We’re into the month of July and baseball’s halfway points are approaching. The selections for the 2024 MLB All-Star festivities are being announced and, most importantly, this year’s version of the Major League Baseball Draft is just over a week away.
The college world series has concluded, allowing college players to now interact with big league clubs in preparation for the draft. On June 18th, the annual MLB draft combined kicked off at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
The event totaled 319 prospects that participated and 171 of those players are ranked MLB’s top 200 ranking. Names such as JJ Wetherholt (West Virginia University) and Seaver King (Wake Forest) were in attendance amongst other talents.
Surely, Baseball Canada had a fair share of representation in various capacities. From high school to college, players from up north drew interest. Various Canadian prospects are also alumni of the Canadian Futures Showcase, a monstrous amateur scouting event held by the Toronto Blue Jays. Of the group, multiple players were also a part of the Canadian Junior National team.
Good luck to @BaseballCANJNT alums Nathan Flewelling (Red Deer, AB), Brendan Lawson (Toronto, ON), Émilien Pitre (Repentigny, QC), and Josiah Romeo (Caledon, ON) along with Louis-Philippe Langevin (Québec, QC), and Canadian born Dante Nori who are participating in the 2024… https://t.co/8aFW1fvVE5 pic.twitter.com/flrdmXg8AQ
— Baseball Canada 🇨🇦⚾️ (@baseballcanada) June 18, 2024
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Without a doubt, we expected to see Canadian right-handed pitcher Josiah Romeo at the combine. Romeo is a member of the Mississauga Tigers High Performance program, as well as the Canadian JNT. He was recently invited to the WBSC Americas qualifiers taking place on July 24th in North Carolina.
A lot of eyes are on Romeo for his high projectability and what he offers on the mound. His pitch-ability, repertoire, and plus velocity have helped his campaign. Romeo is ranked 237th on MLB’s top draft prospect list.
Another Canadian name we’re familiar with is Brendan Lawson. Lawson is out of the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL) with the Ontario Blue Jays. He was also a 2024 Canadian Futures alumni. The Florida commit took his talents to the P27 academy in South Carolina to raise his draft stock.
Lawson is liked for his bat, consistency and power at the plate, most importantly from the left side. He’s also very projectable, as scouts like the idea of what he will be able to do. He’s ranked 156th on MLB’s draft prospect ranking.
A JNT alumni who made an appearance in the NCAA regionals, Emilien Pitre. Pitre was a highly-spoken prospect at the draft combine. The Kentucky second baseman showed out during the NCAA regionals where he opened eyes to his skill sets which include speed, defense, and ability to hit.
Pitre steals bags and takes advantage of the 90s where he can get them. He’s ranked 173rd on MLB’s draft prospect list.
A product of Alberta represented western Canada at the combine. Catcher Nathan Flewelling, another JNT alumni, showed well at the showcase. The Gonzaga commit showed pop in his bat with gap-to-gap abilities from the left side of the batter’s box. Flewelling ranks 236th on MLB’s draft prospect rankings.
On the Quebec side of things brought a 6’2” 225lbs right-handed arm out of Louisiana Lafayette. Louis-Phillippe Langevine is also a Canadian JNT alumni. He started his college career at Wabash Valley Community College where he assisted his school in a college World Series appearance.
The 2023 Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year strikeout guy with high pitch-ability and fastball command. The fastball ranks high, maxing at 97 mph. He’s been successful at the college level and has shown very professional attributes. Langevine ranks 230 on MLB’s top draft prospect list.