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2024 Canada Cup: Quick Hits

August 16, 2024
Prep Baseball Alberta Staff

Every year the Canada Cup is one of the biggest events of the summer. This year, it did not dissapoint with British Columbia taking home the championship after an impressive run throughout the week. 

Within this article, we'll take a look at 13 standouts from across the country who made an impact for their province. All of which are uncommitted, including some 2025s who are heading into their senior season looking to continue trending upwards. 

2026 LHP Mathis Mckenna (Quebec/Uncommitted): 

McKenna had one of the most dominating performances at the Canada cup, winning Defensive Player of the Tournament in the process. He finished the tournament with 10.1 IP, giving up just 2 hits, walking 3, and striking out 17. The pitchability was evident, locating his 3 pitch mix for strikes, with the ability to generate swing and miss with all 3. The fastball, which he consistently located up in the zone, sat 83-84 topping out at 86 mph. At 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, the 2026 LHP will be a high follow heading into the fall after a very impressive showing at Canada Cup.

2025 INF Matt Vrlak (British Columbia/Uncommitted):

The 2024 Senior Future Gamer kept his strong summer rolling with a big performance for Team BC.  A prototypical leadoff hitter, he slashed .450/.607/.450 with 3 stolen bases and 7 runs scored, en route to being named Offensive MVP of the Canada Cup. Vrlak was a spark plug for both Team BC and his UBC Thunder team and is primed to make some serious noise heading into his senior season. 

2026 OF Trentin Kooy (Saskatchewan/Uncommitted):

Kooy has been one of the top 2026 position players in Canada for a while now, and that continued at Canada Cup. He slashed .333/.481/.619 with 3 extra base hits, including a homerun, 4 RBIs, and 4 walks. The athleticism and present strength was on full display despite being one of the younger players in the tournament. Kooy has hit wherever we see him and will be one of the more sought after 2026s in the country. 

2025 OF Finn Hoeschen (British Columbia/Uncommitted):

It seemed as though every time Hoeschen stepped up to the plate, he collected another hit. The outfielder was at the centre of many of BC’s big innings, slashing .348/.423/.478 for the tournament. Hoeschen displayed a quiet, easy swing with ball carry to all fields. A healthy Hoeschen will be a hitter to look out for in 2025.

2025 RHP Oscar Moy (British Columbia/Uncommitted): 

Over Moy’s 8.1 IP he gave up just 5 hits, 1 run, and struck out 14. It starts with the slider for Moy, which he showed the ability to locate for strikes generating in-zone swing and miss, while also producing chase out of the zone. The fastball has arm side run at 82-83 mph that he paired well with the slider, working east to west with the two offerings. His low arm slot creates deception making an already tough at-bat even tougher. The 2025 arm out of BC is another uncommitted player who has opened some eyes over the past couple months.

2025 RHP Preston Tocheniuk (Alberta/Uncommitted):

Tocheniuk, the Okotoks Dawgs product, has been a standout all year and is one of the top uncommitted 2025s on the West Coast. In his 9.2 IP, he allowed 3 runs, only walking 1, and striking out 8. He sat 86-87 mph with the fastball in both outings and has been up to 89 mph. At 6-foot-4, 200-pounds the physicality is evident on the mound, and has the ability to spin the baseball well. The fastball north of 2300 rpm, while he spins his curveball at 2700+ rpm. Tocheniuk will be an arm to follow as he heads into the start of his senior season.

2026 RHP/OF Charles Bernatchez (Quebec/ Uncommitted):

One of the most electrifying arms we saw during the Canada Cup. Sitting 87-90 out of the bullpen for Quebec, Bernatchez was nearly unhittable, collecting two saves in his first two appearances. The Curveball is in the mid 70’s and regularly produced swing and miss outside the zone. Major strides have been taken since we last saw him at the Montreal Open ID. With a confident demeanor and clear closer profile, Bernatchez will be a name to watch over the next two years. 

2026 RHP Charlie Firth (Ontario/ Uncommitted):

Firth’s pitchability was on full display during his start against Team Quebec. He located 3 pitches for strikes and finished with 6 IP with just 2 runs against, 0 walks, and 6 Ks. The slider has two-plane break which showed the ability to generate swing and miss that he paired well with his fastball at 84-86 mph. At 6-foot-0, 190-pounds Firth is an easy mover with a loose arm that will be a high follow as one of the top 2026 arms in Ontario.

2026 SS Dayne Liske (Alberta/Uncommitted):

Liske was the top hitter all week on a talented Team Alberta. Slashing .421/.522/.579 with two extra base hits, including a stand-up triple, Liske showed the ability to use the entire field with authority and do damage against quality arms. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Cardinals Development Program product has jumped onto the scene this year and is now regarded as one of the top 2026s in the province.

2025 OF Carter Cooling (New Brunswick /Uncommitted):

The New Brunswick native was quick to grab our staff's attention last week. Slashing .391/.440/.870.  Cooling showed some power to the pull-side, recording 6 extra-base hits including 2 home runs and a triple in 25 plate appearances. The athletic and twitchy outfielder is one of the top 2025s out of Atlantic Canada.

2025 C Kieran Cutler (Newfoundland and Labrador/Uncommitted): 

At 6-foot-3, 205-pounds Cutlers frame immediately stands out and is utilized effectively on both sides of the ball. He slashed .312/.400/.500 at the dish and had numerous hard hit balls, including a triple deep to centre. He’s a 6.8 runner with a strong arm from behind the dish and looks the part back there as well. There is plenty to like with Cutler who is one of the more intriguing 2025s on the east coast of Canada.

2025 C Aidan Marien (Saskatchewan/Uncommitted): 

Marien was a mainstay in Team Saskatchewan’s lineup and always seemed to come through in big moments. Slashing .312/.500/.625 on the week, he flashed power and speed with a triple and home run during Canada Cup. Physical behind the dish, Marien did not allow a passed ball in 34.2 defensive innings. One of the top players on a scrappy Saskatchewan team that came just short of playing in the final. 

2025 C/1B Evan York (Ontario/Uncommitted):

York, a switch hitting catcher, was one of the more exciting prospects on display at the Canada Cup.  He slashed .308/.438/.769 for Team Ontario. Defensively, he did not allow a passed ball, or make an error at first base. At 6-foot-4, 190-pounds the frame has room to fill out, but there is still present power. York highlighted a strong week by hitting a home run from both sides of the plate.

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