in the series – Welland scored three runs in the top of the seventh to pull ahead for good.

Daiki Abe, who had an RBI single in the second inning, tripled home a pair of runs in the seventh. Jonah Weisner’s RBI single in the seventh was his third hit of the game.

Gianfranco Morello went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, James Smibert doubled home a run to open the scoring, and Justin Gideon added a sacrifice fly.

Pedro De Los Santos struck out three in 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. He entered the game with one out in the sixth after Abdiel Saldana allowed five runs on 10 hits with a walk and three punchouts.

Deivy Mendez struck out one in the ninth for his second playoff save.

For Hamilton, Angel Guerrero went 4-for-4 with three RBI singles. Trevor Nicoll went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Evan Magill drove in a run.

Owen Boon was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs (five earned) on seven hits over six innings. He fanned four without walking a batter.

(1) HAMILTON vs. (3) WELLAND

Welland leads best-of-seven series 3-0

Game 1: Welland 6, Hamilton 1

Game 2: Welland 6, Hamilton 2

Game 3: Welland 7, Hamilton 5

Game 4: Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 5: Friday, Sept. 25 at Hamilton, 7:35 p.m.

*Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 26 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 27 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.

*If necessary

September 22, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Outfielder Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.) closed out his season with the triple-A Iowa Cubs in style.

In four games this past week, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound outfielder went 5-for-12 (.417 batting average) with two doubles and two stolen bases.

For his efforts, he has been named the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Player of the Week (September 15 to September 20).

After registering an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the Cubs’ 3-2 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers on Thursday, Nwogu had a single in three at bats in the first game of a doubleheader the following day. He fared even better in the second half of the doubleheader when he went 2-for-4 with two runs, a double, an RBI and a stolen in the Cubs’ 10-2 win.

However, he would save his best for last - going 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base in the Cubs’ 14-3 loss to the Storm Chasers on Sunday.

The 27-year-old outfielder’s hot hitting boosted his batting average to .284 in 32 games in triple-A in 2026. He also had three home runs and 20 RBIs.

A Michigan Wolverines alum, Nwogu was selected in the third round (88th overall) of the 2020 MLB draft by the Cubs.

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants

June 2 to June 7 - Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.), Blue Jays

June 9 to June 14 - Tyler Boudreau (Middle Sackville, N.S.), Yankees

June 16 to June 21 - Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.), Royals

June 23 to June 28 - Tyson Moran (Wingham, Ont.), Royals

July 7 to July 12 - Tom Poole (Calgary, Alta.), Rays

July 14 to July 19 - Cedric De Grandpre (Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, Que.), Braves

July 21 to July 26 - Charles Davalan, (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), Dodgers

July 28 to Aug. 2 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays (and now Mets)

Aug. 4 to Aug. 9 - Connor Caskenette (Duncan, B.C.), Marlins

Aug. 11 to Aug. 16 - Avery Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.), Diamondbacks

Aug. 18 to Aug. 23 - Jacob Zibin (Langley, B.C.), Guardians

Aug. 25 to Aug. 30 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

September 1 to September 6 - David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.), Blue Jays

September 8 to September 13 - David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.), Blue Jays

September 15 to September 20 - Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.), Cubs

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (September 15 to September 20)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (September 15 to September 20)

September 21, 2026

By Abbey Neufeld

UBC

From the first pitch, Team New Blue knew they were working with something special.

“I think our team is going to be really solid […] everybody’s worked hard, everybody’s kind, and we all really get along,” said shortstop Will Henzi (Victoria, B.C.) following a 5-0 shutout win over Team Red to kick off the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

The team’s perfect round-robin record (4-0) took them to the showcase final on Sunday, where their fairytale run came to a close with the lifting of the championship trophy thanks to a 6-1 win over Team Royal.

Through ebbs and flows, countless momentum shifts, and 15+ hour days, New Blue worked together to achieve the common goal. Following their first matchup against Royal earlier in the tournament, pitcher Caleb Quack (Breslau, Ont.) further attested to the energy felt in the dugout, saying “we trusted in what we could do and just battled.”

After taking home the championship, head coach and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) shared his perspective on the boys’ camaraderie.

“As a coaching staff you try to bring as much positivity as you can with these young athletes,” he said. “The way they played the game was the right way; they enjoyed it, they had fun, and they were very positive with everyone so it makes our job really easy.”

What stood out most to Stairs was the team’s unyielding grit.

“They grind, they went out every inning and played their heart out,” he continued “They never took any inning off this whole tournament, which is very easy at this age.”

Stairs went on to express the pride that he and the staff felt towards this group of young men regarding the way they all showed up and their level of preparation across the board.

Showcase standout Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) also spoke to his experience following their title-clinching win. He shared his view on the opportunity stating, “A big part of this tournament is getting Canadians exposed to these scouts […] Getting to see familiar faces and so many new ones was huge.”

Agreeing with a statement from Stairs regarding the strength of this group, Henderson offered: “We won it last year with Royal but this year with New Blue, it’s not even close.”

The strong sense of brotherhood was felt by more than just a select few. Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.) was among the many players walking away with a profound sense of gratitude.

“Everyone was always up, no bad seeds or anything, everyone was just great. […] by far the most fun week of baseball I’ve had,” he said.

Though this chapter has come to an end, many of these athletes’ stories are only just getting underway as they look to continue chasing the ultimate baseball dream – a chance at the big leagues.

September 20, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

The Frontier League Championship Series is now set.

The Ottawa Titans will take on the Evansville Otters in a best-of-five series to determine the 2026 Frontier League Champion.

Championship Series Dates

At Evansville:

Game 1: Tue, Sept 22

Game 2: Wed, Sept 23

At Home:

Game 3: Fri, Sept 25 at 7:00 PM

Game 4*: Sat, Sept 26 at 7:00 PM

Game 5*: Sun, Sept 27 at 5:00 PM

*If necessary

September 21, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

With September winding down, the air is getting cooler and October baseball is just around the corner.

The 2026 regular season is slowly coming to an end across the minor leagues. While players whose teams missed the postseason are preparing for the off-season — and, potentially, pending CBA negotiations — a select group of minor leaguers will head to Arizona for another month of baseball.

The Arizona Fall League brings together six teams made up of prospects from all 30 MLB organizations. The league provides selected players with additional opportunities to develop, get at-bats and innings, and make up for time missed during the regular season, particularly because of injuries.

For Canadian baseball fans, five players from north of the border will be in Arizona this fall.

Nathan Flewelling — C

Scottsdale Scorpions / Tampa Bay Rays

Nathan Flewelling will head to the desert this October as one of the younger players in the Arizona Fall League, despite already having two years of professional experience under his belt.

The Innisfail, Alta., native was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round of the 2024 MLB Draft. This season, Flewelling suited up in 106 games for the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods, posting a .243/.364/.452 slash line with 17 doubles, 21 home runs and an .816 OPS.

His 71 walks led the Hot Rods, while he finished second on the team in home runs and RBIs. He also added eight stolen bases.

Behind the plate, Flewelling threw out 21.5 percent of attempted base stealers and finished the season with a .982 fielding percentage.

Ranked as the Rays' No. 4 prospect, Flewelling will get another opportunity to continue his development against some of the organization's top competition in Arizona.

Core Jackson — INF

Salt River Rafters / New York Yankees

Sarnia, Ont., native Core Jackson is heading to Salt River after another productive season in the New York Yankees’ organization.

The Yankees selected Jackson in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, and the infielder received a brief taste of professional baseball late that season.

In 2026, Jackson split his time between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. He spent the majority of the season with Hudson Valley, where he recorded 36 extra-base hits and 32 stolen bases while posting a .259/.369/.474 slash line and an .843 OPS.

The Great Lake Canadians grad finished the season with Somerset, appearing in 23 games and recording a .739 OPS with eight extra-base hits in 93 at-bats.

Jackson missed time this season during three separate stints on the injured list. The Fall League will give him another opportunity to get at-bats and finish his first full season in the Yankees’ organization on the field.

Calvin Ziegler — RHP

Surprise Saguaros / New York Mets

One of the more experienced Canadians heading to Arizona is right-hander Calvin Ziegler (Kitchener, Ont.).

The New York Mets selected Ziegler out of high school in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Injuries have limited the right-hander throughout his professional career, and he entered 2026 with just 53 professional innings under his belt. He also missed the entire 2025 season.

Ziegler didn't take the mound until mid-June this year as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Great Lake Canadians alum began the season with 2 1/3 innings in Rookie Ball before eventually making 17 appearances across four affiliates.

The 23-year-old finished the season with a 7.43 ERA and a 2.70 WHIP over 13 1/3 innings.

For Ziegler, however, the numbers on the stat sheet tell only part of the story. After dealing with significant injuries early in his professional career, simply remaining healthy and getting back on the mound represented an important step forward.

The Mets used Ziegler primarily as a bullpen arm this season rather than in his traditional starting role. How the organization deploys him in Arizona will be something to watch.

Dante Nori — OF

Surprise Saguaros / Philadelphia Phillies

Joining Ziegler in Surprise will be outfielder Dante Nori.

Nori was born in Toronto while his father, Micah, was a member of the Toronto Raptors' coaching staff. The Phillies selected Nori in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Entering 2026, Nori was in his third professional season after appearing in a handful of Single-A games following the draft.

The speedy outfielder dealt with a lower-body injury early in the season and battled through the issue into May and June. A stress fracture in his pelvis was eventually discovered, sidelining him for more than two months through July and into mid-August.

The injury appeared to affect Nori's production. He finished the season with a .238/.311/.347 slash line, a .658 OPS and 17 stolen bases. Those numbers were down from the .733 OPS he posted over 125 games the previous season.

Nori finished 2026 with 13 doubles, five triples and three home runs.

With the fracture now healed, the Arizona Fall League will provide Nori with additional at-bats before he heads into the offseason.

Charles Davalan — OF

Glendale Desert Dogs / Los Angeles Dodgers

After a standout season at Arkansas, Charles Davalan, who was born in Waterloo, Ont. but grew up in St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que., was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 41st pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Davalan appeared in just eight games after signing last season, making 2026 his first full professional campaign in the Dodgers organization.

The outfielder spent most of the season with the High-A Great Lakes Loons, splitting his time between left and centre field while also making several appearances as the designated hitter.

Davalan put together an impressive offensive season, hitting .292/.402/.535 with a .937 OPS over 115 games. His performance earned him Midwest League All-Star honours as well as Midwest League Most Valuable Player recognition.

He finished third in the Midwest League in batting average, slugging percentage, runs, home runs, OPS and wRC+, while leading the league with 29 doubles. He also scored 103 runs and hit 24 home runs.

Unlike several of the other Canadians headed to Arizona, the ABC grad isn't going to the Fall League to make up for significant time missed because of injury.

Instead, the Dodgers will get an opportunity to see how their prized prospect performs against increased competition after a stellar first full professional season.

For Canadian baseball fans, the Arizona Fall League will provide another opportunity to follow five of the country's promising young players as they take the next step toward the big leagues.

September 20, 2026

Official Texas Rangers News Release

Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers announced the following transactions prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field:

Right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) placed on 15-day Injured List (right lat strain)

Right-handed pitcher Winston Santos recalled from triple-A Round Rock

Quantrill was lifted with one out in the second inning of Saturday night’s game vs. Toronto due to the lat injury after registering 1 1/3 scoreless frames. The 31-year-old right-hander had recorded a career-high six consecutive quality starts prior to yesterday and has posted a 1.75 ERA in his last 11 games/10 starts since July 28, owning the second-lowest qualified ERA in MLB during the span ahead of only New York-AL’s Cam Schlittler (1.64 ERA). In 32 games/15 starts for Texas in 2026, Quantrill is 9-5 with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.036 WHIP figure. He is not eligible to return in the regular season.

Santos, 24, is beginning his third stint with the Rangers in 2026, as he was also on the active roster from June 24-July 1 and on July 30. His lone appearance with Texas this year was his Major League debut on July 1 at Cleveland, a relief appearance in the Dominican Republic native allowed two runs in two innings pitched. Santos has spent the remainder of the season with the club’s two highest minor league affiliates, combining for a 4-4 record and 6.80 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 25 games/19 starts for double-A Frisco and triple-A Round Rock. Since August 23, the right-hander has a 3.63 ERA in five games/four starts with the Express.

With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with six players on the 60-day Injured List (RHP’s Carter Baumler, Jose Corniell, Jack Leiter, and Cole Winn, LHP Jalen Beeks, and INF/OF Michael Helman).

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 20, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

He was left almost speechless.

Dayne Liske couldn’t believe what just transpired and even his Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase teammates were wide-eyed.

With his Team Royal down 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Drayton Valley, Alta., native parked an offering from Team Navy’s Larson Accardo over the right field fence for a game-tying solo home run.

An inning later, Liske hit almost the same spot for a two-run shot in what turned into a 10-5 victory.

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound infielder had already been putting together a solid week of baseball with a triple in Royal’s first game and two singles in the third game.

But this was something else.

“Yeah, I don’t know,” Liske said. “I just try to have fun and relax in the box.”

Interestingly, it isn’t the first time the slugger has gone yard twice in the same game this season, as he accomplished the feat in the Morneau Cup final in Okotoks back in July.

He attributes his success to keeping the game as simple as he can.

“I just try to stay relaxed, honestly, like not thinking too much of it, just trying to go there and play my game and just play baseball, really,” Liske said.

While surrounded by some highly regarded teammates like Jalen Jacob and Mikey Batiste, the St. Joseph Academy and Gulls Prep product is making a name for himself at the showcase with his swing and signature smile.

He’s clearly having fun and soaking in the moments as much as he can before coming back home to work towards his next stop in a year’s time: Southwest Tennessee Community College.

“I’m hoping to get quicker, maybe slim down a bit and move better,” Liske said, adding he’s grateful for the opportunity to be in his second Canadian Futures Showcase.

And maybe a few more big moments before the tournament is done, as Team Royal will play for the Canadian Futures Showcase Championship against Team New Blue.

DAILY RUNDOWN

As mentioned, Liske was the storyline in Saturday’s opening game. He hit two of the game’s four home runs, with the other two being supplied by Team Navy’s Jake Madill and Hunter Bartha. Saskatoon’s Keaton Lejan made his Canadian Futures Showcase debut for Royal in the contest, getting the start and allowing one run on a hit and two walks while striking out five in three innings of work.

Offence was at a premium in the second game with Black edging Red 3-2. Noah Stanley’s two-run double was the difference in the game, while the Red combination of Josh Daloise (Edmonton/Vauxhall Academy) and Nate Hallihan (Dawgs Academy) tossed four scoreless innings of relief in what was a defensive stalemate.

The bats came alive again in the mid-day matchup between Grey and Navy. Both teams showed balanced attacks and took advantage of errors and walks with Grey coming out on top 10-9. Mac Warawa (Calgary/Webber Academy) went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI for Grey while Riley Wolbeck (Leduc/Dawgs Academy) slugged a two-run double for Navy.

Ray Zweep went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs while Zach MacDonald (Lacombe/Webber Academy) picked up two hits and two RBIs as New Blue finished out the round-robin undefeated with a 9-5 win over Black. Daril Rodriguez (Red Deer/Gulls Prep) had a hit, RBI and two stolen bases in a losing effort.

And the offence kept rolling into Saturday’s nightcap as Red hammered Grey 10-3. William Nolet went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs while Zachary Lepine and Nathan Bailey (Edmonton/AHP Academy) also drove in two.

SUNDAY’S ACTION

The 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase comes to a close on Sunday, starting with the Home Run Derby at 9 a.m. P.T. The eight players who will compete for the championship belt have been named, including reigning champion Daril Rodriguez. He is the lone Albertan to make it into the final six, which will also include:

Gabriel Lehouillier

Jalen Jacob

Theo Lima

Gino De Santis

Mikey Batiste

Then the attention will turn to the championship game at 11 a.m. P.T. between Team New Blue and Team Royal.

September 20, 2026

By Aanya Oswal-Monteiro and Sam Quattrocchi

UBC

Focused and composed, Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) stepped up to the plate in a big way throughout the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

In an event featuring the best high school players from across the country, eyes remained glued on the young left-handed hitting infielder.   

Across the four-day tournament, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Albertan put on a stunning display of talent, passion and skill for fans and players alike. 

But when his name boomed over the loudspeakers at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in sunny Vancouver on Sunday, signalling that he had been named Tournament MVP, he was the one who was stunned.

“It sounds pretty cool. Didn’t think I’d be here,” Liske said.

In a perfect example of “show, don’t tell,” the player let his game speak for itself.

Tournament Action 

Through the highs and lows of the tournament, the team’s camaraderie and love for the game was undeniable.

“We all had a good time, we all just got along and tried to have fun,” Liske said, when asked what stood out about his team.

Team Royal’s No. 20 remained a consistent force. It all started on the first night of the showcase, when he hammered a 2-2 pitch into the right field grass for a triple against Team Navy. He would then score on a passed ball. 

He went hitless in Royal’s first game on Friday, but he bounced back in the day’s second game, picking up two singles, a run and an RBI in a 7-2 loss to New Blue. 

Liske returned the next morning determined and ready to deliver. Stepping up to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning against Navy, he walloped the ball over the right field fence with a crack that reverberated through the stadium. Tie game.

He did it again an inning later. The slugger smashed the ball into a definitive arc over the wall, aiding his team to the 10-5 victory. It came as no surprise when he was named the Player of the Game. 

Even after being named MVP, Liske was making a difference. In the championship game Sunday afternoon, he let his glove do the talking. As an example, he caught a routine foul ball pop-up in the sixth inning and zipped a quick throw to first, doubling up a runner who had wandered too far from the base.

Despite his team losing in the final to New Blue, Liske’s spirits remained high.

“We got second, that’s always good,” he said “I’m happy with how I played.” 

The Gulls Prep star has been described as “a warrior,” “a gamer,” and an “in for the big moment” kind of guy – and his eyes are now set firmly on the horizon. After graduating in 2026, he’s ready to take the next step in his baseball journey: Southwest Tennessee Community College.

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” Liske says about this experience and his MVP win. “(It) means a lot, not a lot of kids get to do it, so looking back on it one day you’ll think it was special.” 

September 20, 2026

By Darius Fuladi

BCIT

Team New Blue were crowned champions of the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase on Sunday afternoon.

New Blue came into the championship as the last undefeated team in the tournament and continued their winning ways by cruising to a 6-1 victory over Team Royal.

Baserunning was the difference in this matchup. Speedster Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) set the tone in the bottom of the first, drawing a leadoff walk, stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out by Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.). He then scored on a wild pitch to put New Blue up by one.

New Blue kept the pressure on in the bottom of the second. After being walked, Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.) swiped two more bags and scored when Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) singled up the middle to make it 2-0.

Hudel says the teamwork New Blue displayed throughout the tournament came fast and by design.

“I think it was surprising, especially in a showcase like this where, you know, everyone's supposed to be doing it for the individual, but everyone wanted to do it for the guy beside them . . . that was kind of our motto throughout the whole week is do it for the guy beside you.”

Royal threatened in the top of the third. Oscar Leah (Maple Ridge, B.C.) reached on a walk, before Raphael Besançon (Boucherville, Que.) sent a fly ball that dropped in left field to advance Leah to third. With runners on the corners, a would-be sac fly by Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) made its way to centre field. It appeared Leah had tagged and scored, but it was ruled that he left the base too early and he was called out.

Before the game, Liske was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He finished with five hits, including two home runs.

The big blows for Royal came in the third and fourth innings. New Blue tacked on a pair of runs in each inning through stolen bases by Juan Cruz (Mississauga, Ont.) and Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) followed by clutch base hits from Hudson Nikkel (Stanley, Man.) and Cohen Miller (Calgary, Alta.). New Blue finished the game with six stolen bases.

“After we put that first game together . . . I was like, yeah, there's no doubt in my mind that we're getting to the final game or going to raise the trophy,” said MacDonald about the team’s chemistry.

The tournament’s Home Run Derby champion Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) would score the only run for Royal in the top of the seventh. On the next play, MacDonald snagged a ground ball and stepped on first base for the final out to close out this year’s showcase.

New Blue starting pitcher Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.), who allowed no hits, a walk and struck out one in his one inning of work, says having his name on the championship trophy is special.

“That means a lot. They’ve got all the names of everyone that's ever won on there, so it's going to be cool to have my name on there.”

New Blue finished the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase with a 5-0 record.

September 20, 2026

By Zak Byard

BCIT

Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) stole the show at the 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby in a nail-biter finish, clinching the championship in walk-off fashion.

Falling in the last two editions of the Home Run Derby, Jacob stepped his game up when it mattered. He knows best: third time's the charm.

"[It feels] great. It's my third year back and I finally got the dub," Jacob said, moments after being handed the championship belt.

It wasn't easy for Jacob: the derby started strong for the new blood, Theo Lima (Whitby, Ont.)

Lima rose to a comfortable seven-homer lead as first hitter and held onto it throughout the first round. Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.), the switch-hitter and penultimate batter, hit three homers on his left side and one on his right to capture the second spot in round two. Jacob started strong with a first-hit homer, ultimately recording three to surpass defending champ Daril Rodriguez (Red Deer, Alta.) and make the next round. Also not advancing were Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) and Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.)

Coming into the second round, Lima was the only first-time derby competitor, as Jacob and Batiste took part in last year's Home Run Derby. Once again, he showed up, ripping six balls well out of Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. Batiste stuck to his left side this round and followed up with three homers.

