September 28, 2020

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

Even though they played their entire regular season south of the border, the Toronto Blue Jays will be Canada’s team during the major league playoffs.

There’s no question about that.

On the field, Blue Jays fans will be able to watch Montreal-born slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and, perhaps, flame-throwing Markham, Ont., native Jordan Romano, who’s attempting to work his way back from a strained finger on his throwing hand.

Off the field, Blue Jays’ decision makers include assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish (Ottawa, Ont.), executive Marnie Starkman (Mississauga, Ont.), who oversaw the alterations so that the Jays could call Buffalo home, and Mike Shaw (Oakville, Ont.), the travelling secretary who didn’t know if he was booking charters to Pittsburgh, Baltimore or Western New York.

Plus there were hard-working evaluators like Jamie Lehman (Brampton, Ont.), Kory Lafreniere (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.), Jon Lalonde (Midland, Ont.), Kevin Briand (Montreal, Que.), Jay Lapp (London, Ont.), Adam Arnold (London, Ont.) and Patrick Griffin (Oakville, Ont.) scouring North America for talent.

But when Canuck fans don’t have their eyes glued to the Blue Jays’ best-of-three Wild Card series against the Tampa Bay Rays that begins on Tuesday, they can be on the lookout for Canadian talent employed by the other 15 teams competing in this year’s expanded postseason.

But which of the other big league squads has the most Canadian content?

We researched that question, and here’s your answer:

1. Cleveland Indians

Before August 31, the San Diego Padres would’ve topped this list. But at this year’s trade deadline, the Padres dealt 1B-OF Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) and RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) to the Indians as part of a package for ace right-hander Mike Clevinger.

Since landing with the Indians, Naylor has seen regular playing time in left field and has hit .230 in 22 games. Quantrill, meanwhile, has thrived with his new club, posting a 1.84 ERA in eight appearances, including two starts.

The Indians take the No. 1 slot because they are the only team with two active Canadian players on their roster this post-season.

Players: 1B-OF Josh Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.), RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.)

Minor league players: C Bo Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) 60-player pool*, RHP Cade Smith (Abbotsford, B.C.)

Minor league coordinator: Stephen Osterer (Ottawa, Ont.), pitching resource coordinator

2. New York Yankees

Canadian left-hander James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.) will likely be sidelined for the postseason with a flexor strain in his left forearm, but there’s still no shortage of Canadians working in the Yankees’ organization. The club employs a trio of Canuck scouts - Steve Wilson (Victoria, B.C.), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.) and Denis Boucher (Laval, Que.). They also boast a Canadian broadcaster in Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.) and have three Canadian prospects in their minor league system, headlined by 2019 third-round pick OF Jake Sanford, from Sidney Crosby’s hometown of Cole Harbour, N.S.

So while it might be hard for Blue Jays fans to digest, the fact is that the Bronx Bombers are one of the most “Canadian” teams in this year’s postseason.

Player: LHP James Paxton (Ladner, B.C.), 60-day injured list

Scouts: Steve Wilson (Victoria, B.C.), Shawn Hill (Georgetown, Ont.), Denis Boucher (Laval, Que.), Cory Melvin (Doug Melvin’s son)

Broadcaster: Nancy Newman (Toronto, Ont.) New York Yankees Magazine, host, YES Network

Minor league players: C Kellin Deglan (Langley, B.C.), 1B Kyle MacDonald (Mississauga, Ont.), OF Jake Sanford (Cole Harbour, N.S.)

Off the field Canadian talent: Mike Kicia (Edmonton, Alta.), assistant minor league strength and conditioning coordinator;  Jessica Lack (Calgary, Alta.), class-A Tampa Yankees, digital media coordination, community relations

3. Atlanta Braves

It was five years ago Wednesday that Blue Jays fans were chanting “Thank you, Alex!” to their GM, Alex Anthopoulos, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Blue Jays clinched their first American League East division title since 1993. The Montreal native has since moved on to the National League and his Braves have won three consecutive division titles during his reign as general manager.

Unfortunately for the Braves, they enter this postseason without their Canadian ace and PBF Redbirds and Junior National Team alum Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) who tore his Achilles’ tendon on August 3. But even without Soroka, the Braves will have their share of Canadian content. On top of the aforementioned Anthopoulos, Braves slugger Freddie Freeman, whose parents were born in Canada, will man first base, while Calgary, Alta., native Mike Frostad is the team’s assistant trainer.

