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New York State Games: Quick Hits

June 26, 2024
Cam Black-Araujo
Assistant Director, Prep Baseball Canada

For the third straight summer, Prep Baseball Canada has brought a team comprised of players from Ontario/Quebec to the New York State Games. The New York State Games is a staple in Prep Baseball New York's calendar that features some of their top players in the 2025 - 2027 classes, hosted at their main hub in Cortland, New York at the Lumber Yard Sports Complex with four turf fields.

The four-day, two-session event is a big draw each year for college coaches in the NorthEast as the event offers some intriguing talent for the four-year schools to get an early look at, as well some uncommitted players heading into the senior years for the two-year programs and four-year schools rounding out their 2025 class.

This year, Ontario's team featured 15 players, including 11 on the positional side and the team showed well on both sides of the ball while also drawing plenty of interest and looks from the schools in attendance.

To view complete NY State Games (Session I) results, click here.
To view upcoming events, click here.

‘25 INF Max Arnold (Sudbury Voyageurs/Uncommitted): Arnold was a player to watch heading into workout day and put together some good numbers across the board with a 7.07 60-yard (3.88 30-yard),  up to 91mph from the outfield and peak exit velocity of 93.2mph. Starting with 1-1 counts, there was some swing/miss there early on but made adjustments as the day went on and put together some good ABs to close out the day. Garnered some interest from coaches in attendance and worth a look this summer from two or four-year schools.

‘25 INF Andrew Kobryn (Team Ontario Astros/Uncommitted): Our staff has seen Kobryn several times this summer and the left-handed bat showed well each time. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound infielder put up some good swings during gameplay with multiple barreled balls but didn’t have much to show for them. Kobryn also had several plays on the day where he was able to deep in the hole and get outs. His ability to handle any position on the infield, along with the left-handed bat, should have him on the radar of college programs.

‘26 INF Clark Heimbecker (Ontario Nationals/Uncommitted): Heimbecker was a player our staff was eager to see as he went up against some older competition in front of college coaches and the 5-foot-11, 178-pound middle infielder was up to the challenge. The Ontario Nationals product put together one of the top overall performances on workout day and carried that into gameplay where he picked up several hits including a double into the pull-side gap. Left-handed bat with plenty of growth and maturity to come.

‘25 OF Giordano Richard (Montreal Marquis/Uncommitted): A physical left-handed bat at 5-foot-9, 193-pounds that put together the top round of BP among Canadian players, along with the top exit velocity at 96.4mph, along with an average of 87.7mph. Average defender in the outfield who handled left field but it’s the strength in the batter's box that will draw attention going forward.

‘25 LHP/OF Nolan Walsh (Etobicoke Rangers/Uncommitted): It’s been a good year for Walsh who continues to trend upwards as a left-handed pitcher and was a pitcher schools had penciled in to get a look at. 5-foot-11, 178-pounds and the fastball sat 82-84mph with a heavy dose as he lacked some feel on the secondary stuff. Was throwing strikes with the fastball and featured a breaking ball at 73-75mph and snapped off a couple good ones that prove it can be an out-pitch. Also got some reps in the outfield where he defended at a high-level and was up to 88mph, but it’s the left-handed arm that will get looks for the next level.

RHP/INF Zach Duke (Ontario Royals/Uncommitted): Duke was the top performing arm on the team of Ontario/Quebec as he worked three strong innings with the fastball sitting 83-85mph while touching an 86. 6-foot-1, 170-pound right-hander with growth and strength to come. Didn’t issue a walk during his outing and featured a slider at 69-70mph and should be effective down the road as he begins throwing it harder. Also mixed in a changeup at 71-73mph. Duke create some buzz amongst the NorthEast schools in attendance and is a name in the Royals program for coaches to know.

‘26 INF Christian Heffernan (Ontario Nationals/Uncommitted): Every year we bring a team to the New York State Games, we have one player to goes yard. This year, Chad Heffernan was that guy. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner infielder caught a pitch on the outer-half and drove a flyball that carried over the RF fence as the wind was blowing out. Intriguing look in the box from the right-side with the size and frame. Still has development to come but plenty to work and opened some eyes over the two days in Cortland.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Future Games (Class of 2026/27) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
2024 Toronto Summer Open ON 07/30 Dan Lang Field
2024 Midwest Super Sophomore Games (Canada Invite Only) ON 08/02 Indiana University - Bart Kaufman Field
2024 Bearcat Cup Pre-Tournament Combine ON 08/02 Jack Couch Park
2024 Fergie League Showcase ON 08/24 Welland Stadium

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