Ontario Scout Blog: May's Standouts
June 2, 2024
Our staff was all over the province this past month getting a look at players in-game following a long offseason of indoor training and our winter showcase circuit. Our staff saw well over 300 players throughout our showcase season that stretched from February - April and we've now had the ability to get outdoors and see how those players and their tools perform in a game situation.
Our scouting staff took in dozens of games over the past month with video analysis going live on our social channels and below we'll begin to breakdown some of the standout players from the first month of the season. The list includes several high-profile names who are already paired up with college programs, but we also highlight a ton of uncommitted talent who've had a hot start to the summer and will be sure to generate interest from college programs during tournament play.
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‘28 RHP Westin Merritt (Whitby Canadians/Uncommitted): Our staff got its first look at Westin Merritt early in May at the 15U Best of the West tournament and the 2023 OBA Player of the Year quickly asserted himself as one of the top 2028 prospects in the province. We got another look this past week as he pitched up an age-group against 15U players and went 2.1 innings. Lacked command out of the gate with several walks in the first inning but didn’t allow a ball in play during the inning as he picked up all three outs via the strikeout. The body already physically stands out at 6-foot, 160-pounds and the fastball sat 79-81, while touching a couple 82s, and paired it with a breaking ball at 64-67mph. The arm talent is undeniable and will be a fun watch throughout his high school career.
RHP/C Westin Merritt
— Cam Black-Araujo (@CamAraujoBB) May 29, 2024
2028, @baseballwhitby
Battled the zone a little today but the arm talent is evident. Up against older players, picked up over 50% of his outs via the K.
One of the top ‘28s our staff has seen to-date.
FB 79-81 T82
CB 64-67@W_Merritt58 | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/UJfsS9mWj7
‘24 3B/C Brayden Ricketts (Ontario Blue Jays/Indiana): Ricketts continues to stand out as one of the top draft-eligible bats in the province and doesn’t take an at-bat off, constantly making himself a tough out for opposing pitchers. It’s a smooth left-handed swing that’s able to find both the gaps with ease and rarely takes pitches over the plate as he looks to do damage with pitchers' mistakes. Continues to be a staple in the middle of the Junior National Team order and the bat has impressed each time our staff has seen him this spring.
3B/C Brayden Ricketts
— Cam Black-Araujo (@CamAraujoBB) May 26, 2024
2024, @OntarioBlueJays
Pair of hard-hit knocks today for Ricketts and seems to be in control of every AB he takes.
Aggressive and selective, doesn’t chase much. One of the top senior bats in 🇨🇦.@IndianaBase commit.@braydenr21 | @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/tNVvc2MD68
‘24/25 RHP Sam Fraiberg (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): Fraiberg has really jumped onto the scene this spring as he impressed at the Ontario Blue Jays Scout Day and followed it up with a quality showing last weekend against the Team Ontario Astros. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander lives in the 85-87mph range and the pitch plays well when working up in the zone. Also flashes a sweeping slider at 75-76mph with feel for the pitch. Allowed some hard contact last weekend with pitches left over the middle of the zone but overall it was a quality outing for the Ontario Blue Jays product. An uncommitted senior who’s also eligible as a 2025 and will be worth a look from college coaches over the summer.
RHP Sam Fraiberg
— Cam Black-Araujo (@CamAraujoBB) May 26, 2024
2024/25, @OntarioBlueJays @PBR_Uncommitted arm to keep tabs on.
FB plays well when elevated and there’s feel for a sweeping SL.
Some hard contact at times w/ misses over the plate, but good overall outing.
FB 85-87
SL 75-76@sam_fraiberg | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/dHyGlTMrcP
‘24/25 RHP Hank Lloyd (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): Our staff has seen Lloyd twice over the past week and is another intriguing uncommitted 2024/25 arm out of the Ontario Blue Jays program. The right-hander turned in another strong start this past Thursday as he ran his fastball up to 89mph, sitting 85-88mph along with a downer breaking ball in the mid-70s. The frame stands out at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds and shows the ability to get outs even when he doesn’t have his best stuff or with velocity a couple ticks down.
