Super 60 A 'Great Stage' To Perform On For Canada Quartet
February 6, 2020
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Super 60 A 'Great Stage' To Perform On For Canada Quartet
MCCOOK, Ill. - The baseball reputation in Canada continues to grow and four high schoolers - two from Ontario and one each from Alberta and Quebec - did not hurt the cause at the Prep Baseball Report Super 60 on Sunday.
“I loved it,” said Raphael Pelletier, one of three seniors along with 2021 Simon Lusignan to compete in the 18th annual event that featured players from 25 states as well as three Canadian provinces. “What a great stage to be able to perform on and be seen by pro scouts.”
There were approaching 150 scouts on hand, most from professional organizations, to watch Pelletier, Lusignan, Owen Caissie and Bryce Arnold along with 69 others from the United States show off their baseball skills.
“The Super 60 was cool to see, with all the scouts and top players from around the country,” related Caissie, the top-ranked senior in Ontario. “I got the opportunity to put myself up against the best there is to offer.”
The 31st-rated 2020 outfielder in North America did not disappoint with the top exit velo in the field at 105.
“Performing with all of the scouts was nothing too far from normal,” noted the left-handed hitting Caissie. “You’ve just gotta be calm.”
The 6-4 190-pound Notre Dame High School senior displayed his overall athleticism with a 6.71 clocking in the 60 and a 92 outfield velo, making the University of Michigan commit one of five players to run a sub-7.0 60 with a plus-90 position and plus-100 exit velo.
“The highlights for me were just seeing what I have to do to get better as a ball player and how I can do in front of all these scouts,” Caissie said.
Arnold, the other Ontario product participating, was pleased to be apart of an event that last year included just one player from Canada.
“I felt that the Super 60 was an amazing event by how they provided each player with exposure to hundreds of pro scouts and supplied free gear,” explained the Blessed Trinity High School senior.
The 5-9 165-pound shortstop ran a 6.91 time in the 60, while adding a 95 exit velo and 91 infield velo, fifth best among infielders.
“Having each player get tested for their swing was pretty cool as well as they can analyze each player’s swing and find how they can improve it quickly by gathering the results,” explained Arnold, the top-rated 2020 shortstop in Ontario and the fifth-ranked player overall.
Lusignan, a Foothills Composite, Alberta junior - the only 2021 participating at the Super 60 - equaled the sixth-best fastball speed of 93 while adding an 81-83 slider and 86-87 splitter.
“What a great event, it was very well organized,” pointed out the 6-5, 200-pound right-handed pitcher, who admitted the highlight for him was topping out at 93. “Performing in front of that many scouts is always an amazing experience, especially that many. It gives you a big adrenaline boost and helps you to perform better.”
Pelletier, a 5-11, 165-pound left-handed hitting senior at Ontario Virtual, Quebec, was one of nine catchers at the Super 60. The Texas Christian commit had a best pop time of 1.97 to go along with an 80 position velo, 91 exit velo and 7.33 clocking in the 60.
“Performing in front of so many scouts is great because I get to show the hard work that I’ve put in,” noted the 39th-ranked 2020 catcher in North America, who a year ago was a 25th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers.
The lone Canadian at last year’s Super 60 was Owen Diodati, who went on to be selected in the 29th round of the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. However, the left-handed hitting catcher from Niagara Falls, Ontario elected to fulfill his college commitment to Alabama.
As for this year’s group of four Canadians, the chance to compete with top prospects from the United States was a dream come true.
“Being able to compare and see the competition you’re competing with to get to the next level that every player dreams of was a highlight,” Arnold said. “Performing in front of pro scouts is a surreal experience as well as nerve-racking because you have everything at your fingertips right in front of you hoping you impress them and get noticed.”