All eyes were on the 6-foot-2, 248-pound Jacob as he stepped up. While six long balls is a tall order for many batters, he elected to keep his strategy simple.

"Not try to kill the ball," Jacob said about his strategy. "Just try and get the launch angle out and pull the ball to where I can get it over the fence consistently."

Jacob recorded four homers in the first minute.

He needed two to tie, three to win – Jacob knew what the next 60 seconds meant. After taking his timeout, he returned to home plate and belted three balls over the fence, his championship-clinching homer coming just seconds before the clock ran out. The crowd erupted into cheers while Jacob tossed his bat and went to celebrate.

Before returning to the festivities, Jacob concluded with a single sentence.

"I'm one of the best hitters in the country."

Jacob is set to play for Team Royal against Team New Blue in today's championship game at 11 a.m. P.T.

Home Run Totals:

ROUND 1

Lima: 7

Batiste: 4

Jacob: 3

Rodriguez: 2

De Santis: 1

Lehoullier: 1

ROUND 2

Jacob: 7

Lima: 6

Batiste: 3

September 20, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Wishing Young the best in his recovery

New York Mets first baseman and Baseball Canada alum Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday after suffering a frightening concussion in Thursday’s contest against the Philadelphia Phillies.

With one out in the sixth inning, Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford hit a slow roller to first base. There was some confusion between Young and Mets pitcher Nolan McLean about who was going to field the ball. As Young knelt down to field it, McLean sprinted towards first and his knee hit Young directly in the head and knocked him unconscious.

Young did regain consciousness on the field and was able to move his arms and legs before being carted off on a stretcher. He was released from hospital on Friday, but he’ll miss the rest of the season.

“There is some short-term memory loss from how hard he got hit, kind of remembering what happened on the field,” Mets interim manager Andy Green told reporters prior to Friday’s game against the Phillies. “And he’s got a pretty bad headache, which would be anticipated as well. More tests over the next few days to really understand all that he is dealing with. But everything we have heard has been really optimistic from a recovery standpoint and getting-back-on-the-field-eventually standpoint.”

In 103 games with the Mets this season, Young batted .266 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs.

Quantrill exits start against Blue Jays early

Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) started against the Toronto Blue Jays last night but was forced to leave the game after recording just one out in the second inning due to right lat tightness.

Quantrill had left his previous start after six innings with back tightness.

The veteran righty’s injury is a big blow to the Rangers. Over the past six weeks, Quantrill has been one of the club’s top starting pitchers. In his last seven starts, he is 5-1 with a 1.83 ERA and has 32 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings.

Overall, it has been an outstanding comeback season for the Ontario Terriers and Junior National Team grad. He owns a 9-5 record and a 2.86 in 32 appearances (15 starts) for the Rangers.

Lopez leads MLB in hits

Heading into the final week of the MLB season, Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez is leading the majors with 185 hits. That gives him three more than Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez.

Lopez’s .307 batting average ranks second in the National League and he is third in the NL with nine triples. His 6.0 bWAR (Baseball Reference WAR) is also third among NL position players.

Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal and has played for Canada at the last two World Baseball Classics, has set several career-highs in his second full big league season.

Bo Naylor hits first homer as a Brewer

Catcher Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) clubbed his first home run as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. It was a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Luke Weaver in the top of the eighth inning in the Brewers’ 7-4 loss at PNC Park.

Naylor also had an RBI ground out in the sixth inning in the contest.

The 26-year-old backstop has gone 2-for-7 in three games with the Brewers since being called up on September 1.

The Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team alum had been toiling with the triple-A Nashville Sounds after being acquired by the Brewers from the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 1. In 14 games with the Sounds, Naylor put together a .283/.353/.550 slash line and had four home runs and 17 RBIs.

Happy Birthday to Jason Bay!

Happy 48th Birthday to Jason Bay!

Born in Trail, B.C., Bay played for his hometown squad in the 1990 Little League World Series. After being selected in the 22nd round of the 2000 MLB draft by the Montreal Expos, he was dealt to the Mets and then to the San Diego Padres in just over a four-month span in 2002.

After making his big league debut with the Padres in 2003, the right-handed hitting outfielder was traded to the Pirates, and it was in Steeltown that he’d become a star. He assumed starting left field duties for the club on May 7, 2004 and never looked back, hitting .282 and belting 26 home runs in 120 games that season to become the first – and still only – Canadian to win the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Bay continued to excel for the Pirates over the next four seasons, registering back-to-back 30-home run, 100-RBI campaigns in 2005 and 2006 and earning All-Star honours in each of those years. He was dealt to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline in 2008 and the next season he clubbed a career-best 36 home runs and registered 119 RBIs.

Following that season, he signed a four-year deal with the Mets and he finished his 11-year major league career with the Seattle Mariners in 2013. Bay ranks in the top 10 in most of the all-time offensive statistical categories among Canadian major leaguers, including fifth in home runs (222) and sixth in slugging percentage (.481).

He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Tong sharp in latest start for Mets

On Monday, New York Mets right-hander Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.) started and allowed an unearned run on four hits in six innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He also fanned six batters but got a no-decision when the Mets lost 2-1.

It was his second start since being recalled by the Mets on September 7. He is scheduled to start today against the Phillies.

In August, the 22-year-old right-hander was outstanding with the triple-A Syracuse Mets, posting a 2.39 ERA in five starts. He had 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings and held opponents to a .170 batting average. In total, the Toronto Mets alum went 5-6 with a 4.54 ERA in 23 triple-A starts this season.

Tong also made three starts for the big league Mets earlier this season, between May 22 and June 22.

He made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2025, posting a 7.71 ERA in five starts.

Clapp inducted into Memphis Sports Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.) who was inducted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Wednesday night.

Most Canadians revere Clapp for his heroics with the national team, but Clapp enjoyed his greatest professional success with the St. Louis Cardinals’ triple-A Memphis Redbirds as a player and later as a manager.

He spent four minor league seasons (1999 to 2002) with the Redbirds where he became one of the team’s most productive and popular players. Often doing a back flip when taking the field, he became known as the “Mayor of Memphis” and his No. 10 was retired by the club in 2007.

Following his playing career, Clapp entered the pro coaching ranks, eventually returning to Memphis to manage the Redbirds to Pacific Coast League championships in 2017 and 2018. For his efforts, he was named PCL manager of the year in both campaigns. That performance earned him a promotion to the position of first base coach with the Cardinals in 2019, a post he continues to hold.

“What an incredible honour to be inducted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame! I’m truly humbled and grateful for this recognition and for the many friendships, memories, and opportunities Memphis has given me,” wrote Clapp on his Facebook page. “A huge thank you to the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, my family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone who supported me along the way. I’m so thankful for each of you. Memphis will always hold a special place in my heart.”

It was the second Hall of Fame Clapp has been inducted into in 2026. In June, he was honoured by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont..

Anniversary of Halladay’s MLB debut

On this date 28 years ago, Roy Halladay made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The then 21-year-old right-hander started and allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits, while striking out five, in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

One great piece of Canadian baseball trivia from this game is that Toronto native Rich Butler became the first major leaguer to hit a home run off Halladay (in a regular season game) when he belted a two-run shot in the fourth inning.

It also seems fitting that Dave Stieb, a fellow Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer and member of the Blue Jays’ Hall of Excellence, took over for Halladay in the sixth inning and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings. This was the only MLB game in which Halladay and Stieb both pitched for the Blue Jays.

Left-hander Steve Sinclair (Victoria, B.C.) also toed the rubber for the Blue Jays and got two outs for them in the 11th.

The Blue Jays eventually won 7-5 in 12 innings.

Sabrowski, Smith excelling out of Guardians’ pen

If the Guardians secure the American League Central title or an AL Wild Card spot, it will be in large part due to the work of Canadians Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Alta.) and Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.) at the back end of their bullpen.

In his last 15 appearances, Sabrowski is 1-0 with a 0.66 ERA. He has permitted just three hits and has fanned 17 batters in 13 2/3 innings. That stretch has lowered his season ERA to 2.78.

Meanwhile, Smith is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and has 14 strikeouts in nine innings in his past seven games. He has 38 saves this season. With seven games left, he needs two more saves to become the first Canadian to collect 40 saves in a major league season since John Axford (Port Dover, Ont.) had 46 for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011.

Upshaw became Jays’ first 100-RBI player 43 years ago

Forty-three years ago today, Willie Upshaw doubled home Lloyd Moseby in the bottom of the first inning of the Blue Jays’ 7-3 win over the Seattle Mariners at Exhibition Stadium to record his 100th RBI of the 1983 season. This made him the first player in franchise history to reach that mark.

Upshaw finished the season with 104 RBIs.

Caissie lands on IL

On September 13, Marlins outfielder Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a lumber stress reaction. This injury has ended his 2026 season.

It’s Caissie’s second trip to the IL this season. He missed three weeks in July with a right calf strain.

Overall, Caissie enjoyed a productive campaign, finishing with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 108 games with the Marlins.

The Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team grad was in his first season with the Marlins after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the package for right-hander Edward Cabrera on January 7.

Pivetta sharp since return from IL

Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (Victoria, B.C.) surrendered just one run on four hits in five innings to pick up the win in his team’s 8-2 victory over the Marlins on Friday.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts since being activated from 60-day injured list on September 7. He had been sidelined with right elbow inflammation.

As Canadian baseball historian Tyler Partridge noted on X on Saturday, the win was the 72nd of Pivetta’s major league career which ties him with left-hander Jeff Francis (North Delta, B.C.) for eighth most by a Canadian.

The Padres have all but sewn up a Wild Card spot in the National League, so it will be interesting to see if Pivetta pitches in the final week of the season or if they will save him for the postseason.

In total, in seven starts this season, Pivetta is 3-2 with a 3.30 ERA.

Zastryzny designated for assignment by Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers designated left-hander Rob Zastryzny (Edmonton, Alta.) for assignment on Thursday.

The move came after he completed his rehab assignment with the triple-A Nashville Sounds. He has not pitched for the Brewers this season due to a shoulder strain that he first suffered while pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

The Brewers, who have the best record in MLB, currently have three left-handers – Aaron Ashby, DL Hall and JoJo Romero – in their bullpen, so they didn’t have room for Zastryzny.

In 26 appearances with the Brewers last season, Zastryzny went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA and struck out 20 batters in 22 innings.

The 34-year-old southpaw has pitched in parts of seven major league seasons with the Cubs, Mets, Angels, Pirates and Brewers. He earned a World Series ring with the Cubs in 2016.

September 20, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

It became clear early on who the large contingent of fans sitting in Section 8 at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium were cheering for Saturday afternoon.

As the public address announcer said Jake Carriere’s name, the couple dozen friends and family cheered loudly hoping to see some magic from the rising star.

And the Abbotsford, B.C. native delivered with two hits, two runs, two walks, a run batted in and a stolen base as his Team Navy fell 10-9 to Team Grey at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

While it stung taking the loss, Carriere was happy to be playing close to home after a very busy summer with all kinds of travel.

“Growing up, it was like a dream to be on this field,” he said. “Now that I’m 15 and playing on this field, it’s pretty surreal and just gives me a lot of confidence that, when I get older, I can go do better things.”

You read that right … 15.

He turns 16 on November 2, but despite his age, he has quickly become one of the must-watch prospects in Canadian baseball.

THE QUICK ASCENT

Carriere has been on a lot of radars for a while already.

He received his first invite to a Perfect Game event in 2023 and has regularly gotten the call for major events on both sides of the border ever since.

Carriere helped B.C. win gold at Baseball Canada’s Ray Carter Cup in 2025 and, later that summer, got his first call to the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

His goal was to make his way back and he kept working over the past year, although he admits it’s been tougher than he hoped.

“If I’m being honest, it was one of the hardest years I’ve had,” Carriere said. “I had some struggles during my season with the (Abbotsford) Cardinals and had a big slump playing up with the 19U team for the first time.”

Leaning on his teammates, coaches and parents, he persevered and says it’s better to learn these things at 15 instead of at 21.

STANDOUT IN ALBERTA

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder found another gear in his game competing at the inaugural Road to Okotoks and Morneau Cup.

Despite playing against some of the best players in the country – most of whom are four years older – Carriere hit .312 with two doubles, a home run, six runs batted in and he stole two bases in 11 games between the Regional Qualifiers and the main event in Okotoks.

That one blast might have been the most memorable as it was of the three-run, walk-off variety against Mississauga in the round-robin.

“I kind of blacked out – it was so awesome,” Carriere laughed. “I got intentionally walked in the at-bat before so I kind of wanted revenge and it was great.”

The tournament all-star admits his heroics also created some buzz for him heading into the second half of the summer while giving him some confidence, especially in a tournament with mostly older players.

MATURITY AND CONFIDENCE

Carriere says he was “a little shocked” when his name was among the first 50 getting the call to this year’s showcase in Vancouver.

Having been through it once before, he wasn’t as wide-eyed as he was a season ago, hitting .400 with a 1.067 on-base percentage, showing great patience at the plate with six walks in his four games.

The local lad was feeling really good after all was said and done.

“I had a bunch of quality at-bats, had a couple plays in the field, which I feel pretty good about,” Carriere said. “It’s just super-special to see the arm talent and I felt like I was pretty comfortable in the box for every game.”

He says the biggest lesson learned over the last few days was about how the older players conduct themselves in the dugout, adding you never know when a scout might be watching, not just for the on-field performance but for the interactions with teammates and whether you’re having fun on the field.

You have to catch yourself listening to Carriere speak as he exudes a maturity and confidence that you typically see in older high school players.

And again, he still can’t get his driver’s licence for a couple more months.

“I fell in love with baseball when I was really young and have worked hard pretty much my whole life,” he said. “I just really appreciate all the opportunities I get and, yeah, it’s my dream to go far in baseball and hopefully this is just the start.”

September 19, 2026

By Abigael Salisbury

BCIT

The final round-robin game of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase on Saturday saw Team Red strike early and often in an 11-3 win over Team Grey.

The offence started slow as neither team registered a run in the first inning.

Things changed in the second when Zachary Lepine (Candiac, Ont.) worked a four-pitch walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Colin Miller (Whitby, Ont.) walked, then Maxime Lamarre (Terrebonne, Que.) doubled to left, scoring Lepine. Beau Marshall (Peterborough, Ont.) walked to load the bases and Nathan Bailey (Edmonton, Alta.) sent a double to right field to cash in two more runs, giving Red the early 3-0 lead.

Red added to their lead in the third inning.

Victor Cauchon (Montreal, Que.) was plunked by Grey pitcher Korbin Greaves (Ajax, Ont.) which seemingly lit a fire under him to steal second base. Cauchon came around to score the game’s fourth run when Ethan Borovilos (Etobicoke, Ont.) doubled to left field. Borovilos stole third then came in to score on a balk. Then with Hayden Payne (Brockville, Ont.) standing on second, Lepine hit a ball that got by the centre fielder. Payne scored but Lepine was thrown out at home trying to stretch his triple into an inside-the-park home run.

Red kept on coming, adding another run in the fourth when Colin Miller (Brooklin, Ont.) trotted home on a balk.

Team Grey finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when Jonathan Dada (Oakville, Ont.) crossed the plate on a Sebastian Stillo (Oakville, Ont.) sacrifice fly.

Up 7-1 in the top of the fifth, Red added two more runs when William Nolet (Saint-Gilles, Que.) hit a deep line drive over the centre fielder’s head, turning it into and inside-the-park home run which also scored Borovilos.

Nolet admits he was surprised by the hit. “Honestly . . . I thought the ball was going to be over the scoreboard, so it’s a little bit of a surprise but I’m happy.”

Red made it a 10-1 ball game in the sixth, but Grey tried to claw their way back in the bottom of the frame when Noah Glenn (Queensville, Ont.) hit an RBI single then later scored when Alex McGrath (St. John’s, Nfld.) was issued a bases-loaded walk.

Red capped off the scoring in the final inning when Lepine hammered an RBI double off the wall in deep left-centre field.

The game was the last of the round-robin at the Canadian Futures Showcase. Sunday will see the Home Run Derby start at 9 a.m. P.T. while the championship game between Team New Blue and Team Royal will begin at 11 a.m. P.T.

September 19, 2026

By Noah Peckham

BCIT

Team New Blue remains undefeated in the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase as they took down Team Black 9-5 Saturday evening.

New Blue opened the scoring in the top of the first with an RBI double from Ray Zweep (North Vancouver, B.C.), scoring Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.), who led off and was walked by Team Black starting pitcher Gabriel Lavoie (Mascouche, Que.) and then stole second. A ground out from Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) advanced Zweep to third, then a wild pitch from Lavoie scored him.

Team Black answered right back as Jake Andersen (Toronto, Ont.) walked and then scored on a hard-hit double to the left field warning track from Ryland Peters (Lantzville, B.C.). Theo Lima (Whitby, Ont.) advanced Peters to third on a grounder, then Daril Rodriguez (Red Deer, Alta.) hit a single just over the head of the New Blue shortstop, scoring Lima.

The first inning ended tied at two.

New Blue went scoreless in the second inning, while Black was able to take the lead. After being walked, Black’s Noah Stanley (Lakefield, Ont.) stole second and third, and was brought home on a single by Trace Pettit (Dorchester, Ont.).

Heading into the top of third down 3-2, New Blue was able to take a commanding lead. Zweep hit a single to right field scoring one run to get things started. MacDonald then hit a double along the right field foul line which scored two more. Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) then followed that up with an RBI double of his own.

Heading into the bottom of third down 6-3, Team Black answered back. Andersen stole second and later advanced to third before scoring on a wild pitch from New Blue’s starting pitcher Harlan Chervatin (Pender Island, B.C.).

That was all the response Team Black had as the game headed into the fourth 6-4 for New Blue.

After a scoreless fourth, a MacDonald single got things started for New Blue in the top of fifth. He then stole both second and third before he and Will Zielinski (Victoria, B.C.) were driven home by a Will Henzi (Victoria, B.C.) single.

“Just staying on the heater once I get it and then also putting myself into the best counts I can,” said MacDonald on his performance.

Team Black was not able to gain any momentum in the bottom of the fifth as Team New Blue’s pitcher Connor Brown (Oakville, Ont.) struck out two and kept his team’s lead intact.

The two teams traded runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh, then New Blue pitcher Marshall Moore (Chilliwack, B.C.) shut the door in the final half-inning, striking out two.

Team New Blue is undefeated so far and is looking ahead to the championship game on Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.

“This team’s been rolling pretty good so far, so I don’t think we really have to change a whole lot,” said MacDonald about Sunday’s final.

Team Black finished the round robin with a 2-2 record.

September 19, 2026

By Tyler Bereskin

BCIT

A fierce offensive game took place between Team Grey and Team Navy during Day 3 of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

Team Grey was able to hold on for a narrow 10-9 win due to consistent offensive production throughout the game.

Team Grey wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in this one. In the first inning, Sebastian Stillo (Oakville, Ont.) put the first run on the board with a double to left field driving in Mac Warawa (Lacombe, Alta.)

The momentum only continued in Team Grey's favour as Sam Ellis (Ottawa, Ont.), Alex McGrath (St John's, Nfld.), and Carter Celerian (Brampton, Ont.) all drove in runs giving Team Grey an early 4-0 lead.

Team Navy attempted a rally of their own and loaded the bases in the bottom of the first. However, a strong Team Grey defence was able to withstand the pressure and keep the lead secure.

Team Grey added to its lead in the second. Warawa drove an RBI single into right field, then Arnold Ohanian (Laval, Que.) followed with a double, driving in two runs, increasing Team Grey's lead to 7-0.

During the bottom of the second, Team Navy found a glimmer of hope when Riley Wolbeck (Leduc, Alta.) launched a line drive to centre field for a double, bringing Victor Lauziere (Greenfield Park, Que.) in to score.

The bats kept connecting for Team Navy when Parker Call (Peterborough, Ont.) singled and advanced to second base due to a defensive error while Wolbeck crossed home.

Jake Carriere (Abbotsford, B.C.) added an RBI single to cut Grey’s lead to 7-4.

Grey had an answer in the top of the third as Ellis kicked off the inning in chaotic fashion, escaping a near rundown with a nifty move to dodge the tag and secure a double.

McGrath then sent a liner to centre field to plate Ellis and increase Grey's lead to 8-4.

Solid defensive performances from both teams left the fourth inning scoreless. However, Team Navy relief pitcher Jake Lamb (Beamsville, Ont.) walked three batters during the top of the fifth to load the bases before a double play with one out ended the threat.

Navy carried their newfound momentum into the bottom of the fifth. Braylon Stern (Delaware, Ont.) and Justin Blouin (Montreal, Que.) each drove in a run, making it an 8-6 game.

During the top of the sixth, Grey’s Felix Chown (East York, Ont.) made it 9-6 with a ground ball that sent Sawyer Gelling (Victoria, B.C.) charging home.

Navy answered later that inning on a sacrifice fly from Wolbeck that allowed Bartha to reach home to bring his team to within two.

An RBI single from Stillo increased Grey’s lead to 10-7 in the seventh before Navy rallied with Ethan Renaud (Okotoks, Alta.) and Bartha driving in runs in the bottom of the frame.

However, the game was called by the umpires on account of Grey pitcher Alex McGrath (St. John’s, Nfld.) hitting the maximum pitch count.

