Baseball is in full swing across the globe, and the scouting season is heating up north of the border. Canadian baseball clubs are now in full gear as we’re weeks into May. What does this mean for MLB clubs, such as the Blue Jays? A new fresh look at the Canadian content to arise from the grassroots.
Powerhouse divisions such as the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL), Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), and Baseball Ontario are all now on the field. The CPBL just kicked off the year with its showcase week at the Field of Dreams complex in Dorchester, Ontario.
Canadian amateur scouting has boots on the ground across the professional ranks, getting their draft charts ready for high school talent. Parallel to this, the Blue Jays Baseball Academy has started its journey in identifying talent for this year’s Canadian Futures Showcase.
In September 2023, we witnessed various talents showcase themselves on the Rogers Center field and around the Canadian leagues. Months away from the 2024 MLB draft, we get to revisit four important arms that could very well hear their names in this year’s selections.
RHP Josiah Romeo
One of the top arms in the country and anticipated to be the highest Canadian high school draft pick, Josiah Romeo has peeled back the eyes of scouts. Romeo represents the Mississauga Tigers High Performance Program (HPP) in Ontario Canada.
The right-hander is expected to be heading to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as his commitment stands with Florida State University. Canadian amateur scouts may have a different opinion on his next step; an opinion that may involve draft slot money.
Romeo shows massive ability to pitch with a repeated delivery, stays loose, and commands well. He’s 92.5 mph consistent on his fastball but has been up to 95 mph. He throws a change, sinker, slider, and has a bit of a sweeper for an out-pitch.
Romeo is expected to hear his name in the top five rounds.
RHP Tate Carey
Tate Carey stems from the notorious CPBL, playing for the Great Lake Canadians; a program that has sent various prospects to the draft (Calvin Zieger, Owen Diodati).
Carey has filled out body-wise through the last year and his offerings have equally advanced. The 6-foot righty sits at 170 pounds and fills out an athletic frame. He employs a leg kick, strong strike down the hill with a three-quarter release, delivering a high of 93 mph max on his four-seam.
Carey commands it well and incorporates a slider and changeup. His pitch arsenal is workable with a ton of projection. His stuff was really emphasized in the 2023s Canadian Futures Showcase with the Blue Jays organization. Carey is committed to attending the University of Michigan and is a 2024 graduate.
RHP Matthew Brown
Matthew Brown is young, very raw in tools, but very projectabe. From the right side, he’s very composed, smooth, and proficient in his delivery and pitch selection. Brown plays for CPBL’s Ontario Blue Jays, which is the MLB draft powerhouse organization.
Brown boosted his stock with good showcases for Perfect Game and for the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase. Brown squared off against Tate Carey in the Futures, where the two teams played each other.
Brown is draft-eligible and is committed to attending Oklahoma State University. His profile is very projectable and teams will take a shot at what they could have and what could be. Brown however will be a great asset to OSU and can obtain prime development for his junior-year draft attempt.
RHP Julian Robertson
This right-hander has recently proved to scouts that his offseason reconstruction has worked. What used to be 83-84 mph on the fastball has now touched up to 93 mph with workable command and workable offspeed.
Julian Robertson has been mowing for CPBL’s Team Ontario Baseball and is continuing to show progression and pitch-ability. From the Best of the West event hosted by Prep Baseball Report and the CPBL Showcase weekend, Robertson has definitely gained some interest for this year’s selections.
The Team Ontario pitcher is committed to attending Ohio University in the fall of 2024.
