Prep Baseball Report

First Look At Ontario Youth Team


Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Director of Scouting


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Ontario Insider: First Look At Ontario Youth Team

Wednesday night in Toronto, we were able to get our first look at the Ontario Youth Team as they will be representing the province in Moncton, New Brunswick at the Canada Cup in live game action versus the Etobicoke Juniors.

The game ended up in a 5-5 tie against one of the better Junior teams in the Toronto loop, and the OYT looks poised to make a run this year in Moncton with only 2 of its players in Owen Diodati (Alabama) and Eric Martin (Indiana State) currently committed to schools. We take a look at some of the highlights from Wednesday night.

Curtis March LHP / Sinclair Secondary School, ON / 2019

Report: Started and went two innings. Undersized lefty with high pitchability who works quick, fills the zone with his three-pitch repertoire. Fastball worked in low 80’s with arm-side run, mixed in curveball with 1/7 shape that had depth and would backup his changeup to righties when need be. Makes quick work of hitters and keeps pitch count low, crafty and can hold runners, simply gets it done when two of his pitches are working.

Owen MacNeil RHP / Christ the King, ON / 2019

Report: MacNeil was impressive in his one inning of work. Lean and projectable, looks to have lowered his arm slot to more of a natural ¾ slot. Was 82-84 and had best changeup of the night. Weak contact and poor swings, a lot to like and can fill both starter and bullpen role, uptick in velo looks to be in the near future as he has more strength to gain.

Benjamin Adams LHP / OF / Longfields-Davidson Heights, ON / 2020

Report: Top prospect in 2020 class, was 82-85 and spun a really good curveball that saw couple swing and misses, one for a punchout that fell off table at back ankle of a righty hitter. Ball comes out hand well, there is going to be more velo in future and Adams is athletic on the mound with whip in the arm and actions that are going to play.

Ryan Leitch C / 1B / Sinclair, ON / 2019

Report: Physical right-handed hitter, Leitch connected for a double to left early on while he was solid both behind the dish and at first base. There is going to be some swing and miss in his game, but there is chance for some real power and he’s only going to get stronger. Receives well and there is enough arm to stay behind the plate.

Owen Diodati C / A.N. Myer, ON / 2019

Report: Saw time in right field and looks like there could be more time in the future for the Alabama commit. Diodati laced a double to his pull side and although he looked to be more comfortable in the outfield than we may of expected, the bat will be the selling point as he looks to hit in the middle of the order a be a run producer.

Elijha Hammill SS / 3B / Holy Trinity SS, ON / 2021

Report: Stood out in pre-game with defensive actions and the easiness in his arm. Hands work in the infield and the switch-hitter gets out the box and down the line while there is hand-eye at the plate and moves the ball around the field. Fun to watch and the 2021 grad is going to be a name you hear quite a bit over the next few years.

Carter Arbuthnot SS / 2B / Maxwell Heights, ON / 2019

Report: The 2019 grad had a big RBI double to left-centre that looked like it was gonna leave the yard off the bat. Arbuthnot has a simple, quiet setup, he’s ready to hit and keeps himself balanced and in good position to do damage. Actions are clean with enough carry defensively across the diamond, quality at-bats with knowledge of the strike zone, don’t often see him swing at too many bad pitches. Tools play up and can see him being a versatile option for OYT.

Noel McGarry Doyle OF / 1B / St. Elizabeth CHS, ON / 2019

Report: Speed and strength with the stocky 6-foot-1, 185-pound Doyle. Ball jumps off bat and he blows up the basepaths. Still rawness defensively and knowing when to be aggressive in the box but the tools grade out well and he is athletic with big time upside. Looks like a running back with power and speed, Doyle continues to trend upwards and is going to be a great get for some college program. Only going to get better as he learns the nuances of the game.