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By George Halim and PBR Staff
PBR Scout

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

12 Days of Christmas Rundown:
Day 1: A Week In Florida
Day 2: Top Stats of the Year
Day 3: CPBL to Debut in 2016

Ontario 12 Days of Christmas: Look Back at TPG

If there’s anything the first PBR Ontario Top Prospect games taught us, it’s that the province is ripe with talent now, and for years to come. Hosted in Dorchester, Ontario, home of the Great Lake Canadians, this was a great opportunity for the top 2016, 2017 and 2018 prospects to get themselves on the radar – and they didn’t disappoint.

The day began with some subpar weather, which caused the 60 track to be a little slow, and the balls to get a little heavy for the outfield throws. But as the game kicked off, players began strutting their stuff. 

To lead-off the game, 2016 grad Nick Iverson (pictured right) showed his arm strength, touching 89 mph, while displaying a plus curveball. Earlier in the summer, he hit 91 mph at the Tournament 12 tryouts, and shortly after the TPG, he moved to B.C. the play for the Langley Blaze. Upon joining the Blaze, he quickly committed to Central Arizona, showing us why he’s one of the top arms in the class.

Out on the diamond, the day belonged to 2016 grad and Connors State commit Max Hewitt (pictured left). Hewitt was arguably the best all-around player. At 83 mph, he notched the top infield velo, while also popping a 2.00 from behind the plate. Mix in his smooth hands as well as a plus glove, and Hewitt turned some heads all day. At the dish, he showed us plate discipline, patience, bat speed and the ability to spray the ball all over the diamond from the left side.

Although Hewitt showcased some bat speed, no one was close to 2016 grad Ryan Rijo (pictured right). Prior to the game, it was clear that the big first baseman was going to be a force, swinging a 95 mph exit velo with consistency. He didn’t disappoint in game, hitting a towering home run to right field.

From the right side, the top hitting performance came from 2017 grad Kyle Bryan, who had a multi-hit game, highlighted by turning on an 84 mph fastball, depositing it over the left-centre field wall.

Above all, the recurring theme over the course of the day was the talent from the younger classes. On the hill, 2018 grad Ben Abram (pictured left) sat 82-84 mph on the mound, while spinning a curveball and plus changeup. At 6-foot-6, and pushing 200-pounds, Abram has plenty of room to grow, and he’ll no doubt flirt with the top of the 2018 rankings.

Another player to keep an eye on in the 2018 class is middle infielder Daniel Carinci. At 5-foot-10, 155-pounds, Carinci is still very raw at the plate and will need to fine tune his actions, but the athleticism and quickness in his hands and body is not something you normally see from players his age. As one of the youngest players at the TPG, he held his own. Down the road, a close eye will be kept on him as he develops as a player and grows into his body.

The first annual Top Prospect Games was a day that shined bright with talent, overtaking the weather conditions, and we expect it to be the first of many Top Prospect Games that will consist of the best players across the province.