Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy hosted over<a href="https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase/futures-roster"> 150+</a> top high school baseball players across Canada at the Rogers Centre as part of the tenth annual <a href="https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase">Canadian Futures Showcase. </a>
The event aims to bring the top players from across the country to compete against one another and participate in drills in front of scouts and coaches from post-secondary programs far and wide. With Canada being such a large country and the various baseball programs spread out from coast to coast, this tournament makes it easier for college programs to watch talented players in one venue and under the bright lights and pressures of a professional baseball stadium.
All players try out for the tournament early in the summer and are split into six different teams when they arrive in Toronto, with each squad getting four games consisting of seven innings to get at-bats or get some work on the mound.
At the end of the tournament, there is a Home Run Derby contest (where metal bats are allowed) and a Prospects Game, where those who performed well at the showcase get to face one another in a final game. This year, the Prospects Game was coached by Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, with the Jays legends facing one another with their respective squads.
Let&#8217;s take a look at some players who stood out in the event.
Ben Goodacre &#8211; RHP  
Team Black &#8211; Ontario Blue Jays (Ont.)
Goodacre made the first start for Team Black at the showcase and shoved in his outing, going two innings while allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four batters. He earned the win for the club and also set a showcase record by hitting 95.6 MPH on the radar gun before appearing in the Prospects Game, tossing a scoreless inning of relief.
A strong showing for the right-hander, who will be heading to Florida next month as part of the Canadian Premier Team and to West Virginia University next fall.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
RHP Ben Goodacre 2025, <a href="https://twitter.com/OntarioBlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OntarioBlueJays</a><a href="https://twitter.com/WVUBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WVUBaseball</a> Commit
6-foot-4, 190-pounds.
Electric stuff from Goodacre this afternoon made for some uncomfortable AB’s.
A look at 2 of his 4 K’s. ⬇️
FB 91-94 T95 CB 72-76<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballON?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepBaseballON</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ShooterHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShooterHunt</a> <a href="https://t.co/PLjyPuCXYr">pic.twitter.com/PLjyPuCXYr</a>
&mdash; Josh Arcé (@josh_arceBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_arceBB/status/1836449808531206386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Tyson Moran &#8211; 3B 
Team Grey &#8211; Great Lake Canadians (Ont.) 