"Yeah, we got the win," said Sam Ellis, who was named Player of the Game.

"It's our first win. We hit well and played some decent defence. So, I'm happy about it."

Team Grey and Team Navy have both played their final games of the round robin phase. The two teams to play for the Canadian Futures Showcase championship will be announced Saturday night.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 19, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

Stepping onto the mound at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Park in Vancouver, Jake Trask had two things on his mind.

Throw strikes and do it for his home province.

The New Minas, Nova Scotia native proceeded to make his competition uncomfortable in the batter’s box on Friday night at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

Brought in to protect Team Royal’s 4-3 lead over Team Black, Trask walked Clark Heimbecker before striking out the side.

In his second inning of work, he got a strikeout and ground out, then allowed a single before striking out Daril Rodriguez to pick up the save.

It was about as efficient of an outing as anyone could have asked of Trask, who threw 22 of his 36 pitches over two innings for strikes.

“I’m feeling great,” he said after the game. “I just remembered where I came from and did it for the boys back home and kept my Nova Scotia pride.”

It’s another step in the journey for a young man who has made a big move across the country in hopes of taking his game to the next level.

EAST COAST CONFIDENCE

Ever since Trask was a young boy, his father and grandfather played big roles in instilling confidence.

“They always gave me keywords to say, like ‘you’re good enough’ or ‘you can do it,’ and just keep repeating it,” Trask said. “So I just sit back, take a breath, take a second to myself, and say it out loud.”

The approach has treated him well as he ascended through Kentville Minor Baseball, eventually earning several big opportunities over the last year, including representing Prep Baseball Canada at the Best of the West tournament in Kamloops this past spring.

Trask was also a member of the Atlantic Fronter team that made its way to The Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, where the utilityman hit a three-run home run during the Ontario Qualifiers and pitched in one game in the main event in Okotoks this past July.

Despite going winless in Alberta, the right-hander was grateful to spend one more summer with his childhood friends.

“Just hanging out with the guys back home, be on a bit of a break from baseball and be with my family,” Trask said. “Just the Nova Scotia summers – they’re nice, yeah.”

2027 RHP/3B Jake Trask
6-3/175Ibs@DawgsAcademy

FB 85-89 T90
CB 70-74

Uncommitted#TBJFutures pic.twitter.com/UsmiPrVf3Q

— Blue Jays Baseball Academy (@BlueJaysAcademy) September 18, 2026

CROSS-COUNTRY MOVE

As it turns out, it wasn’t the last Okotoks would see of Trask, as he was planning to join Dawgs Academy at the end of the summer.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound two-way player had caught the coaches’ attention and he was determined to find a way to grow his game.

He admits it was a big move but, after numerous conversations with family, friends and those in the baseball world, it was a necessary one.

“The first couple of weeks were a bit hard, but I’m starting to get into the rhythm of knowing the routine,” Trask said. “It’s a lot out there as you’re there (at the facilities) every day, but I’m loving it now.”

He gives credit to the players and coaching staff for making the transition much easier.

CHASING HIS DREAMS

And now the goal is to get on the radar of college coaches and recruiters.

He certainly did his part with his performance at the Canadian Futures Showcase, and the already-confident young man believes he can build on it.

“Just gaining confidence in knowing who you are and what you’re capable of,” Trask said. “Everybody is here for a reason, so you just have to showcase the skills that brought you here.”

He hopes young players in Nova Scotia are inspired to pursue baseball by watching players like him and fellow Dawg Reid MacDonald, who hails from Long Point and is also at the Canadian Futures Showcase.

“Just chase your dreams,” Trask said. “No dream is ever too big. Just work as hard as you can, work your butt off, and God always has a plan.”

The plan, at least for now, is to keep building off his experiences in Vancouver while training in Okotoks to potentially head to a post-secondary program after high school graduation in 2027.

September 19, 2026

By Abbey Neufeld

UBC

Fresh off a late-night victory on Friday, Team Black kept their momentum going early Saturday afternoon with a 3-2 victory over Team Red at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

Colton Lewis (Newmarket, Ont.) got things underway for Team Red with a perfectly pitched inning, setting the tone for what was to come.

Lucas Sproule (Collingwood, Ont.) took the mound for Team Black in the bottom of the first - no doubt looking to replicate the stellar pitching from his teammates the night before.

The two battled through two scoreless innings before a pivotal top of the third for Team Black.

Jerome Fortier (Beauharnois, Que.) hit a leadoff single and advanced to second when Jake Anderson (Toronto, Ont.) walked. Shortstop Dixon Briggs (Whitby, Ont.) also managed to secure a spot on first base courtesy of a fielder’s choice – loading the bases for Team Black. The big play came from Noah Stanley (Lakefield, Ont.), who lined a single into right field, allowing both Fortier and Anderson to cross home plate. Briggs scored shortly after on a ground out from AJ Rusticus (Dorchester, Ont.), solidifying a 3-0 lead for Black.

Pitcher Josh Deloise (Edmonton, Alta.) checked into the game for Red in the fourth inning, where he combined with shortstop Maxime Lamarre (Terrabonne, Que.) and first baseman Colin Miller (Whitby, Ont.) for a standout double play. Noah Corrente (Squamish, B.C.) tripled on an impressive line drive to right field before a ground out from Xavier Lampshire (Lampshire, Alta.) ended the inning.

Lamarre combined with Miller for yet another double play in the fifth with help from second baseman Nathan Bailey (Edmonton, Alta.)

For Team Black, Dante Dewey (Victoria, B.C.) tossed two scoreless innings before handing the ball over to Jeremy Trembley (Montreal, Que.), who registered two strikeouts, a wild pitch and a hit batter to load the bases for Red. Pinch-hitter Zachary Lepine (Candiac, Que.) took full advantage of the opportunity with a two-run single scoring both Jackson Becker (Nepean, Ont.) and Hayden Payne (Brockville, Ont.)

Ryland Peters (Lantzville, Ont.) was brought out of the bullpen to keep the Team Red bats at bay and, along with some steady defence, was able to hold onto the lead.

The Red pitching duo of Daloise and Nate Hallihan (Fredericton, N.B.) also kept Black from scoring, finishing out the 3-2 defensive stalemate.

Following the game, Stanley talked about the team’s performance and what comes next.

“It’s been a great weekend, a lot of ups and downs […] I feel like we’ve improved a lot. Last night getting no-hit and today, coming right back.” he said, “The mentality [today] was definitely more grit but, control what we can control and do what we can, and the outcome is going to be the outcome.”

Team Black is back in action tonight (6 p.m. P.T.) against undefeated Team New Blue, followed by Team Red taking the field against Team Grey (9 p.m. P.T.).

September 19, 2026

By Sarah Westwood and Avery Grainger

UBC

The long ball was on the Saturday morning breakfast order at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

A total of four home runs, including two by Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.), put power on display in Team Royal’s 10-5 win over Team Navy.

Both teams came into the contest at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium hoping to make amends for Friday night losses.

The scoring started in the second inning when Hunter Bartha (Beamsville, Ont.) scored from third on a balk to give Navy the 1-0 lead.

Team Royal came back in a big way in the bottom of the third when Oscar Leah (Maple Ridge, B.C.) tripled to score Toby Wilding (Vancouver, B.C.) Leah later scored on a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Lehouillier (Levis, Que.)

Navy responded in the top of the fourth when Ethan Renaud (Okotoks, Alta.) doubled and Jake Madill (Nanaimo, B.C.) hit a two-run homer. Brooks Froese (Red Deer, Alta.) then singled and Bartha launched another two-run shot, making it 5–2.

Royal began its comeback when Mikey Batiste doubled and scored on a single by Raphael Besancon (Boucherville, Que.). They then loaded the bases, and Oscar Leah drew a walk to force home another run, cutting Navy's lead to 5-4.

The momentum stalled in the fifth inning as neither side managed to score.

The sixth inning became the turning point of the game. Liske homered to right to tie the game 5–5. Ludovic Therriault (Sherbrooke, Q.C.) and Grady Jones (Chesterville, Ont.) then singled, and a ground out by Toby Wilding (Vancouver, BC.) scored Therriault to put Royal ahead.

Oscar Leah (Maple Ridge, B.C.), walked before Lehouillier ripped a two-run double to centre, scoring Jones and Leah to give Royal an 8–5 lead.

Royal delivered the final blow in the seventh. Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) walked and stole second before Liske launched his second homer of the game, to extend Royal’s lead to 10–5.

Liske, who is committed to Southwest Tennessee Community College, was named the Player of the Game. He says he draws inspiration from Canada’s team – the Toronto Blue Jays – and his favourite player, Ernie Clement.

He says his game philosophy is straightforward: “I like to stick to my approach and just try and play the best game I can.”

Team Navy has one more game left at the showcase, a 3 p.m. P.T. matchup with Team Grey, while Team Royal will await the rest of the day’s results to see if they have earned a spot in Sunday’s championship.

*This story was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 19, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

Andrew Albers is embracing the new roles he has in his life.

After a decorated 14-year professional playing career, including five big league seasons, he is now coaching at Going Yard Academy in Saskatoon and teaching online courses.

But nothing lights up his eyes quite like talking about his favourite roster spot: dad.

He and his wife, Michelle, welcomed their daughter 16 months ago and it is “so far so good” for the young family.

“She’s a pretty good sleeper, so that hasn’t been too bad,” Albers laughed. “Life changes a little bit once you have a little one, so it’s been a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s been pretty exciting and a really neat chapter.”

Taking a break from teaching the little one about walking and talking, the North Battleford native finds himself returning as a mentor and coach at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase in Vancouver.

QUESTIONS FROM THE CLASS

Having been at the annual event a few times already, Albers says he’s able to come in relaxed with no major expectations of himself.

It’s mostly just a “go with the flow” situation as he and his co-coaches with Team Royal – Aaron Myette, Chris Robinson and Cav Whitely – draw up lineups and handle the game-to-game operations.

More importantly, they are there to answer questions and provide feedback when called upon.

“I really try to make sure I meet everybody and try to let them all know that I’m open to having a chat or a talk if there’s anything I can help them with,” Albers said. “At some point, the onus is on them as they have to take advantage of that as well.”

He says most take advantage of the opportunity to be sponges and ask really good questions to help move their game forward.

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Listen to Alberta Dugout Stories podcast episode devoted to Day 2 of the Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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TEACHING RESILIENCE

Albers says his job isn’t to change any player physically or mechanically as he only gets to work with them for a few days.

For the most part, it’s about reassuring the players that they belong there and, if they have a rough game or showing in front of scouts, it won’t define who they are or their careers.

“You have to go out and control what you can control,” Albers said. “If you put too much pressure on yourself or you’re really trying to make the big pitch or take the big swing, that’s when things can sometimes get out of hand a little bit.”

It’s especially difficult for pitchers as they may only get one outing and, if things go sideways, it can be tough to bounce back from.

But it is a moment in time, and Albers says it’s a matter of getting them to relax and understand what they need to do to bounce back and ultimately get better.

RAISING THE BAR

As he takes a look around at the talent around him at the Canadian Futures Showcase, Albers says it’s amazing to see how the talent level has evolved.

It’s the physicality and strength that really stands out to him.

“Your best players are still your best players, and the needle hasn’t moved much with that, but I think the floor has gotten so much higher,” said the former Baseball Canada hurler. “The 150th best player here is so much more advanced than he was probably five or 10 years ago.”

It’s something he’s also seeing in Saskatchewan, as players have way more access to facilities and coaches than he did growing up.

And they’re starting to see that there is a path to a good college career or even higher now with the recent success of players like Garrett Hawkins, Thomas Ireland and Carter Beck.

“It’s exciting for the kids coming up,” Albers said. “Then obviously seeing the Blue Jays making the run to the World Series, it gets people excited about baseball and seeing those Saskatchewan guys doing good things in pro baseball, I think that’s a big part of knowing that dream can become a reality.”

Speaking from his own experience, the former Twin, Blue Jay and Mariner says it is a grind and the players at the showcase need to put in the work.

Just like being a parent of a 16-month-old.

“It’s really neat to see the wheels start working,” Albers said. “They’re starting to understand things a bit and getting to see it at that age, it’s really cute seeing the little personalities come out . . . there’s nothing better.”

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 19, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

The old saying goes that you have to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky.

Luck really didn’t have anything to do with the first home run hit during game play at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, which came off the bat of Vauxhall Academy product Hudson Nikkel.

The Manitoba native’s sixth-inning blast served as an insurance marker in Team New Blue’s 3-1 win over Team Grey to start Friday’s action at the annual event, being held this year at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver.

“It feels great,” Nikkel said post-game. “I was just trying to get my first hit, put a good barrel on the ball, and I just got lucky there, I guess, and I’m grateful for that.”

While he might think some luck was involved, did he think it had a chance coming off the bat?

“I was assuming so,” the 6-foot-4, 220-pound outfielder smiled. “I was looking at the wall out there and I was like, ‘There’s no way this goes off the top of the wall, right?’”

Nickel is quickly becoming known as a heavy hitter, putting it all on display at this summer’s Road to Okotoks and Morneau Cup.

He was outstanding with a combined .414 batting average in 11 games for Vauxhall between the Prairie Qualifiers and the main event in Okotoks, adding two doubles, four bombs, 10 runs batted in and he even stole three bases.

His well-rounded game is something he was hoping to display in Vancouver.

“I’m really just trying to showcase my offence and maybe a little bit of speed on the basepaths,” Nikkel said. “I was working on that before I came here and was trying to get good games in beforehand at Vauxhall.”

Once the tournament wraps up, he plans to spend the offseason getting even stronger in the gym, then go into spring ready to play his best baseball ahead of high school graduation.

“A couple of years ago, my only goal was to just play college baseball,” Nikkel said. “Now, it’s looking more likely every day, and I’m just trying to work hard, and I’m grateful for every day.”

He remains uncommitted … for now.

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Listen to the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast episode devoted to Day 3 of the Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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DAILY RUNDOWN

As mentioned, the day started with Team New Blue pulling out the 3-1 win over Grey. Aside from Nikkel’s big performance, Webber Academy teammates Zach MacDonald and Hudson Harding drove in runs for the victors, while Arnold Ohanian drove in the lone Grey run in what was a solid pitching duel.

It was also a solid pitchers duel in the second game with Team Royal edging Team Black 4-3. Ethan Reason led the way with seven strikeouts over three innings for Royal while Dawgs Academy hurler Jake Trask picked up the save with five punchouts through the final two innings.

The offence came alive in the third game of the day as Team Red doubled up Team Navy 8-4. Joshua Holden’s two-run double in the fifth was part of a four-run inning that gave Red the lead that they never relinquished. AHP’s Nathan Bailey had an RBI in the win for Red, while Albertans Brooks Froese, Ethan Renaud and Riley Wolbeck all had hits for Navy.

Caleb Quack went 2-for-3 with two RBI while Will Henderson had a triple and a two-run inside-the-park home run for Team New Blue as they ran away with a 7-3 win over Royal. Will Zielinski (Vauxhall Academy) also drove in a run while Gabe Fink was solid in his start with New Blue, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four in three innings of work.

The final game was a weird one where Team Black picked up a 4-1 victory despite being no-hit by Team Grey. A pair of throwing errors in the first inning allowed for three Black baserunners to score, while their fourth run was scored when a balk allowed a runner at third to cross the plate. Grey pitchers Max Covriga, Lucas St-Laurent, Aidan MacLellan and Mac Warawa (Calgary/Webber Academy) combined for the no-hitter, while the Black combination of Noah Corrente and Jack Bello of Dawgs Academy, along with Peyton Markwood and Jackson Rouse, allowed just two hits while striking out 15 in the win.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

9 a.m. MT – Navy vs. Royal

12 p.m. MT – Black vs. Red

3 p.m. MT – Grey vs. Navy

6 p.m. MT – New Blue vs. Black

9 p.m. MT – Red vs. Grey

September 18, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - In front of a Frontier League playoff record crowd of 7,912, the Ottawa Titans edged the New York Boulders 3-2 on Friday night to sweep the series and advance to the League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history.

For a third consecutive game in the series, the Titans got off to a quick start in the opening inning. Boulders lefty Garrett Peters plunked Jackie Urbaez to lead off the frame before walking Rainer Nuñez with two outs, putting a pair on. With Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) at the dish, Peters uncorked a wild pitch, leading to Urbaez scoring all the way from second to put the Titans on the board.

Making his second start of the postseason, Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) used the early momentum to pace the Titans to the win. The veteran Canadian southpaw pitched out of a second-and-third one-out jam in the fourth to strand the bases loaded, en route to five innings of one-run ball.

In the fourth, Taylor Wright opened the threat with his third double of the playoffs, standing in scoring position. Following a Jake Steels walk, Thomas Ferroggiaro put two in scoring position with a sac bunt. Next, Hunter Stokely blew it open with a two-run single to centre, putting the Titans ahead 3-0.

Peters left the game after four innings, allowing three runs on four hits. After that, the Boulders' bullpen navigated through four scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits.

Matt McDermott connected in the fifth for a leadoff solo homer to left, putting the Boulders on the board.

Grills left following five solid innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking two, and striking out seven.

Christian Scafidi punched out a pair in the sixth, keeping the Titans ahead by two.

Brett Garcia limited the damage over two innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits and striking out two.

The Boulders made it a one-run game in the seventh, as Austin Dennis poked an RBI single to right. Threatening with two away, the visitors had two in scoring position with two outs when Julian Boyd attempted to steal home on a toss back to the pitcher, being cut down at the plate to end the inning.

Liu Fuenmayor threw a scoreless ninth, wrapping up the slim one-run win.

Hunter Stokely was the lone member of the offence with a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Jackie Urbaez and Jake Steels each singled, while Taylor Wright doubled and drew a free pass.

The Titans now have swept back-to-back series - and in the process, become the first Atlantic Conference team since the Frontier League merger post-pandemic to sweep the now Atlantic Conference Championship Series.

With their first trip to the Finals set in stone, the Titans will now await the winner of the Midwest Conference Championship between the Washington Wild Things and the Evansville Otters.

The Titans continue the 2026 playoffs, playing Game 1 of the Frontier League best-of-five Championship Series against a team TBD on Tuesday night at a time TBD. Games 1 and 2 will be hosted by the Midwest Conference winner, with Games 3, 4 and 5 in Ottawa starting Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

September 18, 2026

By Abbey Neufeld

UBC Journal

After suffering losses earlier in the day, Team Black and Team Grey faced off under the lights for a late-night showdown that resulted in Team Black’s first win of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase – a 4-1 triumph.

It was a unique contest in that Team Black won the game despite not registering a hit.

Black opened the scoring in the first inning with a run from Ryland Peters (Lantzville, B.C.) following an error from third baseman Sawyer Gelling (Victoria, B.C.). Clark Heimbecker (Guelph, Ont.) also crossed the plate on the play. After a walk and a stolen base, Jackson Rouse (Toronto, Ont.) also scored to make it 3-0.

Grey was quick to strike back in the top of the second with a run from Tanner Morris (Sudbury, Ont.) Pitcher Max Covriga (Markham, Ont.) then struck out three consecutive hitters to hold Black’s lead to two after the second inning.

Following a balk from pitcher Lucas St-Laurent (Montreal, Que.) in the bottom of the third, Theo Lima (Whitby, Ont.) was able to walk home adding another run to Team Black’s 4-1 lead.

Heading into the fourth, pitcher Aiden MacLellan (Milton, Ont.) replaced St-Laurent, who suffered a shoulder injury on an errant pickoff throw from his catcher in the third. Two strikeouts from MacLellan and a ground out closed out a scoreless inning.

For Team Black, Peyton Markwood (Puslinch, Ont.) took over on the mound to open the fifth and pitched a perfect inning, sending Black back on offence. Despite runners on second and third, Black did not score thanks to a well-timed strikeout from MacLellan.

Markwood and MacLellan were again impressive for their respective teams in the sixth, with the Black hurler striking out three more batters while his Grey counterpart got out of a slight jam to register his three outs.

Rouse then got the ball for Black and struck out the side, before Mac Warawa (Calgary, Alta.) countered for Grey, walking two and striking out two before the game was called with the score 4-1.

In all, the Team Grey pitching quartet of Covriga, St-Laurent, MacLellan and Warawa combined on the no-hitter while walking 10 and striking out 13.

The Team Black combination of Noah Corrente (Squamish, B.C.), Jack Bello (Richmond, B.C.), Markwood and Rouse allowed just two hits while walking eight and striking out 15.

Markwood noted major differences in Team Black’s two performances on the day, including temperature and daylight.

“It’s dark out . . . I like to spin the curveball and if guys can’t see the spin because it’s dark out, I like to use that to my advantage,” he said.

In his two innings , Markwood struck out six of the eight batters he faced and walked one – earning the title of Player of the Game.

“We’re just going to keep rolling with what we got; we’ve got one shot, one outing and I know these guys are going to go give it their best on the field,” he said.

Team Black will look to build on the win in their next games against Royal (12 p.m. P.T.) and New Blue (6 p.m. P.T.) on Saturday. Meanwhile, Team Grey will try to get back into the win column with games against Navy (3 p.m. P.T.) and Red (9 p.m. P.T.).

September 18, 2026

By Avery Grainger

UBC Journalism

Team Royal and Team New Blue entered Friday night’s matchup at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium with plenty of confidence, energy and competitive intensity.

Fresh off wins earlier in the day, both teams were hungry for more, but it was New Blue who took home a big 7-2 win.

