The 2017 Ontario Scout Blog provides insider information, videos and scouting notes from the PBR Scouting Staff during the season. This running blog will feature information on underclass prospects, unsigned seniors, draft prospects, and anything else that is notable. We will provide a wide range of information, including player evaluations, velocities, pop times, home to first times, and more. Simply put, the Ontario Scout Blog is loaded with information ...

With events in full swing and now only weeks away from game action, we proudly bring to you are 2017 Scout Blog that will continued to be updated on the regular with notes on players from events, showcases, indoor and outdoor workouts, and live game action across the province of Ontario.

Coaches and recruiters, please feel free to email scouting director Chris Kemlo with inquiries on players at [email protected]

11.22.17 A Look At The Five Canadians in the 2019 Overall Rankings

By Ryan Friele
PBR Ontario

#84 Cesar Valero, SS, Okotoks Dawgs
Scouting Report: Athletic shortstop with all the tools. Plus athlete with high baseball IQ and solid instincts. Bat had really progressed over the last year. Smooth stroke with very quick hands. Good bat speed with a good plane through the zone. Rushes a tad during games and loses the good plane but has the awareness to self-correct. Power began to emerge this year. Quick hands along with added strength and a good bat plane will lead to more power. Displays good hands and a good first step at shortstop. Can make all the plays now. Arm strength is plus coupled with a good release. Has started to play a little centre field and looks good going after balls. Good routes and good closing speed. Arm works well out there. Sub 7:00 60-yard dash times with athletic strides. Losing some speed as strength is added. Continues to improve with projectability in hit tool.

11.3.17 Fieldhouse Pirates Scout Day

By Ryan Friele
PBR Ontario

A look at two players from each the 2018, 2019, and 2020 classes.

Cam Arnold, OF/RHP, 2018
Scouting Report: Athletic two-way player with tools. Generates bat speed from a good load with quiet hands and solid hip rotation. Barrel gets through the zone efficiently. Not a lot of wasted movement. Swing mechanics and strength should lead to some power. Arm strength is apparent from the outfield with most throws having zip and carry. Good trajectory and on target. Release gets a little long at times when the feet shuffle. Short arm delivery off the mound with a fastball that sat 82-83 with some run. Movement created by high ¾ arm slot. Curveball was at 67 with inconsistent movement. Better ones had the desired rotation and finished out of the strike zone. Changeup was 75-79 from the same arm action. Ran a sub 7.0 sixty with a fluid running style.

10.29.17 Notes From Centrefield Sports In London

By Ryan Friele
PBR Ontario

Ryan Faragher, C, 2018, Great Lake Canadians
Scouting Report: Power hitting catcher with a good feel for the bat. Slight uppercut swing with strong hands through the zone. Consistent plane with lots of solid contact. Average power potential with strength and uppercut swing. Recorded exit velocity of 103 mph. Decent footwork behind the plate with a 2.00 pop time. Projectable arm that should get close to average. Intriguing catcher with power potential.

10.23.17 Canes Prospects vs Ontario Blue Jays

By George Halim
Assistant Director of Ontario Scouting

Noah Naylor, C, Ontario Blue Jays
Scouting Report: Texas A&M commit, and No. 15 in the 2018 PBR Draft 100, catcher Noah Naylor got the start behind the plate for the OBJ’s. Overall, he managed the staff well, shows flexibility and athleticism, gives pitchers a sense of comfort and trust to work down in the zone, makes them feel like they can throw anything in the dirt and he’ll keep it in front of him. Best POP time was 1.84 in between innings. At the plate, laced a slicing double to his backside gap, starts open, but has a tendency to bail at times, typically with two strikes. Very loud at contact, eagle eye at the plate, starts quiet and becomes violent, yet shows controlled aggression with his swing.

10.22.17 Fall Finale Notes On Promising 2020 Grads

By Ryan Friele
PBR Ontario

David Calabrese, OF, Ontario Blue Jays, 2020
Scouting Report: Calabrese stood out early in the workout with a 6.92 60 time with a fluid running style highlighted by easy strides and little wasted movement. His athleticism was on display in the outfield with a good first step and decent mechanics for an outfielder. The arm got a little long but most throws were on target with some zip. He showed a compact swing with a level stroke and quite hands. Got through the zone well with a good rotation and load. Calabrese is still growing and the frame will be able to carry strength.

10.19.17 OBJ vs DBacks Langley Blaze

By George Halim
Assistant Director of Ontario Scouting

Jaden Brown, 2B, Ontario Blue Jays
Scouting Report: Brown struggled a bit at the plate in the tuneup game versus the DBacks Langley Blaze, but he made some adjustments as we went along. Despite two strikeouts, he drove in the Blue Jays’ only run of the day with a solid base hit to left-centre, then on the next pitch, he got a good jump and stole second. Timing was a little off with his swings, but when he was on time, he never got cheated. Typically a shortstop, Brown played the entire game at second base.

