Parkland Academy Scout Day: Quick Hits
June 24, 2024
On Tuesday, June 18th the Prep Baseball Alberta staff hosted the Parkland Academy Scout Day at Henry Singer Ballpark in Spruce Grove, Alberta. It gave players the opportunity to collect updated metrics via our tech partners TrackMan and Blast Motion.
We broke down the top measurable data performers from the event with our Statistical Analysis Article. Now, we move onto this Quick Hits article as we provide scouting notes and video on five standouts from the event.
For complete event results, click here.
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Ronan Johnson RHP / OF / Spruce Composite, AB / 2027As one of the more polished arms in the 2027 class, Ronan Johnson stood out with his bullpen at the Parkland Academy Scout Day. Standing at 6-foot-0, 160-pounds, the pitchability is advanced for his age and showed the ability to locate his entire repertoire for strikes. There’s carry on the fastball up in the zone at 74-75 mph, with over 21 inches of induced vertical break, and utilizes a sinker effectively with added arm-side-run when located down in the zone. He offers two unique breaking balls that compliment each other well out of the same arm slot. Johnson will look to add strength to his frame as he continues in his development.
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Gerrit Vanderwal RHP / OF / TBD, AB / 2028As one of the top 2028s in the province, there is plenty to like in Vanderwal’s game. It starts with the frame. Standing at 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, it’s projectable with plenty of room to fill out and add strength. On the mound, Vanderwal reached 79 mph with the fastball. He kills velocity and vertical break on his splitter, while also tunneling it well, making it an effective off-speed pitch. At the dish, the Parkland Academy product worked in the air to his pull-side gap, reaching a top exit velocity of 85 mph. Vanderwal is a threat on both sides of the ball, and will be a name to follow as he continues to grow into his frame and refine his ability on the diamond.
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Chase Hembling 1B / 3B / Parkland Twins Academy, AB / 2025Hembling is one of the most physical players in his class, and that was evident at the Parkland Academy Scout Day. The 2026 grad stands at 6-foot-0, 210-pounds and utilized his physicality well at the dish. Using a strong lower half, he generates plenty of torque while getting on-time and driving the ball back of the middle with authority. Reaching a max exit velocity of 92 mph, Hembling had one of the most consistent rounds of BP at the scout day. As one of the top hitters in AAA, he’ll look to continue that success and make the jump up to the BAEL the following summer.
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Luke Mahar OF / RHP / Spruce Grove Composite High School, AB / 2025The uncommitted 2025 had one of the better showings at the Parkland Academy Scout Day. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound RHP won’t blow you away with his fastball, as it sits 77-79mph, however, his ability to spin the baseball really stood out. He offers two unique breaking balls that he can spin north of 2800 rpm. The slider has over 19 inches of horizontal break, while the curveball has 12 inches of induced vertical break and 16 inches of horizontal break. The arm is loose with an easy and repeatable delivery. With added velocity, his spin rates should improve making him an arm to follow in the 2025 class.
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Matthew Matier 1B / C / Spruce Grove Composite High School, AB / 2025Another uncommitted 2025 that impressed was Matthew Matier. At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds, Matier shows present strength with plenty of bat speed to go with it, averaging 77 mph, topping out at 81 mph. The LHH also showed bat-to-ball with exit velocities consistently in the upper 80 and maxing out at 96 mph. Matier has the tools to have in-game success, and he’ll be a left handed bat to watch and the summer season continues.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2024 Calgary Summer ID | AB | 06/26 | Webber Academy Athletic Park |
| Future Games (Class of 2026/27) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
| 2024 St. Josephs Academy Fall Scout Day | AB | 09/11 | St. Joseph's High School |
| 2024 Sherwood Park Scout Day | AB | 09/12 | Centennial Park |
| 2024 Calgary Fall Open ID | AB | 09/19 | Optimist Athletic Park |
| 2024 Central Alberta Sox Scout Day | AB | 09/24 | The Dome - Red Deer |
| 2024 Edmonton Fall Open ID | AB | 09/26 | Centennial Park |