CANADA

2007 FOLLOW LIST  

OVERVIEW: This is a banner year forCanada, the best since 2002 when British Columbia-developed lefthanders Adam Loewen and Jeff Francis became the two highest draft picks in Canada ’s 16-year involvement in the draft. Loewen was the fourth pick in 2002, Francis the ninth. Quebec righthander Phillippe Aumont has been hotly-pursued this year and will in all probability land in that area as well.

 

Led by Aumont, who has been clocked at 98 mph, Canada has more power arms in this draft than any draft in its modest history—and probably ever. At least 11 Canadian high school pitchers were clocked at 90 or better this spring. Ontario is normally the primary producer of baseball talent in Canada , but the four top prospects this year come from outside that province—Aumont and three pitchers from B.C. Many of the better prospects in Ontario actually slipped this year because of makeup and signability concerns.

 

Two issues that impacted Canadians more than any other draft demographic in recent years had a bearing in how scouts looked at Canadians this spring. The embargo on temporary working visas that restricted teams from drafting and signing Canadians in the past is no longer an issue.

 

The abolishment of the draft-and-follow rule, however, will almost certainly limit the number of Canadians drafted—especially in the later rounds. Canada was a prime target in the past for draft-and-follows as the lack of college and high school programs in the country, along with the short playing season, left many Canadians behind on the development curve and gave scouts a limited look at all but the elite players. Teams will now be unlikely to draft a Canadian player unless they believe that he can handle professional baseball immediately. With even a year of development at a junior college, many Canadians were ready to make jump to pro ball. But with no opportunity to control players for up to a year any longer, teams will be much less inclined to draft Canadian high school talent.

 

A total of 37 Canadians were drafted in 2006, 21 out of domestic high schools. That number could be cut in half. But there will be no shortage of Canadians drafted out of American colleges. Among the most significant are Illinois catcher Lars Davis and Kentucky closer Trystan Magnuson—both potential picks in the top three rounds. High Point closer Tom Boleska, Lewis-Clark State starter Chris Kissock and Arizona State outfielder Tim Smith are other candidates in the top 10 rounds.

 

STRENGTH: High school pitching.

WEAKNESS: Abolishment of the draft-and-follow rule.

OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 4.

 

Best Prospect Attending U.S. College, Canadian Connection: Trystan Magnuson, rhp, U. of Louisville (Born in Vancouver ).

Top 2008 Prospect: Brett Lawrie, ss, Brookswood HS, Langley , B.C.

 

Highest Pick, Draft History: Adam Loewen, lhp, Fraser Valley Christian HS, Surrey, B.C. (2002, Orioles/1^st round, 4^th pick).

Highest Pick, 2006 Draft: Kyle Orr, 1b, Lambrick Park HS, Victoria , B.C. (Dodgers/4^th round).

 

Best College Team: U. of British Columbia.

Best Club Teams: Langley (B.C.) Blaze; Ontario Blue Jays.

 

TOP 20 PROSPECTS / By Allan Simpson

 

GROUPS (College, Junior College, High School)

      1   High-round draft (Rounds 1-3)

      2   Mid-round draft (Rounds 4-10)

      3   Late-round draft (Rounds 11-25)

      4   Chance draft / Player to follow

 

GROUP ONE

Rank  Player                                  Pos.       Yr     B-T      HT     WT     School                              Hometown                 Drafted/(Commit) B’date

     1.   Phillippe Aumont               RHP      Sr.     L-R     6-7     220     Ecole Du Versant HS      Gatineau , QU                                              1-7-89

SCOUTING REPORT: Aumont may not become Canada ’s highest-ever draft pick (Adam Loewen, the fourth overall pick in 2002, holds that distinction), but he will come close. A number of teams with selections in the first 10 picks zeroed in on the big righthander this spring—particularly on trips to Florida with both Quebec’s Acadamie Baseball Canada (ABC) and Team Canada’s junior national team. A reported 77 scouts saw him top out at 98 mph in Cocoa, Fla., and routinely touch 96. His comfort zone is 93-95. Aumont has a loose, quick arm from a three-quarters angle and the ball jumps out of his hand. His fastball has late, hard sinking and tailing action. His 80-82 mph slider, which was also seen up to 86-87, has considerable promise, but is inconsistent. Aumont is big and coordinated at 6-foot-7, but not overly athletic. Understandably, he is not as far along in his development as some of the other high school pitchers who project to go in the first round. He touched 98 again in late May on Team Canada’s annual trip to the Dominican Republic , but it came amidst a series of poor outings when Aumont struggled with his command. He was used all spring in three- and four-inning outings with his club and national team, and scouts were unable to determine whether he can hold his velocity deep into games. Aumont has a different home life as he lives with a guardian. Before a revealing interview with Canada ’s SLAM! Sports website just before the draft, Aumont was reluctant to discuss his parents or other matters with his personal life with the media, but was forthcoming with teams.