Suiting up in all four games, infielder Tyson Moran collected six hits through 10 at-bats &#8211; two of which were for extra bases (a double and a triple). He added three RBIs, one walk, and two stolen bases to finish with a 1.536 OPS and was named the 2024 <a href="https://x.com/BlueJaysAcademy/status/1837519950954516520">Canadian Futures Showcase MVP.</a>
Nick Halcovitch &#8211; RHP 
Team Navy &#8211; Toronto Mets (Ont.)
Right-hander Halcovitch was used in the finale for Team Navy on Friday, appearing in two innings following the starter. In the outing, the Mets&#8217; product allowed just one knock while striking out four and sitting in the high 80s with his fastball.
Mathis McKenna &#8211; LHP 
Team Navy &#8211; Academie Baseball Canada (Que.) 
Getting the start in game two for Team Navy, McKenna started his outing with a walk and a single but proceeded to retire the next three batters to get out of the inning. He was practically unhittable the rest of the way, allowing two hits and the lone free pass while striking out four on the day.
McKenna got the nod to start for Team Bautista at the Prospects Game and threw a scoreless inning
Tim Piasentin &#8211; 3B  
Team New Blue &#8211; Okotoks Dawgs Academy (Alta.)
One of the<a href="https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/canadian-baseball-network-draft-list"> top-ranked players</a> heading into the showcase, Piasentin is no stranger to the showcase and the big stage &#8211; having suited up for the Junior National Team earlier this summer. This year, he posted a .982 OPS while going 3 for 9 at the plate with one double, three RBIs, and three walks.
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Tim Piasentin wins the home run derby with 4 💣 his last round‼️‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBJFutures?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TBJFutures</a>🇨🇦 <a href="https://t.co/Etc1EYXxHW">pic.twitter.com/Etc1EYXxHW</a>
&mdash; TBJ Baseball Academy (@BlueJaysAcademy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJaysAcademy/status/1837512368244281715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Throw in two stolen bases and the championship belt from winning the Home Run Derby, it is safe to say the University of Miami (Florida) commit has put himself on the draft radar next year. Fun fact &#8211; the past two derby winners (Myles Naylor and Nathan Flewelling) both heard their names called the following summer within the top three rounds.
Sean Duncan &#8211; LHP 
Team New Blue &#8211; Langley Blaze (B.C.)
Duncan is back at the showcase for a third time, having been the youngest competitor at his last two events. The 2026 grad started against Team Royal and dominated &#8211; holding his opponents out of the hit column while allowing two free passes compared to five walks across three innings. He also started the Prospects Game &#8211; tossing a scoreless inning while allowing one hit and striking out one.
The left-hander posted a 64.4% strike rate and only needed 45 pitches to get through his outing, impressing the large contingent of scouts that were in attendance to see him pitch. While he is uncommitted at this time, it is safe to say that he&#8217;ll be on quite a few teams&#8217; radar this winter.
Félix Gosselin &#8211; 1B 
Team Red &#8211; Academie Baseball Canada (Que.)
The first baseman made his presence well-known at the plate, producing seven hits through 12 at-bats (.583) and a team-high five RBIs. He also walked three times and amassed a 1.250 OPS as one of the top bats on the squad. The 2025 grad will likely remain uncommitted for only a short time after an impressive showing at the Rogers Centre.
Aiden Taggart &#8211; RHP 
Team Red &#8211; Fieldhouse Pirates (Ont.)
One of the more experienced arms in the showcase, Taggart got the nod for Team Red&#8217;s first game and went three innings without allowing a walk or a hit while striking out five opposing batters. He was hitting the low 90s with his fastball and was mixing all three of his pitches well.
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RHP Aiden Taggart 2025, <a href="https://twitter.com/FHPirates?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FHPirates</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/utahbaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@utahbaseball</a> commit
Strong outing for Taggart here, working three hitless frames. Heavy dose of FB that worked for swing &amp; miss / weak contact. 
🇨🇦 Junior National Team member.
FB 88-90 CH 79-80 CV 78<a href="https://twitter.com/_aidentaggart_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_aidentaggart_</a> || <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepBaseballON?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepBaseballON</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZFEaR7bkpG">pic.twitter.com/ZFEaR7bkpG</a>
&mdash; Brendan Mahood (@brendanmahood_) <a href="https://twitter.com/brendanmahood_/status/1836493381930729866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The University of Utah commit also earned the win in the Prospects Game, following Duncan in the second inning and collecting two strikeouts with zero hits or walks allowed.
Robert Omidi &#8211; 2B 
Team Royal &#8211; Fieldhouse Pirates (Ont.)
Infielder Robert Omidi led Team Royal in a few different categories &#8211; including OPS (1.000), OBP (.667), and at-bats (12) while collecting four hits, one run, one RBI, and one walk with four stolen bases thrown in as well. Omidi earned a spot in the Home Run Derby and the Prospects Game and shined in the Saturday contest, collecting two hits and three RBIs in the star-studded affair.
While the 2026 grad is currently uncommitted, Omidi has garnered a ton of interest this summer with the Pirates and furthered his stock with a strong showing at the showcase.

Last week, the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy hosted over<a href="https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase/futures-roster"> 150+</a> top high school baseball players across Canada at the Rogers Centre as part of the tenth annual <a href="https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/baseball-academy/canadian-futures-showcase">Canadian Futures Showcase. </a>

The event aims to bring the top players from across the country to compete against one another and participate in drills in front of scouts and coaches from post-secondary programs far and wide. With Canada being such a large country and the various baseball programs spread out from coast to coast, this tournament makes it easier for college programs to watch talented players in one venue and under the bright lights and pressures of a professional baseball stadium.

All players try out for the tournament early in the summer and are split into six different teams when they arrive in Toronto, with each squad getting four games consisting of seven innings to get at-bats or get some work on the mound.

At the end of the tournament, there is a Home Run Derby contest (where metal bats are allowed) and a Prospects Game, where those who performed well at the showcase get to face one another in a final game. This year, the Prospects Game was coached by Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, with the Jays legends facing one another with their respective squads.

Let's take a look at some players who stood out in the event.

Ben Goodacre - RHP 
Team Black - Ontario Blue Jays (Ont.)

Goodacre made the first start for Team Black at the showcase and shoved in his outing, going two innings while allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four batters. He earned the win for the club and also set a showcase record by hitting 95.6 MPH on the radar gun before appearing in the Prospects Game, tossing a scoreless inning of relief.

