Follow @PBR_Ontario

By Chris Kemlo and PBR Staff
PBR Ontario Scouting Director

Interested in attending a PBR Ontario event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

12 Days of Christmas Rundown:
Day 1: A Week In Florida
Day 2: Top Stats of the Year
Day 3: CPBL to Debut in 2016
Day 4: A Look Back at TPG
Day 5: A Look Back at Early Commitments
Day 6: OBJ Success
Day 7: Midget Elite League
Day 8: Futures Team

Ontario 12 Days of Christmas: Class of 2018 Making Name for Themselves

To look for the best team of 2018 grads in Ontario, you didn’t have to look that hard. It seemed as if everything the Mississauga North Tigers competed in, they came out clear cut winners. They were able to get through the eliminations without a loss, and had a few scares along the way which is to be expected in a tournament that is grueling and demanding in its double elimination knockout.

Both the Windsor Stars and Pickering/Ajax Cubs had them on their heels, but clutch performances and timely hitting eased them into the final three teams where they showed their true dominance with wins over the Cubs in the semifinals and the Brampton Royals in the finals.

Winning the eliminations granted them an opportunity to compete for a national championship in Vaughan, Ontario and heading into the tournament it was safe to say they were considered the favourites. While adding a couple key pickups in that of infielder Leo Markotic and right-hander Matthew Panzica, the boys representing Ontario were able to continue their remarkable season and become the 15u Canadian National Champions.

Loaded with talent in all forms, and usually teams who win championships are strong behind the plate and this team was no different with Noah Naylor and Blake Buckle handling the duties. Both were offensive juggernauts and big pieces of what the Tigers accomplished in 2015.

Other big bats that contributed to this team effort were outfielder Matt Jenkins, corner infielder Cameron Wilcox, and right-handed hitting first baseman Matthew Deen. Ryan Douglas was the clear cut ace of the staff, always keeping his team in the game and being very efficient on the mound with his stuff, going deep into games. Naylor also saw time on the mound with help from Sawan Bhatnagar and Deen.

Although the Tigers were elite in Ontario throughout 2015, there were many talented players who are looking to make a name for themselves in 2016. We highlight 12 other players to keep an eye on in the talented class of 2018.

• Daniel Carinci - Infielder with lots of athleticism and tools. Quick twitch actions, fun to watch in the field with a knack for hitting.
• Tristan Mansfield - Left-handed pitcher who fills it up on the mound and goes right after guys. Strong lefty with lots of potential.
• Thomas Murphy - 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty with great pitcher's frame and feel for his curveball.
• Griffin Hassall - Long, lanky right-hander with mound presence and strong idea of how to pitch and attack hitters.
• Ben Abram - Top pitching prospect in the class. 6-foot-6 with length all around. Mechanics work and should be a special one.
• Connor Goldsmith - Big strong outfielder at 6-foot, 180-pounds with bat speed from the right side. Kid will hit and hit for power. 
• Anthony Vavaroutsos - Outfielder who does a little bit of everything. Advanced approach at the plate from the left side. High baseball IQ, solid player all around.
• Owen Lalonde - Multi-sport athlete from Windsor is a standout hockey player as well. Kid has size and tools on the ball field, looks to come easy for him.
• Jason Boulanger - Small left-hander at 5-foot-9 with repeatable mechanics, a fastball that topped out at 80 mph in November and good downward curveball with proper rotation and 11/5 shape.
• Ryan Faragher - Strong catcher at 6-foot, 170-pounds. Balanced approach at the plate with power and strength. Arm works behind the dish, clocked at 76 mph.
• Leo Markotic - Strong middle infielder who gets after it at the plate. Swings hard with loud contact, arm and glove play in the infield, hard nose gamer who competes very well.
• Cameron Sanderson - Athletic and agile infielder who runs (6.88) and can throw across the diamond (86 mph).