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Three Canadian NCAA D1 players who had exciting starts to the 2025 season
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Photo credit: © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nick Prasad
Feb 28, 2025, 12:42 EST
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Weeks ago, the NCAA D1 baseball opened the 2025 season from coast to coast. Various teams made an early statement with regards to wins and runs scored. Multiple players made noise early on. Canadian ball players were emphasized in their first weeks of the season, with over 210 Canucks suiting up for a D1 program this year. 
Talents from north of the border have been pushing the envelope of success over the years. Various Canadians obtained spots in the NCAA where they are assets to established programs. 
Here are three Canadians who got off to a hot start to begin the 2025 season.

INF Brendan Lawson, Florida Gators 

Brendan Lawson is the talk of Canadian prospects at the moment. After cracking the Opening Day for the Gators lineup as the starting first baseman, Lawson (Toronto, Ont.) has displayed the reasons why he’s earned his role right from the get-go. 
In nine games and 32 at-bats, Lawson has 11 hits, 11 runs, 10 RBIs, one home run, five walks, and only two strikeouts. The lefty-bat is hitting .344, putting the ball in play with hard contact, using the field and displaying power. He got off to a bit of a rough start but bounced back in a big way against Dayton.
His home run came against the Flyers was a line-drive shot down in right field for a grand slam. Lawson has also shown a great deal of hustle and on-base tendencies. He recently earned SEC Freshman of the Week honours by going 6 for 15 with nine RBIs this past weekend against Dayton and showcased why he was one of the top draft eligible Canucks this past summer before dedicating to joining the University of Florida. 

RHP Michael Yusypchuk, Missouri State University

The 6’2” right-hander out of Missouri State has been shining through two starts as the Friday starter. He sits 1-1 in record through 11 and 1 / 3 innings pitched and having faced 45 total batters so far, he has struck out 14 and walked just one. 
His last start against 18th-ranked Mississippi State lasted seven strong innings, allowing two hits, no earned runs and eight strikeouts. For his efforts, Yusypchuk was named MVC Pitcher of the Week and continues to find a strong footing for new manager and fellow Canadian, Joey Hawkins. The Edmonton, Alta. product became the second freshman in school history to get the nod for Opening Day – the other being Gary Wilson in 1964, the first game in program history. 

INF Brando Leroux, Florida Atlantic University 

Draft eligible and a senior for Florida Atlantic University, infielder Brando Leroux (Markham, Ont.) has also started an important quest as the 2025 season gets under way. He’s started the year with a .296 batting average, eight hits, five runs, and nine RBIs in 27 at-bats and will be a go-to player for the Owls this season. He also boasts a .444 slugging percentage and a .375 on-base percentage so far this season.
Leroux is one to watch as he’s a key piece for FAU, slotting in at the shortstop position. He was originally at the notorious Chipola College before transferring to FAU before last season. Leroux will be in the process of improving his draft stock, as this is his last year of eligibility. 

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