2024 Best of the West: 15U Scouting Notes
May 12, 2024
Another Best of the West Tournament in Kamloops, British Columbia is behind us which means the baseball season is in full swing across the country. Each year, the tournament includes top club programs from Alberta and British Columbia and this year there was added some flavour as Prep Baseball 15U National Team entered the tournament. The team was made up predominantly of Ontario prospects, but also included some West Coast names, as well.
This year the Delta Blue Jays took home the 15U Championship as they beat UBC to claim the championship. There was talent all over the field as we got a look at the next wave of talent coming through the West Coast, as well as Ontario.
Below, we'll break down some of the standout players with scouting notes and video.
To view 18U Alberta Scouting Notes, click here.
To view 18U BC Scouting Notes, click here.
To view 18U Eastern Canada Scouting Notes, click here.
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Jaden Simpson OF / LHP / St. James, ON / 2027Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 3
Simpson was the top hitter on Prep Baseball National 15U collecting multiple hits all week long, highlighted by a back-side 3-run HR to cut the Team Alberta lead to 8-5 in the 7th inning of Game 1. The bat-to-ball skills show up in-game with a consistent approach AB after AB, as well as causing havoc on the base paths with multiple stolen bases and aggressive base running. Simpson is a 2027 prospect to keep close eyes on over the next couple of years as he continues to develop his body and game.
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Brett Crowley OF / LHP / Adam Scott CVI, ON / 2027Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 2
Crowley got the Game 2 start vs. the Victoria Eagles, who were one of the top teams coming into the tournament, and he did not disappoint. Crowley attacked the zone almost exclusively with the FB that sat 76-78 T80 that got swing-and-misses in and out of the zone. Good demeanor and mentality on the mound and is a guy who wants the ball. Look for Crowley to continue to develop on the mound with his secondary stuff that will help him refine his arsenal.
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Westin Merritt RHP / C / Markham District, ON / 20282028 RHP/C Westin Merritt was the lone 2028 on Prep Baseball’s 15U National Team and was one of the most intriguing arms from the team to take the mound. There’s plenty to dream on with the 2023 OBA Player of the Year as he already stands at 6-foot, 160-pounds and his fastball sat 78-80 T81 in his lone outing against a strong Victoria Eagles squad. He moves well on the mound with a clean, quick arm and already shows the ability to spin a quality breaking ball in the 67mph range. Merritt isn’t even in high school yet and will be a name to watch when Ontario rolls out it’s first 2028 rankings in the fall.
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Deven Simonovic LHP / , BC / 2027Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
2027 LHP Deven Simonovic is our third-ranked arm in BC’s 2027 class and looked the part at the 15U Best of the West Tournament. He took the mound against a strong Prep Baseball 15U National lineup and the left-hander was dominant, filling up the zone all game long. Pitches with moxy and competes, attacking hitters with the ability to land the fastball or breaking ball for strikes at any time. It’s a quick arm, there’s advanced feel to spin for his age and can produce offensively, as well. Will be an arm to follow this summer in the Junior BCPBL, as well as going forward as he develops and matures.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2024 Island Future Games Trials | BC | 05/22 | Royal Athletic Park |
| 2024 BC Future Games Trials | BC | 05/23 | Parkgate Park |
| 2024 New England Academic Games (Invite Only) | BC | 07/09 | Yale |
| 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 Whalley Summer ID | BC | 08/17 | Whalley Athletic Park |