<p>Blue Jays Nation&#8217;s countdown of the top Canadian prospects continues with the highest-drafted Canadian in last year&#8217;s MLB Draft.</p>
<h3><strong>#10 Dante Nori</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Born:</strong> Toronto, Ont. <strong>Hometown:</strong> Northville, MI</p>
<p><strong>Organization: </strong>Philadelphia Phillies</p>
<p><strong>Position: </strong>Centerfielder</p>
<p><strong>Acquired: </strong>1st round (27th overall), 2024 Draft (PHI)</p>
<p>Born in Toronto but raised in Michigan, <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/dante-nori-807276">Dante Nori</a> was somewhat of a surprise selection when he was taken near the end of the first round last July. The son of a former Toronto Raptors assistant coach, Nori was ranked 48th by MLB Pipeline heading into the draft, ultimately signing for a below-slot $2.5 million when the Philadephia Phillies took him in the first round. He played in just 14 games after joining the Phillies organization, so his inclusion in the top ten of this ranking thread is mostly based on his potential.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>
<p>It isn&#8217;t very often that Canadians go in the first round of the draft. Nori is just the seventh Canuck in the last 20 years to be selected within the first 30 picks, with the last being Bo Naylor back in 2018. Interestingly enough, six of those seven players were taken out of high school, with Stanford&#8217;s Cal Quantrill being the only exception in 2016. The only Canadian first-rounder not to make the majors was Texas Rangers selection Kellin Deglin, who made it as far as triple-A (in the Blue Jays organization) in 2022.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Phillies first rounder Dante Nori drives a 94 mph fastball to the left field corner and turns it into a triple for his first pro extra base hit <a href="https://t.co/W73KPuo9P0">pic.twitter.com/W73KPuo9P0</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/1823886481787621791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>A state champion in his senior year of high school, the five-foot-ten outfielder is older than most high school draftees, as he turned 20 years old last October. This may have somewhat lowered his stock and projection as the draft got closer.</p>
<p>Nori, MLB Pipeline&#8217;s <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/phillies/dante-nori-807276">sixth ranked Phillies prospect</a>, showed a keen batter&#8217;s eye in his 66-plate appearance debut in single-A Clearwater at the tail end of 2024. He walked (16) more than he struck out (14), leading to a .424 on-base percentage. He did not hit any balls over the fence, but he did swipe four bases while posting a .704 OPS.</p>
<h3><strong>Nori&#8217;s ceiling</strong></h3>
<p>The fact that the Phillies drafted Nori in the first round means that they believe in his five-tool potential. His highest grades from scouts are for his outfield defense and speed, something that likely gives him a floor as a major league fourth outfielder (similar to fellow Canadian Dasan Brown). Both players have speed and instincts that allow them to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, and Nori&#8217;s strong throwing arm makes runners question whether they can take an extra base. His aggressiveness on the base paths will likely lead to high stolen base numbers as a professional as well.</p>
<p>At the plate, Nori focuses on line drives and getting on-base. He can spray base hits to all areas of the field, including this walk-off single he hit in Clearwater in August:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Walk it off <a href="https://twitter.com/DanteNori1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanteNori1</a>! <a href="https://t.co/4G1qNNo0uK">pic.twitter.com/4G1qNNo0uK</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Clearwater Threshers (@Threshers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Threshers/status/1827531449391571139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Although he has shown that he has power, it hasn&#8217;t translated into home runs during games although the sample size is small. He may blossom into a guy who can run into the odd home run but is primarily focused on hitting line drives and getting on base as a top-of-the-order type of bat. The Diamondbacks&#8217; Corbin Carroll may have paved the way for a smaller outfielder with the skillset of Nori to thrive in today&#8217;s game. Like Carroll, the former Perfect Game All-American hits and throws lefthanded, and has the chance to contribute in several ways on the field.</p>
<h3>Where will Nori play</h3>
<p>Nori will likely return to single-A to open up the season, but a quick rise through the Phillies&#8217; system wouldn&#8217;t be surprising. His older age for a high school draftee means it&#8217;s unlikely that the Phillies will hold him back from advancing if he has some initial success. However, the most likely outcome is for him to play the majority of his games in high-A in 2025.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>Previous</h2>
<p>11. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-11-erik-sabrowski">Erik Sabrowski</a></p>
<p>12. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-12-damiano-palmegiani">Damiano Palmegiani</a></p>
<p>13. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-13-eric-cerantola">Eric Cerantola</a></p>
<p>14. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-14-dasan-brown">Dasan Brown</a></p>
<p>15. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-15-emilien-pitre">Émilien Pitre</a></p>
<p>16. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-16-adam-maier">Adam Maier</a></p>
<p>17. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-17-liam-hicks">Liam Hicks</a></p>
<p>18. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-18-david-mccabe">David McCabe</a></p>
<p>19. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-19-calvin-ziegler">Calvin Ziegler</a></p>
<p>20. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-20-jeremy-pilon">Jeremy Pilon</a></p>
<hr />
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>

