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By Chris Kemlo
Director of Scouting

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Ontario Draft Insider: Day 1 - Yerzy Off The Board

Another dream has come true. Top ranked Ontario prospect Andy Yerzy became the first high school Canadian player taken in the 2016 MLB draft last night as he was selected in the second round, 52nd overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yerzy had been in touch with Arizona before the draft, along with a few other clubs that really showed interest in him with the possibility of going in the top two rounds. He thought Arizona was a possible destination, and around 11:00 p.m. last night, Orlando Hudson confirmed that when he called the York Mills Collegiate catcher’s name.

Yerzy had a fantastic spring with the Canadian Junior National Team as they traveled to Florida playing professional competition against spring training camps and extended spring players. Yerzy was a consistent hitter, racking up his knocks and showing off what is his best tools, the bat and power. He stayed hot in May as they traveled to the Dominican to play pro teams and a Top Prospects team, and made his last Team Canada appearance as an amateur a memorable one.

The two biggest days that may of well sealed the deal with the Diamondbacks was the PBR ProCase day in Scarborough in early May, along with Yerzy’s pre-draft workout in Arizona at Chase Field.

At the ProCase, Yerzy continued to show his easy swing and power potential as he laced two extra base hits to center-field and right-centre gap off some of the best pitchers in the Country. It was easy and fluid at the plate that day for the 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed hitter. The Diamondbacks were out in full force as well with their Senior Vice President of Baseball Ops, National Supervisor, New York Area Scout, and Ontario Scout were all in attendance.

A week before the draft, Yerzy made the flight cross country for a workout at Chase Field so the brass could get an up close look at the Ontario catcher. All reports from the day said Yerzy was incredible and it was one of the best workouts scouts have ever seen. He left the yard with ease and even went into the pool. I personally saw footage from the day and Yerzy was loose, quick, and powerful at the plate. It was all the Diamondbacks needed to see as last night they made him their second pick of the draft.

Yerzy expects to come to an agreement with Arizona, and once he graduates will be off to their brand new facility in Scottsdale as baseball will become his full time job.

Not a bad Thursday night for a 17-year old kid from North York.

Congrats Andy!