The 2023 Major League Baseball draft is just hours away from kick off where the new wave of professional baseball will hear their names called in Seattle. There are multiple prospects that may be getting a long distance call as they may have Canadian phone numbers.
Baseball Canada has risen in player development along with collegiate and professional production. Canadian names have been called throughout all ranks of the draft over the past few years, as early as the Joey Votto’s, and as recent as the Owen Cassie’s. North of the border talent have made their name within the big stages of the game, holding roles of significance in the league. Whether they’re closing for the Toronto Blue Jays, starting for the Seattle Mariners, or hitting dingers and rocking babies; Canadians have stepped up and impacted the game directly for the upcoming talent.
In 2023, we can expect the following names to be called and possibly signed.
1. INF Myles Naylor, Team Canada JNT/Ontario Blue Jays
The family that produces! With two brothers having current success in the league (Josh and Bo), Myles Naylor will continue the family tree as 2023’s top Canadian draft prospect. Myles currently holds a commitment to Texas Tech. Naylor sticks on the left side of the infield, and will probably end up at third base with an above-average arm, ability to get rid of the ball quickly after showing soft hands and fearless approach.
His bat is what will pay him! Naylor displays very raw power from the right side with a good compact swing, ability to control the bat head and hit the ball extremely hard. He’ll need to work on touching the off-speed with good contact, however, as he’s seen and expected to do damage at the dish.
2. RHP Matt Duffy, Canisius College
Another talent originating from the Canadian Pacific Baseball League (CPBL), from the Great Lakes Canadians organization, Matt Duffy. Duffy is currently a right-handed pitcher for Canisius College who, in fact, just announced his commitment to the University of South Carolina.
Duffy has been the ace for Canisius and a star within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). His accolades include the All MAAC First team in 2022, MAAC Championship MVP in 2022, MAAC All-Academic team in 2022, MAAC All-Championship team in 2021, and more. 2023 has bought him a strong look at the draft, with a 4.13 ERA over 80.2 innings, 119 strikeouts and 28 walks. He has a college career ERA of 3.78 with 273 strikeouts and 59 walks. Duffy throws a fastball that touches mid-90s, 94mph max, along with an effective slider and a workable changeup that needs to be thrown more.
3. LHP Connor O'Halloran, University of Michigan
I’ve followed O’Halloran for a while and got the chance to watch him grow and develop on the mound and as an athlete. He’s currently one of Michigan’s top arms and has displayed tremendous effectiveness through his repertoire and abilities in the tough Big Ten Conference. Between 2022 and 2023, he’s averaged 100 strikeouts per year with less than 50% walks.
O’Halloran works the bump from the southpaw delivery, with a deceptive fastball that works up, maxing 93-94mph. His slider and changeup are dependable with the slider being his main out-pitch that sweeps heavily. O’Halloran has IQ on the mound and calculates his matchups with confidence in his stuff.
4. LHP Keegan O'Hearn, O’Neill CVI/University of Michigan commit
Keegan O’Hearn is another product of the CPBL who is currently playing summer ball in Ontario with the Oshawa Legionnaires Junior club. He’s 6’5”, 210lbs with a strong build and fire-balling from left side. O’Hearn was also with the Canadian Junior National program as two-way player, and has the ability to play in the outfield and hit.
His career will depend on the mound, where his athletically strong frame translates into good velocity, in a max-95mph fastball followed by workable off-speed that includes a changeup, slider, and curveball.
5. OF Cesar Valero, Sacramento State
Another player I had a chance to watch closely growing up, especially at the Blue Jays Baseball Academy’s Tournament 12 (presently known as the Canadian Futures Showcase). Valero was formerly a member of the Canadian Junior National team as well as Team Alberta and the Okotoks Dawgs.
He was previously at Oregon State where he made the move to Sacramento for 2022. He’s 6’2”, 220lbs with the ability to keep the ball in play and work the gaps with raw power, pitch recognition, and plate discipline. Scouts are concerned about his walk-strikeout ratio, however his on-base percentages are where his value comes in numerically. In 2023, he hit .281 with a .384 on-base percentage, 49 RBIs on 52 hits, 10 homeruns on 185 at-bats. His athleticism and range has him covering good ground in the outfield.
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