The first and second innings finished scoreless, with Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) ripping a triple to centre as the notable play in the bottom of the first. Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) walked and stole second shortly after, but three strikeouts by Gabe Fink (Edmonton, Alta.) stranded both runners in scoring position.

In the second, New Blue managed a one-out single from Galen Hudel (Waterloo, Ont.), as the crowd continued to wait for the game’s first run.

Royal finally broke through in the third. Dayne Liske (Drayton Valley, Alta.) reached base and advanced into scoring position before scoring on a single to centre by Eimel Segura (Gatineau, Que.). New Blue threatened in the bottom half, with Henderson stealing both second and third, but Royal preserved its 1-0 lead.

Things changed in the fourth. Hudson Nikkel (Stanley, Man.) singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and then scored on a double to centre by Caleb Quack (Breslau, Ont.), tying the game at 1.

Royal regained the lead in the fifth when Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, B.C.) doubled and scored on Liske’s RBI single to right. New Blue answered immediately, as Juan Cruz (Mississauga, Ont.) walked, stole second and third, then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2.

Royal was held scoreless in the sixth despite a one-out single from Grady Jones (Chesterville, Ont.). New Blue then broke the game open in the bottom half. In as a pinch-hitter, Will Zielinski (Victoria, B.C.) was hit by a pitch then stole second and third, while Hudel walked and also advanced into scoring position. Quack drove both runners home with a two-run double to centre, giving New Blue a 4–2 lead.

Royal went down in order in the seventh, and New Blue added three more runs in the bottom half.

Cruz was hit by a pitch, stole both second and third, then scored when Henderson launched a two-run inside-the-park home run to right-centre. Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) later walked and came around on Zielinski’s RBI single, extending New Blue’s lead to 7–2.

Quack said he was looking to “do some damage” in the game, and that is certainly what happened. Named Player of the Game, he says he was proud of his performance, but doesn’t want to stop here.

New Blue is back in action on Saturday against Team Black (6 p.m. P.T.), while Royal faces Team Navy in the early game (9 a.m. P.T.).

September 18, 2026

By Robbie Parker

BCIT

Offence was the order of the day in Friday’s third game at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase as Team Red doubled up Team Navy 8-4.

Navy actually scored the game’s first run in the top of the first inning at Nat Bailey Stadium, as Ethan Renaud (Okotoks, Alta.) scampered home on a throwing error by third baseman Ben Laughlin (Ottawa, Ont.)

Team Red took a 2-1 lead in the second after an RBI single from Maxime Lamarre (Terrabonne, Que.) drove in Lucas Carroll (Calgary, Alta.) and Nathan Bailey (Edmonton, Alta.) hit a run-scoring fly ball.

Defence and pitching took over in the third and fourth as the score remained 2-1 going into the fifth.

Then, offensive momentum seemed to turn for both teams as Navy’s Larson Accardo (Gilbert, Ariz.) hit a bloop double into shallow left and the shining sun. A hard-hit single by Nathan Zaretzky (King City, Ont.), and a wild pitch by Caleb Dupuis (Georgetown, Ont.) allowed Accardo to score.

Victor Lauziere (Greenfield Park, Que.) hit a line-drive double to bring home Zaretsky, giving Navy a 3-2 lead.

Team Red took the lead back fast in the bottom half as Joshua Holden (Mount Albert, Ont.) hit a two-run, stand-up double after a walk and wild pitch put two on base.

The double was almost immediately followed up by back-to-back RBI singles by Jackson Becker (Nepean, Ont.) and Victor Cauchon (Montreal, Que.) as Team Red took a 6-3 lead.

The two teams exchanged runs in the sixth inning. Renaud scored Navy’s fourth, and Carroll picked up Red’s seventh run. Team Red tallied one more in the seventh to make it an 8-4 final.

“We showed well today and we’re hoping to keep doing that for the next two days,” said Holden, who was named the Player of the Game after going 2-for-3 while driving in two.

He also stated what he wants to accomplish this weekend, “Keep putting together good at-bats, keep having team success.”

Red’s starting pitcher, left-hander Johann Sternberg (Toronto, Ont.), went three innings with five strikeouts, surrendering one walk and one hit. The starting pitcher for Team Navy was right hander Lucien Kovalcik (Burlington, Ont.), who also went three innings finishing with four strikeouts and two earned runs.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday. Red faces Black (12 p.m. P.T.) while Navy faces Grey immediately after (3 p.m. P.T.).

September 18, 2026

By: Noah Peckham

BCIT

Team Royal earned a well-pitched win on Day 2 of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.

After tying Team Navy 5-5 on Day 1, Team Royal defeated Team Black 4-3.

Team Black was playing their first game of the tournament.

Team Royal’s Ethan Reason (Stouffville, Ont.) had a strong start, striking out three of the first four batters he saw in the top of the first. Team Royal carried that momentum into the second inning as they led off with a walk from Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, B.C.), followed by a single by Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.). Whiteford and Batiste were then able to steal second and third base.

With two runners in scoring position, Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.) hit deep fly ball that was tracked down at the warning track, scoring one run and advancing another runner to third. The inning ended with a ground out from Will White (Perth, Ont.).

Team Black cracked Reason in the second inning, Noah Stanley (Blakefield, Ont.) walked, stole second and then scored on an RBI double from Theo Lima (Whitby, Ont.).

Team Black’s starting pitcher Logan Cummins (Mississauga, Ont.) found his groove in the bottom of the second inning. After giving up a lead-off walk, he struck out the next three batters and the game was tied 1-1 after two.

Reason countered with a dominant third inning for Team Royal. After giving up a single to the first batter, he then struck out the next three batters in a row. He ended his day with seven strikeouts in three innings.

“It felt pretty good honestly, (it was my) first time pitching at the Canadian Futures Showcase. It was a really good experience – I loved it a lot,” said Reason. “I want to showcase the velo and the accuracy with the strikes and get the curveball in there for the strike outs.”

Bode Lynch (Maple Ridge, B.C.) came in to pitch for Team Royal in the top of the fourth. He gave up a double to Jerome Fortier (Beauharnois, Que.), who later scored on a bases-load walk to Lima.

Team Royal took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth when Alexander Wallace (Oakville, Ont.) singled in Toronto-born Ira Rootman (Los Angeles, Calif.). Wallace later scored on a single from Toby Wilding (Vancouver, B.C.)

The two teams traded runs again in the fifth inning, then the pitchers duel resumed when Jake Trask struck out the side in the top of the sixth for Team Royal.

Tanner Wiens (Niagara Falls, Ont.) countered with a strikeout and two popouts in the sixth, then both pitchers shut the door in the seventh, preserving the Royal victory.

“It feels great (to win). I think as a team we got closer today, we want to use the momentum of this win going into the next game,” said Reason

Team Royal’s next game is Saturday at 9 a.m. against Team Navy and Team Black looks to bounce back in their game against Team New Blue at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

September 18, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Canadian Baseball Network

The Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase was the perfect excuse for Ira Rootman to see his grandparents.

It also gave the California native a chance to clear the air about how he ended up north of the 49th parallel for the annual get-together of Canada’s best young high school baseball players.

When combing the list of invitees, Rootman’s name stuck given his place of birth but, as it turns out, his roots run deep across the country.

“Both of my parents (Dan and Jess) are from Vancouver and they lived in Toronto for about 15 years before I was born,” Rootman said. “My sister and I were both born in Toronto before we moved down to LA.”

The talented outfielder out of Harvard-Westlake High School and the Canes National 17U program is suiting up with Team Navy at the showcase and, as it turns out, he has a few familiar faces on the roster, too.

COMING BACK TO CANADA

Rootman was just four years old when his family packed up to head south to California.

His mom is a teacher while his dad is a doctor who was about to start his residency at UCLA when they made the trek across the continent.

But with both sets of grandparents and several cousins in Vancouver, the family was regularly back in Canada for holidays and summer vacations, which of course had to include some baseball.

“I’ve actually seen four or five games here at Nat Bailey Stadium,” Rootman said. “It’s good to be back.”

With a maple leaf on his birth certificate and the Canadian Futures Showcase being moved to Vancouver for 2026, it was a quick “yes” from the 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder when he was invited to attend.

LAY OF THE LAND

It’s not like Rootman was going in completely blind when he came to the Nat.

He had played in different events with Calum Andersen (Calgary, Alta.) and Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.), who both ended up as teammates with Navy.

Both are veterans of the tournament, so they were able to give Rootman some intel on the level of play and what to expect going in.

“I think my biggest goal was just play hard and with energy,” said the right-handed batter. “I think I caught myself earlier in the summer striving for results and being mad when the results didn’t come.”

He’s come to realize “that’s baseball” and, sometimes, you’re going to go 0-for-4.

So far so good for Rootman as he went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in Navy’s 5-5 tie with Royal on Thursday night before going 0-for-2 with a walk and run scored in a 4-3 win over Black.

PLAY LIKE PETE

Don’t think for a second that Rootman is a fair-weather baseball player either despite his upbringing on the sunny west coast.

He admits he enjoyed playing the nightcap on Thursday where the temperature was hovering around 12 degrees Celsius.

By Friday afternoon, he was soaking up the rays in 20-degree sunshine and soaking up some knowledge from the Team Royal coaches – Andrew Albers, Aaron Myette, Chris Robinson and Cav Whitely.

He also draws inspiration from a player who went to his same high school: current Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

“My new saying is, ‘Play like Pete,’” said the 18-year-old. “I’m embodying that now, trying to make an impact in any way possible.”

Unlike PCA, who was committed to Vanderbilt before being drafted in the first round by the Cubs in 2020, Rootman plans to attend the University of Texas after he finishes high school.

Unless he, too, hears his name get called, which could happen next summer as he is ranked third in the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2027 MLB Draft list.

September 18, 2026

By Darius Fuladi

BCIT

VANCOUVER - Early action on Day 2 of the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase saw Team New Blue secure a hard fought 3-1 win over Team Grey.

Leadoff hitter Will Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) showed off some serious speed, stealing his way to third after reaching first on a hit-by-pitch. With the runner 90 feet from scoring, Zach MacDonald (Lacombe, Alta.) drove one into left field for an RBI single to put New Blue up by one early.

Grey quickly responded in the bottom of the first when Arnold Ohanian (Laval, Que.) tied the game with a liner to left field, scoring Sam Ellis (La Peche, Que.) from second.

New Blue kept threatening in the top of the second. With runners in scoring position, Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.) grounded out to second to bring Hudson Nikkel (Stanley, Man.) home, making it 2-1 New Blue.

After three innings of scoreless ball, Nikkel hammered the first home run of the tournament in the top of the sixth inning to seal the game for New Blue. He took home Player of the Game honours, finishing 2-for-3 and adding a stolen base.

“I was just trying to be on time for the fastball, get my first hit of the tournament and just ran into one there, and you just got to be grateful for stuff like that,” said Nikkel about his big play.

𝗡𝗜𝗞𝗞𝗘𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗖𝗙‼️🚀

OF Hudson Nikkel
2027, @VABjets
6-4/202lbs@PB_Uncommitted

One of Alberta’s top unsigned senior bats announces his presence in Vancouver with a big fly in the 6th.💣

60 - 6.92s
OF Velo - 85mph
Max EV- 101mph (88.1 avg)… pic.twitter.com/sOvMwaC0RH

— Prep Baseball Alberta (@PrepBaseballAB) September 18, 2026

Nikkel says Team New Blue is hoping to continue to build on the momentum of winning their first two games of the tournament.

“We're just going to keep it rolling, keep the spirits high. I think we got a lot of chemistry in the dugout, and I think that leads to good plays on the field.”

New Blue pitchers Tyson Dyck (Calgary, Alta.), Brody McCready (Brantford, Ont.) and MacDonald gave up just one hit and one walk each. Dyck and McCready combined for eight strikeouts over five innings.

Team Grey wouldn’t go down without a fight though. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, they threatened to tie the game with Alekk Biasone (Québec, Que.) on third and Alex McGrath (St. John’s, Nfld.) as the potential tying run at the plate. But MacDonald stepped in to pitch and earned the save after McGrath flied out to Nikkel in right field.

In their next games, New Blue will face Team Royal (6 p.m. P.T.) and Team Grey will face Team Black (9 p.m. P.T.) Friday.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 18, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

The target is squarely on the back of Daril Rodriguez and he’s more than okay with it.

The Red Deer native became the third-straight player with Alberta ties to claim the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby in 2025, belting 17 roundtrippers during two rounds to take the crown.

He’s back again, this time at Vancouver’s Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, with a heavyweight belt to defend.

After hitting a few more over the fence during the opening day of the annual showcase, Rodriguez is looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s a really exciting event and, going into it with having the championship, I really want it,” he pauses. “I really want to go back-to-back.”

While he’s quickly become known for how the ball screams off the bat, the Gulls Prep product wants to show that there’s more to his game.

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Listen to the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast episode devoted to Day 2 of the Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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PLAYING A NEW GAME

Rodriguez enters this year’s edition of the Canadian Futures Showcase as a savvy veteran who understands the stage he’s going on.

He entered last year’s event with wide eyes but was calm enough to perform when it mattered and would like to do the same this time around.

“I just feel like it’s a normal weekend,” said the St. Joseph Ball Academy product. “I don’t feel any pressure – I just need to play my game.”

It’s an approach that he has seemingly taken from his home team, the Gulls, who had played the role of Cinderella during the inaugural Road to Okotoks run to the Morneau Cup championship final.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound outfielder hit a combined .270 with three doubles, 10 runs batted in and a stolen base between the Regional Qualifiers in Lethbridge/Vauxhall and the main event in Okotoks.

Surprisingly, his only home runs during that tournament came during its Home Run Derby.

Don’t think of Rodriguez’s performance as a power outage as much as it was him finding more ways to get on base and contribute to a scrappy Gulls squad who made it to the championship game, falling to the host Dawgs.

LET IT FLY

Committed to Hutchinson Community College, Rodriguez is hoping to work on his speed during the next few months as he gets ready to graduate from high school and take the next step in his baseball journey.

It’s a part of his game that has matured a lot in the past year, which is something he’s hoping to show in Vancouver.

It’s a mentality centering on the idea that it’s better to get on-base than strike out or fly out going for the big bomb.

But if he gets the opportunity to step into the batter’s box to defend his Home Run Derby crown as a member of Team Black, you can count on Rodriguez to take a deep breath and be confident in his ability to swing away.

“Last year, I was kind of looking for power, but this year I’m trying to be more of a scrappy player,” he said. “I want to get hits, get bloop singles, and occasionally let it fly.”

Dawgs Academy infielder Brooks Froese (Red Deer, Alta.) is hoping to make a big impression at the 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories. You can read it here.

September 18, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

He is one of the smallest players at the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase but he’s determined to show he has the biggest heart.

Red Deer’s Brooks Froese stands 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 152 pounds, which is just two pounds heavier than the lightest player at the showcase.

That honour goes to Ontario’s Braylon Stern (5-foot-10, 150 pounds).

For Froese, it’s about more than sheer brawn and muscle that’s going to get him noticed.

“I want to show leadership and presence,” he told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.

“It’s about showcasing my actions, not just physical but mental, and showing that I’m a good guy, a good teammate, and I’m going to do all these things for the team and just be a good dude.”

The 16-year-old has shown it all in spades during what has been a banner year.

It started with Gulls Prep in Sylvan Lake, where he hit a combined .222 with a double, one run batted in and three stolen bases while playing solid defence during the Road to Okotoks Prairie Qualifiers and the Morneau Cup.

A week later, Froese was named Team Canada’s MVP at the Prep Baseball Future Games, continuing his strong play at shortstop while adding some big at-bats, including a game-changing triple that helped him gain some confidence at the plate.

“I remember going down 1-2 and thinking I’m just going to battle – be who I am and I’m going to hit this,” Froese said. “I hit a triple to the wall and sliding into third was such a great feeling.”

His strong play continued at the Baseball Canada Cup, where he was named a tournament all-star while helping Team Alberta claim its first bronze in 12 years.

Heading into the Canadian Futures Showcase, the Team Navy infielder will be looking to keep the momentum rolling while also enjoying the moment, as he says it’s something not everyone gets to do.

He will then head back to Alberta, although he has taken his talents to Dawgs Academy in Okotoks, where he hopes to hone his skills while adding another 25 pounds to his frame.

All the while, not changing who he is, which is highlighted by the right-hander’s advice for young players hoping to get to where he is now.

“Just be who you are,” Froese said. “Be who you are personality-wise, just be you, and that will push you to become the best version of yourself.”

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Listen to the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast devoted to Day 1 of the 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase here.

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THE DAILY RUNDOWN

Day 1 of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase started with the players being put through the paces for Scout Day.

Pitchers were provided an opportunity to throw in the left-field bullpen at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, while position players did fielding drills before a session of batting practice.

Late in the afternoon, the first games got underway.

In the opener, Juan Cruz drove in two runs while Will Henzi scored twice to lead New Blue to the 5-0 win over Red. The combination of Will Zielinski (Vauxhall Academy), Marshall Schwoob and Brydon White (Dawgs Academy) combined for a one-hitter and eight strikeouts in the win. Maxime Lamarre had the lone Red hit.

The nightcap featured a back-and-forth affair between Navy and Royal. Navy built an early lead thanks to a two-run single from Rhys Whiteford (Dawgs Academy) in the first, building it to 4-0 before Royal scored five unanswered to take the lead before Ira Rootman tied with a sac fly in the seventh to finish up the 5-5 tie.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

9 a.m. MT – New Blue vs. Grey

12 p.m. MT – Black vs. Royal

3 p.m. MT – Navy vs. Red

6 p.m. MT – Royal vs. New Blue

9 p.m. MT – Grey vs. Black

September 17, 2026

By: Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

No lead was seemingly safe as Team Royal and Team Navy finished off Day 1 of the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase playing to a 5-5 draw.

Royal got out to the early lead thanks to a two-run single from Rhys Whiteford (Duncan, BC) in the top of the first inning, plating Mikey Batiste (Mississauga, Ont.) and Jalen Jacob (Maple, Ont.).

They added to their 2-0 lead in the second inning when Dayne Liske (Red Deer, Alta.) scampered home when a Charles-Etienne Drewitt (La Prairie, Que.) pitch got by catcher Justin Blouin (Montreal, Que.).

In the top of the third, Toby Wilding (Vancouver, B.C.) doubled in Jacob and it felt like Royal was in cruise control.

However, back-to-back bases-loaded walks by Riley Wolbeck (Leduc, Alta.) and Braylon Stern (Delaware, Ont.) cut Navy’s deficit in half in the fourth.

Blouin then got some revenge for the earlier passed ball when he hammered a bases-loaded double to right-centre field to give his squad the lead.

With their backs against the wall, Royal fought back in the top of the seventh inning, working the bases loaded for Ira Rootman, who hit a high fly ball to centre field, allowing Ludovic Therriault (Sherbrooke, Que.) to trot in from third to cap off the scoring.

Rootman says it was a hard-fought game which allowed everyone to get acclimated to what the showcase is all about.

“My biggest goal for this tournament was just to play hard and with energy,” said the California native, who was born in Toronto. “Stepping into this one, it’s a new environment and I’m just going to have fun with my friends and just prove what I have.”

On the mound, Drewitt, Major MacNeil (Angus, Ont.) and Simon Rae-Labarre (Quebec, Que.) combined to allow five runs on five hits, seven walks and 14 strikeouts for Navy, while Richard Marshall (Whitby, Ont.), Callum Dickie (Oro-Medante, Ont.) and Matis Trahan (Mercier, Que.) gave up five runs on four hits and 10 walks while striking out six for Royal.

Royal will face Teams Black (12 p.m. P.T.) and New Blue (6 p.m. P.T.) on Friday, while Navy takes on Red (3 p.m. P.T.).

September 17, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

The Canadian Baseball League final is set to begin Friday in Hamilton when the top-seeded Cardinals host the third-place Welland Jackfish.  

It’s the first Dominico Cup final between the teams.

Welland is looking for its second straight league title and third in the last four seasons. Hamilton’s only championship came in 1978 when it defeated London in six games. The Cardinals' previous appearance in the final was in 2002.  

HOW THEY GOT HERE  

Both teams, along with London, finished 31-17, but Hamilton finished in first place based on the regular season tiebreaker.  

Hamilton advanced to the final after defeating Barrie – the fifth-place team and wild card winner – in six games. Welland, after dropping its first two games against second-place London in the other semifinal, won the next four to move on.  

SEASON SERIES 

Hamilton went 4-2 against Welland and took the last three games, which ultimately clinched the top seed and home-field advantage through the playoffs. The Cardinals outscored Welland 36-29. 

OFFENCE 

Welland led the CBL with 430 runs – nine per game. Daiki Abe led the Jackfish with a .397 average, while Ethan Mann had a team-high 15 home runs and 71 RBIs.  

Brandon Nicoll and Darlin German each hit .350 for the Cardinals, who scored 371 runs – 7.7 per game. Carlos Dominguez led Hamilton with 10 longballs, and German collected a team-best 54 RBIs.  

PITCHING 

As a team, Hamilton, led by Hector Yan and Owen Boon, posted an earned-run average of 3.88 in the regular season -- easily tops in the CBL. Both Yan and Boon had seven wins, while Yan racked up 112 punchouts.  

