10 OBJ Alumni Finish the 2021 MiLB Season

Another year and anther MiLB season is completed by ten (10) former Ontario Blue Jays players. With each year, we see new draft picks and signings join the professional ranks while others continue their push towards the Major Leagues. This year, we were lucky enough to see another join the Major League in OF Jacob Robson (Windsor, ON). Robson was recalled by the Detroit Tigers on August 12th, making his debut against the Baltimore Orioles before travelling to Toronto to face the Blue Jays. Robson finished the year with the Toledo Mud Hens (AAA-Affiliate) and put together a solid year, hitting .295 with 19 Doubles, 5 Triples, 7 Home Runs while adding 38 RBI and 19 Stolen Bases. 

Robson was joined for part of the year in Toledo by IF Daniel Pinero (Toronto, ON), Pinero picked up 8 Hits including 4 Doubles and 1 Home Run while driving in 7 before suffering a season ending injury. Pinero will look to make his return to MLB Spring Training for the Tigers in 2022.

A clear standout in the Minnesota Twins organization is up next as RHP Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, ON) put together a stellar 2021 season for the Wichita Wind Surge (AA-Affiliate). Balazovic, the two-time AA Central Pitcher of the Week, put together a 5-4 Record over 97 Innings, collecting 102 Strikeouts, only allowed 38 Walks while posting a 3.62 Earned Run Average. Balazovic will undoubtably begin his 2022 campaign at MLB Spring Training for the Twins.

One of Balazovic's former OBJ teammates is up next, RHP R.J Freure (Burlington, ON) who rose in the Houston Astros system this year, finishing the year with the Corpus Christi Hooks (AA-Affiliate) posting a 4-6 Record over 81 1/3 Innings collecting 104 Strikeouts while only walking 53 in 23 Games this Summer.

Next up, the Double-A Northeast Champion, C Bo Naylor (Mississauga, ON) - Naylor delivered the walk-off single to defeat the Bowie Baysox to cap off a strong season, as he collected 59 Hits over 87 Games including 13 Doubles, 1 Triple, 10 Home Runs and added 44 RBI. Naylor will likely get the call to MLB Spring Training for the second straight year with the Indians.

Fellow Missisauga native, IF T.J Schofield-Sam finished up his second year in professional baseball with the Stockton Ports (A-Affiliate, Oakland Athletics) collecting 96 Hits over 105 Games, adding 20 Doubles, 5 Triples and 9 Home Runs while adding 62 RBIs for the Ports.

OF Gareth Morgan (Toronto, ON) played the 2021 season for the Tri-City Dust Devils (A-Affiliate, Los Angeles Angels) playing in 38 Games with 26 Hits including 4 Doubles, 4 Home Runs and added 15 RBIs.

The latest OBJ to TBJ draft pick, OF Dasan Brown (Oakville, ON) continues to move his way up the Jays system playing this year for the Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Affiliate). Brown played in 51 Games collecting 42 Hits including 8 Doubles, 1 Triple and 4 Home Runs while adding 16 RBIs.

The Ontario Blue Jays most recent draft pick, OF David Calabrese (Maple, ON) spent the 2021 season with the ACL Angels where he played in 42 Games, collected 29 Hits and scored 25 times including 8 Doubles, 2 Triples and a Home Run. Calabrese current sits 24th on the Angels Top 30 Prospects List.

Last up, our 2021 signee, C/IF Max Hewitt (Midhurt, ON) who was signed by the Los Angelos Dodgers after three incredible seasons at Oklahoma State University. Hewitt will look to make his MiLB debut in 2022 in the Dodgers system. 

Congratulations to all on a great 2021 season and best of luck from the whole OBJ Family in 2022!