Canada: College Interest In Future Games Continues To Soar
August 4, 2024
The 13th annual Future Games took place on July 24-28 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2026 and 2027 participated in one of the most popular events each year.
There were 36 teams, including Team Canada, with players representing 43 states plus Canadian prospects. Each team played three games the final three days of the event after all position players are put through a showcase workout on Wednesday, the first day of the Future Games.
More than 300 colleges from across the country were looking on as approximately 500 players participated in this year’s event. This year, more than 450 college coaches from all over the country were in attendance.
To view the schedule/articles related to the 2024 Future Games, please click here.
CLICK HERE to view the Future Games Statistics.
2024 Future Games: Team Canada - College Interest In Future Games Continues To Soar
EMERSON, Ga. - It was another record-breaking Future Games as interest in the event continues to rise.
The Prep Baseball event that started in 2011 drew an astounding 425 college coaches, surpassing last year’s previous high number of 375 in attendance.
The attraction? It was obvious with 36 teams featuring players from 43 states and four Canadian provinces. Adding to the interest was the addition of the Senior Future Games with a dozen teams for uncommitted players entering their senior year of high school.
“The sheer amount of talent stood out,” noted Shooter Hunt, vice president of scouting for Prep Baseball. “I had many of the 425 college coaches in attendance come by and say that this was the deepest class that they had ever seen at the event.”
The talent was obvious according to Hunt.
“It seemed like every single arm that toed the rubber had huge upside, and 87-90 became the norm,” Hunt noted. “While the arms were outstanding, I was even more impressed by how comfortable the position players were in the box against those studs. There were some downright scary position player prospects.”
Team Canada made an impression.
“I loved the physicality that Canada brought to the diamond,” Hunt said. “They were uber impressive in the box and on the mound with what appeared to be a buffet of players for colleges to choose from.”
Cam Black-Araujo, Prep Baseball Canada scout and one of the coaches for Team Canada at the Future Games, was left with a good feeling about the squad.
“We went 0-3 but our staff still left the field each day extremely happy with our team’s performances,” Black-Araujo explained. “We ran into some impressive arms on the Midwest team that went 3-0 and we only picked up one hit, but each day the bats continued to get better and more comfortable with the power stuff coming at them.
“The big theme offensively was the impact left-handed bats with infielder Robert Omidi, outfielder Easton Kitura, catcher Taye Thierman and ’27 infielder Jalen Jacob. On the mound, our two big arms took the mound day one. Julian Sabourin dominated over three innings, sitting 89-92, along with ’26 right-handed pitcher Austin Blair flashing his potential as a pitcher with a fastball that ran up to 90.”
There was more that made a statement.
“What stood out to me the most this year was the talent level,” Black-Araujo said. “The new recruiting rules begin to weed out committed players who would otherwise be unable to attend the event. Within Canada, we didn’t have a single player in the 2026 class who was committed, which allowed us to bring the top players across the country. Beyond the talent level, something that really stood out was the amount of schools in attendance outside the Division I level to get a look at the 2025 class at the Senior Future Games. Previously, it was rare to see this so that was something that really caught my attention at this year's event.
The benefits are enormous.
“It provides players in attendance a chance to showcase their skills over four days in front of their dream schools,” Black-Araujo noted. “For Canadian players, we don’t have a ‘hometown’ team so players’ desirable landing spots are all over the map. This event allows all of them to put themselves on the field in front of those coaches, no matter the location in America. Beyond the college coaching aspect, it’s not often Canadian players are on the field with some of the best players in America and the Future Games allows them to see where they stack up against their American counterparts.
“Outside of the operational stuff, a big part of the week for myself and George (Halim, Prep Baseball Canada Assistant Scouting Director) was interacting with college coaches who were eager to learn more about our Canadian players,” Black-Araujo continued. “It was the first time we brought a team of true 2026s to the event so it was a younger squad, meaning it was the first look for many coaches. This dialect that started down in Georgia has continued as it’s now hit August 1st and coaches are continuing to reach out for more information on players who represented Canada.”
Much of the interest was developed during the Future Games.
“Our staff had a ton of conversations at the event with schools interested in both our bats and arms and now a week after the event, we're still fielding calls and texts from schools looking for more background and insight on these players,” Black-Araujo noted. “As I sit here and write this, I’m texting a pair of Division I programs about two bats on the team. We had several players receive communications on Aug. 1st and it wouldn't surprise me to see a couple names off the board in the coming month.”
Hunt was thrilled with how it all turned out.
“A record-setting 425 college coaches were in attendance for this event, and that number alone speaks volumes to the importance of the event in the recruiting world,” Hunt said about the 14th annual Future Games for incoming sophomores and juniors along with the Junior Future Games for soon-to-be ninth graders and select eighth graders and, this year, the first Senior Future Games. “There is simply nothing else like it. Many schools were there with three and four coaches because there was so much talent.
“It was fascinating hearing how each school split up the event,” Hunt added in reference to the challenge at hand to see players at each of the three levels of play. “They all appeared to have full on meetings prior to coming to LakePoint to figure out how to dissect the coverage to get the most out of it.”
