The Year In Review - 2021
January 3, 2022
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The Year In Review - 2021
Each of us here at PBR Canada want to thank you for making 2021 the best year yet. We look forward to continuing to bring the best baseball coverage to Canada. Happy Holidays to all!
"2021 wasn't the ideal year we all had planned in Canada when it came to baseball. There were obstacles and hurdles, but what our staff was able to do and the small part we were able to play in helping players get in front of the right people was satisfying to say the least. As we continue to learn and grow, strengthen the brand and our team from one side of the country to the other, it makes me very excited for the opportunities we can create for players from coast to coast in this great country. Thank you to the athletes, parents and coaches who continue to advocate for Canadian baseball, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season." - Chris Kemlo, Canadian Supervisor
"The players run PBR Canada. 2019 was the year we were able to change our business model, benefiting Canadian players more than ever. 2019 launched us to a point where not only did we provide the best platform for high school ball players in Canada, but even more opportunity. Canadians attended the Future Games in Georgia and made its first appearance at the Northeast Senior Games in Pennsylvania. We want to expand on these opportunities, giving players across the country a shot to attend premier events in America, while also expanding on our events locally. Above all, we wanted to say thank you to the players and parents. 2019 was a tough year for everyone, but we're thankful to be in a position where we can constantly shift to be the launchpad for a player's recruiting process." - George Halim, Assistant Director of Canada
"2021 for PBR Atlantic Canada is viewed as a banner year as it was our first full year in operation. Of course, like the rest of the world we faced several challenges created by the pandemic, but we came out the other end a bit wiser because of it. We were the only region in Canada that was lucky enough to pull off a showcase in the winter months amidst our continuous shutdowns. Despite needing to initially postpone, we also launched the inaugural Maritime Games which hosted the best players from throughout Atlantic Canada together. Following the Maritime Games we selected players to represent Atlantic Canada on our first ever US Fall Trip to Kansas and Missouri proving once again that the possibilities that exist with the PBR Platform are endless. We've had early success with player commitments to college, and we're excited with what comes with that proof of concept in 2022." - Pat Westhaver, Atlantic Canada Scouting Director
"As we reflect on 2021, we are thankful for the adaptability of our coaches, players, and all involved within the baseball community here in BC. In addition, with technological advances and a renewed focus on strength training, many athletes saw considerable increases in all major data points. Combining our new skills with proven tactics will lead to a memorable 2022 and we at PBR are excited to promote the great talent we have locally and continue to build on and create relationships with the entire community." - Jordan Broatch, BC Director of Scouting
"I feel with the relationships we've made and the experiences I had personally throughout these past 12 months, that 2021 was a banner year for PBR Canada. Being able to help high school athletes reach their dreams of playing at the next level while building personal relationships is something I enjoy daily. Thank you very much to the athletes, parents, coaches and all in Canada, have a great holiday season."- Dylan Hefflinger, PBR Canada Editor in Chief/Scout
"The opportunity to talk to so many quality players from different parts of Canada is a joy to me. Listening to them tell about their baseball journey, their dreams to continue playing the game as long as they can and the hard work that goes with it brings an appreciation of the commitment it takes to play on the college level and beyond. So many times when I have conversations with these players for PBR articles, the topic includes family, the values taught at home and how that helped them in their quest to play baseball at the highest level possible. I look forward to hearing more players tell their story and what it takes to succeed as they get ready to take the next step in their lives." - Bruce Hefflinger, PBR Canada Senior Writer
"This past year allowed me the chance to see what PBR can offer players on a national level, after I spent so much focus on the provincial level in 2019 and 2020. Spending the summer working with PBR's MLB Draft League, I saw Ontario native Mitch Bratt and B.C. native Dominic Hambley both get drafted and signed after strong showings in the league. Working with Canada's Future Games team for the first time gave me another look at the opportunities PBR is offering Canadians south of the border. The talent is strong across the nation and that's consistently shown at all national events we attend." - Cam Black-Araujo, PBR Canada Scout/Journalist
"The summer of 2021 is one we at PBR Ontario will never forget. Covid-19 affected us all in one way or another, so to get back on the diamond, build relationships, help these amazing players, and enjoy the game we all love is something we will cherish forever. We as a company strive to help the players in Ontario and across the country achieve their dreams. With the addition of Trackman in 2021, and the welcoming of our new staff members, we can do just that and continue to do that for years to come. Thank you to the parents, coaches, and players for making this a summer to remember. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!" - Brady Turner, PBR Canada Data and Analytics
2021 Showcase Recap
Prep Baseball Report events are designed to give players the maximum exposure needed to advance to the next level. In 2021, not only did they receive high-level exposure from college coaches at each event, but all players at these events were videotaped, with the edited performance being posted onto the website with the opportunity to be seen by more than 800 colleges and pro teams who subscribe to the Prep Baseball Report services.
