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By Chris Kemlo and PBR Staff
Ontario Scouting Director

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Canada Games Preview: Team Ontario

With the Canada Games getting underway this Saturday in Winnipeg Manitoba, we take a look at the Ontario Roster and some of the players that will be counted on, as well a handful of uncommitted talent.

Ontario will be in Pool B with the likes of Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and P.E.I. Round Robin concludes on Tuesday with playoff games starting back up on Thursday August 3rd.

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ONTARIO PITCHERS

All the Ontario arms are uncommitted if you exclude 1B/LHP Noah Richardson as he is the only player committed on the roster. The 2018 Windsor native recently came to terms with Northern Kentucky University and will play a vital role in the middle of the lineup as well seeing time on the mound.

Jake Rogers and Evan Elliott are the only two 2019 arms on the roster. Rogers is athletic on the mound with a loose, easy arm action and can spin the breaking ball while Elliott is a physical right-hander at 6-foot-3, 197-pounder who has been up to 87 mph this year. Though young, both can eat up innings and get outs in crucial situations, either them also has the ability to start as well.

Three arms who will be looked upon to pitch in big spots is 2018 right-handers Zack McQuaid, Shane LaForest, and Dylan Whittaker. McQuaid is a remarkable story as he has overcome injuries from a car accident to not only get himself back on the mound, but to be efficient as he has been up to 89 mph this summer and ready to take charge of the staff this week. Whittaker has one of the better curveballs in the province and was recently up to 87 mph in tryouts. He has always shown the stuff, and the velocity is starting to jump like we thought it would. LaForest, another Windsor native has a quick arm and can throw both his breaking ball and changeup for strikes. LaForest can be used in many different situations and could be a key piece to the staff with his versatility and pitchability.

Other arms in Malkolm Barrett, Andrew Giorno, Sebastian Santos, and Curtis Zimmerman are all uncommitted 2018’s and can fill the zone up with an assortment of pitches. Barrett and Giorno both can get quick outs with movement on their heaters while Santos and Zimmerman can be versatile to the staff as right-handers who can throw strikes.

ONTARIO HITTERS

In tournament action, a lot of the times it’s who can get hot at the right time, and the lineup for Ontario seems to be a little more balanced this year, with more of a gritty approach with some thump in the middle of the lineup.

Left-handed bats Richardson and Ryan Magdic look to be run producers as both hitters display power from the left side while Magdic has come onto the scene with his loose and easy swing and ability to hit the ball out the park. Uncommitted 2018 speedster Noah London looks to be a fine suit for the top of the lineup while Sam Lebel and can provide some power from the right side and extra base potential.

DEFENSIVELY

Spencer Todd and Nathan Shute look to handle the responsibilities behind the plate while infielders George Tsiflikiotis and Braden Halford provide middle infield help along with Whittaker. Angus Adams is another two way player while young 2019 Jason Kauffeldt can provide speed and outfielder Will Pollard from the London Badgers will roam the outfield with Noah London.

Best wishes go out to Ontario as they get started this Saturday with a 1:00 start vs. P.E.I.

Uncommitted Bats to watch out for:

Ryan Madgic - 1B, L/L, smooth swing with bat speed and hand-eye.

Sam Lebel - 3B, R/R, aggressive hitter who attacks, some juice in bat, lots of extra bases.

Noah London - OF, R/R, speedy center-fielder with line drive approach who can play defense with arm strength and range.

Uncommitted Arms to watch out for:

Zack McQuaid - RHP, Fastball up to 89 and can spin breaking ball, clean quick arm.

Dylan Whittaker - RHP, sharp curveball, velocity starting to come, deceptive with more in tank.

Evan Elliott - RHP, 2019, big projectable frame who should be a 90+ arm with a curveball.