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By Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Scouting Director

Last week was an important week for amateur baseball players in Canada. The very best were selected to participate in the second annual Tournament 12, hosted by the Toronto Blue Jays and Roberto Alomar. Ontario players were split up amongst two Ontario teams and a Futures team, that consisted of high school players across the province. We have come up with an All Ontario Tournament Team, giving a quick recap of the prospects at their respectful positions.

All Ontario Tournament 12 Team

Catcher - Tony Hrynkiw, Ontario Green, 2015

All Hrynkiw did was post a .571 batting average for the week while driving in three runs for Ontario Green. His pop time on scout day was 1.97 and showed soft hands and proper footwork behind the plate. At the plate Hrynkiw stayed within himself, spraying balls across the field, and hitting the ball where it was pitched.

First Base - Josh Naylor, Ontario Black, 2015

Naylor, potentially the top rated prospect out of Canada for the 2015 draft, played as well as he could, given the Team Canada member was a late arrival and on very little sleep. Naylor hit .357 while producing loud, hard contact in his at-bats. Showed well defensively with heads up plays while flashing his quick release and arm strength.

Second Base - Royce Ando, Ontario Green, 2015

Ando played all over the infield during T12, showing his athleticism and ability to play multiple infield positions, usually he patrols SS for his club team the Ontario Blue Jays. Ando hit in the lead-off spot all tournament, swiping four bags and being a tough out at the plate. The hard-nosed infielder, who is full of tools should be a top follow for college programs this fall.

Short Stop - Adam Hall, Futures Team, 2017

One of the youngest players in the tournament, Hall proved why he belongs on the field with the best in the country. Hall hit .294, with eight RBIs and four stolen bases while playing an easy and athletic shortstop. Hall has all the tools to become one of the top prospects in the 2017 class.

Third Base - Cooper Lamb, Ontario Black, 2015

After aggravating a leg injury during scout day, most people thought Cooper Lamb’s week was done. The physically strong Lamb battled through his injury to play a solid third base, showing off his arm across the diamond. At the plate Lamb was not rewarded on the stat sheet, but he continued to put together good at-bats making solid contact to all fields.

Outfield - Eric Senior, Ontario Black, 2015

Easily the MVP of Tournament 12, Senior finished with an average of .529, with three doubles and was an on-base machine while hitting second in the order. In the field Senior was able to show his speed and range by tracking balls both to his left and right, and showing off his accurate arm and strength. Senior is currently uncommitted, but I would guess that won’t last long.

Outfield - Tristan Pompey, Ontario Green, 2015

Hitting in the middle of the lineup, Pompey continued to have a solid approach and game plan, routinely putting the ball in play. Pompey finished the tournament hitting .357 while showing his speed and aggressiveness on the bases by swiping five bags. Pompey played centre field and left field during his time last week, showing he is capable of patrolling each position and making the plays that need to be made.

Outfield - Cooper Davis, Futures Team, 2017

Davis can run, plain and simple. Using his speed and much improved approach at the plate, Davis hit .353 and stole five bases while assuming the lead-off role for the young Futures Team. Davis patrolled centre field, showing his range and first step quickness to track down a ball in right-centre gap that everyone thought had triple written all over it. Exciting player, keeps getting better, loves to play the game and is confident in doing so.

Designated Hitter - Ryan Rijo, Ontario Green, 2016

The big man went big fly in the first deck over the bullpen in Rogers Centre last week. He also had a double in the same game and showed why he is considered one of the top hitters in Ontario for the 2016 class. Rijo is a big bat from left side who does not get cheated at the plate. Even though he swings hard, Rijo can still make quality contact and go the other way.

Pitcher - Nicholas Virdo, Ontario Green, 2016

The 6-foot-4, long and lean righty was on his A game last week. Virdo made two starts and did not give up an earned run. He flashed a fastball that was up to 85 mph while throwing his slider for strikes and using it as a pitch to finish hitters off. Virdo tossed eight scoreless while striking out 11.

Pitcher - Michael Brettell, Ontario Green, 2015

Brettell worked seven scoreless innings in two appearances, making one start. The strike thrower was able to compliment his mid 80's fastball with his slider and changeup, keeping hitters off-balanced and frustrated. Brettell struck out 10 hitters, while only giving up three hits.

Pitcher - Drew Reilly, Ontario Black, 2015

Reilly worked three innings for Black, only two official innings as the last inning was not kept in tournament records. To say he was dominant would be an understatement. Reilly struck out eight of a potential nine outs, mixing in a sharp ¾ slider to go along with his 86-89 mph fastball. A catcher as well, Reilly looks to be a high follow for recruiters over the next few months and into the spring.

Pitcher - Tyler Whitbread, Ontario Black, 2015

A gutsy semi-final start by the righty saw him give up two earned on seven hits with seven strikeouts across 5.2 innings against a strong team from BC. Whitbread ran his fastball up to 87 mph while showing good tilt to his slider. An obvious bulldog and competitor on the mound, Whitbread proved he has the stuff to get quality hitters out, and do it often.