2016 State Draft Report: Canada

CROP RATING
	Solid, not spectacular
Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

2015 was a banner year for Canadian baseball players. Calgary’s Mike Soroka and Ontario’s Josh Naylor were both selected in the first round, and other Canucks went soon after. The Reds nabbed Miles Gordon in the fourth round, and the Brewers pounced on Demi Orimoloye shortly thereafter. Not a bad year, eh?

This year’s crop of Canadians is solid, but lacks the top-of-the-draft that last year’s class had. Prep righthanders Jordan Balazovic and Austin Shields offer high ceilings but low floors. There are a couple solid college pitchers at the University of British Columbia, with Curtis Taylor and Alex Webb having outstanding seasons. The powerful bat of Andrew Yerzy is another enticing option, though signability will play into Yerzy’s equation.

Ultimately, this is a pretty vanilla year for the Great White North. Next year, however, is shaping up to be another excellent year.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Curtis Taylor, rhp, British Columbia (National Rank: 130)
2. Jordan Balazovic, rhp, St. Martin SS, Mississauga, Ont. (National Rank: 134)
3. Austin Shields, rhp, St. Mary Catholic SS, Hamilton, Ont. (National Rank: 189)
4. Andy Yerzy, c, York Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto (National Rank: 248)
5. Alex Webb, rhp, British Columbia (National Rank: 439)
6. Clayton Keyes, of, Bishop Carroll HS, Calgary (National Rank: 494)

 

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2016 Draft Map

7. Josh Burgmann, rhp, Vauxhall (Ab.) Academy of Baseball
8. Mathieu Gauthier, rhp, Lower Canada College HS, Montreal, Quebec
9. Jake Polancic, rhp, Walnut Grove Secondary, Langley, B.C., Canada
10. Bruce Yari, 1b, University of British Columbia
11. Isaac Deveaux, of, College Edouard-Montpetit, Quebec, Canada
12. R.J. Freure, rhp, Robert Bateman HS, Burlington, Ont., Canada
13. Nick Howie, of, Garth Webb Secondary, Oakville, Ont., Canada
14. Luke Van Rycheghem, c, Ursuline College HS, Chatham, Ont., Canada