2028 Canadian Rookie League Stars And Disappointments
Aug 24, 2022 6:45:11 GMT -5
Grubs - Philly and brewersgm like this
Post by Commissioner Erick on Aug 24, 2022 6:45:11 GMT -5
After a wild 2027 season with inflated BABIPs, 2028 was a return to 2026 where offense was hard to come by. A lot of older players, especially in San Diego's franchise, were able to adapt to the change in environment.
2B: Ryan Cantwell—Padres
Cantwell has been in rookie ball a long time—seven years to be exact. He’s steadily improved since being a 13th round pick in 2023 and he led the league in batting with a .307 mark in his age 23 season. Cantwell also stole 29 bases in 33 attempts to finish second in steals. As a result, he put up a league-leading 4.8 WAR.
Cantwell is way too advanced for Rookie ball and should be in Double-A. OSA sees a Triple-A future, while Booby Evans sees a player that may make it as a major league backup. He has little left to prove in the low minors.
1B: Juan Paredes—Padres
Paredes had a huge season with a league-leading 23 Home Runs and a .955 OPS to produce 3.2 WAR. Paredes only put up 46 RBIs, but has produced 54 RBIs in Yukon in years prior.
The 26-year-old has produced in Yukon since 2025—after being demoted from Low-A. He’s mostly developed, with an approach and power level that will both play in Double-A. He has nothing left to play for in Yukon.
1B: Mike Wright—Rockies
Wright was the second “Mike Wright” to be drafted by Colorado, and the original has gone on to see success with the Cincinnati Reds. This Wright may follow in his footsteps as a big run producer. Wright led Canada with 71 RBIs with 20 Home Runs and a .270 average. His 1.013 OPS led the league, with 59 walks to offset 68 strikeouts.
Both OSA and Evans see a slugger pretty advanced in his development. Wright doesn’t have the best approach, but he’ll likely play in Albuquerque next year for a more challenging deployment.
LF: Tony Vega—Phillies
A former 19th round pick in 2026, Vega led Canada in steals with 30 in 35 attempts. Vega also had 11 home runs and struck out just 26 times in 303 Plate Appearances. The speedster’s lack of power, combined with Steamwheeler’s Park’s tiny dimensions meant that Vega hit only six doubles all year. Still, the bat and speed led to a successful year.
Vega’s speed and contact ability both play well in the low minors, but scouts don’t see too much of a future for the outfielder. He may move on Low-A, but it’s hard to see him ever playing above A-ball.
SS: Luis Mendoza—Padres
Mendoza has put up 2.1 WAR or more in Yukon each of the last four seasons. He generally draws walks, steals bases, has a solid bat, and plays excellent defense. This year, he took his defense to the next level, leading the league in Zone Rating.
Mendoza has a good glove, good legs, and a good approach. He at least should be playing in High-A, given how he’s shown success in Yukon for years. Given San Diego’s penchant for keeping older youngsters in the deep minors, he may return for another Gold Glove attempt next year.
LF: Silvio Buis—Rangers
Buis played his second professional season as a 20-year-old, after a rough rookie campaign in the Arizona League as a 19-year old. In 2027, Buis had a 31 OPS+ and put up -2.1 WAR. This year he whiffed 77 times and had a .544 OPS, leading to a -0.9 WAR. What he did do well is double, with his 20 two-baggers leading the league.
Buis’ level swing leads to a lot of doubles, but he’s raw everywhere else. Neither OSA nor Evans see a bright future. His doubles pop should play well in Brossard and expect Ruiz to repeat the level next season.
P: Kyle Cannon—Padres
A bright prospect, the appropriately named Cannon overwhelmed Canadian bats. He worked to a 0.52 ERA, with a 0.72 WHIP and just a single homer in 69 innings. Cannon was helped tremendously by a .189 BABIP, but his mid-90s Cutter had too much movement for novice hitters to handle.
The 2027 fifth rounder was a College Arm from Pacific, so he’s advanced for the low minors. He struggled to a 7.11 ERA in Yukon last year, but had no issues with the repeat assignment this season. Bobby Evans sees a Double-A arm, while OSA sees a Quad-A pitcher. Already advanced, Cannon should pitch in A-ball next season, if not High-A.
P: Noboru Morita—Giants
Morita was drafted in the Nippon League second round in 2026, but was cut and snapped up by the Giants last June. Morita struggled in his first taste of professional ball working out of the pen, but struck out 58 in 51 innings to hint at advanced stuff. He repeated Vancouver as a 23-year old starter and dominated. His 11 wins tied for the league lead, and he whiffed 105 in 103.1 innings to lead the league in innings.
OSA doesn’t see much more than a low-minors arm, and Bobby Evans sees a High-A caliber starter. Morita has shown success though and is pretty advanced—he should pitch in full-season ball next year and see if he can repeat the same success.
