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Best of the West: Alberta's Standouts

May 14, 2022
Cam Black-Araujo
Lead Scout, PBR Canada

Our scouting staff has been in Kamloops the past four days watching the Best of the West tournament. Some of the best 2022s, 2023s and 2024s on the Western side of Canada all in one complex, with a nationwide feel to the event with ABC on hand from Quebec, as well as the Ontario Blue Jays. 

With a trio of teams on hand from Alberta (Alberta Selects, Okotoks and Vauxhall) our staff got a look at roughly 50 players from the province

Below, we take a look at the standouts from that group. 

2022 RHP Boston Warkentin - Okotoks Dawgs (Washington)
Warkentin had one of the best showings among the arms in Kamloops and the right-hander was locked in a pitchers dual with ABC LHP Felix Morin. The Washington commit sat 87-89 T90 with the fastball and worked with a slider at 76-78. He consistently worked ahead in counts using both pitches and racked up the swings and misses throughout his 5+ innings. Also mixed a changeup at 80 mph, although rare. Despite taking the loss, it was an impressive outing from the draft eligible arm. 

2023 OF Kyle Yip - Vauxhall Jets (Uncommitted)
Yip was another name to really jump out this past week with his right-handed bat and ability to always make a big play in a big moment. After coming through the first two days with the bat, on day two he fires a laser from RF to home to nab the tying runner at the plate and end the game. 5-foot-11, 185-pounds and with a good approach and the ability to spread the ball from line to line. Yip established himself as one of the better 2023 outfielders on the Western side of the country.

2022 RHP/1B Tyrelle Chadwick - Okotoks Dawgs (Illinois St.)
Chadwick got the start in game two for the Dawgs and came out firing with some of the best velo we saw all week. Big presence on the mound at 6-foot-5, 220-pounds and it was an impressive fastball he was working with. 90-93 mph early on with some serious cut, before settling in at 88-90. There was more velocity and more control in this outing, compared to Arizona with the Blaze. Still needs some refining on the offspeed stuff but it’s an interesting overall package from Chadwick. 

2024 Michael Yusypchuk - Alberta Selects (Uncommitted)
We got our second 2022 look at Yusypchuk this past week and there’s no doubt he’s one of the best young arms in Alberta. Athletic 6-foot-1, 180-pounds and moves well on the mound with clean mechanics and delivery. Fastball sat 83-84 this time out and he was able to locate to both sides of the plate. Curveball had some late bite at 72-74 and he also worked with a changeup at 74-75. A good overall showing at the Jr. Future Games this past summer as a two-way prospect. 

2024 INF Jack Lines - Okotoks Dawgs (Tennessee)
Our first of many looks at Lines, a young 2024 Tennessee commit from Okotoks. The size and athletic look immediately jumps out at 6-foot-, 170-pounds. There’s lots to like in the fluid left-handed swing and he produces bat speed. While he may not have jumped out in the box scores this past week, it was a good overall first showing and Lines will certainly be a name you continue to hear from these next few years. One of the few 2024s in the country currently committed, let alone in the SEC.

2024 LHP Brett Getz - Vauxhall Jets (Uncommitted)
A reclassed 2023, Getz impressed on the mound with his strike-throwing ability and compact left-handed delivery. Good look on the mound at 6-foot-3, 170-pound and the fastball sat 80-82 T83 with minimal effort. He was able to locate to both sides early on and felt food working with his offspeed stuff as well. Although the stuff isn’t overpowering right now, his feel for the slider at 72-74 was enough to be effective. An interesting uncommitted arm for college coaches to keep tabs on this summer. 

2023 INF Brandon Paez - Okotoks Dawgs (Uncommitted)
While the tools don’t immediately jump out, in a tournament style event Paez stood out with ability to make plays on the infield and come through in important situations with the bat. 6-foot, 180-pounds and works the left side of the infield with good feel for the glove. The right-handed bat works gap-to-gap and with a line drive approach and the ability to take walks. Good overall showing on both sides of the ball.

2022 SS Jack Wheatley - Vauxhall Jets (Liberty)
There’s no doubt Wheatley is one of the best shortstops in the country and he certainly looked the part this weekend. At first glance he looks the part with his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame and he stands out on the infield with his actions and arm strength. The right-handed bat wasn’t racking up the hits in Kamloops but on Day Two there was a lot of hard contact and a big hit in a big moment. Recent Liberty commit.