Players: RHP Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.), 60-day injured list; Freddie Freeman (Fountain Valley, Calif.) - WBC eligible

Executive: Alex Anthopoulos (Montreal, Que.), president, baseball operations and general manager

Assistant trainer: Mike Frostad (Calgary, Alta.)

Minor league player: RHP Indigo Diaz (North Vancouver, B.C.)

Minor league coach: David Chavarria (Burnaby, B.C.), rehab pitching co-ordinator

Off-field Canadian talent: Michael Copeland (Whitby, Ont.), developer and data architect, baseball systems

4. Minnesota Twins

Thanks largely to the efforts of legendary scout Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, B.C.), the Twins’ minor league system is well-stocked with Canadian talent. Ontario Blue Jays alum Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) leads the crop of Canuck prospects. The 22-year-old right-hander has risen steadily up the club’s minor league ranks since being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft. Balazovic enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, posting a combined 8-5 record and a 2.69 ERA, while striking out 129 batters in 93 2/3 innings in 19 games between class-A and class-A Advanced. For his efforts, he was named the Canadian Baseball Network’s minor league pitcher of the year and he was added to the club’s 60-player pool in early September.

Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.), the last Canadian to record a hit for the Twins in the postseason, remains connected to the club as a broadcaster and as a special assistant to player development.

Scout: Walt Burrows (Brentwood Bay, B.C.)

Broadcaster: Justin Morneau (New Westminster, B.C.), also holds the title of special assistant to player development

Minor league players: RHP Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) 60-player pool,*  INF Willy Diaz (Edmonton, Alta.), RHP Landon Leach (Pickering, Ont.), 1B-OF LaRon Smith (Spruce Grove, Alta.), LHP Niall Windeler (Toronto, Ont.)

5. Milwaukee Brewers

When Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.) was the general manager of the Brewers from 2002 to 2015, and Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.) was his assistant GM, the Brewers consistently seemed to have the most (or close to the most) Canadian players in their system. This has changed under current GM David Stearns. RHP Tyler Gillies (London, Ont.) is the only Canuck currently in their system.

But the club’s executive and scouting ranks still have a largely Canadian flavour. Melvin (senior advisor) and Ash (director, baseball projects) continue to hold executive posts, while former Brewers infielder Taylor Green (Comox, B.C.) is the club’s assistant director, scouting/international player development. They also have five Canuck scouts.

Executives: Doug Melvin (Chatham, Ont.), senior advisor; Gord Ash (Toronto, Ont.), director, baseball projects; Taylor Green (Comox, B.C.), assistant director of scouting/international player development

Scouts: Tyler Hollick (Calgary, Alta.), Marty Lehn (White Rock, B.C.), Doug Mathieson (Langley, B.C.), Pete Orr (Newmarket, Ont.), Jeff Simpson (Nashville, Tenn.)

6. Chicago Cubs

Vancouver Cannons and Junior National Team alum Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, B.C.) was going to be a key member of the back-end of the Cubs’ bullpen this postseason before he sustained an oblique injury on September 16. The injury will likely sideline him for the playoffs. The 26-year-old flame-thrower had posted a 3.12 ERA and notched four saves, while striking out 20 batters, in 17 1/3 innings in 19 appearances in his second season with the Cubs.

But even without Wick, there’s a Canadian feel to the Cubs. Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.) is a special assistant to the president, while fellow Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins (Chatham, Ont.) serves as an unofficial ambassador for the club. Scout Ron Tostenson (Kelowna, B.C.) has also helped ensure that the club is well stocked with Canadian talent in the minors.

Player: RHP Rowan Wick (North Vancouver, B.C.), 10-day injured list*

Scout: Ron Tostenson (Kelowna, B.C.), national crosschecker

Executive: Ryan Dempster (Gibsons, B.C.), special assistant to the president

Minor league players: RHP Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, B.C.), RHP Tanner Jesson-Dalton (Lethbridge, Alta.), LHP Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.), OF Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.), INF Jared Young (Prince George, B.C.)

7. St. Louis Cardinals

Despite batting .262 with five home runs in 60 games for the Cardinals during the regular season in 2019, Canuck outfielder Tyler O’Neill was not on the club’s playoff roster. That will not be the case this year. The muscular 25-year-old has been the team’s regular left fielder and he’s set to become the second outfielder from Maple Ridge, B.C., to suit up for the Cards in the postseason. But it will be tough to top Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Larry Walker’s 2004 playoff power output. In 15 postseason games for the National League pennant-winning Cardinals that year, Walker belted six home runs, which is the most by a Canadian in a single postseason.

