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Ontario Scout Blog: 2024/2025 Standouts

August 7, 2023
Michael Stavraky
PBR Ontario Intern

With the summer season slowly drawing towards a close, our staff has had a look at hundreds of players across the province in live-game action with their respective club teams. Our staff was out once again this weekend as we had a look at some of the top players in the Canadian Premier Baseball League in Dorchester.

While there was plenty of talent on-hand who have already committed, there was an abundance of high-end uncommitted as well. Below, our staff breaks down some of the standouts with scouting notes and video.

Ontario Scout Blog: 2024/2025 Standouts

Liam Cruickshank RHP / OF / Loyola Catholic Secondary, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 33 / POS: 12

2024 RHP Liam Cruickshank was an arm that showed well on the mound during the CPBL All-Star Game. Physical build at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds with a commanding presence on the mound and fluid athleticism in his movements. Cruickshank showcased a seamless, whippy arm that stems from his overhead arm slot. He filled the zone with his 4-pitch mix of FB/CB/SL/CH, coming after hitters with his FB, and throwing them off with his breaking stuff.  He faced 5 batters and struck out 3 of them, FB was sitting 87-89 (T90) and got on hitters quickly. Paired with a CB that had 12-6 action and tunneled well off the FB creating lots of swing-and-miss. Definitely, an arm to look out for in 2024’s class.

Gianluca Montanaro C / RHP / St. Maximilian Kolbe, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 35 / POS: 3

2024 C Gianluca Montanaro had a game to be proud of, winning the CPBL All-Star Game MVP. Montanaro is a physical force at the dish, standing at 6-foot-3/210-pounds and runs well for his size. The Bossier Parish commit possesses a well-balanced swing that effortlessly drives the ball to all parts of the field, he is an athletic right-handed hitter with tons of juice in his bat. Montanaro had multiple hard hits in the game, highlighted by a triple that was barreled over the centerfielder’s head. Montanaro is a well-rounded ball player and will continue to develop more HR power as he refines his game.

Aiden Taggart RHP / Grimsby, ON / 2025

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 10

2025 RHP Aiden Taggart was lights-out on the mound during the CPBL All-Star Game. Projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, came into the game and worked a 5 up and 5 down inning with 2 strikeouts. FB clocked in at 87-89 with arm-side run, breaking balls sitting mid-70s with vertical break creating some swing-and-miss off the tunnel. Taggart has an effortless, fluid delivery from the ¾ slot and exhibits a remarkable ability to conceal the baseball during his windup and release. This disrupts hitters' timing and adds an element of unpredictability to his pitches. Clean inning from Taggart, the future is bright for the Fieldhouse Pirates prospect.

Ryan (RJ) James RHP / John A MacDonald, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 10

2024 RHP Ryan (RJ) James was another arm that showed well on the mound during the All-Star Game. Athletic, 6-foot-1/200-pound frame with quick, agile movements on the mound working from the ¾ slot. RJ worked a clean inning, he faced 5 batters and sent all 5 down while racking up 2 Ks. His pitching arsenal boasts a diverse 4-pitch mix of FB/CB/SL/CH with arm-side run on the FB, paired with sharp breaking balls that tunnel and generate considerable swing-and-miss action. Good showing from RJ on the mound.

Anthony Unga RHP / Abbey Park, ON / 2024

2024 RHP Anthony Unga got the start in the All-Star Game and was another arm that had an impressive showing on the mound. Possessing an imposing 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, Unga commands attention with his physical presence alone. His pitching delivery is uncomplicated and effective, as he uses the overhead arm-slot to execute his pitches. He utilizes a FB/SL mix, FB sitting 88-90 paired with a SL sitting mid-70s with a vertical drop that tunnels very well. He is a physical force on the mound that will come after you with his FB and throw you off with his wipe-out slider. Outstanding stuff from Unga this weekend.

Brayden Ricketts C / 3B / Jean Augustine Secondary School, ON / 2024

Rankings  StateRank: 11 / POS: 1

2024 C Brayden Rickett's stock continues to soar following an impressive showing at the CPBL All-Star Game on Saturday. Standing at 6-foot-1, 190-pounds, Ricketts exhibits a commanding presence in the box and shows raw power to his pull side. He has a well-balanced swing with explosive bat speed and not only does he excel with the bat, but his exceptional ability to call a game from behind the dish keeps runners on their toes. Ricketts will continue to grow as a player as he refines his game. The Canada Junior National Team member is the #1 ranked catcher in Ontario and it showed this weekend, a good showing from the uncommitted catcher.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
2023 Northeast Senior Games (PBR Canada Selects) ON 08/08 Gutchess Lumber Sports Complex
2023 Windsor Selects Scout Day ON 08/17 Libro Credit Union Centre
2023 Windsor Open ID ON 08/18 Libro Credit Union Centre
2023 Eastern Canada ProCase (Oakville) ON 08/19 King's Christian Collegiate
2023 Fort McMurray Fall Open ID (Fort McMurray) ON 09/09 Legacy Dodge Field at Shell Place (Fort McMurray)
2023 ABC Scout Day ON 09/13 Stade Gary-Carter
2023 Montreal Open ID ON 09/13 Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard
2023 Ontario Nationals Scout Day ON 09/16 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
2023 Tecumseh/Riverside Scout Day ON 09/20 Lacasse Park
2023 Markham Mariners Scout Day ON 09/24 Cornell Park
2023 Barrie Scout Day ON 09/25 Vintage Throne Stadium
2023 Midwestern Ontario BearCats Scout Day ON 09/27 Lions Park
2023 North Toronto Scout Day ON 10/01 Sentinel Park
2023 Ontario Royals Scout Day ON 10/09 King's Christian Collegiate
2023 Saskatchewan Fall Open ID (Session 1) ON 10/21 Gordie Howe Sports Complex (Saskatoon)
2023 Saskatchewan Fall Open ID (Session 2) ON 10/22 Gordie Howe Sports Complex (Saskatoon)
Improve My Profile with Game Video (Ontario) ON 08/29 Ontario


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