In 2021, PBR Canada hosted 15 showcases/workouts throughout the year. This included eight Scout Days, which provided the top summer organizations in the state the ability to show what their program has to offer College/MLB organizations.
Looking ahead to 2022, we at PBR Canada look forward to bringing you comprehensive year-round coverage throughout the state and continue to be the No. 1 resource for amateur baseball in the state thanks to our variety of events, boots-on-the-ground scouting staff, daily coverage, multimedia platforms and more. With more than 800 colleges and pro teams subscribed to Prep Baseball Report services, we look to continue to help the prospect reach their dreams of playing at the next level.
Future Games - Team Canada
The tenth annual Future Games, held previously at Grand Park north of Indianapolis, was held for the third time at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia on July 28-31. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026 participated in one of the most popular events of the year.
Prospects from our 40-plus state coverage area and Canada went through a showcase workout on the first day of the Future Games, before playing three games the final three days of the event.
To read about each of the prospects experience at the Future Games, please click on this article. Every single prospect talked about their experience, the highlights, the competition and much more. A must read to say the least. Click here for article. To view the first annual "Heff's Hits", please click here.
Uncommitted/Committed Spotlights
In 2021, we were blessed to have OPSWA Hall of Fame writer Bruce Hefflinger back for his fourth full year. With Bruce on board, we were able to provide numerous commitment articles and uncommitted spotlights throughout the year. As of this date, in combination with Dylan Hefflinger's top uncommitted by position articles, we have written 15 uncommitted articles in 2021 and almost 100 since late 2017. Along with uncommitted articles, we provided numerous uncommitted spotlights on twitter throughout the year. To view the uncommitted spotlights throughout the year, please click here. When it comes to commitment articles, in 2021 we provided 15 articles and over 100 since 2017. To view each of the commitment tracker articles, please click here.
In 2022, we look forward to another year of spotlights heading your way.
2021 MLB Draft
The 2021 MLB Draft took place July 11-13. We at PBR took time to do a preview for the draft in the 2021 Simul-Draft Preview. To view the preview, click here.
Our guys at the national level, David Seifert (
), Shooter Hunt (Vice President, Scouting) and Nathan Rode (Director, Multimedia & Scouting) took liberties in putting together notes on each day of the draft, you can find each days notes below.PBR Canada 2021 Player Of The Year
In 2021, Calvin Ziegler earned the honor of Player of the Year in the nation. To read all about the 2021 Player of the Year, please click here.
Look Ahead At 2022
With 2021 behind us, we look ahead at what 2022 has to offer.
Throughout the year we will offer numerous showcases across the nation, click here to view our 2022 showcase schedule.
Also throughout the year, we will be updating the individual Player Rankings. To view the current rankings, please click below:
- To view Class of 2022 Rankings, click here.
- To view Class of 2023 Rankings, click here.
- Class of 2024 Rankings - Coming in 2022.
- Class of 2025 Rankings - Coming in 2022.
Recent Articles
- ON 2024 Future Games: Ontario/Quebec Player Reports 8/07/24
- ON Canada: College Interest In Future Games Continues To Soar 8/04/24
- ON 2024 Future Games: Canada Quick Hits 7/24/24
- ON Ontario Scout Blog: June's Standouts 6/29/24
- ON New York State Games: Quick Hits 6/26/24
- ON Ontario Scout Blog: May's Standouts 6/02/24
- ON Spring Future Games Trials III: Hitting Data Dive 5/29/24
- ON Spring Future Games Trials III: Pitching Data Dive 5/29/24
- ON Spring Future Games Trials III: Statistical Analysis 5/29/24
- ON 2024 Best of the West: Eastern Canada Scouting Notes 5/10/24