For the second consecutive postseason, Windsor, Ont., native Stubby Clapp will coach first base for the Cardinals.

Player: Tyler O’Neill (Maple Ridge, B.C.)

Coaches: Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.), first base coach; Jamie Pogue (Guelph, Ont.), bullpen catcher

Scout: Jason Bryans (Tecumseh, Ont.)

Minor league players: RHP Mike Brettell (Fonthill, Ont.), 3B Francisco Hernandez (Montreal, Que.), RHP Nick Trogrlic-Iverson (Oakville, Ont.)

Minor league manager: Joey Hawkins (Toronto, Ont.), manager of Gulf Coast League Cardinals (Rookie ball)

8. Miami Marlins

Few Canadian baseball fans have fond memories of Jeffrey Loria’s tenure as the owner of the Montreal Expos, but when the controversial art dealer left the Expos behind to purchase the Miami Marlins in 2002, he took some Expos employees with him. And though Loria is no longer the owner, former Expos executive Claude Delorme (Sturgeon Falls, Ont.) remains with the Marlins as the executive vice-president of operations and events. Other ex-Expos employees still with the Marlins are scout Pierre Arsenault (Pierrefonds, Que.), assistant trainer Mike Kozak (Kirkland, Que.) and equipment manager John Silverman (Montreal, Que.) Longtime voice of the Expos, Dave Van Horne, also provides play-by-play on Marlins’ radio broadcasts.

Now owned by a group headed by Derek Jeter, the Marlins also have two Canadian prospects in their system in C J.D. Osborne (Whitby, Ont.) and OF Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.).

Scout: Pierre Arsenault (Pierrefonds, Que.), Curtis Pelletier (Victoria, B.C.)

Executive: Claude Delorme (Sturgeon Falls, Ont.), executive VP operations and events

Assistant Trainer: Mike Kozak (Kirkland, Que.)

Equipment Manager: John Silverman (Montreal, Que.)

Minor league players: C J.D. Osborne (Whitby, Ont.), OF Tristan Pompey (Mississauga, Ont.)

9. Cincinnati Reds

The last time the Reds played in the postseason was 2013 and Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) is the only player remaining from that team. In a virtual press conference on Saturday, the Canadian slugger was asked how he feels about this year’s squad compared to the previous Reds’ postseason clubs (2010, 2012-13) that he was part of.

“Better. We’re good and we’re better,” said Votto of this year’s Reds. “I like this team much more than I liked those teams and I really liked those teams. But I think we’re a nightmare and I think everybody knows that.”

Votto has good reason to feel confident. The Reds went 11-3 in their final 14 regular season games. But the former Etobicoke Ranger had a down season by his lofty standards. He hit .226 with a .354 on-base percentage and had 11 home runs in 54 games. The Reds will need him to get hot if they are to advance deep into the playoffs.

Player: Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.)

Scout: Bill Byckowski (Georgetown, Ont.),.

Minor league player: INF Matt Lloyd (Okotoks, Alta.)

Minor league coach: Kyle Boddy (father from Toronto, Ont.), minor league director of pitching initiatives and pitching coordinator

10. San Diego Padres

Was it something we said? That’s the question Canadian baseball followers might have asked the Padres’ front office after the August 31 trade deadline. Prior to that date, the Padres were unquestionably Canada’s team south of the border. But on deadline day, they shipped the aforementioned Naylor and Quantrill to the Indians as part of the package for ace right-hander Mike Clevinger. Then, on the same day, they swapped 2019 fourth-round pick Matt Brash (Kingston, Ont.) to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Taylor Williams.

But despite being down three Canucks thanks to these transactions, the club is still well-stocked with Canadian prospects thanks to its strong, one-two north-of-the-border scouting team of Chris Kemlo (Bowmanville, Ont.) and James Parker (Toronto, Ont.). Legendary scout Murray Zuk (Souris, Man.) also scouted for the Padres prior to his retirement after last season.

Scouts: Chris Kemlo (Bowmanville, Ont.), James Parker (Toronto, Ont.)

Minor league players: OF Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) 60-player pool*, RHP Carter Loewen (Abbotsford, B.C.), LHP Erik Sabrowski (Edmonton, Ont.), RHP Jake Sims (Guelph, Ont.)

