Major League Baseball spring training is closing out slowly, with Opening Day not far behind. With this in mind, the annual Spring Breakout contests across the league have come and gone for 2025, running from March 13th to March 16th.

Canada is well represented in this showcase, sporting top-notch talent. Blue Jays Nation writer Chris Georges recently released an extensive list of 15 Canadian-born prospects who are named to various Spring Breakout rosters across the league. Some of these players are seasoned minor leaguers who are pushing the promotion envelope, and some are freshly integrated into professional baseball with a handful of games (some not at all) at the minor league level.

All of these names are well known across the baseball community up north. Which Canadians are key prospects to pay attention to?

The Mets’ scouting department picked a gem when it comes to evaluating players from Canada. Tong, ironically played for the Toronto “Mets” prior to getting drafted by the New York version of that team. His competitiveness in the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL) along with the Canadian Junior National Team, Georgia Premier Academy and the MLB draft league had him selected in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft.

Tong took off from there. His work ethic translated to eye-peeling performances and pitch evaluations. In 2024, he was promoted to double-A Binghamton, bringing him one step closer to the big show. Tong currently ranks sixth of the Mets’ top 30 prospects. In 2024 he put up rankings in high-A’s South Atlantic League where he recorded 110 strikeouts, a .229 batting average, and a 3.71 ERA. The Markham, Ontario product has progressed quickly in 134 total minor league innings pitched with 198 strikeouts and 69 walks. He totals a 3.49 ERA in that time period, carried by a developing repertoire that’s filthy. His fastball is a 65-grade rank, with mid-range velocity but deep movement and break, along with his junk.

Tong got the start for the Mets’ Spring Breakout outing against the Washington Nationals and he went two innings, allowing just one hit and two walks with zero runs against. He also struck out three batters and was able to get out of any situation that the walks and the lone hit put on the base paths.

The 2019 draft pick from Oakville, Ontario has battled his way through the minors. Brown struggled with the bat at first and worked undersized in the beginning. His true tools are now revealing themselves, showing why he’s here in the first place and why the Jays thought so highly of him years ago.

His best seasonal batting average was recorded in 2022 at .283 within a three-team stint. Brown’s tools are on-base with above-average speed and running game. He strikes out a lot but he also runs a lot when on the pads. In 2023, Brown stole 26 bags while being caught 11 times. In 2024 between high-A and double-A, Brown stole 35 bags, only getting caught four times. His total on-base percentage in five minor league seasons is a .341 sporting 113 stolen bases and scoring 228 times.

His speed translates on the defensive end as well. Brown won a Minor League Gold Glove in 2024 and his fielding numbers were impressive, slating a .996 fielding percentage. The outfielder will be under the microscope in consideration for promotion. His sixth season is important for various reasons, including selections for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Canuck slotted into the eighth spot for the Blue Jays Spring Breakout game against the Minnesota Twins and went 0 for 3 on the day, which included a hard lineout to centre field that went 330 feet with an exit velocity of 97.4 MPH.

Another ex-Toronto Met and Oshawa Legionnaires product of Ontario, Denzel Clarke continues to prove why he is a name to watch. He sports the yellow and green with the Athletics organization and ranks sixth among the top 30 Athletics prospects.

The outfielder is also on the brink of seeing baseball’s big stage, as he lingers with talent in triple-A Las Vegas and was named to their 40-man roster this past winter. “Size and power” are the descriptors MLB analysts and scouts use to fuel the evaluation of Clarke and his tools.

2024 was a huge year for Clarke, recording 116 hits, 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and busting out on 36 stolen bases while only being caught nine times. His contact and power abilities make him great in the box, while his speed shows out strongly in the outfield and on the base pads. Clarke is a game-changer and can be a huge addition to the Athletics major league roster and made headlines this spring with a home run saving grab at the centre field wall.

For the A’s Spring Breakout game, Clarke slotted into the cleanup spot and went 1 for 2 on the day, driving in two runs while also walking once. He put the first run of the day on the board with a ground ball through the left side and later added another with a forceout, as he was able to beat out the double play with his speed to give the A’s a 3-0 lead. He also had the only stolen base in the game, swiping second.

2025 may be his year, and the breakout games will give a taste of what’s to come.