Follow @PBR_Ontario

By Chris Kemlo and PBR Staff
Ontario Scouting Director

Interested in attending a PBR Ontario event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

Ontario 12 Days of Christmas: A week in Florida to Start the Year

PBR Ontario started up in the fall of 2014. This past summer was our first year on the ground with being able to get as much baseball as we could possibly consume. With the window for game action considerably smaller than some of our other state friends in the PBR circle of trust, we started our coverage of Ontario high schoolers in March, as we took south and followed a handful of teams to the sunshine state of Florida.

Many programs here in Ontario take to the warm weather in March for spring training games of their own, though many do what they can to take their teams to see the professional’s do the same workouts and drills at one of the many minor league facilities in the state, Dunedin is a popular choice for most parties.

Another bonus that comes into play is the Junior National Team is typically playing at the same complex as a lot of the other organizations in Ontario. With most talent evaluators focused on the JNT, it allows them to see the other talented players who are with their club teams compete and play right next door, becoming a win win for everyone. Of course, for those not able to get over to every game, PBR was there providing updates, game articles, and social media reports about players and what they were accomplishing on the ball field.

We were able to see a lot of players during our 5 days of game action, and you can look back in our archives for reports and player updates HERE.

One of the highlights of the trip for me personally, was being able to head over to IMG Academy in Bradenton to see the highly touted and last year’s #1 overall pick in the MLB Draft Brady Aiken take on the Ontario Blue Jays.

I’ve had the opportunity to partake in front of large crowds of scouts and coaches watching games. There was the Adam Loewen versus Scott Kazmir matchup in Missouri with the National Team, Area Code tryouts in Illinois with teammate and newly acquired Oakland A’s reliever John Axford (Wes Whisler and Kris Honel were the big draws as well in 2001). None of the above was comparable to how many scouts packed the stands that day in Bradenton. Over 80 evaluators is an easy statement, and the buzz was something I haven’t seen or felt in a long time at the ballpark.

Unfortunately, Aiken lasted 13 pitches and was headed to the training table (eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery). Not be outdone was OBJ left-hander and Cincinnati Reds draft pick Isaac Anesty. He ended up with three strong innings against IMG and JD Williams, another Reds draft pick, took Aiken in the gap for a leadoff double in the first inning. It was the start of a strong spring for each OBJ player and they continued that right on into the summer and up to the MLB draft. Although the outing was not ideal for Aiken, it was easy to see what the hype was about in what few pitches we were able to see. It also didn’t stop the Cleveland Indians from taking him 17th overall in this year’s draft and if he can have a healthy recovery, could be a steal for Cleveland. That said, he still wasn’t the highest pick that we saw on our trip.

Josh Naylor, the power slugging first baseman had his own pack of scouts following him, and the Miami Marlins obviously liked what they saw as they selected Naylor with the 12th overall pick. To add to the 1st round talent, we also saw Mike Soroka of Alberta make easy work of professional hitters while donning the Canadian jersey with the JNT. He became a first round selection of the Atlanta Braves as the 28th overall pick.

Anytime you are able to see baseball in March as a Canadian is a moment you cherish. Being able to watch the best players and programs from Ontario in March while the rest of the province is shoveling sidewalks and driveways back home always can make for an enjoyable week. A lot of great baseball was played that week, and we were happy to provide the updates and reports for recruiters and those families who were unable to attend.

That has it as the very first game action of 2015 began for players in Ontario, that is how we kick-off our 12 days of Christmas Year in Review. Seems only fitting to begin where we started our first game coverage in 2015.

Stay tuned in as we countdown the rest of 12 Days of Christmas.