Ontario Youth Team - Notes From Camp III
May 27, 2022
This past weekend our staff was in Vaughan for three straight days to get a look at some of the best 17U players the province has to offer. With the Canada Summer Games coming to Niagara later this summer, the Ontario Youth Team hosted their 40-Man Camp this weekend which allowed our staff to get in-game looks at some of the top 2023s and 2024s in Ontario.
Below, PBR Ontario Intern, Tillie Burlock, provides notes and video on five players who caught her eye at camp.
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Chazz Grossington SS / 2B / Silverthorn Collegiate, ON / 2024Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 2
Grossington showed a reliable bat at the Ontario Youth Team tryouts last weekend. The uncommitted 2024 consistently put together strong at-bats resulting in base hits all over the diamond. His effortless swing from the right side produces lots of contact and should show for more power as he fills out. The tools in the middle infield standout for Grossington as he shows a strong arm and silky smooth hands. While he wasn’t the best on the base paths, Grossington’s offensive profile is bolstered by a great approach at the plate and a projectable frame. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound middle infielder will be one to watch from the 2024 class as he continues to grow.
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Jorge Valdes OF / Bishop Reding, ON / 2024Uncommitted 2024 Jorge Valdes is proving to be one of the more intriguing players of his class. Valdes elevates himself above his peers with his speed and ability to get on base. His confident approach from the left side of the plate produces quality at-bats and lends him the opportunity to hit the ball hard. The athletic outfielder from the Ontario Blue Jays consistently runs a 4.1s to first and showed IQ on the base paths with numerous stolen bases throughout the weekend. Using his speed as a tool to stretch singles into doubles, and track down balls in the outfield–Valdes has the ability to excel on both sides of the ball and is a player to keep an eye on going forward.
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Will Hancock RHP / 1B / Oakville Trafalgar, ON / 2024Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 5
Standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, uncommitted 2024 Will Hancock is hard to miss on the field. The big-bodied right-hander catches your eye as he trots out to the mound where he shows good tempo and a smooth delivery. Hancock lived low-to-mid 80s on a cold day, working down in the zone while mixing in his breaking pitches well. Throughout the weekend, Hancock also showed off his ability to swing it, driving the ball to both sides of the field. He could be a legitimate two-way player in college and will be one to follow on both sides of the ball. Also a plus student, Hancock should get plenty of attention from college coaches.
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Nate King C / SS / St Thomas, ON / 2023Flying under the radar, uncommitted 2023 Nate King showed well this weekend. The 5-foot-9 catcher displayed his stuff behind the plate with good movements to get behind balls in the dirt. King demonstrated the ability to throw runners out with his quickness and smooth transfer–an element of his game that will only improve as the arm gets stronger. From the right side of the plate, King showed a good approach making for some quality at-bats and deep counts. As he continues to add strength and size, King’s overall game should continue to elevate.
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Brendan Lawson SS / 3B / Lawrence Park , ON / 2024As one of the hottest hitters in Ontario right now, uncommitted 2024 Brendan Lawson did not disappoint. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitter looks the part in the batter’s box. With an aggressive approach, Lawson consistently barrels up the ball for extra bases and demonstrates the ability to stay inside the baseball. He also showed off his tools on the left-side of the infield with smooth actions and a strong arm. The projectable body, combined with solid at-bats and promising tools, Lawson is tabbed as one of the more exciting players in Ontario’s 2024 class.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| 2022 East Coast Trials | ON | 05/29 | Lakeburn Field |
| 2022 Northern Games | ON | 06/08 | Terry Fox Sports Complex |
| 2022 Newfoundland Trials | ON | 06/09 | Premier Sports Academy |
| PBR Junior Future Games | NATIONAL | 07/26 | LakePoint |
| 2022 PBR Future Games (PBR Canada Selects Invite) | ON | 07/27 | LakePoint Sports |
| 2022 West Coast Games (PBR Canada Selects Invite) | ON | 08/12 | UNLV |
| Improve My Profile with Game Video (Ontario) | ON | 08/29 | Ontario |
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