Bratt bringing it for Black Bears in Draft League

Toronto Mets and Junior National Team alum Mitch Bratt has 44 strikeouts in just 28 innings for the West Virginia Black Bears of the MLB Draft League. Photo: Twitter

July 10, 2021

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Most scouting reports rave about young Canadian left-hander Mitch Bratt’s command.

They cite the 18-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native’s 88-92 mph fastball and the good feel he has for his curveball.

With that type of evaluation, you might not expect him to be among the MLB Draft League leaders in strikeouts, but he is.

The Toronto Mets and Junior National Team alum, who is the No. 4 prospect on the Canadian Baseball Network Draft List, has 44 strikeouts in 28 innings in seven starts for the West Virginia Black Bears this season. It’s a stat that can do nothing but help his stock heading into the draft which begins tomorrow.

Bratt, who with the uncertainty created by the pandemic opted to head south and pitch for the Georgia Premier Academy Sox this spring, also owns a tidy 2.57 ERA and has held hitters to a .243 batting average.

But Bratt is not the only Canuck who has impressed in the MLB Draft League, a newly created, six-team circuit designed to give draft-eligible players a greater opportunity to show off their skills in front of a large group of scouts.

Here’s a rundown on how some of the other Canadians have performed in the MLB Draft League:

Pitchers

RHP Garrett Hawkins, Biggar, Sask.

This 6-foot-6, 230-pound right-hander has excelled for the Trenton Thunder. In six starts, the Vauxhall Academy alum and UBC hurler has posted a 2.62 ERA and has fanned 32 batters, while walking only two, in 24 innings. Opponents are hitting just .157 against him.

Dominic Hambley, Victoria, B.C.

Yet another pitching prospect to emerge from Victoria, B.C. - joining among others Rich Harden and Nick Pivetta - Hambley has impressed with 26 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings in 14 relief appearances for the Williamsport Crosscutters. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-2 right-hander has also walked 23 and though batters are hitting just .158 against him, he sports a 5.59 ERA.

Adam McKillican, Comox, B.C.

Another big right-hander (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) out of UBC, McKillican has been a steady reliever for the Frederick Keys, posting a 2.02 ERA in seven appearances (one start) in 13 1/3 innings. He has struck out 13 batters, while walking just six, and has held opposing hitters to a .200 batting average.

Position Players

Zac Fascia, Brampton, Ont.

After honing his skills at Purdue this season, Fascia has been excellent at and behind the dish for the Frederick Keys, batting .359 with a .447 on-base percentage (OBP) and a .883 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 11 games. He has also scored six runs, walked five times and struck out just once.

Elijha Hammill, Oakville, Ont.

This versatile Ontario Terriers and Junior National Team alum has posted a .415 OBP and has scored 11 runs in 15 games for the West Virginia Black Bears. He has 13 walks and has struck out 15 times and owns a .815 OPS.

Mathieu Vallee, Saint-Joseph-Du-Lac, Que.

After honing his skills at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M this season, this Canadian outfielder has been competing for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. He has seen more action than any other Canuck in the Draft League. In 31 games, he’s hitting .255 with a .702 OPS, thanks largely to his 36 walks, which rank second in the circuit.

Max Wright, Toronto, Ont.

Following his superb senior season with the Indiana State Sycamores, Wright joined the West Virginia Black Bears where he has caught Bratt. In a dozen contests, the Great Lake Canadians alum is batting .271 with a .714 OPS. He has three doubles, a triple and nine runs. He has also walked twice and struck out 15 times.