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Team Canada New Roster, Familiar Faces - The Arms

With the official roster being released yesterday for the upcoming Junior National Team spring training in St. Petersburg beginning March 6, we take a look at the arms on the mound who will be familiar faces as these players have already worn the red and white and know in one form or fashion what it’s like to wear your country across your chest.

The veteran presence of many of these players will not only look to carry the load on the field, but with a very new roster and many first times, they’ll be expected to show the way to the new  players and how things are done when Canada is on your jersey.

Read up below with on your returnees for the Canadian Junior National Team

Theo Millas RHP / Alpha Secondary, BC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 131 / POS: 40 Report: Millas should be one of the arms who sees a couple starts over the course of the 9 day trip as he was the one who toed the rubber and got the nod versus the Blue Jays in Dunedin last year. The LSU commit will be heavily watched as one of the top MLB prospects going into the June draft. It’s a three-pitch mix from Millas with clean arm swing and repeatable delivery. Exciting to see the big 6-foot-4 right-hander in his last go-around with Team C.

Jack Seward RHP / Charles Best, BC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 385 / POS: 127 Report: Seward has been busy as the loose, 6-foot-3 right-hander committed to Oregon and San Jacinto over the fall and is looking to make big strides early in March. The velocity held over the course of 2019 for Seward as he was up to 92 mph in Jupiter. The off-speed continues to improve and sharpen and don’t be surprised if Seward takes another step early in 2020. It’s an athletic frame and delivery while the breaking stuff has big upside.

Justin Thorsteinson LHP / 1B / Langley, BC / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 415 / POS: 44 Report: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound, large-framed Oregon State commit is a physical two-way player who is a primary left-handed pitcher. It’s a clean delivery, fluid arm path, ¾ slot, good extension, and follow through with the changeup standing out in his secondary stuff while he works to sharpen his curveball. A veteran presence and someone who can lead by example, Thorsteinson should be ready to roll this March and looking to build his draft stock with early strong performances on the mound.

Mitch Bratt LHP / OF / Newmarket, ON / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 95 / POS: 15 Report: The 2021 grad has been on numerous trips with the JNT and along with Hammill, was the youngest player on the 18u team that represented Canada at worlds last fall. The Florida State commit is a left-hander with quick and loose arm and a fastball that works in the 86-89 range with a sharp and tight curveball and ever improving changeup. He throws strikes and pitches with a high compete level. Look for Bratt to continue to trend up and we can see the velocity adding a tick or two along the way in 2020.

Calvin Ziegler RHP / OF / St. Marys, ON / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 340 / POS: 111 Report: Ziegler returns for another trip with the JNT March, coming off a busy last calendar year for the 2020 UConn commit. The righthander does not have the height of some of his fellow arms but that is more than accounted for with his mobility and strength. Ziegler’s fastball is one of the top in the country, up to 93mph and room to grow still. The breaking ball is sharp when on and gets stronger as the FB continues to climb in velo. An unbelievable athlete with developing pitchability, Ziegler is a guy that will stop you in your tracks when you hear the pop of the glove. He could be a big problem for hitters come spring.

Loreto Siniscalchi RHP / Langley, BC / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 2 / POS: 2 Report: Despite having some JNT experience, Siniscalchi is one of the younger arms on the club. That being said, we expect him to jump right in and have a big impact in March. The 2021 right hander stands tall on the mound and has filled out the frame over the last year. There is lots to like as the fastball was up to 91mph at T12 to close out Summer and complemented with his big overhand curveball, hitters were given fits at the plate and would garner swings and misses. Already with a starters profile at the next level, Siniscalchi is a promising arm, amongst some of the best in the country in his class.

Simon Lusignan RHP / Foothills Composite, AB / 2021 Rankings  StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 389 / POS: 128 Report: We will get a great look at Lusignan as he is the only 2021 who will be at the Super 60 this year and reports out of Alberta are that the long and lanky right-hander will be ready to go. The actions, frame, and stuff all play for the Stetson commit and the biggest thing for Lusignan is to put together consistent outings where he is able to attack and control his stuff enough to fill it up. Expect for Lusignan to breakout this coming year and establish himself as one of, if not the top Canadian arm in the 21’ class.

Connor O'Halloran LHP / OF / St. Martin, ON / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 396 / POS: 41 Report: O’Halloran will be counted on to lead the Canadian staff. A JNT veteran of over a year, O’Halloran has shone on all stages. From his many outings with the red and white to his no-hitter at the Canada Cup, O’Halloran has been a force the past couple years. He’s been mid to high 80’s with his FB in a very repeatable delivery. He uses his secondary stuff well, as he has shown some advanced pitchability and feel for the zone. He attacks the strike zone and is starting to show much more swing and miss stuff in addition to all the weak contact he produces from hitters. It will be exciting to see the Michigan commit get on the bump again in March and he will be a must follow if you aren’t already.