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A review of five pitching prospects at the 2024 Canadian Futures Showcase
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Photo credit: © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Nick Prasad
Sep 27, 2024, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 27, 2024, 16:58 EDT
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Overall, the pitching was definitely the most intriguing thing to watch at this year’s Canadian Futures Showcase. The quality of pitch-ability was displayed, along with decent velocity and collegiate and draft potential. 
As we look back at the performances and observations, which arms showed out the best?

RHP William Labonte, Okotoks Dawgs (Alberta, Canada)

This right-handed arm showed a ton of improvement and development over a year. From Western Canada, Alberta, Labonte is a product of the reputable Okotoks Dawgs and will be one of many successful collegiate pitchers and or draft picks. 
Labonte is a bit undersized at 5’10”, but his ability to throw the ball is no question. The ball flies out of his hand with a fluid delivery and repetition on the release. He throws a biting fastball that lingers before 92 mph, along with a mid-70s curveball, late 70s slider for an out-pitch, and an 83-84 mph changeup. 
Labonte’s first outing of the showcase concluded with three innings pitched, two runs on two hits, striking out six Team Black hitters and walking two.
This 2025 graduate is committed to Arizona State University and is draft-eligible. His current pitch profile projects him as a Division One college pitcher with late-round draft potential. 

RHP Ben Goodacre, Ontario Blue Jays (Ancaster, Ontario)

This right-hander was a no-brainer in this showcase. He recorded the max velocity for pitchers in the event, topping at 95 mph on his heater. The long-limbed righty is wing-spanned and stands 6’3” 185 lbs. His first outing of the showcase resulted in a two-inning, one-hit win with four strikeouts.
Goodacre incorporates a changeup, slider, and curveball. However, his fastball is what brings the money. The Ontario Blue Jay is committed to attending West Virginia University, the former home of Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah.
There’s no doubt Goodacre will be a factor in college baseball; he is also projected to be a top-10 round draft pick in the 2025 MLB draft.

RHP Aiden Taggart, Fieldhouse Pirates (Grimsby, ON)

In the art of baseball evaluations, size does matter. Aiden Taggart is a sizeable kid who sticks out on the ball field. He towers on the bump, and his body is notable. He stands 6’3” and 200 lbs. 
Taggart is a pitcher, nonetheless. He throws with emphasis and purpose. He can command the zone and work off the plate to pitch around guys. Taggart relies on a changeup that gaps eight to nine mph from his fastball. The fastball stays consistent at 87-88, topping at 90. He also incorporates a curveball. 
He faced team Navy in his first outing, starting the show that finished in a shutout victory. Taggart threw three innings of no-hit baseball, striking out five bats. In addition, he pitched for Team Encarnacion in the prospects game on the final day. Taggart picked up a one-inning win with no runs earned and a two-strikeout appearance. 
This big-body arm will be a development-type collegiate pitcher, as he’s attending Utah. With decent time left, the offseason will be crucial for any quest to think of the 2025 MLB draft. 

RHP Nathan Wall, Great Lakes Canadians (Ontario)

This 2026 arm was intriguing, as the tools are raw and workable. Wall is 6’5”, 210 lbs, with long limbs and a slinging delivery from the right side. His movement needs to be cleaned up, but the baseline of his offerings stands out. 
He throws two pitches, a fastball that ranges from 87-88 mph, topping 90 mph, along with a curveball between 75-76 mph. Wall is younger and has time to develop and potentially carve himself into the draft boards. Before getting ahead of ourselves, his profile may attract division one interest. 
Wall entered the game in the sixth inning against Team Grey. He threw two innings, where he struggled a bit with five walks, two strikeouts, and one earned run. Wall eventually picked up the save.
This is another pitcher with an extremely important offseason and 2025 season. 

RHP Walker Kokotailo (British Columbia)

The showcase may have given this right-hander the stage he needed to display his skill set. The Western Canada pitcher is 6’3” and 190 lbs with arm strength and durability. His confidence seems present, along with an idea of how to pitch. He throws a fastball between 89-91, topping 93, with a slider between 81-83 mph. 
The righty entered the game in the sixth inning, going two strong with four strikeouts, one walk, and one hit. He also pitched for Team Bautista on the final day. He worked one inning and struggled, giving up three earned runs on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. His pitch ability was a good display despite the game results.
Walker is very raw and has some mechanical flaws to clean up, however, this arm could be a great project for a division one college program. 

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