P: Alfonso Calceido—Padres
Nicknamed ghost, Calceido was scary to opposing hitters, leading Canada in WAR last year with 3.9. He struck out a league leading 134 batters in 95 innings, showing a solid walk rate, and carving his home runs per nine in half. Calceido had been good in two prior seasons in the Yukon, but this year he was great.
Calceido has great stuff, including a mid-90s heater, a wipeout slider, and a solid forkball. He’ll hang his pitches, especially his forkball, meaning he’ll give up a ton of homers to go with the strikeouts. Both OSA and Bobby Evans see a big arm with big stuff, that will give up a ton of home runs. It’s played well in Yukon, but a trip to Short-A would be a fun test.
P: Marquis Williams—Padres
Nicknamed garbage, Williams has five pitches, hurling junk at opposing hitters to keep them guessing. The nickname undersells Williams as some of his pitches are actually good—a high 90’s heater, a solid splitter, and a slider that plays well in the low minors. Williams used his repertoire to lead the league with 19 Saves.
Williams was drafted in the fourth round in 2024 and has dominated the Yukon in relief for four years. He has excellent strikeout numbers and keeps the ball in the yard. Williams is still a little raw, but should be pushed up to Short-A to test himself. Scouts see a Double-A reliever, but maybe a trip overseas can see him paid to pitch in a different country.
P: Ken Opal—Cardinals
One of two pitchers to throw two Complete Games, Opal got a nickname of Scuba for all the grounders he allowed. Hitters wanted the ball to take a dive rather than get in the air. Opal allowed only six home runs for St. John with a 61% ground ball rate keeping things underwater. He wasn’t overly impressive otherwise, but a 4.81 ERA is solid for a 19-year old arm.
Opal throws hard and keeps the ball low, but is still developing a circle change that could be a difference maker for him. He doesn’t have much a future anywhere, but expect him to repeat the level to see if he can become a power arm in the minors.
P: Giampietro Tilleti—Padres
Tilleti isn’t young anymore—he worked the past year as a 25-year-old and already has two solid stints pitching for the Italian National Team. Tilleti has a career 1.32 ERA for Italy, so unsurprisingly he carved up the Canadian League to an 11-1 record, with a 1.60 ERA and a league-leading 0.63 WHIP. Tilleti fanned 100 in 90 innings, walking just 11. After six seasons in rookie ball, he proved he can dominate the level, but he proved that in 2024. He’s been wasting development time ever since.
The Italian has good stuff and strong control, allowing him to excel in the low minors. He needs to see if his extreme flyball nature can succeed in a more neutral environment. Both OSA and Evans see an arm that can pitch in High-A Ball, and is wasting time in the rookie leagues.
CF: Kyle Allen—Phillies
Allen entered Canada with a lot of fanfare as the Phillies’ third round pick this season out of Florida Atlantic University. Despite being a college junior, Allen struggled in his first taste of pro ball. He hit .216, walked just five times in 246 Plate Appearances, and was raw defensively. It added up a negative WAR campaign.
OSA sees a Triple-A future for Allen, with a decent bat that makes contact, good speed, and the tools to be a good defender. Bobby Evans sees a little less home run power and more gap power, but the same profile applies. Expect Allen to repeat the level next year.
2B: Jamie Timmerman—Cardinals
After a strong initial season in St. John, Timmerman struggled last year, then got hurt. He only appeared in 19 Games, starting just 11 after an .883 OPS in 2027. Timmerman hit just .149 with two extra base hits in 52 Plate Appearances. He stole three bases successfully, but did not appear to be part of the Cardinals developmental plans.
Timmerman still has potential to be a PBA Second Baseman. He has decent pop, a solid approach, sure hands, and quick legs. Bobby Evans sees a little more work needed on the power, but scouts see a player. Because of Timmerman’s approach, he probably should see Short-A, but if there’s competition at the level, a repeat of rookie ball isn’t out of the cards.
P: Tony Valencia—Athletics
By some respects, Valencia had a solid season for Edmonton. He had 13 Saves, compiling a 1.1 WAR in the process, mainly on the strength of not allowing a single home run. However, he also had a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP, as he was hit hard for a .397 BABIP.
The 2027 second-round pick has a power fastball, but is still developing his slider. He projects to be a High-A arm, but still has command issues, resulting in opponents hitting him hard. A repeat assignment to Edmonton may be on the table for Valencia.
P: Michel Leppers—Nationals
Leppers had a terrible season for Washington’s low minors, his first pro season after being discovered in the Dutch Antilles in 2024. He was slotted in Short-A Auburn, where he posted a 10.80 ERA in 11 Games. In Hudson Bay, he walked 13 and struck out 13 in 20.2 innings, yielding five home runs to boot. He only had a 4.56 ERA, but ran a -0.5 WAR.
