Three OBJ Alum in MLB Organizations Top 30's
Partially courtesy of CBN.
With the MiLB season underway, let's take a look at the nine OBJ Alumni and one coach active with MLB Organizations this season.
Minnesota Twins - No. 5 RHP Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, ON)
MLB Pipeline ETA to MLB: 2022
Balazovic is knocking on the big league door in what will be his sixth minor league season. He spent the entirety of 2021 with double-A Wichita, going 5-4 with a 3.62 ERA. He’s been added to the Twins’ 40-man roster and may begin the season with the triple-A St. Paul Saints.
The only pitcher ahead of Balazovic in the Twins Top 30, Joe Ryan who made his big league debut in 2021 going 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA in five starts.
Cleveland Guardians - No. 16 C Bo Naylor (Mississauga, ON)
MLB Pipeline ETA to MLB: 2023
Cleveland is a team to keep an eye on for Canadian ball fans. Not only do they feature right-hander Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) and outfielder Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON), but Naylor’s younger brother Bo is among the team’s top prospects. Bo spent all of 2021 in double-A Akron, hitting .188 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs. On the defensive side, he threw out 31% of base stealers.
Toronto Blue Jays - No. 27 OF Dasan Brown (Oakville, ON)
MLB Pipeline ETA to MLB: 2024
Brown is truly homegrown. The Oakville product was selected by the Blue Jays in the third round, 88th overall in 2019. He spent his high school days with the Ontario Blue Jays and Canadian Junior National Team and was initially committed to Texas A&M before he was signed by his hometown team. Last season, he hit .212 with 22 stolen bases in 51 games for Single-A Dunedin.
In addition to those who are ranked within organizations Top 30 Prospects, there are six players and one coach active with MiLB team this Summer making their push towards the MLB.
OF David Calabrese - Inland Empire 66ers (A-Affiliate - Los Angeles Angels)
RHP RJ Freure - Rome Braves (High A-Affiliate - Atlanta Braves)
C Max Hewitt - Tulsa Drillers (AA-Affiliate - Los Angeles Dodgers)
RHP Zach Pop - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA-Affiliate - Miami Marlins)
OF Jacob Robson - Toledo Mud Hens (AAA-Affiliate - Detroit Tigers)
IF Tyrell Schofield-Sam - Stockton Ports (A-Affiliate - Oakland Athletics)
Coach Mike Steed - Augusta Green Jackets (A-Affiliate - Atlanta Braves)