RHP Hank Lloyd
— Prep Baseball Ontario (@PrepBaseballON) May 31, 2024
2024/25, @OntarioBlueJays @PBR_Uncommitted
6-foot-4, 200-pounds.
Lloyd worked 5 strong innings last night, filling the zone w/ his FB and catching s/m on the CB w/ downer action.
Racked up 9 Ks and only surrendered 1 ER.
FB 85-88 T89
CB 74-77@HankLloyd06 |… pic.twitter.com/peJqfSyHH1
‘24/25 RHP Ian Roberts (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): On a 17U Fieldhouse loaded with offensive talent, Roberts is an easy standout on the mound and is a highly intriguing uncommitted 2024/25 within the province. The FB played well for the 6-foot-2, 190-pound right-hander, generating plenty of whiffs, while sitting 85-88 T89. Paired it with a vertical breaking ball at 70-72mph and used it to help setup the fastball up in the zone. Intriguing profile on the mound with a good two-pitch mix right now. Another uncommitted Ontario arm who will be sure to generate interest from college coaches over the summer with tournaments south of the border.
RHP Ian Roberts
— Cam Black-Araujo (@CamAraujoBB) May 16, 2024
2024/25, @FHPirates
6-2/190lbs
Interesting @PBR_Uncommitted arm here tonight. Pounding his FB past hitters and locating it, also flashing a CB w/ vertical look.
Minimal hard contact through four innings.
FB 85-88 T89
CB 70-72@IanRoberts506 | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/94mcMesTlU
‘26 SS Robert Omidi (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Omidi continues to show why he’s the top 2026 positional player in the country and provides our staff with quality content each time we see him. Playing up an age with 17U’s, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-handed hitter consistently puts balls in play and shows the ability to drive the ball with relative ease, especially to the pullside. Advanced tools in the box and has no issues handling velocity. Average runner right now and handles himself well at third base with good footwork and 83mph throws across the diamond. Will be a fun watch throughout his high school career and should create plenty of buzz late in the summer and into the fall as college recruiting opens up.
SS Robert Omidi
— Cam Black-Araujo (@CamAraujoBB) May 15, 2024
2026, @FHPirates @PBR_Uncommitted
Omidi unloads on this ball and sends it DEEP over the RF fence for a HR.💣
Ontario’s No. 1 ranked 2026 and will be one of the hottest commodities in the country come August 1st.@ShooterHunt | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/RWk2DSeMcO
‘25 OF Quinn Carson (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): The Future Games alum and uncommitted talent continues to flash his extra-base and will make his second appearance at the Canada Cup later this summer representing Ontario. While there’s some swing and miss in there from the 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-handed hitter, his power and ability to impact a ball is up there with the best in the province. Ran a 6.83 at last summer’s Future Games, up to 90mph in the outfield and generates upper-90s exit velocities. Quality metrics across the board, along with the frame/body, should have him on the radar of Division I coaches in need of a 2025 outfielder.
OF Quinn Carson
— Prep Baseball Ontario (@PrepBaseballON) May 18, 2024
2025, @FHPirates @PBR_Uncommitted
6-foot-3, 185-pounds.
Carson gets all of this one and crushes it over the LF fence for a no doubt homer.
Ontario’s 4th ranked ‘25 has his 2nd XBH on the day.@Quinn_Carson84 || #BeSeen🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/vjCCh6rWvU
‘25/26 SS Matthew Kolodzeij (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): It’s been a huge start to the spring/summer for Kolodziej as he’s quickly thrust himself into the national scene. Recently cracked Ontario’s 2024 Canada Cup team and jumped up to No. 3 in our 2025 rankings this past month, coming in at No. 452 in the North American rankings. 6-foot-2, 185-pound shortstop with hitter-ish tentendies from the left side. Good approach at the dish and consistently hits the ball hard to all fields. Also handles himself well at the shortstop position with good range and a mid-80s arm across the diamond. A must follow in Canada’s 2025 class.