For Welland, the Jackfish’s 4.30 ERA ranked third in the CBL, just a tick below London’s. Closer Deivy Mendez posted a 1.75 ERA, while Ben Abram and Yoilan Quinonez each won six games.    

SCHEDULE 

(1) HAMILTON vs. (3) WELLAND 

Game 1: Friday, Sept. 18 at Hamilton, 7:35 p.m.  

Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 19 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.  

Game 3: Sunday, Sept. 20 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.  

Game 4: Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.  

*Game 5: Friday, Sept. 25 at Hamilton, 7:35 p.m.  

*Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 26 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.  

*Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 27 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.  

*If necessary 

September 17, 2026

By Abbey Neufeld

UBC Journal

VANCOUVER, BC - The 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase is officially underway at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in beautiful British Columbia.

Home to the Vancouver Canadians, the stadium is welcoming 150 of Canada’s brightest prospects from all corners of the country to compete in a four-day showing.

Events got underway Thursday with Scout Day before the competition officially began with the Team New Blue shutting out Team Red 5-0.

Will Zielinski (Victoria, BC) opened the game on the mound for New Blue and New Blue shortstop Will Henzi (Victoria, BC) closed out the game with an impressive catch.

The bottom of the first began with Jackson Becker (Nepean, Ont.) pitching for Red. William Henderson (Mississauga, Ont.) led off by getting to second on an error. He later came around to score the first run of the Showcase thanks to a pair of hits from teammates Gino De Santis (Chatham, Ont.) and Zach Macdonald (Lacombe, Alta.).

After Zielinski pitched another flawless inning, New Blue scored another run when Juan Cruz (Mississauga, Ont.) drove in Henzi for the game’s second run.

Neither team scored in the third, then New Blue added to their lead when De Santis reached base on an error, bringing home Cruz.

New Blue finished out their scoring in the fifth inning as Hudson Harding (Calgary, Alta.) scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and Henzi scored on a sacrifice fly from Cruz.

The trio of Zielinski, Marshall Schwoob (Hamilton, Ont.) and Brydon White (Surrey, BC) combined to allow just one hit while striking out eight.

Following their victory, Henzi spoke of the excitement felt in the dugout. Admitting to some first-game nerves, Henzi noted the importance of prioritizing the process at hand and staying present.

“I want to focus on making the memories here, not just where this might get me [...] We get to meet people from all over the country that we wouldn’t get to meet otherwise.”

He went on to mention the good feeling he had about their team and the belief that they have a lot to offer, saying: “Everybody has worked hard and is a good guy.”

After securing the win, they’re in no rush to switch gears, Henzi plans to, “go out there, have fun, and play free.”

Team New Blue is back in action at 9 a.m. Friday against Team Gray, where they will be seeking their second win of the tournament.

September 17, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

Don’t worry if you do a double take when you see Mikey Batiste step onto the baseball field.

The 16-year-old is used to getting that kind of reaction thanks to his 6-foot-4, 231-pound frame.

Then he swings the bat and even more heads turn with his exit velocities reaching upwards of 106.5 miles per hour (and growing).

It’s no wonder Batiste is widely viewed as the top Canadian prospect heading into the 2028 Major League Baseball Draft.

Yet none of the added attention and noise really seems to phase him.

“I understand that even though I have the high rankings and everything, I’m not where I want to be,” Batiste said. “You can always strive to be better, always try to be one percent better everyday, and work on the things that you struggle with or even improve the things you’re good at.”

Heading into his second Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, he’s hungry to keep showing off his work ethic and willingness to learn as he always has during a well-traveled journey in the game.

Multi-sport upbringing

It could have been easy for Batiste to pick basketball instead of baseball as his favourite sport.

His dad, Michael Batiste, played hoops internationally before embarking on a coaching career that took him to the NBA with several teams, including Brooklyn, Charlotte, Orlando, Washington, Houston and, most recently, Toronto.

Feeling no pressure from his pops, the younger Batiste ultimately landed on baseball after watching his older cousin, Darius, play the game. Admittedly, he says he found himself initially attached to baseball because of the jerseys and “really nice socks.”

He kept dabbling in other sports, saying being a multi-sport athlete early on paid dividends.

“You can work different muscles playing different sports and be more physical and more athletic,” Batiste said. “It definitely keeps you in shape, I’ll tell you that.”

Northern exposure

After excelling in baseball everywhere he had gone, Batiste and his family moved to Toronto when his dad got a job as an assistant coach with the Raptors in 2023.

He immediately found a home with the Ontario Blue Jays, hitting multiple home runs with their 14U program.

Under coaches Connor Morro and Jared Kennedy, the switch-hitter has enjoyed the level of competition he faces as well as the opportunities for growth.

“For me, I take everything as a learning experience,” Batiste said. “What I’ve learned is that if I succeed, I succeed. But there is no failure – you just learn.”

Such was the case at his first Futures Showcase, which he admits was a challenge having to face the best in Canada with pitch speeds he hadn’t seen a lot of.

Instead of being down about having to make some adjustments on the fly, Batiste used it as motivation to get back to work to become faster, stronger and smarter at the plate.

Having a blast

Batiste has had a few opportunities to put his power on display so far this season and sometimes on the biggest stages.

Hitting third for the Blue Jays at the inaugural Morneau Cup in Okotoks, he launched a three-run rocket in the opener against the DT Selects.

Just a couple of weeks later, Batiste was back at it at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, California, capturing the Underclassmen Home Run Derby crown.

It was a special moment for the new champion as he has family that lives in the area.

“They got to see me do that and it was just such a blessing that baseball brought me on this journey to where it was basically a big family reunion,” Batiste said. “It was awesome and just so great to have amazing support.”

Come out and play

If he has it his way, Batiste wouldn’t mind adding another home run derby title to his resume before the end of the year.

While it’s not certain that he will be part of the field taking part in the Canadian Futures Showcase event on Sunday, he did hit four roundtrippers in last year’s derby at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

More than anything, Batiste says he just wants to “go play and have fun” as he sees some old friends and puts his skills on display for the coaches and scouts in attendance.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on myself,” said the uncommitted outfielder. “That’s what I’ve done in the past, holding myself to a high standard, but I just want to have a good time and play with some of the best players in the country.”

Batiste will be playing for Team Royal at the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

September 17, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

From cards and posters to jerseys with their names on the back, every baseball player dreams of seeing themselves on collectibles like their heroes.

For Jalen Jacob, they also represent a tribute of sorts to his father and grandfather, who have worked in sports memorabilia for years and decorated their homes with all kinds of items over the years.

The Maple, Ontario native got a sneak peek into his future when he returned from a U.S. showcase trip with dozens of custom-made baseball cards featuring his likeness.

After giving a few to his family members and then adding to his own personal collection, Jacob says the cards represent another sign that he’s on the right path.

The reality of being one of the top-ranked Canadian high school products heading into the 2027 Major League Draft is starting to dawn on him.

“Honestly, I think that gives me motivation to work hard because it’s kind of becoming real, right?” Jacob says. “I see these guys that I know who are getting drafted and it’s like, ‘I can be doing that next year.’”

As the 17-year-old, who has committed to Kansas State University, heads towards his third Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, he says it will be an important few months as he solidifies his spot as a top prospect.

Big league dreams

There was never really any doubt in Jacob’s mind that he wanted to play baseball.

He and his brother, fellow Canadian Futures Showcase alum Jordan Jacob, could always be found at the different ballparks around Toronto. Given their relative closeness in age, Jalen found himself playing up an age bracket or two hoping to keep up with his older sibling.

Growing up in the region also provided plenty of opportunities to head to Rogers Centre to check out Blue Jays games.

Jacob vividly remembers one in particular, when he was about eight years old, when he and his friends had special passes to go out onto the field after the Jays faced the Kansas City Royals.

Armed with a Sharpie and a baseball, the youngster ran around gathering autographs from players on both teams.

“Honestly, I remember going crazy – I was like screaming on the field,” Jacob laughs. “It was such a fun experience.”

The ball is now a part of his own massive collection of items at home.

Like his idols

In a full-circle moment just a few years later, Jacob found himself playing on that same Rogers Centre turf at his first Canadian Futures Showcase in 2024.

Fresh off taking part in major Perfect Game and Prep Baseball events stateside, he was already being viewed as an impact bat who had quickly learned to deal with stronger pitching despite his age.

Jacob was ready to show off all he had learned to a Canadian audience while playing in a stadium where he grew up watching his favourite team and player, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.

“It was probably the most surreal feeling,” he says. “It kind of brought this whole dream of mine to life.”

While Jacob was keen to showcase his skills, he also understood how every opportunity that comes his way is a learning experience, collecting lessons from his coaches and the players around him.

Being in the moment

Now a savvy veteran going into his third Canadian Futures Showcase, Jacob says his biggest goal going into Vancouver is to be “mentally locked in the whole time” while being a good teammate by sharing some of his experience with the younger players.

“It’s one of the best events I go to because I get to face good competition all the time and I definitely have to be on my best game,” says Jacob. “I want to show my skills, be in the moment and just have a good time.”

The 6-foot-3, 248-pound Ontario Blue Jays slugger, who was named an all-star at the inaugural Morneau Cup in Okotoks this summer, would also like to end his season with a bang before spending his offseason getting into the best shape of his life.

“I move good for my size right now, but I want to get to a point where I move even better and I’m faster, more agile and my arms are stronger,” Jacob says. “The pro season is long, so you have to be durable and ready to play a lot of games through the year.”

You will be able to see Jacob as part of Team Royal at the 2026 Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

September 17, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

No stage seems to be too big for Calum Andersen.

Whether it’s playing for the Vauxhall Academy Jets, Baseball Alberta at national events, the Junior National Team, or the Area Codes Games, the 16-year-old right-hander just seems so calm, cool and collected.

The old saying “pressure is privilege” is one that Andersen welcomes with open arms.

“I think, for me, that’s the best,” he says. “That’s when your blood is pumping the most and that’s when the game really starts to be the most fun.”

As Andersen gets ready for his second Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, he’s hoping to take what he’s learned from all of his experiences to put on his best performance so far.

A perfect game

Growing up in Calgary, Andersen always played in older age brackets.

Armed with his electric arsenal of pitches, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound twirler took his talents south to Vauxhall, where he could work with coach Les McTavish.

It was there that, as a 15-year-old in April 2024, he threw the program’s second five-inning perfect game, striking out 10 in an 11-0 win over AHP Academy.

That performance was part of a year to remember for Andersen, who would later take part in his first Prep Baseball Futures Games and represented his home province at the Canada Summer Games before joining the Junior National Team at the Dominican Fall Instructional Camp.

“It’s something everyone dreams about doing and to be able to get the opportunity to do that is something I was pumped up for,” he said. “You work really hard to even get the chance to be in the conversation for Team Canada to know it’s starting to pay off feels amazing.”

First time at the showcase

Among the top highlights of Andersen’s 2025 was heading to Toronto for his first Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

Being one of the younger players invited, he enjoyed the opportunity to show what he was capable of and how he stacked up against players from across the country.

“I learned that there’s a lot of really good players here in Canada,” Andersen said. “So you just have to be on the attack when you’re out there playing.”

His lone appearance with Team Navy came as a start against Team Royal, he struck out four batters over three innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits and two walks in a 9-1 loss.

Back for more

While his start didn’t go as well as he hoped, Andersen treated as he always does: use it as a learning experience for his next outing.

He has continued to turn heads everywhere he has gone, including the inaugural Baseball Canada Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, where he was named the tournament’s top pitcher. In two starts totaling 10 1/3 innings, he allowed just one run on three hits while striking out 13.

Andersen also went to the Area Codes Games, where he pitched two scoreless innings for the Yankees, allowing just two hits and striking out one in a 22-pitch outing.

Now ready for his trek to Vancouver for the Futures Showcase, he says his goal is to play “loose and easy,” take in some learning moments from the coaches and cherish his time on the field.

“Honestly, I think my biggest thing is to just go out there and be myself,” Andersen said. “I know what I can do and I’m just excited to get out there and have fun.”

Big league dreams

With the buzz already surrounding Andersen heading into 2027, the young hurler doesn’t seem to be phased at all.

He’s excited about what’s on the horizon as he’s committed to the University of Oklahoma and could even hear his name in the next Major League Baseball Draft.

Whatever path is coming his way, Andersen remains laser-focused on getting himself in the best and shape to take that next step.

“The biggest thing for me is just growing into my body more and getting a little bigger,” he said. “I also just want to keep being myself and have fun playing baseball.”

Andersen has also drawn some added motivation from another Vauxhall product who has realized his dreams of playing in the big leagues.

He and his Jets teammates clamoured around a television on May 18 to watch the debut of Adam Macko with the Toronto Blue Jays, giving them a glimpse that if they work hard and do the right things, they can also aspire to be on baseball’s biggest stage.

“It’s really inspiring just to know that he was once in your shoes and was able to do what you want to do,” Andersen said. “It’s reassuring that it’s possible and you want to go get that goal.”

He is suiting up for Team Royal at this year’s Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.

September 16, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Pomona, N.Y. - Once again, the Ottawa Titans got fantastic pitching and key hits to defeat the New York Boulders 6-3 on Wednesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead in the Atlantic Conference Championship Series.

Right out of the gate, the offence threatened against right-hander Garrett Cooper, as Thomas Ferroggiaro opened the game with a single to left. Next, Jackie Urbaez smashed an RBI double to the gap in right-centre, plating Ferroggiaro to start the scoring. AJ Wright made it 2-0 with a sac fly to right later in the frame.

Ky Hampton was fantastic in his first career professional start, tossing seven quality innings. Allowing six hits, walking one, and striking out five - the lone damage against the Australian was a third-inning RBI single from Jacob Tobias, getting the Boulders within one.

The run in the third inning ended an impressive 25 2/3-inning scoreless streak by Titans' pitching.

In the fourth, a walk and a hit by pitch stood aboard for Kaiden Cardoso (Abbotsford, B.C.) - who cashed in for a three-run homer to make it 5-1.

Chasing Cooper after 3 1/3 innings, the Boulders' righty did have a bright spot in his start, throwing an immaculate inning in the second, striking out the side on nine pitches.

Facing Anthony Leak, the Titans made it 6-1 in the top of the fifth as Jake Steels picked up yet another hit with a solo homer to left.

Liu Fuenmayor threw a scoreless eighth but slightly cracked the door open in the ninth. Jason Agresti made it a three-run game with a two-run homer before Norris McLure doubled.

Going back to the bullpen, Brett Garcia was brought in to finish the game, stranding two aboard to record his first save of the postseason.

Hunter Stokely picked up two hits, including a double in the win. Thomas Ferroggiaro reached base three times, registering a hit, a walk, and a hit by pitch.

With the victory, the Titans are now one win away from a trip to their first-ever Frontier League Championship Series.

The Titans continue the 2026 Playoffs, playing Game 3 of the Atlantic Conference best-of-five Championship Series against the Boulders on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on September 15. You can read it here.

September 16, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Saskatchewan Dugout Stories

Being a college freshman can be a daunting task for an athlete.

In many cases, it’s your first time trying to balance school, sports and life while living on your own cooking meals and balancing bank accounts.

Colby Linzmayer is discovering this new reality as he settles into his new home away from home in Edmonton.

With the goal of one day becoming a police officer, the Regina native has entered his first year of Police and Investigation Studies at MacEwan University.

To help handle some of the financial hurdles of being a student-athlete, the catcher has been named the 12th recipient of the Brennan Luffman Memorial Scholarship, which goes to a Saskatchewan baseball player who exemplifies several positive leadership characteristics on and off the field.

“It means a lot to receive something like this – it’s the meaning behind it that makes it even more special,” Linzmayer told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “I can’t thank the Luffman family enough for this scholarship.”

He will also keep his baseball dreams alive as he hopes to crack the opening day lineup for the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks of the Canadian College Baseball Conference heading into next spring.

QUEEN CITY DREAMS

Like many athletes, Linzmayer credits his athletic endeavours for shaping him into the human being he is today.

He says he learned so much about teamwork, leadership and resilience, especially as he got older and started playing with the Regina Wolfpack in 15U baseball.

Linzmayer recalls being a member of what he called an “underdog squad” at the Evan Thomas Tournament in Saskatoon as a second year player.

“Our team really clicked, we experienced success, and found ourselves winning games we didn’t think we would,” he said. “Unfortunately, we came up short in the final, but that group we had was pretty special and I’m still friends with all those guys.”

Making the move to the 18U Regina Athletics provided even more memories and experiences for Linzmayer, who says he had outstanding coaches who taught him about being a good leader and creating a good team culture.

“I took a lot of pride in my leadership role in my second and third year,” he continued. “We did everything as a team in this last year with the A’s and we made sure everyone was welcome to all players-only events.”

Among his favourites was “Swirl World Tuesdays,” where they would partake in a frozen treat and bond as a team at the frozen yogurt and sorbet shop.

FLYING WITH THE HAWKS

It’s that family-like atmosphere that has Linzmayer already liking what he’s seeing with the Hawks in Edmonton.

He says the veterans have welcomed the newcomers with open arms and he already looks up to them like big brothers.

“I was super-nervous the first day but, all of a sudden, I met so many amazing guys that have the same goals I do,” said the 5-foot-10, 185-pound backstop. “Work hard, play hard, and have some fun.”

Linzmayer is also not the only Saskatchewan player on the team, as he joins fellow Martin Academy products Lucas Geisler, Colby Tessier, Keaton Hannant, Cooper Jones and Wes Willman.

Off the field, he says he was inspired by coaches like Rob Muntain, Graham Borne, Trevor Weir, Kelly Newman and Curtis Warnar to follow his dreams.

“I love helping people and it’s important to me to be a positive impact on the community around me,” Linzmayer said. “I’m grateful for the people around me who have done such a great job raising me.”

He says they taught him the value of the saying “you get out what you put in,” adding they also showed him the importance of trying new things and making the people around you proud, which has been amplified further by receiving the scholarship.

HONOURING HER SON

The characteristics exemplified by Linzmayer are the ones that Charlene Luffman has looked for each year when determining the recipient of the scholarship bearing her son’s name.

Brennan and another young Weyburn man, Shaun Seghers, passed away in a car crash along Highway 13 in December 2012.

The Brennan Luffman Memorial Scholarship was first awarded in 2014 to pay tribute to the young man who was a popular teammate everywhere he played, including with the Western Major Baseball League’s (now Western Canadian Baseball League) Weyburn Beavers and Moose Jaw Miller Express.

“I raised my children to value sport and community as I did,” Charlene said.

“To be honest, it’s not so much about the sport itself, although I love all sports. It’s about all the learning that comes from playing sports like teamwork, losing gracefully, leadership, hard work, discipline, respect, balance, and responsibility – which all lead to being a good human.”

Over the years, she has received cards, texts, emails and phone calls from each of the young men as well as their parents and family members, which she says “fills my heart.”

She’s met many of them at the ball field, even watched some of them play, while others have connected years later just to tell her they have graduated and moved into their professional careers.

If the scholarship can help ease a small portion of the financial burden, she’s happy to help.

“Brennan was very much a team player and community was of the utmost importance to him,” Charlene said. “He would be very proud of all these young men, just as I am, and is cheering them on from the ‘outfield.’ Somehow, it makes my loss of him a little easier.”

LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY

The Brennan Luffman Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to a player who possesses the following qualities:

• A leader in their school, community and baseball team

• Shows examples of volunteerism in school and community

• Exhibits great skill, determination, dedication and spirit within the team atmosphere

• Demonstrates a willingness to enhance their baseball opportunity by attending a college baseball program or academy program

• Demonstrates a positive attitude in athletics and in school environment

• Must be a registered baseball player in Saskatchewan who is in their 12th grade year and attending a Saskatchewan high school moving onto university or college

The nominations are then collected by Baseball Sask and passed along to the Luffman family for final review. Previous winners of the scholarship include:

2014/2015 – Carver Krafchuk (Weyburn)

2015/2016 – Brandon Hutt (Weyburn)

2016/2017 – Logan Hofmann (Muenster)

2017/2018 – Devon Farrell (Saskatoon)

2018/2019 – Adlei Muench (Martensville)

2019/2020 – Kyle Froehlich (Nipawin)

2020/2021 – Zander Oudie-Senger (Regina)

2021/2022 – Nate Varjassy (Moose Jaw)

2022/2023 – Jonah Kuntz (Regina)

2023/2024 – Keaton Husband (Weyburn)

2024/2025 – Merek Yeager (Muenster) and Nathan Pisio (Moose Jaw)

2025/2026 – Colby Linzmayer (Regina)

September 15, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Pomona, N.Y. - Opening the second round on the road, the Ottawa Titans got off to an early lead and were backed by eight scoreless innings from Alfredo Villa to blank the New York Boulders 6-0 on Tuesday night, taking Game 1 of the Atlantic Conference Championship Series.

With a pair on in the first inning, Jake Steels kicked off the scoring with an RBI bloop single to right off Boulders starter Riley Cooper to put the Titans in front. Steels now has hits in all three playoff games and has hits in 15 consecutive contests dating back to the end of the regular season.

After a leadoff single from AJ Wright to open the third, Caleb Burr crushed the first pitch he saw for a two-run homer over the left field wall to make it 3-0.

Threatening once again in the fifth, Steels posted his second hit of the night for a one-out double, sending an AJ Wright walk over to third. With the infield drawn in, Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) expanded the lead with a two-run single to right to make it 5-0. Taylor Wright leads the Titans with six RBIs in three postseason games.

