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Best of the West: Day One Quick Hits

May 4, 2023
Cam Black-Araujo/Josh Arce/Brady Turner
PBR Canada Staff

The Best of the West tournament got underway on Wednesday with six total games including some of the best programs on the west side of the country. 

The PBR Canada Selects also got their first game in against the White Rock Tritons, ultimately taking a loss in their first game of action.

We had several big-time arms take the mound throughout the day in Kamloops, as well as some positional players who jumped out and made some noise on the first day.

Continue to follow along throughout the week as we continue to provide coverage of the tournament and prospects in attendance. Below, we provide our first set of Quick Hits with scouting notes and video on the standouts from Day One.

best of the west - day one quick hits

Michael Yusypchuk RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2024

Rankings  OverallRank: 276 / POS: 89

Yusypchuk had one of the better performances on the mound at the Best of the West for the Okotoks Dawgs going the distance and only allowing one run through 7 innings. He attacked early and often with the FB on the outside part of the plate while getting swing and miss on the CB. The Missouri State commit was cruising through most of the game getting soft contact while working quick and efficiently throughout the game. Impressive overall outing from the Dawgs right-hander and one of the better ‘24 arms in the country.

Will Anderson LHP / OF / South Delta Secondary, BC / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 4

Anderson put together a good outing against the Okotoks Dawgs. The southpaw showed good feel to spin the CB in any count at 69-73 mph that played well off of the 81-84 mph FB. Athletic movements down the mound working with good pace filling up the zone. The UBC commit looked the part on the mound, holding his own against one of the best teams in the country.

Benito Bonilla 3B / RHP / Okotoks dawgs , AB / 2024

2024 RHP/INF Benito Bonilla recently committed to Missouri State and headed into Kamloops with plenty of buzz following his first appearance with the Junior National Team. Played first base against Delta and swung the bat with authority, finding the barrel twice throughout the game with one base knock. Sheer size from the right-side of the dish at 6-foot-4, 232-pounds and the ball was jumping off his bat. Impressive start to the week at the dish for Bonilla and should garner plenty of attention whenever he takes the mound over the next couple days.

Sean Duncan / Langley Blaze, BC / 2026

Rankings  OverallRank: 84 / POS: 2

2026 LHP Sean Duncan continues to show he’s one of the top underclass arms in the country. Projectable, athletic look at 6-foot, 155-pounds with clean actions and some bounce on the mound. Punched out five through his first three innings of work and was heavy with the fastball early on, sitting 84-87mph and getting plenty of swing/miss on the pitch. Began working in the offspeed as the game went on with a breaking ball at 66-67 that had shape and feel, along with a changeup at 78mph. Worked 5 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks and four punchouts. Duncan was one of the main attractions on Day One in Kamloops and lived up to the hype with a dominant performance, cruising the Langley Blaze to their first win of the tournament.

Robert Scalzo RHP / Lambrick Park, BC / 2025

2025 RHP Robert Scalzo got the start Wednesday against the Blaze and held them in check through his first two innings. 6-foot-1, 195-pounds with a clean arm on the mound. Pounds the zone with a good fastball/curveball combination and the ability to throw both for strikes. The fastball sat 82-85mph along with a curveball 71-74mph. Ran into some trouble during his third inning of work but his ability to mix speeds at any time limited the hard contact. Intriguing uncommitted 2025 arm who competes on the mound and should be garnering the interest of college coaches going forward.

Wes Johnston RHP / 2B / Senator O'Conner College School, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 15 / POS: 6

The 6 foot 1, 180-pound righty had one of the better days for PBR Canada Selects on day 1 at Best of the West. Used the fastball early and often, sitting 87-89 mph with arm side run. Located it for strikes leading to 3 strikeouts in the first inning, and 5 total in 4 innings of work. Had a sweeping slider at 76-78 mph that tunnels well with the fastball and generated lots of swing/miss . Also mixed in a changeup to keep hitters off-balance. His short, quick arm out of a ¾ slot makes it tough on hitters to pick up. The former Future Gamer continues to develop and will be an interesting follow this coming season.

Jack MacIntosh RHP / 3B / N/A, BC / 2023

Macintosh had an impressive opening day for the Okanagan A’s at Best of the West. The 2023 Cloud County commit possesses a long, projectable frame that has room for growth and maturity. In the box, his bat speed and bat-to-ball skills allow him to bring a simple approach to the dish. Timed up the fastball well all day driving one to the wall in LF against Team Alberta. He’ll be an interesting follow the rest of the tournament as well when the season gets underway.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 Future Games Trials - North Vancouver BC 06/02 Parkgate Park (North Vancouver)
2023 Island Future Games Trials BC 06/07 Serauxmen Stadium (Nanaimo)
2023 New England Academic Games (Invite Only) BC 06/28 Yale
PBR Junior Future Games NATIONAL 07/25 LakePoint

 

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