January 7, 2024

Five Division I series for Canadians to keep an eye on this spring …

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

With the calendar flipping to 2024, it’s time to turn our attention to the upcoming college season.

With first pitch just over a month away and 148 Canadians playing Division I ball — down nine from last spring, although all rosters have not been posted — let’s take a look at five must-watch series featuring those hailing from north of the border.

Former Ontario Royal INF Brodie McKay (Burlington, Ont.) has transferred to the Niagara Purple Eagles

Niagara Purple Eagles at Canisius Golden Griffins - May 16-18

To start off our list, we’re jumping to the end of the season to a series in which we may see as many as 23 Canadians on the lineup cards. Niagara and their 14 travel to Canisius, who have nine, for a three-game series that could have major implications on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings. Purple Eagle redshirt sophomore Brodie MacKay (Burlington, Ont.) is hoping to make an impact for his new team after coming over from Western Kentucky.

For the Griffs, former Vauxhall Jet Carlin Dick (Abbotsford, BC) is looking to finish his college career strong after posting an .830 OPS in 2023.

Other Canadian Purple Eagles: RHP Zach Cameron (Hamilton, Ont.), LHP Zac Laird (Burnaby, BC), C-INF Jason Green (Georgetown, Ont.), INF Nick Groves (London, Ont.), RHP Steven Hospital (Oakville, Ont.), RHP Brady Kobitowich (Edmonton, Alta.), C-OF Rees Kozar (Amherstburg, Ont) LHP Blake MacMillan (Mississauga, Ont.), LHP Noah Richardson (Windsor, Ont.), INF-OF Matt Torresan (Grimsby, Ont.), LHP Nick Veselinovic (LaSalle, Ont.), C Matt Ward (Mississauga, Ont.) and LHP Evan Wilde (Airdrie, Alta.). Cameron and Groves each earned Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College Team honourable mentions.

Other Canadians at Canisius: RHP Levi Abbott (Lethbridge, Alta.), RHP Peyton Consigli (Fonthill, Ont.), RHP Aaron Duffy (Burlington, Ont.), INF-RHP Tyson Kaufman (Drumbo, Ont.), LHP Felix Morin (Quebec, Que.), INF Josh Niles (St. Thomas, Ont.), LHP Chris Pouliot (Boischatel, Que.) and C Ty Wevers (Lethbridge, Alta.).

Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Kentucky Wildcats - March 5-6

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels have put together one of the best non-conference schedules in all of college ball. It includes a midweek home-and-home with in-state rival Kentucky. For EKU, Justin Carinci (Ajax, Ont.) should be a spark plug offensively after two solid seasons at Mineral Area College that saw him hit .418 and steal 43 bases in 2023.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have one of the top ranked Canadians for the 2024 draft in infielder Émilien Pitre (Repentigny, Que.). Pitre was an All-Southeastern Conference Second Team selection with a .318 average and 51 RBIs. He earned Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College Team Third Team honours. He’s currently ranked No. 3 on the Canadian Baseball Network Draft List.

Toronto Mets grad INF Brando Leroux (Markham, Ont.) of the Florida Atlantic Owls.

Florida Atlantic Owls at South Florida Bulls - April 26-28

Canadian snowbirds will enjoy this American Athletic Conference showdown in the Sunshine State. The Owls boast three Canadians, led by infielder Brando Leroux (Markham, Ont.) who transferred from Bossier Parish Community College where he put up a .353 average, hit 10 home runs and drove in 52. He earned Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College Team Second Team honours.

Former Terriers RHP Matt Brown (Oakville, Ont.) has transferred to South Florida Bulls from St. Pete’s.

If USF so chooses, they can roll out right-hander Matt Brown (Oakville, Ont.), who stays in the state after transferring from St. Petersburg Community College. The Bulls are just three years removed from a Super Regional showing.

Other Canadians on the Owls: RHP-OF David Alvarez (Woodbridge, Ont.) and RHP Dylan Oborne (Richmond Hill, Ont.).

Oregon Ducks at Oregon State Beavers - April 26-30

Sticking with the theme of in-state rivalries, the Ducks travel to Corvallis for a series with the Beavers to end April. RHP Turner Spoljaric (Lisle, Ont.) had an impressive freshman campaign for Oregon, capped by a Game 2 start in the Super Regionals against Oral Roberts. The Ducks will be tasked with slowing down outfielder Micah McDowell (Kentville, NS) who’s currently ranked 10th on the 2024 CBN Draft List and hit .342 in 55 games last season. McDowell was voted to the Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College Third Team.

Another Canadian Duck: RHP Matthew Grabmann (Dartmouth, NS), who earned a Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College Team honourable mention.

Marshall Herd at Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns - April 12-14

It’ll be power against power when the Herd and Ragin’ Cajuns meet in mid-April. At the plate, outfielder Ethan Murdoch (Swift Current, Sask.) is planning on making an immediate impact offensively for Marshall coming off 34 home runs in two seasons at McCook Community College. He was elected to the Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College First Team.

If Canadian fans get their wish, he’ll see RHP Louis-Philippe Langevin (Quebec, Que.) on the mound. He earned Canadian Baseball Network 2023 All-Canadian College First Team honours. The Wabash Valley College Warriors transfer is expected to play a major role on the UL staff.