Team Canada World Cup Quick Hits

Myles Naylor SS / OF / St. Joan of Arc, ON / 2023

Myles Naylor (‘23 Texas Tech) was the main attraction on the Canadian team with the 2023 Draft now just 10 months away and he didn’t disappoint, leading the team in nearly every offensive category. The right-handed hitter flashed his strength, hitting Canada’s lone homerun and added a double.

Not only did he flex his muscle, but he got a hit in nearly half his at-bats, reached base at a clip of .625 and had a whopping OPS of 1.331. Naylor was already the top prospect in Canada but seems to have elevated his game to another level this summer and into the fall.

Stat Line: .471/.625/.706 | 8-for-17 | HR | 2B | 4 R | 6 RBI | 6 BB | 4 K | 3 SB

Reece Usselman LHP / Langley Secondary, BC / 2022

Usselman (‘23 Oregon) has been one of the top arms for this Canadian squad for the past several trips and was their most reliable arm at the World Cup. He dominated Netherlands in his first start, going 5.1 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and no walks, along with five strikeouts. His second start against Italy, the B.C. native went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs and punching out six.

He didn’t allow any extra-base hits in his 11.2 innings and nearly struck out three times as many as he walked. The left-hander works with quality stuff and is a candidate to break out when he heads to Oregon next fall. 

Elliot Cadieux Lanoue LHP / OF / Fadette, QC / 2023

Cadieux-Lanoue (‘23 Iowa) only had one start in Florida and it was one of Canada’s best performances on the mound. He worked 5.2 innings against South Africa allowing just two runs, two hits, three walks and struck out six. Despite allowing a double and a homerun, Lanoue allowed just one baserunner an inning and picked up the win in the process.

Our PBR Florida staff saw the ABC left-hander up to 93mph with above-average spin back in July and his electric stuff should draw some interest come draft time.

Sam White 3B / 3B / Aurora, ON / 2022

You knew Sam White (West Virginia, Freshman) was going to be relied upon to provide the Canadian squad some offense and he delivered, going 7-for-21 with a double and just three punchouts. The left-handed hitter had the second best AVG, OBP, OPS on the team and was one of the top run producers, behind Naylor.

White’s hit tool has always stood out, along with his feel for the strike zone. Where he fits defensively has always been a talking point and he manned first base in 7 of the 8 games. It will be interesting to see how White’s bat plays in the Big 12 over the next 3-4 years.

Stat Line: .333/.375/.381 | 7-for-21 | 2B | 4 R | 5 RBI | 2 BB | 3 K

Hugh Pinkney C / OF / Silverthorn CI, ON / 2022

After hearing his name called in July’s draft by the Padres, Hugh Pinkney (Rutgers, Freshman) was a big addition to the Canadian squad with his ability to hit and defend. Pinkney batted just .250 but reached base in all but one game, although he had a sac fly in that one.

He didn’t pick up a walk but he struck out just three times and was tied for the second most runs produced on the team. The Scarlet Knights catcher picked up big hits in big moments and could make himself some money in a few years if he continues to do so in the Big 10. 

Dylan O'Rae SS / Northern, ON / 2022

O’Rae (Milwaukee Brewers) has dominated every time out for Team Canada this year and typically been the most productive player. Although he wasn't their offensive leader this time around, he continued to do Dylan O’Rae things and was still no doubt one of the most impactful players on the team.

He led the team in runs scored (6), tied for the team lead in extra-base hits (2) and swiped three bases. His constant success on the offensive side starts with his ability to put the ball in play, as shown by his one strikeout in 28 plate appearances. O’Rae heads into his first full pro season with lots of optimism after reaching base at a .424 clip in 33 plate appearances in rookie league with Milwaukee. 

Zak Szabo RHP / Sinclair, ON / 2022

Szabo (Troy, Freshman) pitched just three innings out of the bullpen for Canada but he was dominant in all three outings. His first outing was his best and helped Canada nearly take down the eventual winners, the United States. The right-hander went 1.1 innings and allowed no hits, no walks, no runs and punched out three.

In total he allowed just two hits, zero earned runs, one walk and no extra-base hits. Szabo had his stuff on display on the big stage and did so last summer as well under the PBR Canada uniform at the NorthEast Senior Games before committing to Troy.