Blue Jays Nation's countdown of the top Canadian prospects continues with the highest-drafted Canadian in last year's MLB Draft.
<h3><strong>#10 Dante Nori</strong></h3>
<strong>Born:</strong> Toronto, Ont. <strong>Hometown:</strong> Northville, MI

<strong>Organization: </strong>Philadelphia Phillies

<strong>Position: </strong>Centerfielder

<strong>Acquired: </strong>1st round (27th overall), 2024 Draft (PHI)

Born in Toronto but raised in Michigan, <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/dante-nori-807276">Dante Nori</a> was somewhat of a surprise selection when he was taken near the end of the first round last July. The son of a former Toronto Raptors assistant coach, Nori was ranked 48th by MLB Pipeline heading into the draft, ultimately signing for a below-slot $2.5 million when the Philadephia Phillies took him in the first round. He played in just 14 games after joining the Phillies organization, so his inclusion in the top ten of this ranking thread is mostly based on his potential.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>
It isn't very often that Canadians go in the first round of the draft. Nori is just the seventh Canuck in the last 20 years to be selected within the first 30 picks, with the last being Bo Naylor back in 2018. Interestingly enough, six of those seven players were taken out of high school, with Stanford's Cal Quantrill being the only exception in 2016. The only Canadian first-rounder not to make the majors was Texas Rangers selection Kellin Deglin, who made it as far as triple-A (in the Blue Jays organization) in 2022.

https://twitter.com/Mitch_Rupert/status/1823886481787621791

A state champion in his senior year of high school, the five-foot-ten outfielder is older than most high school draftees, as he turned 20 years old last October. This may have somewhat lowered his stock and projection as the draft got closer.

Nori, MLB Pipeline's <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/phillies/dante-nori-807276">sixth ranked Phillies prospect</a>, showed a keen batter's eye in his 66-plate appearance debut in single-A Clearwater at the tail end of 2024. He walked (16) more than he struck out (14), leading to a .424 on-base percentage. He did not hit any balls over the fence, but he did swipe four bases while posting a .704 OPS.
<h3><strong>Nori's ceiling</strong></h3>
The fact that the Phillies drafted Nori in the first round means that they believe in his five-tool potential. His highest grades from scouts are for his outfield defense and speed, something that likely gives him a floor as a major league fourth outfielder (similar to fellow Canadian Dasan Brown). Both players have speed and instincts that allow them to cover a lot of ground in the outfield, and Nori's strong throwing arm makes runners question whether they can take an extra base. His aggressiveness on the base paths will likely lead to high stolen base numbers as a professional as well.

At the plate, Nori focuses on line drives and getting on-base. He can spray base hits to all areas of the field, including this walk-off single he hit in Clearwater in August:

https://twitter.com/Threshers/status/1827531449391571139

Although he has shown that he has power, it hasn't translated into home runs during games although the sample size is small. He may blossom into a guy who can run into the odd home run but is primarily focused on hitting line drives and getting on base as a top-of-the-order type of bat. The Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll may have paved the way for a smaller outfielder with the skillset of Nori to thrive in today's game. Like Carroll, the former Perfect Game All-American hits and throws lefthanded, and has the chance to contribute in several ways on the field.
<h3>Where will Nori play</h3>
Nori will likely return to single-A to open up the season, but a quick rise through the Phillies' system wouldn't be surprising. His older age for a high school draftee means it's unlikely that the Phillies will hold him back from advancing if he has some initial success. However, the most likely outcome is for him to play the majority of his games in high-A in 2025.


<h2>Previous</h2>
11. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-11-erik-sabrowski">Erik Sabrowski</a>

12. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-12-damiano-palmegiani">Damiano Palmegiani</a>

13. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-13-eric-cerantola">Eric Cerantola</a>

14. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-14-dasan-brown">Dasan Brown</a>

15. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-15-emilien-pitre">Émilien Pitre</a>

16. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-16-adam-maier">Adam Maier</a>

17. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-17-liam-hicks">Liam Hicks</a>

18. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-18-david-mccabe">David McCabe</a>

19. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-19-calvin-ziegler">Calvin Ziegler</a>

20. <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-nations-top-20-canadian-baseball-prospects-for-2025-20-jeremy-pilon">Jeremy Pilon</a>

<hr />

<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2110" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="330"></div>

Blue Jays Nation’s Top 20 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2025 – #10: Dante Nori

Giants, Justin Verlander Agree to One-Year, $15-Million Contract

Blue Jays Nation’s Top 20 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2025 – #9: Dylan O’Rae

Report: Blue Jays expressing interest in Jose Quintana as recent contract negotiations intensify

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) bats during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Recent articles from Chris Georges

Breaking News