Shaw Excited To Play For 'Canada's Team'

Sam Shaw SS / OF / Lambrick Park, BC / 2023

VICTORIA, B.C. - The chance to play for “Canada’s team” was too much to pass up for Sam Shaw.

The Lambrick Park Secondary School 2023 graduate has officially signed a pro contract and is now in his sixth day training at the Toronto Blue Jays draft camp in Dunedin, Fla.

“It’s Canada’s team,” Shaw said in expressing his excitement to be part of the Toronto organization. “Where I’m from, if the Blue Jays have an away game in Seattle everyone goes down there. It’s like a home game.

“I played for the Canada Junior National team,” Shaw added. “Playing for your country is a different feeling.”

The ninth round pick of the Blue Jays is thrilled to be a professional baseball player, no matter which one.

“I’ve always wanted to play pro ball,” the 274th selection in the MLB Draft related. “I had a great opportunity with Xavier and I was looking forward to that, so it wasn’t an easy decision. But my goal has always been to play pro ball so I jumped at it.”

Admittedly, waiting to get chosen was difficult.

“I watched the first few rounds of the second day at home in Victoria but it wasn’t what I expected, so I had to get out of the house,” Shaw said. “I went golfing with a friend. After I was taken I blew a putt on the next hole but was locked in after that. It sure made the round a lot of fun. I’m pumped to start my journey.”

Toronto was among the organizations that the 5-11 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder had been in contact with prior to the draft.

“I have a really good relationship with the area scout and talked to him a lot,” Shaw noted. “But you never know. I had quite a few teams that could have possibly picked me, but when draft day came around only two called my agent. I don’t think you can totally prepare for it. I was confident going into the second day, but ended up going golfing. I’m just happy to be drafted.”

Then came the decision of turning pro or going off to college in Ohio.

“Ultimately it was my decision,” the 18-year-old explained. “I had a few people telling me what they thought, and my family was very supportive of my decision. I felt I had a good college to go to, but it was just tough to pass up on my dream.

“It was probably the hardest call I’ve ever had calling Billy,” Shaw added in reference to Xavier head coach Billy O’Conner. “I just said thank you for everything. They were the first school to offer me and we had a good relationship. I was excited to go to school there, but I want to be a professional. I want to be the best baseball player I can be. When my career is over I can go back to school.”

Nearly a week into being with the Blue Jays, the top-rated 2023 high school player in British Columbia has enjoyed his time as a pro thus far.

“A typical day you wake up and catch the bus,” Shaw said. “You have breakfast, stretch, do defensive workouts, hitting, dynamic warmups, more hitting and recovery. I’ve noticed a lot more emphasis on recovery here. It’s important to stay healthy and stay feeling good.”

As for the future, Shaw, a standout at the PBR Super 60 back in February, looks ahead with anticipation.

“I’ll workout here until the offseason, trying to get better, and then hit the ground running next year,” Shaw said. “I need to work on all parts of my game, not just one thing. Baseball is a collection of different things, you can only control the controllable, work hard and do the little things right. I’ve just got to try my best and see where it takes me.”

It makes for an exciting time for Shaw, who has dreamed about becoming a professional since he was young.

“I’ve always wanted to be a pro baseball player,” Shaw concluded. “You really have to have a goal in mind at a young age. For me, since I was six-years-old it’s been my goal to play pro ball. I loved hockey back then, but I remember telling my mom I wanted to be a pro baseball player. She said, ‘I know you love baseball more.’ It’s been a lot of fun getting here.”