As Cooper left following 4 1/3 innings, the Boulders turned to right-hander Emmett Bice, who allowed an inherited runner to score on a Michael Fuhrman RBI single to centre, making it 6-0.

Cooper was charged with all six runs on seven hits, walking four, hitting one, and striking out four.

The run support was plenty for Villa, who cruised through eight clean innings for his first career Frontier League postseason win. Villa allowed five hits, walked one, hit one and fanned five. Titans' pitching has not allowed a run since the top of the fourth in the Wild Card Series opener against New Jersey.

Brett Garcia fanned two on route to a clean and scoreless ninth, giving the Titans the victory.

Caleb Burr and Jake Steels each posted two-hit games in the opener. Jackie Urbaez singled and walked while AJ Wright had a base hit and drew two free passes.

The win marks the third shutout in postseason play in franchise history, joining Game 1 of the East Division Series at home against Québec in 2022 and Game 2 of the Atlantic Conference Wild Card Series in New Jersey last Saturday.

The Titans continue the 2026 playoffs, playing Game 2 of the Atlantic Conference best-of-five Championship Series against the Boulders on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Clover Stadium in Pomona, N.Y. The Titans hold home-field advantage as the higher seed, hosting Game 3 in Ottawa on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

Mississauga Tigers grad Ryan Marton (Scarborough, Ont.), shown here training at Tread Athletics, was selected in the 17th round of the 2026 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs. Photo: Tread Athletics

September 15, 2026

By J.P. Antonacci

Canadian Baseball Network

You can hear the excitement in Ryan Marton’s voice when the right-hander from Scarborough, Ont., gets talking about his first few months as a pitching prospect with the Chicago Cubs.

“It’s like a kid in a candy store. I’m so happy with everything,” Marton said of his time at the club’s training complex in Arizona.

“They have a lot of insane technology there that I haven’t been using before. It’s a lot of very useful feedback.”

The Cubs chose Marton with their 17th round pick in July’s MLB draft, making the 6-foot-4 righty the 517th overall pick.

The soon-to-be 22-year-old comes to Chicago from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and three years working with Tread Athletics, a North Carolina-based pitching performance lab that helped Marton add velocity and develop a cutter and changeup to complement his sweeper and a mid-90s fastball.

“That was my introduction to mechanical analysis and diving deep into pitching,” Marton told the Canadian Baseball Network during a brief trip home to Scarborough to renew his work visa.

In a social media post congratulating Marton on draft day, Tread Athletics said their star pupil underwent “a full mechanical and arsenal overhaul,” while a columnist reporting on Marton signing with the Cubs for $200,000 said the young pitcher started turning heads in college after “intensive mechanical restructuring.”

Marton describes the process a bit differently.

“I wouldn’t classify it as a full overhaul. Just constant improvements of one thing after another,” he said.

“I think if you were to overhaul everything all at once, it would be extremely difficult to perform. All the changes I’ve made before are like building blocks. I keep building on them and adding new pieces to the puzzle.”

Marton’s coaches at the pitching lab focused on one specific part of his delivery at a time, evaluating arm angle, stride length, pitch grips and more.

“You isolate one part of the mechanical sequence that you want to tackle, and you work on that,” Marton said.

“Then when it becomes second nature and you repeat it without thought, that’s when I’ve been jumping to the next mechanical improvement that I need to make.”

It sounds daunting, but Marton said getting into the minutiae of mechanics is right up his alley.

“It’s the most fun thing for me. I am a complete pitching nerd,” he said.

“It is my favourite thing when we bring out really nuanced mechanical details. Anything to do with biomechanics, how I can throw harder, how I can make my pitches better. That is one of my favourite things about baseball. I just love learning about that.”

Embracing discomfort

He may love the challenge, but Marton admits it is not easy to change an ingrained motion like where his foot lands when throwing a pitch.

“Oh, it’s incredibly difficult. It’s one step back for two steps forward,” he said.

“When I first start working on it, everything feels weird, nothing feels good. I feel like I won’t be able to throw as hard. The outputs will be down.

“Getting it right will take time, and I know that. So at the beginning, I’m not worried about maximum outputs. I’m thinking about the future. Because once my foot starts landing right, I can get more things starting to feel normal again and get myself used to that movement.”

That halting progression puts to lie the idea that everything will click right away. In fact, Marton said getting uncomfortable is a key part of getting better, since even changes that objectively make his pitching motion more efficient will feel awkward at first.

“I’ve had so many great mentors tell me ‘you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,’” he said.

“You can’t really be focused on immediate results. But I trust everybody that I’m working with, and that this is the path forward.”

Now with the Cubs, Marton’s development is guided by a group of coaches from the organization’s pitching development team who have already suggested a few mechanical “tweaks.”

“A lot of it is mainly arm path. Some stride length,” Marton said.

“They’ve been very good at guiding my preexisting training while also adding a couple new things that have helped quite a bit.”

Time will tell how he does in game action – thus far he has been limited to bullpen sessions and a few live at-bats – but Marton said he has already noticed positive changes, namely a slight uptick in velocity, more consistency with his pitch shapes, and more vertical drop to his changeup.

“Honestly, it’s a little overwhelming at first because of how many new things there are,” he said.

“But once it settles down and you get used to it and get into a rhythm, I see so much room for improvement and growth.”

‘More and more doors opened’

Playing professional baseball was not on Marton’s mind while he went to class at Bayview Glen Independent School in Toronto and pitched for the Scarborough Stingers.

“Growing up in Scarborough, honestly, I felt playing college baseball was kind of a pipe dream,” he said. “I had no idea that any of this was possible up until high school.”

Marton said his two most important mentors were Frank Salerno with the Stingers and Greg Byron with the Mississauga Tigers, who helped the young hurler make the jump to college baseball in the U.S.

“They always believed that I could do it, so I just trusted them. And as things went on, more and more doors opened,” Marton said.

He spent two seasons with Midland College in Texas – piling up strikeouts and limiting hits while struggling with control at times – before jumping from junior college to NCAA Division I earlier this year to join the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels.

Used mainly as a reliever in Las Vegas, Marton struck out 22 batters in 19 innings, picking up two saves while making four starts in 13 total appearances.

𝗚𝗢 𝗖𝗨𝗕𝗦 𝗚𝗢‼️

With the 517th pick in the 2026 #MLBDraft, the Chicago Cubs select Ryan Marton 💪#BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/ddrK5mn29j

— UNLV Baseball (@unlvbaseball) July 12, 2026

The hard-throwing righty got on Chicago’s radar thanks to a coach at Tread Athletics with ties to the organization, and that connection allowed Marton to set up a draft-day surprise.

He and his parents – Lucien and Mariella – were watching the draft in their Scarborough home. (Marton’s sister, Marissa, was finishing her master’s in biomedical engineering in Italy at the time.)

Marton had been tipped off that he would be drafted in the 15th round.

“I didn’t tell my parents anything,” he said.

Instead, moments before he was selected, he slyly trained his cell phone camera at his mom and dad, who were watching intently from the couch.

“I tried to record as discreetly as possible,” Marton said.

“And when they finally called my name, my parents were jumping up and down. It was such a nice moment.”

Tough decision

Marton said it was a thrill to hear his name called on draft day, but it was not a given that he would turn pro.

“It was actually an incredibly difficult decision,” he said. “Definitely one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my baseball career.”

He was drafted in July, just a few weeks after committing to the University of Missouri to play Division I ball.

“I think Mizzou is a great program. I love the coaches there. They were amazing to me,” Marton said.

“I think they have so much to offer development-wise and experience I could be getting in the top level of college baseball.”

Ultimately he opted for the Cubs, attracted by the opportunity to join an organization where he already had some ties thanks to his coaches at Tread, who vouched for Chicago’s pitching development staff.

“I just had to weigh my options, and I believe that accepting (Chicago’s offer) was the right play for me,” Marton said.

“But it was closer than you could imagine.”

One pitch at a time

A few days after getting drafted, Marton was on a plane to Arizona. His brief trip north of the border in September was his first real chance to see his hometown friends and celebrate his introduction to professional baseball.

“It’s been really nice to see them again,” he said. “It was a very nice little hiatus.”

With his new work visa secured, Marton will head back to Arizona for “strength camp.”

His offseason will start in November and bring him back home to Scarborough, though the break will not be long, as the Cubs want him back Stateside in January for “velo camp.”

“A lot of the offseason is just going to be training (and) getting better, because when I get back there for spring training, it’s go time,” Marton said.

“It’s time to prove myself. It’s time to get into professional baseball. It’s time to pitch.”

Some analysts peg the tall righty as a future multi-inning reliever, saying shorter outings will allow his fastball to play up and make his other offerings more effective. But Marton – who started and closed games in college – has not put any labels on what he could become.

“I’ve seen all sides of the dice, and I think that starter (or) reliever is not an important topic that’s taking up space in my head,” he said.

“I’m just going to try and become as good as I can. And if a starter role is open and available, I’d love to take that. If they see me as a closer, then I’m going to work to be the best closer on the planet.”

But that is down the road. For now, much like his methodical approach to reimagining his mechanics, Marton is taking things one pitch at a time and focusing on staying positive.

“Baseball is such a mental sport. Everything is in your head. If you can believe that you can do it, I put my money that you can,” he said.

“Everybody has ups and downs. Doesn’t matter who you are. It’s what you do in the downs that will define the rest of your career.”

September 14, 2026

Official MLB News Release

On Monday, Major League Baseball announced its 2026 plans to celebrate the humanitarian legacy of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, centered around the annual Roberto Clemente Day on Tuesday, September 15 and baseball’s most prestigious individual honour, the Roberto Clemente Award, both of which are presented by Capital One.

The 30 club nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One include some of the game’s most philanthropic players, including 14 first-time honorees. The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The nominees, which were announced today exclusively on MLB Network, will be recognized in ballparks beginning on September 15, Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One. Major League Baseball established Roberto Clemente Day in 2002 to honour the late Hall of Famer’s legacy as a humanitarian.

The 30 club nominees of the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award are listed below:

Arizona Diamondbacks – Corbin Carroll

Athletics – Zack Gelof*

Atlanta Braves – Austin Riley*

Baltimore Orioles – Pete Alonso

Boston Red Sox – Garrett Whitlock*

Chicago Cubs – Dansby Swanson*

Chicago White Sox – Davis Martin*

Cincinnati Reds – Jose Trevino

Cleveland Guardians – Joey Cantillo*

Colorado Rockies – Kyle Freeland

Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander

Houston Astros – Josh Hader

Kansas City Royals – Bobby Witt Jr.

Los Angeles Angels – Zach Neto*

Los Angeles Dodgers – Will Smith

Miami Marlins – Otto Lopez*

Milwaukee Brewers – Christian Yelich

Minnesota Twins – Pablo López

New York Mets – Francisco Lindor

New York Yankees – Carlos Rodón

Philadelphia Phillies – Kyle Schwarber

Pittsburgh Pirates – Brandon Lowe

San Diego Padres – Jason Adam

San Francisco Giants – Logan Webb*

Seattle Mariners – Julio Rodríguez*

St. Louis Cardinals – Jordan Walker*

Tampa Bay Rays – Cedric Mullins*

Texas Rangers – Jake Burger*

Toronto Blue Jays – George Springer

Washington Nationals – Nasim Nuñez*

\=First-time nominee

As part of the annual program, each MLB club nominates one player to be considered for the league-wide Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. This list of nominees features players whose various community and philanthropic activities have focused on important causes such as underserved children and communities in the United States and around the world, individuals with cancer and other illnesses, educational programs, environmental advocacy and more.

2026 Roberto Clemente Award Nominees – BY THE NUMBERS

• 64 career All-Star selections, including seven 2026 All-Stars

• Nine World Series Championships

• Four Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award winners (Alonso, Carroll, Rodríguez, Verlander)

• 17 career Silver Slugger Awards

• Nine career Rawlings Gold Glove Awards

• Four MLB Develops Youth Program Alumni (Nuñez, Rodón, Walker, Witt Jr.)

The leaguewide winner of the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One will be honoured at the 2026 World Series following selection by a blue-ribbon panel. This panel includes representatives from the Commissioner’s Office, Capital One, MLB-affiliated networks (MLB Network, FOX Sports, ESPN, NBC Sports, Netflix and TBS), MLB.com, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Roberto’s children, Enrique, Luis and Roberto Clemente, Jr.

Beginning today, fans can vote for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One via http://mlbtogether.com/clementeaward (in both English and Spanish). The site, which will feature bios of each of the nominees, allows fans to vote until the end of the season on Sunday, September 27th. The winner of the fan vote will count as one vote among those cast by the blue-ribbon panel. The concept of honoring Major League players for their philanthropic work was created in 1971 as the “Commissioner’s Award.” The recognition was renamed to the “Roberto Clemente Award” in 1973 tribute to Clemente following his tragic passing.

A customized tribute video to Clemente’s legacy and the 30 Roberto Clemente Award nominees (ENGLISH & SPANISH) will be shown in all MLB ballparks on Roberto Clemente Day as well as across MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, Club sites and MLB Social Media platforms.

On Roberto Clemente Day on September 15, all players, managers and coaches on the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Club for which Roberto played his entire Hall of Fame career, will once again wear Roberto’s "21" on their uniforms. Additional uniform elements include a "21" patch that will be applied to the chest of jerseys for all players and on-field personnel, with special language noting the recognition on the patches of Roberto Clemente Award nominees presented by Capital One. Furthermore, all Roberto Clemente Award nominees and previous Award recipients will have the option to wear "21" as their uniform number, joining players of Puerto Rican descent and others who wore the number during previous commemorations of the day. Each ballpark will honor Roberto Clemente Day with base jewels and official dugout lineup cards featuring the Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One logo. MLB.com and all 30 Club sites also will feature Roberto Clemente Day and Award stories and content.

Roberto Clemente Day also marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, as Major League Baseball launches a celebration of Latine contributions to the sport through its "El Béisbol Es Otra Cosa" campaign. Highlighting the intersection of baseball, fashion, music and community, MLB’s 2026 campaign features a new broadcast spot narrated by Eladio Carrión alongside an exciting lineup of original music releases and exclusive apparel collaborations. The monthlong celebration will also feature MLB's first-ever community pop-up event, with more details to be announced soon. The festivities carry into October as MLB extends its Hispanic Heritage Month initiatives through the Postseason, celebrating Latine and spotlighting Latino stars competing for a World Series title. Hispanic Heritage Month efforts are complementary to the year-round focus the League aims to celebrate and promote Latine culture throughout the game. MLB Español, MLB’s official Spanish platform and dedicated MLB country accounts (MLB Cuba, MLB Dominicana, MLB Mexico, MLB Puerto Rico and MLB Venezuela), highlight the accomplishments of players and personnel from those unique regions throughout the year.

September 15, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

When historians talk about baseball legends with connections to Canada early in their career, they often mention Babe Ruth who hit his first professional regular season home run in Toronto or the courageous Jackie Robinson who suited up for the International League’s Montreal Royals in 1946 before breaking the modern Major League Baseball colour barrier.

Seldom do they allude to a fearless Puerto Rican player who also honed his skills in Montreal before becoming a major league superstar.

Remembered by most as a dynamic outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Roberto Clemente was a man whose on-the-field brilliance was matched only by his off-the-field generosity and humanitarian efforts. His tragic death in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to Nicaragua on December 31, 1972 is still deeply mourned.

And while today, on Roberto Clemente Day across Major League Baseball, the Pirates legend will be celebrated widely in Latin America and the U.S., Canadians should also take some time to remember this selfless hero because before attaining baseball immortality, he spent his first professional season in Canada honing his skills and battling for playing time.

Scouted by Al Campanis and signed to a $15,000 contract by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954, Clemente was assigned to their International League affiliate Montreal Royals. With a rule in place that stipulated that any team signing a rookie to a contract over $4,000 must keep that player on their major league roster for the season or risk losing them in an off-season draft (equivalent to today’s Rule 5 draft), sending the talented youngster to Montreal was a gamble.

Clemente’s season with the Royals was a frustrating one for the raw and talented 19-year-old. Despite being one of the Dodgers’ best prospects, the slender outfielder was sent to the plate only 148 times in a 154-game season.

His lack of playing time was confounding for him. It was a trend that began after the Royals’ home opener, when after registering three hits in four at bats, he found himself on the bench for the next game. Even hitting a monstrous home run that cleared the left field wall and went right out of Delorimier Stadium (the first player to accomplish this) on July 25th of that season wasn’t enough to earn him a regular spot in the lineup.

So why did the Dodgers refuse to play one of their premier prospects on a consistent basis?

One of the reasons was practical. The Royals’ roster was chock full of outfielders, including future big league regulars Sandy Amoros and Gino Cimoli and minor league veterans Dick Whitman and Jack Cassini, so it was tough for Royals manager Max Macon to find playing time for Clemente.

One of the most popular theories for Clemente spending so much time on the bench is that the Dodgers feared losing him in the off-season (Rule 5) draft and they didn’t want other teams to see how good he was.

“The evidence seems to indicate that the Dodgers were trying to hide him,” Bruce Markusen, author of “The Great One,” an excellent book about Clemente, told me in a 2002 interview. “I mean if you have a young player with that much talent and you’re trying to develop him, you don’t limit him to 148 at bats.”

In his book, Markusen also notes that during Clemente’s tenure with the Royals, the future Pirates star often took batting practice with the pitchers and would typically only play the second game of a doubleheader (most scouts from visiting teams would leave after the first game).

“[Royals manager Max] Macon had orders, and that was that,” Bob Watt, the Royals former road secretary is quoted as saying in David Maraniss’s outstanding 2006 Clemente biography. “Whenever we’d spot a scout in the stands, that would be the end of Clemente for that day. He never had a chance to show what he could do.”

Over the years, however, Macon and baseball historians like Stew Thornley have disputed the claim that Clemente was being hidden in Montreal. And Thornley makes a pretty strong case in this SABR article published in 2006.

“If you had been in Montreal that year, you wouldn’t have believed how ridiculous some pitchers made him look,” Macon once said of Clemente.

Macon insisted it was Clemente’s performance that inspired him to use the young outfielder so sparingly.

Putting his on-the-field frustrations aside, Clemente seemed to enjoy the city of Montreal, noted Markusen. He lived in a rooming house in the French half of town a few blocks from Delormier Stadium along with Cuban shortstop Chico Fernandez, who could translate for Clemente who spoke little English.

Maraniss writes that the rooming house offered “beds but no meals” so Fernandez and Clemente ended up at the same breakfast restaurant every morning ordering ham and eggs. The city offered the Latin outfielder some refuge from the overt racism he encountered when he played in International League cities like Richmond, Va., but it was far from perfect. Maraniss writes of instances in Montreal where Clemente could recall being criticized for socializing with white women.

“From everything I’ve read, he was generally treated well in Montreal,” said Markusen in 2002. “I’ve read reports where he has said that the family (a white French family) he stayed with was very good to him.”

But the cultural solace Montreal provided was little consolation for the highly motivated Clemente. Driven to become a major league player, he grew disenchanted as the season wore on and considered going home to Puerto Rico.

Fortunately, his luck would change when Branch Rickey, general manager of the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates, dispatched scout Clyde Sukeforth to check out Royals pitcher Joe Black. Legend has it that the veteran scout grew so enamored with Clemente that he never did see Black pitch. The Pirates knew they would finish last in the National League that season and that would give them the first pick in the off-season (Rule 5) draft. And before the end of his trip, Sukeforth was convinced that the raw but athletic Clemente would be the first selection. The Pirates spoke with Clemente and told him as much and encouraged him to stick out his frustrating season in Montreal.

In fact, before Sukeforth left Montreal, he told Macon of the Pirates’ intentions to draft Clemente, according to a conversation shared in Maraniss’s book.

“Take care of our boy!” Sukeforth reportedly told Macon of Clemente.

“You’re kidding. You don’t want that kid,” Macon answered.

“Now, Max. I’ve known you for a good many years,” Sukeforth responded. “We’re a cinch to finish last and get first draft choice. Don’t let our boy get in trouble.”

And sure enough, when the draft day arrived, on November 22, 1954, the Pirates took Clemente with the first pick.

“It could be said that the course of Clemente’s career changed that year in Montreal,” said Markusen in 2002.

Claiming a starting position in the Pirates’ outfield in 1955, Clemente would become a fixture in the team’s lineup for 18 seasons. In his career, he was selected to 15 All-Star games, won four batting titles and registered exactly 3,000 career hits. He was also a member of two World Championship-winning teams (1960, 1971).

While Clemente was proud of his baseball accomplishments, his humanitarian work off the field was equally important to him. In the off-season, Clemente would return to Puerto Rico to hold baseball camps for underprivileged children. And in 1971, he announced plans to build the Roberto Clemente Sports City, a facility that provides less fortunate children with instruction in different recreational activities that still operates in his hometown of Carolina today.

Clemente was also an outspoken leader for Latin players – using every opportunity he had to enlighten Major League Baseball and its fans about the racism and language barriers Latin players had to overcome. Markusen writes that when Clemente started playing in 1955, there were only five other Puerto Rican players in the majors and 29 Latin players in total.

“He deserves a great deal of credit for the increase in the number of Latin players in the majors today,” said Markusen in 2002. “There has been a full generation since his passing and he is still very highly regarded in the Latin community.”