Leppers has two plus pitches and scouts particularly like the Curveball, seeing him as a strikeout reliever in the future. Expect him to repeat the level at age-20 next year as he looks to get his career on track.
2B: Ryan Cantwell—Padres
Cantwell has been in rookie ball a long time—seven years to be exact. He’s steadily improved since being a 13th round pick in 2023 and he led the league in batting with a .307 mark in his age 23 season. Cantwell also stole 29 bases in 33 attempts to finish second in steals. As a result, he put up a league-leading 4.8 WAR.
Cantwell is way too advanced for Rookie ball and should be in Double-A. OSA sees a Triple-A future, while Booby Evans sees a player that may make it as a major league backup. He has little left to prove in the low minors.
1B: Juan Paredes—Padres
Paredes had a huge season with a league-leading 23 Home Runs and a .955 OPS to produce 3.2 WAR. Paredes only put up 46 RBIs, but has produced 54 RBIs in Yukon in years prior.
The 26-year-old has produced in Yukon since 2025—after being demoted from Low-A. He’s mostly developed, with an approach and power level that will both play in Double-A. He has nothing left to play for in Yukon.
1B: Mike Wright—Rockies
Wright was the second “Mike Wright” to be drafted by Colorado, and the original has gone on to see success with the Cincinnati Reds. This Wright may follow in his footsteps as a big run producer. Wright led Canada with 71 RBIs with 20 Home Runs and a .270 average. His 1.013 OPS led the league, with 59 walks to offset 68 strikeouts.
Both OSA and Evans see a slugger pretty advanced in his development. Wright doesn’t have the best approach, but he’ll likely play in Albuquerque next year for a more challenging deployment.
LF: Tony Vega—Phillies
A former 19th round pick in 2026, Vega led Canada in steals with 30 in 35 attempts. Vega also had 11 home runs and struck out just 26 times in 303 Plate Appearances. The speedster’s lack of power, combined with Steamwheeler’s Park’s tiny dimensions meant that Vega hit only six doubles all year. Still, the bat and speed led to a successful year.
Vega’s speed and contact ability both play well in the low minors, but scouts don’t see too much of a future for the outfielder. He may move on Low-A, but it’s hard to see him ever playing above A-ball.
SS: Luis Mendoza—Padres
Mendoza has put up 2.1 WAR or more in Yukon each of the last four seasons. He generally draws walks, steals bases, has a solid bat, and plays excellent defense. This year, he took his defense to the next level, leading the league in Zone Rating.
Mendoza has a good glove, good legs, and a good approach. He at least should be playing in High-A, given how he’s shown success in Yukon for years. Given San Diego’s penchant for keeping older youngsters in the deep minors, he may return for another Gold Glove attempt next year.
LF: Silvio Buis—Rangers
Buis played his second professional season as a 20-year-old, after a rough rookie campaign in the Arizona League as a 19-year old. In 2027, Buis had a 31 OPS+ and put up -2.1 WAR. This year he whiffed 77 times and had a .544 OPS, leading to a -0.9 WAR. What he did do well is double, with his 20 two-baggers leading the league.
Buis’ level swing leads to a lot of doubles, but he’s raw everywhere else. Neither OSA nor Evans see a bright future. His doubles pop should play well in Brossard and expect Ruiz to repeat the level next season.
P: Kyle Cannon—Padres
A bright prospect, the appropriately named Cannon overwhelmed Canadian bats. He worked to a 0.52 ERA, with a 0.72 WHIP and just a single homer in 69 innings. Cannon was helped tremendously by a .189 BABIP, but his mid-90s Cutter had too much movement for novice hitters to handle.
The 2027 fifth rounder was a College Arm from Pacific, so he’s advanced for the low minors. He struggled to a 7.11 ERA in Yukon last year, but had no issues with the repeat assignment this season. Bobby Evans sees a Double-A arm, while OSA sees a Quad-A pitcher. Already advanced, Cannon should pitch in A-ball next season, if not High-A.
P: Noboru Morita—Giants
Morita was drafted in the Nippon League second round in 2026, but was cut and snapped up by the Giants last June. Morita struggled in his first taste of professional ball working out of the pen, but struck out 58 in 51 innings to hint at advanced stuff. He repeated Vancouver as a 23-year old starter and dominated. His 11 wins tied for the league lead, and he whiffed 105 in 103.1 innings to lead the league in innings.
OSA doesn’t see much more than a low-minors arm, and Bobby Evans sees a High-A caliber starter. Morita has shown success though and is pretty advanced—he should pitch in full-season ball next year and see if he can repeat the same success.
P: Alfonso Calceido—Padres
Nicknamed ghost, Calceido was scary to opposing hitters, leading Canada in WAR last year with 3.9. He struck out a league leading 134 batters in 95 innings, showing a solid walk rate, and carving his home runs per nine in half. Calceido had been good in two prior seasons in the Yukon, but this year he was great.