Ontario Nationals 15u vs Ontario Terriers 15u - 10.14.17

By: PBR Staff

Elijah Hammill, SS, Ontario Terriers
Scouting Report: Hammill, a switch hitting middle infielder put two good swings on balls during game action from both sides of the plate. He launched a foul ball from the right side down left field line before taking a walk while he laced a double from left side of the plate into right-centre after fouling off a handful of pitches. Was a 4.53 down the line as well with a small turn. Showed arm strength from short for his age and made a nice play coming in on a ball that was bang bang play at the bag. A rarity to see switch hitters here, Hammill shows feel in the box and is one to watch moving forward.

Notes from Brampton 18u Fall Tournament

By: TJ Campbell and PBR Staff
PBR Ontario Scout

*All players are uncommitted

Ajax Spartans 18u vs. Brampton Royals 18u - 10.1.17

Jordy Harris – Ajax Spartans 18u
Harris was fantastic in the championship game as his fastball was topping out at 76 mph with command and feel for quality strikes in the zone. He kept the Royals, one of the top hitting teams in the tournament hitless through three innings. He lost some command in the fourth as he had pitched the day before. Overall he has a solid feel for his curveball with spin and could , see more depth with added strength and velocity.

9.26.17 Tournament 12 Pitcher Notes

By: Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting

Brandon Deans, RHP, Ontario Blue Jays, 2019
Scouting Report: Deans had two appearances at T12 and racked up the strikeouts while making quick work of hitters. The 6-foot-4, 183-pound right-hander sat 84-86 while touching 87 mph with his fastball and attacking the zone and getting outs early. With his size, arm speed, and a lot more reps and innings to come, Deans profiles as a big arm in the 2019 class with lots of upside.

8.29.17 EBLO 18u All-Star Game

By: TJ Campbell & Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Scout and Director of Scouting

*** All players are uncommitted

Spencer Ross, SS, Stouffville Yankees 18u, 2018
Scouting Report: Ross was a grinder for the East All Stars, getting out the box well from the right side speed down the line. Ross collected to base knocks in the game with an aggressive approach, showing quick hands with some twitch in the box and in his BP he found the barrel more often than not.

8.23.17 Final T12 Ontario Tryouts

By Chris Kemlo
Ontario Director of Scouting

** All players are currently uncommitted

Evan Chenier, RHP, Ontario Blue Jays, 2018
Scouting Report: Chenier, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander showed a smooth, compact delivery with rhythm and timing. Arm is clean in the back and works out front with arm speed, fastball in the mid 80s, working 83-85 mph with good arm speed and actions on his changeup and breaking ball. Filled the zone with quality location and lots more in the tank. Solid frame and actions with strong secondary stuff make Chenier a very intriguing prospect.

8.22.17 Final T12 Ontario Tryouts

By Chris Kemlo
Ontario Director of Scouting

Dylan Whittaker, RHP, Ontario Terriers, 2018
Scouting Report: Worked very efficiently in his one inning of work, showing a more over the top arm slot than he has in previous outings. Fastball sat 85-86 mph with good angle down in the zone. Spins the curveball very well at 75-77 mph, athleticism there as he also plays shortstop. With velo starting to spike, Whittaker taking the next step.

8.10.17 EBLO All-Star Game

By TJ Campbell
PBR Ontario Scout

Austin Gomm, RHP, Mississauga Majors 16U
Scouting Report: Gomm started the game for the West side and shut down the East through 2 innings. He faced 7 batters, striking out 5 and not allowing a hit. Gomm was sitting 78-80 mph and showed late run on his fastball. His changeup has some good arm side face, with his 10/4 curveball getting a lot of swings in misses out of the strike zone. Loose arm with lean body to mature and continue to add to his stature.

7.17.17 Summer Notes

By Chris Kemlo
Ontario Director of Scouting

Zach McQuaid, RHP, Ontario Yankees, 2018
Scouting Report: Reports has McQuaid up to 89 mph with his fastball at the final camp for the Ontario Youth Team. Right-hander who has a live arm and always shown a feel with the breaking ball, one to keep an eye on for school’s as one of the top uncommitted arms in the '18 class.

6.22.17 Top Prospect Games Notes

By Chris Kemlo
Ontario Director of Scouting

Tyler Small, INF, 2018
Scouting Report: One coach made mention to him having the dirtiest hat on the field, and he liked it. Small had a solid day at the TPG’s. The left-handed bat plays well with barrel control and balance through swing. Made plays to his left and right while showing athleticism on slow roller in game. Swing is short and compact, played game with instincts and hard nose demeanor. Ran a 7.13 and had exit velo of 89 mph.