INF Matthew Kolodziej
— Phillip Jankulovski (@PhilJankulovski) May 26, 2024
2025, @FHPirates@PBR_Uncommitted
Smooth LH swing w/ a mature approach, that put together a plethora of hits here today.
Clean actions in the INF w/ the frame to stick on the LS.
ON’s #3 ranked player in the ‘25 class.@matthew42884535 | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/zoOEYoUvsv
‘25/26 OF Kenyon Sikkema (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Sikkema is another name who’s really jumped onto the scene early this spring with his projection at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds. The physical left-handed hitter flashed some power at last month’s Ontario Youth Team Tryouts as he generated mid-90s exit velocities with the wood bat, as well as a peak distance of 339ft. The left-on-left outfielder will be a fun watch the rest of the summer and will surely get looks from college programs as the Fieldhouse Pirates head south for summer tournaments. Sikkema will also be representing Ontario at the 2024 Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
OF Kenyon Sikkema
— Josh Arcé (@josh_arceBB) May 15, 2024
2025/26, @FHPirates @PBR_Uncommitted
6-foot-4, 190-pounds.
Sends this pitch to the wall in RF for an RBI triple.
L/L with a physical presence that has the look of an intriguing follow this summer.@kenyon_sikkema6 || @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/SSIQQDtg3U
‘24/25 OF Ryan Stalony (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): Started the month with the Canadian Junior National Team on their trip to the Dominican Republic being one of their most productive bats and has only carried that into CPBL play. In his first games back our staff has already seen multiple HRs and XBH. An athletic RHH at 6-foot-1, 180-pounds that does not get cheated in the box, will fight deep into counts, work at-bats and has the possibility to do damage at any point in the AB. Stalony has the makings to become an impact player at the next level and continues to solidify himself as one of the top uncommitted OFs in the country.
OF Ryan Stalony
— Phillip Jankulovski (@PhilJankulovski) May 23, 2024
2024/‘25, @OntarioBlueJays@PBR_Uncommitted
Crushes this over the LF fence for a 2-run 💣.#PBRFG23 alum who continues to show that he’s one of the top UC OF in 🇨🇦.@RyanStalony | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/pBWxoQxiWq
‘25/26 OF Raine Kreklewetz (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): A strong contender to be a player with a breakout season. After putting a strong showing at OBJ Scout Day in April, Raine continued to show well into the first month of play. The looseness and easiness we saw indoors continued to play in game. Mature approach at the plate and will make pitchers work. There is a feel to hit there and the ability to find ways to get on base, as our staff saw at the Ontario Youth Team 40-Man Camp. There is a lot to like in Raine’s game and it will not be a surprise to continue seeing him perform as the season goes on.
UC OF Raine Kreklewetz
— Phillip Jankulovski (@PhilJankulovski) May 10, 2024
2025, @OntarioBlueJays
A look at some swings from Raine last night.
It’s loose, it’s easy, there’s feel to hit there and can turn it loose. Works deep into counts w/ a solid approach.
Believe he’s poised for a strong year.@RaineKrek | @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/FJFRiBbIjJ
‘27 OF/C Galen Hudel (Great Lakes Canadians/Uncommitted): Galen Hudel has quickly established himself as one of the better bats in Ontario’s class of 2027. Physically mature for his age standing at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds, and possesses the ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field, but tends to draw more power to his pull-side. The young outfielder has acquired several XBHs early on this spring and is a staple in a strong GLC lineup. He works counts and has shown his ability to hit in-game. There is a lot to dream on with the young, physical outfielder and we believe he will be fun to watch as the season goes on, and as he progresses in his career.
OF/C Galen Hudel
— Michael Stavraky (@StavrakyBB) May 5, 2024
2027, @GLCanadians
Another XBH on the day for Hudel who lines this one into the LCF gap for a double.