So while Latin America and Clemente’s U.S. fans celebrate his life today, on Roberto Clemente Day across Major League Baseball, Canadians should pause and remember this brave baseball legend as well.

His stay in our country may have been brief, but his impact on and off the field will last forever.

In Canadian baseball history circles, Clemente may not talked about as much as Ruth or Robinson, but his professional baseball career started here – in Montreal – and for our small part in shaping this magnificent man, we should be proud.

More Roberto Clemente Canadian links:

-As the above photo by Denis Brodeur illustrates, Clemente maintained a love for the city of Montreal throughout his playing career. He played 26 games at Jarry Park and batted .255 with 24 hits, including five doubles, two triples and a home run.

– Clemente’s first hit at Jarry Park came on July 14, 1969. In his first at bat at the stadium, Clemente singled off Expos right-hander Bill Stoneman in the second inning. Clemente notched an additional single and a double in that game to register his first of three, three-hit games at Jarry Park during his career. The Expos defeated the Pirates 2-0.

– Clemente’s first and only home run at Jarry Park was belted off right-hander John Strohmayer in the fifth inning of a Pirates’ 8-4 win over the Expos on May 23, 1970.

– The Pirates superstar’s final three-hit game at Jarry Park came in the Pirates’ 6-2, 13-inning win over the Expos on May 21, 1971. Two (single in the ninth and double in the 11th) of Clemente’s three hits came off of Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Claude Raymond (St. Jean, Que.). Despite allowing the two hits to Clemente, Raymond pitched four scoreless innings in relief.

– Clemente’s final hit at Jarry Park was a single off Expos righty Mike Torrez on September 10, 1972. It was the 2,978th hit of his career. Torrez scattered eight hits that day in a complete-game, 8-2 victory for the Expos. It was Torrez’s 16th win of the season.

-Clemente belted his 240th and final major league home run off Canadian baseball legend Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) at Wrigley Field on September 13, 1972. In total, Clemente went 26-for-95 off Jenkins, good for a .274 batting average. Clemente belted six home runs off Jenkins, but the Canuck right-hander also struck him out 14 times.

*This article was originally published on Alberta Dugout Stories on September 14, 2026. You can read it here.

September 15, 2026

By Joe McFarland

Alberta Dugout Stories

You could see it suddenly just click.

Dressed in a one-size-too-big shirt and a helmet that was sinched up a bit too tight, a first-time t-ball player takes their first swing.

And hit the tee.

Undeterred, they set back up and with a little coaching about their feet and “get that back elbow up,” they take another crack at it.

And smack the tee, knocking it over while the ball rolls a few feet away.

A big smile from the athlete and they get all set up again while the coach puts everything back in place.

3… 2… 1… A swing and a belt…

OK, it’s a dribbler down the first base line, but in that moment, it feels like a 425-foot bomb to straight-away centre field.

The athlete drops their bat and dashes to first base, turns around and the joy in their face says it all – they’re starting to like this game of baseball.

This is my first National Coaches Week as a coach, and I can honestly say it’s THAT look which makes any coach absolutely melt.

ANSWERING THE CALL

I actually didn’t know if I wanted to be a coach.

When my son first said “yes” to trying baseball in the summer of 2025, I acted as a bit of a “helper” (not even really an assistant coach) just to help keep everyone on track.

Having worked in events and radio, I knew my voice could carry and I could get people’s attention. But kids?

So I tried to stay hands off for the most part.

With the “Blue Jays Bump” in effect during the offseason and a massive surge in registration for baseball across the country, the race was on to find enough coaches this spring.

I saw the repeated emails from my local association hoping to get a few more people to sign up as coaches and, after giving it some thought, realized that if I wasn’t part of the solution, I would be part of the problem.

So I signed up.

LEARNING ON THE FLY

If you think players get the jitters coming to their first practice, I wouldn’t be shocked if most first-time youth coaches feel it even more.

Are the players going to like me? Am I going to be too strict? Do I have all the paperwork done? Have I planned practice enough?

Maybe the most important question that stuck in the back of my mind throughout was: can I get them hooked on baseball enough that they want to come back?

Because the focus is on skill development and not on the score, it made it a lot easier in my books. In the batter’s box, my goal was to simply make them understand where they wanted the bat to hit the ball (the “sweet spot”). In the field, it was more about trying to track that ball down and throw it in the right direction.

You make little games or competitions out of everything. You challenge them. You all laugh and smile.

You also have to let them be kids. Let them say silly things. Be a little crazy (within reason). You have to be okay with the idea that they’re attention isn’t going to be 100 percent on you most of the time.

But when they are looking at you, soaking in something you say, then they have that moment where everything comes together, it’s magic.

You celebrate the victories. Learn from the losses. And most of all, have fun.

A TIP OF THE CAP

I’m now just putting the wraps on my second “season” (we had a spring season and then a summer/fall season) as a coach and, honestly, it feels like I’ve learned more than the kids have.

Especially as they’re a little older (I’ve moved up with my son from t-ball to coach-pitch) in this second season, I’ve learned so much about that one-on-one time with each athlete and how it benefits them.

I’ve learned that, because they’re older, you need to be more prepared because they’re getting into the groove and their skillset is just a little more advanced. I’ve also learned a lot about patience and conflict resolution when kids start jockeying for position in the lineup for the next drill.

More than anything else, being a coach has really driven home a point that I’ve long believed: we have the opportunity to inspire these young athletes to play a game we love ourselves.

We’re also showing them what it means to be a good teammate and friend because long after we hang up the competitive glove and bat, interpersonal skills will stick with us for the rest of our days. Cheering each other in the biggest moments or picking each other up in the lowest moments is what sports is all about.

Whether you were a first-time coach this season like I was or someone who has been giving back to the game for decades, thank you. The athletes and their families are forever grateful that you took time out of your summer to teach them a thing or two about baseball.

And on a personal note: To the athletes and families who were part of the Orange Crush and the Green Hornets in Airdrie in 2026, thank YOU for letting me be your coach for a season. And a tip of the cap to Steve, Andrew and Cole for being the best co-coaches a guy could ask for.

September 21, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

2026 CBN Minor League Player of the Week winners

Opening Day to April 5 - Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), Rangers

April 7 to April 12 - Dante Nori (Toronto, Ont.), Phillies

April 14 to April 19- Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Guardians

April 21 to April 26 - Eric Hartman (St. Albert, Alta.), Braves

April 28 to May 3 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

May 5 to May 10 - Jordan Woods (Oakville, Ont.), Royals

May 12 to May 17 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays

May 19 to May 24 - Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Diamondbacks

May 26 to May 31 - Matt Wilkinson (Surrey, B.C.), Giants

June 2 to June 7 - Owen Gregg (Oakville, Ont.), Blue Jays

June 9 to June 14 - Tyler Boudreau (Middle Sackville, N.S.), Yankees

June 16 to June 21 - Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.), Royals

June 23 to June 28 - Tyson Moran (Wingham, Ont.), Royals

July 7 to July 12 - Tom Poole (Calgary, Alta.), Rays

July 14 to July 19 - Cedric De Grandpre (Saint-Simon-de-Bagot, Que.), Braves

July 21 to July 26 - Charles Davalan, (St-Bruno-De-Montarville, Que.), Dodgers

July 28 to Aug. 2 - Emilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.), Rays (and now Mets)

Aug. 4 to Aug. 9 - Connor Caskenette (Duncan, B.C.), Marlins

Aug. 11 to Aug. 16 - Avery Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.), Diamondbacks

Aug. 18 to Aug. 23 - Jacob Zibin (Langley, B.C.), Guardians

Aug. 25 to Aug. 30 - Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets

September 1 to September 6 - David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.), Blue Jays

September 8 to September 13 - David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.), Blue Jays

September 15 to September 20 -

Top Canadian Minor League Batters (September 15 to September 20)

Top Canadian Minor League Pitchers (September 15 to September 20)

The schedule for the 2026 Canadian Futures Showcase has been unveiled.

The Canadian Futures Showcase, which will take place from September 16 to September 20 at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver, B.C., is an annual national amateur baseball showcase hosted by the Blue Jays Baseball Academy.

The goal of the event is to showcase the best amateur baseball players born in Canada, from across the country, with draft and college eligibility.

The event brings together the best Canadian players and gives them the opportunity to compete in front of as many MLB scouts and college recruiters as possible.

Official Texas Rangers News Release

Phoenix — The Texas Rangers announced the following transactions prior to Saturday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field:

Right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi activated from 15-day Injured List

Third baseman Josh Jung activated from 10-day Injured List

Left-handed pitcher Adam Macko (Stony Plain, Alta.) optioned to triple-A Round Rock

Catcher Logan O’Hoppe optioned to triple-A Round Rock

Eovaldi, 36, missed Texas' last 31 games while on the 15-day Injured List with right posterior elbow inflammation. He did not complete a rehab assignment prior to activation. In 22 starts this season, the right-hander has gone 10-9 with a 4.21 ERA (62 ER/132 2/3 IP), 137 strikeouts, and 22 walks, ranking among club leaders in wins (T1st), strikeouts (3rd), innings (4th), and starts (4th). His most recent Major League action came in a start on August 7 vs. Baltimore (ND, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 86 pitches/56 strikes) – an eventual 2-1 Texas victory. Eovaldi is in his fourth season with the Rangers (2023-26), compiling a 45-25 record, 3.38 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP in 98 games/starts, with his 45 wins in that span ranking tied for 3rd among A.L. hurlers (50-Framber Valdez, 46-George Kirby, 45-Eovaldi/Tarik Skubal).

Jung, 28, missed TEX's last 47 games while on the Injured List with a left calf strain. He appeared in 4 games on injury rehab assignment with triple-A Round Rock, Tuesday-Friday, going 3-for-15 with one home run, one double, and two RBIs. He made a pair of starts at third base, totaling 12.0 total innings and 3 errorless chances, including one double play. Jung has batted .294 with an .802 OPS in 92 games for Texas this season, ranking among club leaders in multi-hit games (2nd, 32), doubles (3rd, 23), and hits (4th, 104).

The 25-year-old Macko posted an 8.10 ERA (6 ER/6 2/3 IP) across seven relief appearances for Texas after being recalled from triple-A Round Rock on August 28 for his first career stint on the Rangers' active roster. The southpaw has totaled 29 appearances/one start in 2026, making his MLB debut for Toronto on May 18 at New York-AL. The Rangers acquired Macko in a trade with the Blue Jays on August 3, in exchange for infielder Josh Smith.

The 26-year-old O'Hoppe went 6-for-17 in 10 games/6 starts (all at DH) for Texas after being recalled from Round Rock on August 23. He most recently appeared on Friday night, entering as a defensive replacement at catcher – his first appearance as a backstop with Texas. O'Hoppe was acquired via trade from Los Angeles-AL on August 1, along with right-handed pitcher Chase Silseth, in exchange for minor league infielder Angel Arredondo.

With today’s transactions, the Rangers remain at the 40-man limit on the club’s Major League roster, along with five players on the 60-day Injured List (RHP’s Carter Baumler, Jose Corniell, and Jack Leiter, LHP Jalen Beeks, and INF/OF Michael Helman).

September 13, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Some Canadian baseball news and notes:

Wilkinson picks up first MLB win

San Francisco Giants left-hander Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, B.C.) collected his first big league win on Wednesday when he pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the Giants’ 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park.

It was Wilkinson’s first relief appearance with the Giants after making four starts.

The lefty nicknamed “Tugboat” is now 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in five big league appearances (four starts). He has struck out 10 batters in 16 2/3 innings.

Prior to being called up in August, the 23-year-old southpaw went 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA in 10 starts for the Giants’ triple-A Sacramento River Cats.

On May 9, the Cleveland Guardians traded Wilkinson, along with the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft, to the Giants for catcher Patrick Bailey.

In total, in parts of four minor league seasons, the Okotoks Dawgs grad owns an 18-21 record and a 3.10 ERA in 70 appearances (69 starts).

Soroka activated by Diamondbacks

Right-hander Michael Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) was activated from the 15-day injured list by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He appeared in relief that same day and allowed three earned runs in four innings against the Kansas City Royals and was saddled with the loss in the Royals’ 5-2 victory.

It was Soroka’s first big league outing since being placed on the 15-day injured list on August 23 with right shoulder inflammation. That was his second stretch on the IL this season.

In total in 19 appearances (18 starts) with the D-Backs in 2026, Soroka is 8-5 with a 3.53 ERA. He has 95 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings.

The 29-year-old Calgary Redbirds and Junior National Team grad is in his seventh major league campaign.

Flewelling earns team MVP honour

Catcher Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) was named the MVP of the Tampa Bay Rays’ High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods on Thursday.

The Canuck catcher played the entire season with the Hot Rods, putting together a .243/.364/.452 slash line in 106 games. He topped the team with 71 walks and his 21 home runs were the second-most on the club.

On July 12, the Junior National Team grad homered for the American League in the MLB Futures Game and was named MVP of the contest.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound slugger just completed his second season in the Rays’ organization after being chosen in the third round of the 2024 MLB draft by them.

Flewelling is also one of the prospects the Rays have selected to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League starting next month.

35 years ago, Carter made MLB RBI history

On this date 35 years ago, Joe Carter registered his 100th RBI of the 1991 season for the Toronto Blue Jays when he singled in Roberto Alomar in the fifth inning in the Blue Jays’ 7-6 win over the Oakland A’s at SkyDome.

With this, Carter became the first major leaguer to record 100 RBIs with three different teams in three consecutive seasons. In 1989, he knocked in 105 runs for Cleveland and in 1990, he cashed in 115 for the Padres.

Juan Soto has since equaled this feat with the Padres, New York Yankees and New York Mets from 2023 to 2025.

90th anniversary of Heath’s MLB debut

Ninety years ago today, Canadian slugger Jeff Heath (Fort William, Ont.) made his major league debut with Cleveland.

Batting seventh and playing left field, he went 1-for-3 in Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia A’s at League Park. His first major league hit was a single off right-hander Randy Gumpert in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Heath’s debut, however, was overshadowed by the performance of 17-year-old fireballer and Cleveland starter Bob Feller who struck out 17 batters (and also walked nine!) in his complete-game win.

Quantrill picks up another win

On Tuesday, Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) picked up his eighth win of the season when he started and held the Seattle Mariners to three runs in six innings in the Rangers’ 10-5 victory.

This win moved him into a tie with Soroka for the most MLB wins by a Canadian this season. It also boosted his record to 4-1 record with a 1.66 ERA in his last seven games (six starts) for the Rangers.

Overall, the Terriers and Junior National Team alum is 8-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 30 MLB games (13 starts) in 2026.

The veteran righty is in his eighth MLB season.

He will start for the Rangers against the Diamondbacks today.

Fowler made MLB debut 85 years ago

Eighty-five years ago today, right-hander Dick Fowler (Toronto, Ont.) allowed just one run and tossed a complete game in his major league debut for the Philadelphia A’s to lead them to a 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Shibe Park.

Fowler permitted seven hits and walked two, while striking out four.

It was his first of four appearances for the A’s that season.

Caissie belts 14th home run of season

Miami Marlins outfielder Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) clubbed his 14th home run of the season in his team’s 15-14 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday.

With that, he closed to within four home runs of Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) for the most by a Canadian in the majors this season.

In his first full big league campaign, Caissie is batting .220 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 108 games.

The Fieldhouse Pirates and Junior National Team grad is in his first season with the Marlins after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the package for right-hander Edward Cabrera on January 7.

Remembering Reimer’s MLB debut

Thirty-eight years ago today, Kevin Reimer (Enderby, B.C.) made his big league debut with the Rangers.

He pinch-hit for Rangers second baseman Jeff Kunkel with two outs in the ninth inning and flied out to left field against A’s closer Dennis Eckersley at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in the A’s 2-1 win.

Reimer would register his first two hits in his first big league start the next day.

Vancouver Canadians win Northwest League title

Congratulations to the Blue Jays’ High-A Vancouver Canadians who captured the Northwest League title with a 9-8, 12-inning win over the Giants’ Eugene Emeralds on Friday night.

Outfielder David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.) tied the game with a two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning for the Canadians. Released by the Angels on August 4, Calabrese has resurrected his career with the Canadians, batting .348 with three home runs and seven stolen bases in 16 regular season games. He then went 6-for-12 in the postseason.

Left-hander Connor O’Halloran (Mississauga, Ont.) and outfielder Sam Shaw (Victoria, B.C.) were also on the Canadians’ roster.

It was the Canadians’ first league title since 2023 and their sixth overall as a class-A affiliate.

Quisenberry passed Hiller on this date in 1983

On this day 43 years ago, Kansas City Royals closer Dan Quisenberry notched his 39th save of the season to break the American League single-season saves record held by Canadian left-hander John Hiller (Toronto, Ont.).

Hiller secured 38 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 1973 and held the record for a decade.

Quisenberry finished 1983 with 45 saves.

Lopez retakes MLB lead in hits

Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez is red-hot again. He is 13-for-25 (.520 batting average) in his last seven games and has retaken the major league-lead in hits. His 179 hits are two better than Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez.

Lopez’s .310 batting average ranks second to Arraez in the National League and he is tied for second in the NL with nine triples. His 5.7 bWAR (Baseball Reference WAR) is also third among NL position players.

Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal and has played for Canada at the last two World Baseball Classics, has set several career-highs in his second full big league season.

Anniversary of Kottaras’s MLB debut

It was 18 years ago today that George Kottaras (Scarborough, Ont.) made his big league debut with the Boston Red Sox in a game against his hometown Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Kottaras replaced catcher Jason Varitek in the seventh inning and struck out in his first at bat, but he reached first base when the ball got away from Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas. Later that inning, he came around to score his first big league run. That was one of three appearances Kottaras made for the Red Sox that September.

O’Brien introduced catcher’s goalie mask three decades ago

Thirty years ago today, Blue Jays catcher Charlie O’Brien became the first MLB catcher to wear a hockey-style goalie mask in a game.

Despite O’Brien’s efforts behind the plate, calling pitches for Erik Hanson, Paul Spoljaric (Kelowna, B.C.) and Dane Johnson, the Blue Jays lost 4-1 to the Yankees at SkyDome.

At the plate, O’Brien went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk and scored the Blue Jays’ lone run.

Young clubs ninth homer of season

First baseman Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.) had three hits – including his ninth home run of the season – in the Mets’ 12-2 thumping of the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Young’s homer was a solo shot in the ninth and he is now just one round-tripper shy of reaching double digits in an MLB season for the first time.

The 30-year-old Young has set MLB career-highs across the board this season. He is batting .272 with 16 doubles and 38 RBIs in 98 games.

It’s also interesting to note that Young, who is making $1.175 million this season, currently has a better OPS (.772) than Mets teammates Bo Bichette (.708 OPS, $42 million), Francisco Lindor (.764 OPS, $34.1 million) and Marcus Semien (.629 OPS, $26 million).

Fifty-four years ago, Clemente hit final MLB home run

Fifty-four years ago today, Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente belted his 240th – and final – major league home run. It was a two-run shot in the top of the seventh off Chicago Cubs right-hander Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) at Wrigley Field to help the Pirates to a 6-4 win.

In total, Clemente went 26-for-95 off Jenkins, good for a .274 batting average. Clemente belted six home runs off Jenkins, but the Canuck right-hander also struck him out 14 times.

Baseball presentation in London, Ont., this Thursday

Speaking of Jenkins, if you’re in London, Ont., this coming Thursday, Paul Allen, the author of Bright Lights, Black Stars, will be making a presentation about growing up and playing alongside Jenkins for five years in Chatham, Ont. The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. at the Crouch Library branch on Hamilton Road in London. It is free to attend.

Allen will also be discussing playing with Intercounty Baseball League legend Gabby Anderson on the London Majors. He will also highlight Harry Coursey, of Hamilton Road in London, who was an outstanding figure in the development of Black baseball in Ontario.

September 12, 2026

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Where does one start when writing about Blair Kubicek?

At the start of course.

Kubicek grew up in Victoria, B.C. and started out like most of us -- as a bat boy. After his playing days were over, he took a job as assistant coach at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Wash.

He was there 4 1/2 years and ended up being the head coach of that program. While scouting for Cleveland at a tournament in Calgary, he was talking with Albertans Doug Jones, Dale Tillman and Reed Spencer. It was Jones’ idea to start a college program in Canada.

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Late Dave Wallace, winner of CB’s first Dave Wallace award

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Kubicek was all in -- thanks to Rick Paskal, Keith Jorgensen, Larry Nolan and Jones -- the Prairie Baseball Academey in Lethbridge, Alta. was born.

Kubicek ran the PBA from 1995 to 2010

And what then? Retirement?

Not quite.

From his days at Lethbridge, he struck up a friendship with John Ircandia, founding father of the Dawgs. Ircandia was moving his Dawgs team from Calgary to Okotoks, south of the city.

A lot of times you see Hall of Fame inductees as a builder. It’s kind of a catch-all like the drawer in the kitchen with paper clips, tape and odds and ends.

But Kubicek was a builder ...

After all, he had built Nolan Yard, the PBA field, in Lethbridge.

He helped out with the field at Jets Stadium in Vauxhall.

He built Seaman Stadium -- the infield, outfield and bullpens -- not the bleachers with financial help from Doc and Don Seaman.

He built Tourmaline Field, with its turf infield and grass outfield where the Dawgs’ three midget teams play.

He built Conrad Field where the two Dawgs’ bantam teams call home.

