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2023 PBR Spring Training - Upperclass Watch List

March 5, 2023
Cam Black-Araujo
Assistant Director, PBR Canada

The excitement continues to ramp up as we're now less than a week our from PBR Canada's 2023 Spring Training in Cocoa, Florida. We have over 150 players from across the country on-tap for seven days of live-game action, along with practices and a showcase. 

There's a ton of talent from the 2023 - 2026 classes, both committed and uncommitted, and below we begin to break down some of the standout players who'll be on hand. Our first Spring Training preview takes a look at seven intriguing upperclassmen who have a chance to make some noise in Cocoa, Florida.

To view upcoming showcase schedule, Click Here.
To view Spring Training Rosters, Click Here.

SPRING TRAINING WATCH LIST - UPPERCLASS

Hudson White LHP / OF / Holy Heart of Mary, NL / 2024

2024 LHP Hudson White didn’t have his best stuff at this summer’s Future Games and quickly got back to his regular form with a strong fall season capped off by a commitment to Illinois State. 6-foot-4, 195-pound left-hander with strength on the mound and attacks the zone with all three pitches while the fastball now sits comfortably in the upper 80s.

White has set himself up for a strong 2023 season which will begin next week at Spring Training. One of the top prospects we’ve seen during our time covering the East Coast.

Lewis Foster RHP / 1B / Monarch Park, ON / 2024

Uncommitted 2024 RHP Lewis Foster is another big right-hander who jumped onto the scene this past summer and he’s developed well this winter while training at NRS. 6-foot-4, 195-pounds with explosive movements and intent on the mound.

Fastball has gained velocity recently, now sitting in the upper 80s and touching 90s. Also works with a slider at 78-82 with cutter like tendencies, along with a curveball, cutter and splitter. Projectable and uncommitted. Foster should garner plenty of interest from college coaches over the next year.

Chazz Grossington SS / 2B / Silverthorn Collegiate, ON / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 16 / POS: 2

2023 SS Chazz Grossington put together a strong year which culminated in a commitment to Winthrop. He’s long stood out on the infield with his smooth actions and footwork, along with arm strength where he’s mid 80s across the diamond. The bat has really trended upwards where he has barrel control and bat speed from the right-side.

Still has a gap-to-gap approach but at 6-foot, 175-pounds, there should be more power coming in his offensive game as he fills out. Grossington will be one of the top overall positional players at PBR Spring Training.

Marko Lashkiv SS / RHP / Richview Collegiate Institute , ON / 2023

Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 5

2023 RHP Marko Lashkiv is another prospect who gained some steam throughout the summer which led to a commitment to USC Lancaster in January. He showed well at both the NorthEast Senior Games and the PBR Canada ProCase with a fastball that sat in the mid-to-low 80s.

6-foot, 170-pound right-hander with some athleticism on the mound and quick, clean arm action. There’s good feel for his secondary stuff in a breaking ball with more of a horizontal look and a developing changeup at 70-72mph. A strike-thrower who’s really starting to put things together on the mound and there’s still more in the tank.

Ben Rogers LHP / 1B / Silverthorn Collegiate Institute, ON / 2023

2023 LHP Ben Rogers burst onto the scene with a dominant showing at last year’s Spring Training, earning him Top Pitcher honours. He carried that momentum throughout the entire year with the Etobicoke Rangers and took the ball in a couple high-profile events. The overall profile immediately catches your eye as a 6-foot-7, 220-pound left-hander and he creates tough angles on hitters.

The fastball sat 81-84 last March and it will be interesting to see where that number sits this time around. Also spins the curveball well at 67-68mph with feel for the pitch and command of the strike zone with all pitches. Our staff is excited to see if Rogers can repeat his performance from last year. Indianapolis commit.

Ozzie Fitzpatrick SS / 2B / Sinclair, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 53 / POS: 9

Uncommitted 2024 SS Ozzie Fitzpatrick is one of the top bats in the Ontario Prospects program and has developed well over the past couple years. 5-foot-8, 165-pound left-handed hitter who’s open and upright in the box with a quick, short swing and strong wrists.

Handled the bat well against college arms this fall and there looks to be more juice in the bat each time we see him. The glove looks to be behind the bat right now but he’s comfortable fielding balls to both sides at the shortstop position. An exciting, uncommitted 2024 bat with a chance to really break out in Florida.

Max Jewusiak OF / 1B / Assumption, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 6

Uncommitted 2024 OF Max Jewusiak impressed our staff last March at Spring Training with his size, strength and ability to find the barrel. Has some sheer size from the right-side of the dish at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds and consistently makes hard contact in-game with no issues against high-velocity arms. Some power in the bat already and can find the gaps with relative ease, although there looks to be more coming.

He handles the corner outfield position well but it should be the offensive profile that draws him interest from college coaches. A strong showing at Spring Training last year catapulted him to a strong 2022 season that saw him attend the PBR Canada ProCase and he has a good chance to do so again this year.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 PBR Canada Spring Training Showcase ON 03/11 Launchpad Sports Complex
2023 Spring Future Games Trials ON 04/07 The Athlete Matrix (Mississauga)
2023 Ontario Blue Jays Scout Day ON 04/08 King's Christian Collegiate (Oakville)
2023 Spring Future Games Trials (Session 2) ON 04/10 The Athlete Matrix (Mississauga)
2023 Spring Junior Future Games Trials ON 04/10 NRS Institute (Toronto)
2023 Best of the West (PBR Canada Selects) ON 05/03 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)
Improve My Profile with Game Video (Ontario) ON 08/29 Ontario


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