Physical LHH w/ the ability to hit the ball to all fields, should be a good follow as he matures. @gdh389_99 || @PrepBaseballON https://t.co/PvEaubM2ds pic.twitter.com/uPTJkKzJe1
‘24/25 RHP Aiden Taggart (Fieldhouse Pirates/Utah): Taggart continues to solidify himself as one of the better right-handers in Ontario's class of 2024 with a pair of impressive starts in the CPBL, while also appearing on the first two Canadian Junior National Team trips this year. Standing at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Taggart’s FB sits 87-89mph with 2400rpm+ coupled with two downer breaking balls that are spun for strikes. He continues to be an uncomfortable at-bat for hitters and will be able to stick at the next level.
RHP Aiden Taggart
— Prep Baseball Ontario (@PrepBaseballON) May 11, 2024
2024, @FHPirates @utahbaseball commit.
6-foot-3, 200-pounds.
Really strong outing from Taggart today who goes 4 IP surrendering 1 ER on 3 Hs w/ 5 Ks and 0 BBs.
Smooth tempo, effortless delivery w/ feel for his mix ⬇️
FB: 87-89 - 2300rmps+
SL: 76-79
CH:… pic.twitter.com/goDBKIxQmo
‘25/26 LHP Logan Forgie (Ontario Blue Jays/Uncommitted): Recently slotted in at No. 5 in Ontario’s class of 2025 rankings, Forgie continues to impress our staff with his pure pitchability on the mound. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound LHP continues to show he is truly an uncomfortable AB by racking up 9 Ks through 3 innings at the CPBL showcase weekend. The FB sits 85-88mph with armside-run and gets on hitters quick, but his most impressive pitch might be the CB which sits in the mid-low 70s (2600rpm+) and generates a ton of swing and miss. He also possesses a wipeout slider that generates 2500rpm+. There is a lot to like from Ontario’s top-ranked left-hander in the class of 2025 and he still remains uncommitted.
UC LHP Logan Forgie
— Michael Stavraky (@StavrakyBB) May 11, 2024
2025 (‘26), @OntarioBlueJays
Forgie was an uncomfortable AB during his outing, racking up 9 Ks thru 3 IP w/ good pitchability.
FB gets on hitters quick and the CB generates tons of uncomfortable s/m.
FB: 85-88 w/ life ⚡️
CB: 73-74 - 2600+@logan_forgie pic.twitter.com/GdUt1XGIsg
‘27 C/RHP Gino De Santis (Great Lakes Canadians/Uncommitted): Gino is another young up-and-coming LHH who continues to impress our staff early on this spring. Standing at a mature 6-foot, 190-pound frame, Gino boasts a patient approach and consistently works deep into counts. He possesses some pull-side juice as we’ve seen this year and also shows strong defensive capability behind the dish with a natural feel for the catcher position. We have also briefly seen him on the bump, where he pitched one inning and sat low 80s with the ability to locate the FB up in the zone. There are present tools in Gino’s game as he continues to show why he's ranked No. 2 in Ontario’s class of 2027.
C Gino De Santis
— Michael Stavraky (@StavrakyBB) May 5, 2024
2027, @GLCanadians
6-foot, 190-pounds.
Gino drills this one over the right fielder’s head for a GRD.
Also showed off his vision at the plate today, acquiring 3 walks on top of the double.
Ranked #2 in Ontario’s class of 2027.@GdeSantis15 @PrepBaseballON pic.twitter.com/ftlQtl4VmX
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
2024 New England Academic Games (Invite Only) | ON | 07/09 | Yale |
Future Games (Class of 2026/27) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) | NATIONAL | 07/24 | LakePoint Sports |
2024 Toronto Summer ID | ON | 07/30 | Dan Lang Field |
2024 Midwest Super Sophomore Games (Invite Only) | ON | 08/02 | Indiana University - Bart Kaufman Field |
2024 Fergie League Showcase | ON | 08/24 | Welland Stadium |
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- 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
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