He built the diamond in Oyen, home of Jones’ Badlands Academy Badgers.

He can call up Hall of Famer Pat Gillick with a tip on a player. Gillick nicknamed him the Johnny Appleseed of baseball for the building and still keeping an eye out for talent.

* * *

About now you might be wondering why the fuss about Kubicek?

Well, he’s the winner of our second annual Dave Wallace Canadian Baseball Network Coach of the Year award.

Add it to his long list of achievements:

_ Won the Diamond Award for the best kept field in college ball in 1994.

_ Named to Okotoks Dawgs Hall of Fame.

_ Inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame.

_ Winner of the Alberta Centennial Medal.

_ Groundskeeper of the Year in the Pioneer League.

_ Elected to PBA Hall of Fame.

- Earned WCBL honours with Legacy Builder Award, presented by coaches Lou Pote and John Milton.

* * *

His best former players include: RHP Dustin Molleken (Regina, Sask.) the first PA Prairie Dawg to make the majors with the Detroit Tigers and one of the most well-liked Canucks in the pros.

Molleken spent 14 years in the minors and two seasons in Japan. He made 406 appearances (705 innings) before stepping onto the mound July 3, 2016 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

LHP Jay Johnson (Sussex Corner, N.B.) played four seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies’ system, a year overseas and one season of independent ball (316 1/3 innings in 237 games).

C Lars Davis (Grand Prairie, Alta.) caught 520 games in the Colorado Rockies, Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations, peaking at triple-A Lehigh Valley.

1B Tyler Klippenstein (Calgary, Alta.) played 97 games in the Oakland A’s system.

Those are four of Kubicek’s success stories. The names of those who went on to play and coach south of the border are too numerous to mention.

* * *

One deserves special mention: RHP Chris Reitsma (Calgary, Alta.), a first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 1996.

One of Kubicek’s stories is when scouts from Atlanta, Detroit or Cincinnati showed, he had Reitsma wear a Braves, Tigers or Reds cap and then the pitching coach told the scout “you know he’s always cheered for your club.”

Scouts Gary Rajsich and Red Sox scouting director Wayne Britton took Reitsma 34th overall. Years later, I asked him if the prospect was wearing a Red Sox hat.

His reply was something like: “We liked him so much we would have taken him if he was wearing a football helmet.”

Reitsma pitched seven seasons for the Reds, Braves and Seattle Mariners, logging 609 innings in 338 appearances.

* * *

There are 1,000 Blair Kubicek stories about Kubie, who now lives in Digby, N.S.

My fave?

In June of 1996, the Arizona Diamondbacks came to Lethbridge -- two years before the major league team had its opening day -- to run a camp for its first affiliate, the Lethbridge Black Diamonds, in the rookie-class Pioneer League.

Arizona manager Buck Showalter was there, so was director of player development Mel Didier, and so were the first-year Diamondbacks ready and rarin’ to go, to show their new employers that they belonged.

It rained all day Friday.

It rained all day Saturday.

Henderson Stadium was a mess, about to float down the river.

Didier kept asking Kubicek, “When are you going to have this field ready?”

Finally, Kubicek replied, “It will be done a lot quicker if you quit bugging me.”

Later on Sunday, Kubicek told Didier it would be ready at noon on Monday.

At 11:30 Monday morning, Kubicek walked into the crowded clubhouse and told the Diamondbacks’ brass that the field was ready ... there’s a little water in the outfield. Baseball people don’t care about water in the outfield, as long as the mound and infield are dry.

Kubicek backed up and fell into a drain which had the manhole cover removed and suffered a concussion.

In all, 11 pumps took 160,000 gallons off the field. according to the groundskeeper.

Didier worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers for 16 1/2 years and on Jan. 5, 1997, he was told Peter O’Malley had decided to sell the ball club. So, he phoned Buck Showalter who he pestered him the final two months of the year to join Arizona.

“I do remember the pride he took in his work, the off-season trips we took to banquets on some cold nights trying to help get the new stadium built,” said Showalter from Baltimore. “I’m glad to see someone like him recognized. He deserves it and is an unsung hero of our game, one who allows us to do what we do for the fans of baseball.

“Blair is a true contributor.”

Rod Barajas, Jason Conti, Rob Ryan, Junior Spivey, Nick Bierbrodt, Vladimir Nunez and Erik Sabel of that 1996 Black Diamonds team all went on to play in the majors.

September 12, 2026

Official CBL News Release

A summary of Saturday’s games:

Reyes’ homer sends Cardinals to CBL final

BARRIE, ONT. – Hamilton is off to the Canadian Baseball League championship.

The league’s top regular season team needed extra innings to beat Barrie 5-4 on Saturday and clinch the best-of-seven series in six games. The Cardinals will face Welland in the final.

Hamilton third baseman Reyny Reyes broke a 4-4 tie with a solo home run on the first pitch of the 11th off Baycats’ reliever Oscar Moreta. Reyes also started the scoring with a two-run single in the first inning. Evan Magill had two hits and an RBI, Angel Guerrero drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, and Tyler Duncan singled twice and stole a base.

Freisis Adames struck out three over two scoreless innings to get the win on the mound. Logan Warkentin locked down the save after giving up a leadoff hit.

Owen Boon started and went six frames, allowing two runs on seven hits with three walks and three punchouts.

Nolan Machibroda went 4-for-5 with two RBIs for the fifth-place Baycats, who advanced to the semifinal after beating Guelph in the wild card game.

Francisco Hernandez and Noel McGarry Doyle each had two hits and scored a run. McGarry Doyle swiped a pair of bases.

Moreta threw 4 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. He replaced starter Saul Vasquez, who allowed three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked three and fanned five.

(1) HAMILTON vs. (5) BARRIE

Hamilton wins best-of-seven series 4-2

Game 1: Hamilton 7, Barrie 5

Game 2: Hamilton 4, Barrie 1

Game 3: Barrie 13, Hamilton 6

Game 4: Hamilton 7, Barrie 2

Game 5: Barrie 10, Hamilton 6

Game 6: Hamilton 5, Barrie 4 (11)

Jackfish eliminate Majors

WELLAND, ONT. – Welland advanced to the CBL final after a 15-6 win over London on Saturday.

The Jackfish, after losing the first two games, won the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Greyson Barrett went 3-for-6 with two home runs and six RBIs for Welland, which broke the game open with eight runs in the eighth inning. Brendan Luther had three hits, including a solo home run, and scored five times.

Daiki Abe singled twice and drove in a run, Jonah Weisner went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Ethan Mann racked up three singles, James Smibert went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Justin Gideon singled home a run and added a sacrifice fly, and Robert Mullen drove in a run.

Teodoro Ortega went 6 1/3 innings for the win. He allowed five runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Deivy Mendez gave up a run on three hits over 2 2/3 innings for his first playoff save. He struck out three.

For London, Maikol Escotto went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run. Eduardo De Oleo also connected for a two-run blast. Trent Lenihan and Jarrett Burney both had an RBI, and Tucker Zdunich singled, doubled and scored twice.

Travis Keys took the loss after yielding six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked a pair of batters.

(2) LONDON vs. (3) WELLAND

Welland wins best-of-seven series 4-2

Game 1: London 6, Welland 5 (11 innings)

Game 2: London 5, Welland 4

Game 3: Welland 6, London 5

Game 4: Welland 13, London 1

Game 5: Welland 5, London 2

Game 6: Welland 15, London 6

September 12, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Paterson, N.J. - Backed by a four-RBI night from Taylor Wright and six scoreless innings from Eric Pardinho, the Ottawa Titans blanked the New Jersey Jackals 6-0 on Saturday night, taking Game 2 and sweeping their way to the Atlantic Conference Championship Series.

In a tight affair early on, Thomas Ferroggiaro kicked off a third-inning rally by drawing a walk against Jackals' right-hander Sonny Fauci to turn the lineup over. Jake Steels singled to right, and with two outs, Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) unloaded for a three-run homer to right to put the Titans ahead 3-0.

The advantage was plenty for Pardinho, who dominated through six clean innings in his first career Frontier League Playoff start. After leaving multiple runners on in the first and second, the righty dazzled, at one point retiring 10 in a row.

Pardinho went six, allowing no runs on four hits, walking two, and striking out seven. He fanned the last four hitters he saw on strikes.

Needing insurance, Taylor Wright knocked in his fourth of the night on a seventh-inning RBI double to make it 4-0.

The Jackals' righty was charged with four runs on five hits, walking four, hitting one, and striking out 11. In all three starts against the Titans in 2026, Fauci registered double-digit strikeout performances.

For good measure in the eighth, the Titans cashed in a pair of leadoff walks against Andrew Peters. Ferroggiaro knocked in one on a fielder's choice, while Steels poked his second hit of the night the opposite way to right, plating another to make it 6-0.

Out of the bullpen in support of the Pardinho quality start, Liu Fuenmayor punched out three over two scoreless innings, while Brett Garcia fanned three in the ninth to slam the door.

Jake Steels and Taylor Wright posted multi-hit outings in the series clincher. Kaiden Cardoso (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Thomas Ferroggiaro each walked twice.

For the first time in club history, the Titans have won a best-of-three series in the postseason.

With New York shocking Québec in the other Atlantic Conference Wild Card, the Titans will now meet the New York Boulders in the Atlantic Conference Championship Series.

The Titans continue the 2026 Playoffs, playing Game 1 of the Atlantic Conference best-of-five Championship Series against the New York Boulders on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Clover Stadium in Pomona, New York. With Game 2 also in New York, the Titans hold home-field advantage as the higher seed, hosting Game 3 in Ottawa on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Stadium.

Winnipeg Goldeyes second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) had two hits and was strong defensively in the Goldeyes’ season-ending loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Friday. Photo: Colby Spence, Winnipeg Goldeyes

September 12, 2026

By Jason Young

Winnipeg Goldeyes

WINNIPEG, MAN. – Right fielder Matt Kroon hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Friday evening at Blue Cross Park in Game 2 of the West Division Series.

Fargo-Moorhead won the best-of-three series 2-0 and advances to the West Division Championship Series, where the RedHawks will face the winner of Saturday’s game between the Sioux Falls Canaries and Kansas City Monarchs.

The visitors opened the scoring in the top of the second inning. Second baseman Tucupita Marcano singled to centre field and stole second before scoring when a fly ball off the bat of third baseman Brian Fuentes was misplayed in left field.

Kroon doubled to begin the fourth, advanced to third on Marcano’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Fuentes’ base hit to centre to give the RedHawks a 2-0 lead.

Winnipeg answered with three runs in the bottom half. Third baseman Ramón Bramasco and shortstop Ray-Patrick Didder opened the inning with singles before Didder stole second. Centre fielder Noah Marcelo grounded out to bring Bramasco home, and first baseman Roby Enríquez followed with a two-run home run to right field that put the Goldeyes ahead 3-2.

The RedHawks tied the game in the fifth. First baseman José Sermo singled, designated hitter Tripp Clark doubled, and centre fielder Dillon Thomas walked before Kroon’s fielder’s choice brought Sermo home to make it 3-3.

The Goldeyes regained the lead in the seventh. Enríquez walked before designated hitter Max Murphy and left fielder Peyton Holt also drew free passes. Catcher Kevin García followed with a fielder’s choice that allowed Enríquez to score for a 4-3 Winnipeg advantage.

Didder gave the Goldeyes an insurance run in the eighth when he hit a solo home run to left field, increasing the lead to 5-3.

Fargo-Moorhead rallied in the ninth. Sermo struck out before Clark was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Thomas walked, and Kroon followed with a three-run home run that gave the RedHawks a 6-5 lead.

Fargo-Moorhead pitcher Mason Pelio earned the victory, while pitcher Tyler Jeans worked the ninth to record the save.

Left-handed starter Kevin Vaupel allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits over five innings for Winnipeg. He walked two and struck out two. Sage Ferguson followed with three scoreless innings, allowing one hit while walking three and striking out three. Closer Derrick Cherry surrendered three runs on two hits in the ninth, walking one and striking out one.

Didder went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, one run batted in, and a stolen base. Enríquez homered, drove in two runs, scored twice, and walked, while Bramasco and second baseman Adam Hall (London, Ont.) each recorded two hits.

September 11, 2026

Official Canadian Baseball League News Release

A summary of Friday night’s CBL scores.

Baycats stun Cardinals to stay alive

HAMILTON, ONT. – With its season hanging in the balance, Barrie battled back from a five-run deficit to beat Hamilton 10-6 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal on Friday night at Bernie Arbour Stadium.

Hamilton still leads the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Saturday in Barrie.

Hayden Jaco drove in four runs for the Baycats. Three of them came on a bases-clearing double in the six-run sixth inning that turned the game around.

Noel McGarry Doyle went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, Brandon Hernandez drove in two on a pair of hits, Francisco Hernandez singled twice and scored twice, and Nolan Machibroda and Adam Odd both drove in a run.

Baycats starting pitcher Frank Garces hung around long enough for the win. He battled through 6 2/3 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits with two walks and nine punchouts. Carlos Sano earned the four-out save.

Darlin German, Dario Borrero and Reyny Reyes all had two hits and an RBI for the first-place Cards. Tyler Duncan, Carlos Dominguez and Jaden Brown drove in the other runs.

Chris Boatto took the loss in relief after yielding two runs on one hit and a hit batter. Luis Ramirez started on the mound and went 5 1/3 innings. He was charged with four runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

(1) HAMILTON vs. (5) BARRIE

Hamilton leads best-of-seven series 3-2

Game 1: Hamilton 7, Barrie 5

Game 2: Hamilton 4, Barrie 1

Game 3: Barrie 13, Hamilton 6

Game 4: Hamilton 7, Barrie 2

Game 5: Barrie 10, Hamilton 6

Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 12 at Barrie, 4:08 p.m.

*Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 13 at Hamilton, 4:05 p.m.

*If necessary

Jackfish take semifinal series lead

LONDON, ONT. – After dropping the first two games of its Canadian Baseball League semifinal against London, the Welland Jackfish has won three straight after a 5-2 victory on Friday night at Labatt Park.

Welland leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can advance to the final with a win on Saturday at home.

The Jackfish scored three of its runs in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie. Gianfranco Morello provided the biggest hit with a two-run single off Majors’ closer Skylar Janisse, who was charged with three runs (two earned) on a hit and two walks to take the loss.

Daiki Abe went 2-for-5 with a solo home run to lead off the game, and James Smibert added an RBI single later in the inning.

Erik Johnson threw three scoreless innings of relief for the win. He struck out four. Abdiel Saldana started for Welland and allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and five punchouts.

London’s Trent Lenihan singled home a run, and Maikol Escotto added an RBI double in the Majors’ two-run third inning.

London starting pitcher Victor Payano went eight innings and gave up two runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked three.

(2) LONDON vs. (3) WELLAND

Welland leads best-of-seven series 3-2

Game 1: London 6, Welland 5 (11 innings)

Game 2: London 5, Welland 4

Game 3: Welland 6, London 5

Game 4: Welland 13, London 1

Game 5: Welland 5, London 2

Game 6: Saturday, Sept. 12 at Welland, 7:05 p.m.

*Game 7: Sunday, Sept. 13 at London, 6:05 p.m.

*If necessary

September 11, 2026

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Catcher Colby Linzmayer (Regina, Sask.) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Brennan Luffman Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Saskatchewan baseball player who is moving on to a college program.

Linzmayer was a catcher with Team Saskatchewan in 2023 at the Arizona Sophomore Classic and played his 18U baseball with the Regina Athletics.

He will be competing for the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks in the CCBC this fall and spring.

Luffman (Weyburn, Sask.) was a prominent left-handed pitcher and outfielder with Team Saskatchewan from 2003 to 2005. He was popular teammate and well-liked by his coaches. His leadership and skill played an important role for Team Saskatchewan, the midget Weyburn Beavers and the WMBL Weyburn Beavers and Moose Jaw Millers.

He was actively involved in instructing at baseball camps in Weyburn and Moose Jaw, as well as coaching youth baseball.

The Luffman Memorial scholarship is awarded annually to a Saskatchewan player who is:

-A leader in their school, community and baseball team

-Shows examples of volunteerism in school and community

-Exhibits great skill, determination, dedication and spirit within the team atmosphere

-Demonstrates a willingness to enhance their baseball opportunity by attending a college baseball program or academy program

-Demonstrates a positive attitude in athletics and in school environment

Charlene Luffman and the Luffman family have continued to fund this scholarship in memory of Brennan.

If there is anyone who would like to donate to this scholarship fund, please contact the Baseball Sask office in Saskatoon or Regina.

September 10, 2026

Official Ottawa Titans News Release

Ottawa, Ont. - Down multiple runs halfway through the contest, the Ottawa Titans scored four unanswered late to take down the New Jersey Jackals by a 4-2 final on Thursday night, taking Game 1 of the best-of-three Atlantic Conference Wild Card Series.

Facing rookie left-hander Jorhan LaBoy, the Titans picked up leadoff singles in the first and second, followed by one-out walks in each frame, threatening to push across the opening run. LaBoy managed to keep the Titans' offence off the board, firing four scoreless innings to start the night.

Evan Grills (Whitby, Ont.) battled in his first career Frontier League Playoff start, allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings.

The Jackals got on the board in the third inning on a Martin Figueroa solo homer and added one on a Noah Furcht sac fly in the fourth to go ahead 2-0.

Grills allowed two runs on four hits, walking four and striking out four, leaving in line for the defeat.

As LaBoy retired 10 in a row from the second through the fifth - Jackie Urbaez ripped a two-out double down the right-field line, setting up an RBI single from AJ Wright to cut the deficit in half.

In the seventh, the Titans put runners on the corners with one out, as the Jackals turned to the bullpen. AJ Wright legged out a fielder's choice, scoring a Myles Smith leadoff walk to tie the score at two.

Over six innings, LaBoy was charged with two runs on five hits, walking three, and striking out eight in his first career postseason start.

Tied at two heading to the bottom of the eighth, Chase Hungate had things unravel, as Taylor Wright (North Vancouver, B.C.) kicked off the frame with a double to right. As Jake Steels reached on a bunt single, Hunter Stokely's infield single scored the eventual winning run to put the Titans ahead. Later in the inning, Smith beat out a double-play ball, making it 4-2 on a fielder's choice.

The Titans' bullpen shined in Game 1 - Christian Scafidi allowed a hit but managed to get the home side out of the fifth inning. Alfredo Villa tossed two scoreless innings, while Ted Stuka and Brett Garcia combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

From innings six through nine, the bullpen did not allow a hit.

Taking Game 1, the Titans are the first team in these Frontier League Playoffs to win a home game.

Jackie Urbaez went 3-for-4 with a double, while Hunter Stokely also had a three-hit night, adding an RBI. Myles Smith walked twice and brought home a run, while AJ Wright drove in a pair.

The Titans continue the 2026 Playoffs, playing Game 2 of the Atlantic Conference best-of-three Wild Card against the Jackals on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.

September 10, 2026

Official Toronto Blue Jays News Release

For the first time, the Canadian Futures Showcase presented by Rogers heads to the west coast, bringing together 150 of Canada’s top amateur players for the country's premier amateur baseball tournament.

Hosted September 17-20 at historic Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Vancouver Canadians, the event gives draft and college-eligible players the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of MLB scouts and college recruiters while advancing their athletic and academic aspirations.

Throughout the Canadian Futures Showcase’s 12-year history:

• 192 participants have been drafted by MLB organizations, including nine 2026 drafted players 

• More than 1,100 participants have received college scholarships

• 18 showcase alumni have been drafted or signed by the Toronto Blue Jays

• 17 showcase alumni have made their MLB debut

“The Blue Jays remain deeply committed to growing the game of baseball in Canada and supporting the next generation of Canadian homegrown talent,” said Mark Shapiro, President & CEO, Toronto Blue Jays. “The Canadian Futures Showcase has long been a proving ground for young athletes pursuing their academic and athletic dreams, and we are inspired each year by the number of alumni who advance to the professional ranks. We are excited to host the Showcase outside of Ontario for the first time and bring this incredible talent to the West Coast.”

Canadian Futures Showcase alumni that have played in MLB include:

• Tyler Black, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers (Stouffville, Ont.)

• Matt Brash, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Kingston, Ont.)

• Mitch Bratt, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Newmarket, Ont.)

• Owen Caissie, OF, Miami Marlins (Burlington, Ont.)

• Eric Cerantola, RHP, San Francisco Giants (Montréal, Que.)

• Denzel Clarke, OF, Athletics (Pickering, Ont.)

• Edouard Julien, 2B, Colorado Rockies (Quebec City, Que.)

• Charles Leblanc, SS, Free Agent (Laval, Que.) 

• Adam Macko, LHP, Texas Rangers (Stony Plain, Alta.)

• Josh Naylor, 1B, Seattle Mariners (Mississauga, Ont.)

• Bo Naylor, C, Milwaukee Brewers (Mississauga, Ont.)

• Tristan Peters, OF, Chicago White Sox (Winkler, Man.)

• Zach Pop, RHP, Miami Marlins (Brampton, Ont.)

• Cade Smith, RHP, Cleveland Guardians (Abbotsford, BC)

• Michael Soroka, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (Calgary, Alta.) 

• Abraham Toro, 1B, Kansas City Royals (Longueuil, Que.) 

• Matt Wilkinson, LHP, San Francisco Giants (Ladner, B.C.)