A strong showing for the right-hander, who will be heading to Florida next month as part of the Canadian Premier Team and to West Virginia University next fall.

https://twitter.com/josh_arceBB/status/1836449808531206386

Tyson Moran - 3B
Team Grey - Great Lake Canadians (Ont.)


Suiting up in all four games, infielder Tyson Moran collected six hits through 10 at-bats - two of which were for extra bases (a double and a triple). He added three RBIs, one walk, and two stolen bases to finish with a 1.536 OPS and was named the 2024 <a href="https://x.com/BlueJaysAcademy/status/1837519950954516520">Canadian Futures Showcase MVP.</a>

Nick Halcovitch - RHP
Team Navy - Toronto Mets (Ont.)

Right-hander Halcovitch was used in the finale for Team Navy on Friday, appearing in two innings following the starter. In the outing, the Mets' product allowed just one knock while striking out four and sitting in the high 80s with his fastball.

Mathis McKenna - LHP
Team Navy - Academie Baseball Canada (Que.) 

Getting the start in game two for Team Navy, McKenna started his outing with a walk and a single but proceeded to retire the next three batters to get out of the inning. He was practically unhittable the rest of the way, allowing two hits and the lone free pass while striking out four on the day.

McKenna got the nod to start for Team Bautista at the Prospects Game and threw a scoreless inning

Tim Piasentin - 3B 
Team New Blue - Okotoks Dawgs Academy (Alta.)

One of the<a href="https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/canadian-baseball-network-draft-list"> top-ranked players</a> heading into the showcase, Piasentin is no stranger to the showcase and the big stage - having suited up for the Junior National Team earlier this summer. This year, he posted a .982 OPS while going 3 for 9 at the plate with one double, three RBIs, and three walks.

https://twitter.com/BlueJaysAcademy/status/1837512368244281715

Throw in two stolen bases and the championship belt from winning the Home Run Derby, it is safe to say the University of Miami (Florida) commit has put himself on the draft radar next year. Fun fact - the past two derby winners (Myles Naylor and Nathan Flewelling) both heard their names called the following summer within the top three rounds.

Sean Duncan - LHP
Team New Blue - Langley Blaze (B.C.)

Duncan is back at the showcase for a third time, having been the youngest competitor at his last two events. The 2026 grad started against Team Royal and dominated - holding his opponents out of the hit column while allowing two free passes compared to five walks across three innings. He also started the Prospects Game - tossing a scoreless inning while allowing one hit and striking out one.

The left-hander posted a 64.4% strike rate and only needed 45 pitches to get through his outing, impressing the large contingent of scouts that were in attendance to see him pitch. While he is uncommitted at this time, it is safe to say that he'll be on quite a few teams' radar this winter.

Félix Gosselin - 1B
Team Red - Academie Baseball Canada (Que.)

The first baseman made his presence well-known at the plate, producing seven hits through 12 at-bats (.583) and a team-high five RBIs. He also walked three times and amassed a 1.250 OPS as one of the top bats on the squad. The 2025 grad will likely remain uncommitted for only a short time after an impressive showing at the Rogers Centre.

Aiden Taggart - RHP
Team Red - Fieldhouse Pirates (Ont.)

One of the more experienced arms in the showcase, Taggart got the nod for Team Red's first game and went three innings without allowing a walk or a hit while striking out five opposing batters. He was hitting the low 90s with his fastball and was mixing all three of his pitches well.

https://twitter.com/brendanmahood_/status/1836493381930729866

The University of Utah commit also earned the win in the Prospects Game, following Duncan in the second inning and collecting two strikeouts with zero hits or walks allowed.

Robert Omidi - 2B
Team Royal - Fieldhouse Pirates (Ont.)

Infielder Robert Omidi led Team Royal in a few different categories - including OPS (1.000), OBP (.667), and at-bats (12) while collecting four hits, one run, one RBI, and one walk with four stolen bases thrown in as well. Omidi earned a spot in the Home Run Derby and the Prospects Game and shined in the Saturday contest, collecting two hits and three RBIs in the star-studded affair.

While the 2026 grad is currently uncommitted, Omidi has garnered a ton of interest this summer with the Pirates and furthered his stock with a strong showing at the showcase.

Players who stood out at the 2024 Canadian Futures Showcase

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates with first baseman Spencer Horwitz (48) after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Rogers Centre.

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