Ontario Insider: All-T12 Prospect Team
September 21, 2017
By Chris Kemlo and PBR Staff
Ontario Scouting Director
Ontario Insider: All-T12 Prospect Team
The other day we named an All-Ontario Tournament Team from T12, highlighting some of the top Ontario performances over the course of the 4 day action. These were players who put up stats, had big time clutch hits, were dominant on the hill, made the routine play and also took some hits away, as well as some big time throws on the defensive side.
This team below is consisted of the top prospects from the Ontario group from T12. Not necessarily those who had the best days or the most hits. With young players, many scouts and evaluators will put more focus on a player's tools rather than their performance or production. We look for guys who could still be growing and getting stronger, who have speed and power but just can’t seem to find it in game. Good actions on players who we can project or dream on. Eventually you are going to want and need to see some numbers or production, but we need to remember these players are still teenagers, and maybe more so in our province that these players are still learning and maturing, both physically and mentally.
Often times we see players develop here in Ontario and across the country later than some of our friends south of the border. Whether it is more games, longer summer, earlier springs with when they can get out on a field, we all are looking to find the answers to excel our top prospects. That said, the talent that continues to be produced from our province and country is growing every year, which is fun and encouraging sign for a college coach or pro scout.
Below is the position players for the All Ontario T12 Prospect Team.
Catchers
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Owen Diodati C / Great Lake Canadians / 2019Diodati is a big and physical catcher with raw power from the left side. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound prospect works to his pull side where most of power comes. Compact swing that does get some lag through the zone, Diodati looks the part and is someone to bear down on as he is one of the top uncommitted 2019 catching recruits available. |
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Ryan Faragher C / 1B / Ryan Faragher / 2018Rankings State Rank:9 POS:2
Faragher, lean with strength at 6-foot-2, 200-pounds. Puts on a show during BP and finds lots of barrels with the strength and bat speed to leave any field. Right-handed bat that works slightly uphill, hands work behind the plate and shows the arm strength and intangibles to be a quality defender who will contribute offensively. |
Infielders
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Jaden Brown SS / 2B / Ontario Blue Jays / 2019Rankings State Rank:1 POS:1 Overall Rank:82 POS:16
One of the most toolsy players at Rogers Centre all week. Brown shows a mix of speed and power, while the strength and athleticism he displays makes him a candidate to play a premier position on the diamond. The game is not as polished, as there is still swing and miss while learning the shortstop position, but the flashes he displays with his arm and glove, first steps, as well the way the ball comes off his bat makes him a very intriguing player with a very high ceiling. He’s had success and failure which is natural, and when it all comes together he has the talent and tools to be a special players. |
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Daniel Carinci SS / 2B / Toronto Mets / 2018Rankings State Rank:6 POS:1
The uncommitted senior had good at-bats with good whip through the zone. Carinci is athletic with a lot of bounce in his game at 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, quick hands on both sides of the ball. Ran a best 6.88 with arm strength and 90 mph across the diamond. |
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Noah Naylor C / SS / Ontario Blue Jays / 2018Rankings State Rank:1 POS:1 Overall Rank:4 POS:2
The top prospect is the Texas A&M commit Noah Naylor. Has the ability to play third and catch with above average defensive actions. Walked 9 times this past week, not seeing very many pitches to hit. Showed patience and didn’t leave his approach. Will be interesting on where scouts see him defensively, and if you really believe in the bat than it could be the hot corner where Naylor could begin professional baseball if the everything plays out next June as he is expected to be a high round pick next June. |
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Tyler Black SS / RHP / Toronto Mets / 2018Rankings State Rank:13 POS:2
The strength and quickness, along with a feel at the plate from the left side makes Black, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound versatile infielder one of the top prospect in his class. Sidelined for close to 2+ months with an ankle injury, Black looks to be healthy, evident of his 6.88 sixty this past week. Stays gap to gap and will surprise some with his pop, aggressive defender in the infielder with quick, strong arm. |
Outfielders
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Denzel Clarke OF / Toronto Mets / 2018Rankings State Rank:2 POS:1 Overall Rank:72 POS:13
Athletic frame at 6-foot-3, 190-pounds with much more strength to gain, Clarke is the top uncommitted prospect in the 2018 class. Right-handed hitting Clarke has continued to improve his swing, along with his arm and other parts of his game. Will still see some swing and miss and decisiveness at the moment, but Clarke has shown he can barrel up good pitching, was one of the top hitters for Team Canada at the Worlds and he is driving the ball to right centre this summer, where most of his power currently is. |
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Joel Mcknight OF / Ontario Blue Jays / 2019Rankings State Rank:10 POS:3
One of the top standouts at the Futures Game in Indianapolis, Mcknight displays hand and bat speed offensively while his 6.66 sixty makes him one of the elite runners in the country. A wiry frame, Mcknight’s actions and athletic ability give him a chance to be one of the more complete players in his age class. The bat stays level and gets on plane with line drive ability, drove balls in the gap in Indy for extra bases and can play all three outfield positions. |
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Dasan Brown OF / SS / Ontario Blue Jays / 2019Ran a 6.53 at T12 this past week and threw out a runner from right field trying to stretch a single into a double. Toolsy player with quick hands at the plate. Still learning his swing and game offensively, at times will get exposed on off-speed but the athlete in him allows the adjustments to happen and more reps and at-bats is the best recipe for Brown. Another high-ceiling prospect. |
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Eric Martin OF / RHP / Great Lake Canadians / 2019Rankings State Rank:7 POS:2
Big left-handed hitting corner outfielder, frame can be comparable to a Michael Saunders as the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Martin has length and leverage with a loose and easy swing from the left side. Took some really good swings at T12 and showed in BP the kind of noise that can come off his bat. Room to still add strength, Martin has as much upside with the bat as anyone there, and should be a hard follow for coaches and evaluators. |
Other Notables
Cesar Valero, SS, Alberta, 2019
Oregon State commit, exciting right-handed bat who was jumping balls into the first deck down left field line during workout day. Great frame which will only get stronger, bat is biggest tool as he generates well to contact and gets extension through ball. Moved well at short, could see him getting bigger and making the move to third down the road. Exciting young player.
Laron Smith, INF/RHP, Alberta, 2019
Big strong, sturdy frame. Hit, hit, and hit over the past week. Like the actions and swing, seems to play hard and is strong young man who gets the barrel out front.
Jayden Knight, OF, BC, 2018
Right-handed bat with speed and athleticism to game. Throws well from the outfield, lots of room to add strength, not done growing. Aggressive with tools and good setup in the box. Gap to gap guy who can use his legs to help win ball games.
Damiano Palmegiani, 3B, BC, 2018
Right-handed hitter who does not get cheated. Plays a strong third base but bat is biggest tool. Hard contact with pitch recognition. Strong to contact and can get the ball in the air and drive it out the yard.
Kendall Keller, OF, Prairies, 2019
Keller ran a 6.87 and the left-handed hitter showed feel in the box while it was a quiet, easy and simple swing. Looked to hit line drives across the diamond, player his position well with athletic actions to his game.
Martin Vincelli-Simard, C, Quebec, 2018
Right-handed hitter with a solid 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame. Quiet hitter who stayed in his legs, drove the ball in BP with some loud contact and aggressiveness. .
Cole Tucker, 3B, Atlantic, 2018
Strong third baseman who can get into some balls at the plate. Defensively was clean at third, bat speed and strength from the right side make him a dangerous hitter. Strong forearms and hands, looked to pull for juice, back spinned some balls in BP that came off loud and easy.