Calceido has great stuff, including a mid-90s heater, a wipeout slider, and a solid forkball. He’ll hang his pitches, especially his forkball, meaning he’ll give up a ton of homers to go with the strikeouts. Both OSA and Bobby Evans see a big arm with big stuff, that will give up a ton of home runs. It’s played well in Yukon, but a trip to Short-A would be a fun test.
P: Marquis Williams—Padres
Nicknamed garbage, Williams has five pitches, hurling junk at opposing hitters to keep them guessing. The nickname undersells Williams as some of his pitches are actually good—a high 90’s heater, a solid splitter, and a slider that plays well in the low minors. Williams used his repertoire to lead the league with 19 Saves.
Williams was drafted in the fourth round in 2024 and has dominated the Yukon in relief for four years. He has excellent strikeout numbers and keeps the ball in the yard. Williams is still a little raw, but should be pushed up to Short-A to test himself. Scouts see a Double-A reliever, but maybe a trip overseas can see him paid to pitch in a different country.
P: Ken Opal—Cardinals
One of two pitchers to throw two Complete Games, Opal got a nickname of Scuba for all the grounders he allowed. Hitters wanted the ball to take a dive rather than get in the air. Opal allowed only six home runs for St. John with a 61% ground ball rate keeping things underwater. He wasn’t overly impressive otherwise, but a 4.81 ERA is solid for a 19-year old arm.
Opal throws hard and keeps the ball low, but is still developing a circle change that could be a difference maker for him. He doesn’t have much a future anywhere, but expect him to repeat the level to see if he can become a power arm in the minors.
P: Giampietro Tilleti—Padres
Tilleti isn’t young anymore—he worked the past year as a 25-year-old and already has two solid stints pitching for the Italian National Team. Tilleti has a career 1.32 ERA for Italy, so unsurprisingly he carved up the Canadian League to an 11-1 record, with a 1.60 ERA and a league-leading 0.63 WHIP. Tilleti fanned 100 in 90 innings, walking just 11. After six seasons in rookie ball, he proved he can dominate the level, but he proved that in 2024. He’s been wasting development time ever since.
The Italian has good stuff and strong control, allowing him to excel in the low minors. He needs to see if his extreme flyball nature can succeed in a more neutral environment. Both OSA and Evans see an arm that can pitch in High-A Ball, and is wasting time in the rookie leagues.
CF: Kyle Allen—Phillies
Allen entered Canada with a lot of fanfare as the Phillies’ third round pick this season out of Florida Atlantic University. Despite being a college junior, Allen struggled in his first taste of pro ball. He hit .216, walked just five times in 246 Plate Appearances, and was raw defensively. It added up a negative WAR campaign.
OSA sees a Triple-A future for Allen, with a decent bat that makes contact, good speed, and the tools to be a good defender. Bobby Evans sees a little less home run power and more gap power, but the same profile applies. Expect Allen to repeat the level next year.
2B: Jamie Timmerman—Cardinals
After a strong initial season in St. John, Timmerman struggled last year, then got hurt. He only appeared in 19 Games, starting just 11 after an .883 OPS in 2027. Timmerman hit just .149 with two extra base hits in 52 Plate Appearances. He stole three bases successfully, but did not appear to be part of the Cardinals developmental plans.
Timmerman still has potential to be a PBA Second Baseman. He has decent pop, a solid approach, sure hands, and quick legs. Bobby Evans sees a little more work needed on the power, but scouts see a player. Because of Timmerman’s approach, he probably should see Short-A, but if there’s competition at the level, a repeat of rookie ball isn’t out of the cards.
P: Tony Valencia—Athletics
By some respects, Valencia had a solid season for Edmonton. He had 13 Saves, compiling a 1.1 WAR in the process, mainly on the strength of not allowing a single home run. However, he also had a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP, as he was hit hard for a .397 BABIP.
The 2027 second-round pick has a power fastball, but is still developing his slider. He projects to be a High-A arm, but still has command issues, resulting in opponents hitting him hard. A repeat assignment to Edmonton may be on the table for Valencia.
P: Michel Leppers—Nationals
Leppers had a terrible season for Washington’s low minors, his first pro season after being discovered in the Dutch Antilles in 2024. He was slotted in Short-A Auburn, where he posted a 10.80 ERA in 11 Games. In Hudson Bay, he walked 13 and struck out 13 in 20.2 innings, yielding five home runs to boot. He only had a 4.56 ERA, but ran a -0.5 WAR.
Leppers has two plus pitches and scouts particularly like the Curveball, seeing him as a strikeout reliever in the future. Expect him to repeat the level at age-20 next year as he looks to get his career on track.