Black-Araujo believes the addition of the Senior Future Games was a great decision.
“With the new recruiting rules, I thought the Senior Future Games was a great idea, especially for the Canadians who are typically uncommitted for a longer period of time compared to the Americans,” Black-Araujo said. “Despite losing two players to Team Canada and another to a Michigan commitment, I was impressed with the roster we were able to assemble and that showed with a 2-1 record and 19 runs scored.
“Despite the Senior Future Games taking place on the opposite quad as the Future Games, I was really impressed with the amount of college coaches that were taking in the 2025s, as well. The addition of this event was huge for Canada’s top 2025s entering their senior year uncommitted. I think there will be some big commitments coming out of this event, both at the Division I level and powerhouse junior college programs.”
The Team Canada coach also found the Junior Future Games to be beneficial.
“The group we brought to the Junior Future Games was a year younger than we typically bring and it was noticeable with a sense of youth throughout the lineup,” Black-Araujo related. “The team didn’t win a single game but continued to battle and bring energy each time out. They continued to make adjustments throughout the week, as many were facing velocities they have never seen (mid-to-upper ’80s at times) and nearly made a four-run comeback in the final inning of our elimination game against the Pacific Northwest.
“While the results didn't go our way, our staff is confident there will be several names from this team who develop into Future Gamers by the summer of 2026.”
As for what lies ahead, that is still to be determined.
“Nothing has been set for 2025, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some changes and advancements,” Hunt concluded. “We are never satisfied, and always want to provide the best experience for both the player and college coach so that it is easier for the two to unite.”
Deagan Barr, a St. Anne Catholic 2026, summed up well what it was like for those on this year’s Team Canada.
“The feeling of representing your country while playing the game you love is an incredible one,” Barr said. “This event was easily one of my favorite baseball experiences of my life up to this point.”
A Prep Baseball thank you to all that participated and a special thanks to the players on Team Canada that gave their thoughts about the event (including what schools have been in contact with them since Aug. 1):
***** If you were on Team Canada and did not share your thoughts, feel free to email us and we will get them included within this article.
The Prospects
 |
Deagan Barr SS / RHP / St. Anne Catholic, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 4
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? |
 |
Austin Blair OF / RHP / St Andrews Regional, BC / 2026Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Ramsey Chung SS / RHP / Our Lady of Mount Carmel, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 6 / POS: 3
Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Jalen Jacob 1B / 3B / St. Joan of Arc, ON / 2027Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? |
 |
Oscar Johnson RHP / 1B / Centennial, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 3
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Easton Kitura 3B / OF / Vauxhall, AB / 2026PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Luke Laird SS / 2B / Brookswood Secondary, BC / 2026Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Gabriel Larocque C / OF / St. Charles College, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 4 / POS: 1
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Elliot Lascelles SS / 3B / Upper Canada College, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 15 / POS: 8
Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Alex Machej SS / RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2026Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 2
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Cohen Miller SS / RHP / National Sport School, AB / 2026Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 3
Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Brody Murcheson 3B / 2B / Wellington Secondary, BC / 2026Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Matthew Neufeld RHP / Cardinal Carter, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 5 / POS: 2
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? |
 |
Robert Omidi SS / 3B / St. Martin, ON / 2026PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? PBR: What, if any, college coaches have you been in contact with since the event ended and the Aug. 1 deadline has been reached? |
 |
Julian Sabourin RHP / SS / Bishop Tonnos, ON / 2026Rankings StateRank: 3 / POS: 1
PBR: What were your Future Games highlights? PBR: Assess your performance. PBR: Give your thoughts on being part of Team Canada and what stood out. PBR: Touch on the competition you faced at the event. PBR: How can participating in the Future Games help you in the future? |
 |
Lucas St-Laurent RHP / 2B / Cole secondaire Antoine de Saint-Exupiary, QC / 2026Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Taye Thierman C / RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2026Will update when a response is received. |
 |
Desmond Tregaskis C / RHP / South Delta Secondary School, BC / 2026Will update when a response is received. |
Recent Articles
- OH College Interest In Future Games Continues To Soar 8/04/24
- OH The Initial Senior Future Games Is A Big Hit 8/01/24
- OH 2024 Ohio Prospect Games Advanced Metrics: Hitting Leaderboard 8/01/24
- OH 2024 Ohio Prospect Games ID Advanced Metrics: Trackman Analytics - Pitching Leaderboard 8/01/24
- OH Results From 2024 Ohio Prospect Games 8/01/24
- OH 2024 Future Games: Team Ohio - Top Performers 7/31/24
- OH 2024 Future Games: Team Ohio - Workout/Gameday Notes 7/31/24
- OH 2024 Senior Future Games: Team Great Lakes - Top Performers 7/31/24
- OH 2024 Senior Future Games: Team Great Lakes - Workout/Gameday Notes 7/31/24
- OH 2024 Midwest Super Sophomore Games 7/31/24