11. Houston Astros

Forty years ago, Melville, Sask., native Terry Puhl set a then National League Championship Series record with 10 hits in 19 at bats (.526 batting average) in the Astros’ epic five-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Puhl is the last Canadian to appear in a postseason game with the Astros.

ABC alum Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.) seems destined to break that drought this postseason. Though he struggled to a .149 batting average with the Astros during the regular season, the switch-hitting Canuck played in more than half of his club’s games and can be used at first base or third base. He also some pop in his bat (three home runs) and may be used off the bench in the playoffs. Scouted by fellow Canadian Jim Stevenson (Leaside, Ont.), Toro was the Canadian Baseball Network’s Minor League Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.

Player: 3B Abraham Toro (Longueuil, Que.)

Scout: Jim Stevenson (Leaside, Ont.)

Minor league player: RHP R.J. Freure (Burlington, Ont.)

12. Oakland A’s

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Matt Stairs (Fredericton, N.B.) had four, 20-home run seasons and back-to-back 100-RBI campaigns for the A’s between 1996 and 2000. And prior to his legendary game-winning pinch-hit home run for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the 2008 National League Championship Series, Stairs had nine at bats for the A’s in their 2000 American League Division Series loss to the Yankees.The A’s don’t have a Canadian slugger like Stairs on their big league roster, but the club’s Canadian scout Matt Higginson (Grimsby, Ont.) is always on the lookout for one.

Unfortunately, Dick Callahan (Kitchener, Ont.), the A’s longtime P.A. announcer, will not be at the Oakland Coliseum during the club’s Wild Card series. With the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with some previous health issues, the 79-year-old Callahan has taken the season off, but he hopes to return in 2021.

Scout: Matt Higginson (Grimsby, Ont.)

P.A. announcer: Dick Callahan (Kitchener, Ont.) (sat out 2020 season due to health issues, but plans to be back in 2021).

Minor league player: T.J. Schofield-Sam (Brampton, Ont.)

13. Tampa Bay Rays

With the third lowest payroll in baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays need to find any advantage they can to compete in the tough American League East division. This is where Toronto native Jonathan Erlichman, the club’s process and analytics coach comes in handy. The Princeton math major worked five-plus years in the Rays’ front office, including 2017 and 2018 as the club’s director of analytics, before being promoted to his current role.

The Torontonian, who interned with the Blue Jays, wears a uniform as part of manager Kevin Cash’s coaching staff and is going to go over every statistical detail to help the Rays find an edge over his hometown Blue Jays in their Wild Card series.

Coach: Jonathan Erlichman (Toronto, Ont.), process and analytics coach

Minor league player: RHP Trevor Brigden (Toronto, Ont.)

14. Los Angeles Dodgers

It seems strange to have a major league postseason without Russell Martin (Montreal, Que.) playing in it. Last October, the Canadian catcher starred in the Dodgers’ 10-4 win over the eventual World Series champion Washington Nationals in Game 3 of their National League Division Series when he went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. It was the fourth different season that Martin suited up for the Dodgers in the playoffs, and his 10th trip to the postseason overall. But Martin didn’t play in 2020, so there are no Canadian players on the Dodgers.

They do, however, employ Beeton, Ont., native Ellen Harrigan who is one of Major League Baseball’s most respected executives. After beginning her career with the Blue Jays as an administrative aide in player development in 1981 and later becoming the general manager of the club’s New York Penn League affiliate in St. Catharines, Harrigan moved on to the Dodgers and has risen through the organization’s ranks to hold a number of key executive positions. Now in her 20th season with the club, she is currently the team’s senior director, baseball administration.

Executive: Ellen Veronica Harrigan (Beeton, Ont.), director of player personnel

15. Chicago White Sox

The last Canadian to play for the White Sox in the postseason was Kirk McCaskill (Kapuskasing, Ont.) when the right-hander made three scoreless relief appearances in the club’s 1993 American League Championship Series’ loss to the eventual World Series champion Blue Jays.

The White Sox do not have a Canadian player on their current big league roster, nor do they have one in their minor league system. They do, however, boast a player Blue Jays’ fans might consider an “honorary Canadian” in former Blue Jays slugger and future member of their Level of Excellence, Edwin Encarnacion. In the twilight of his outstanding career, the 37-year-old Encarnacion hit just .157, but belted 10 home runs in 44 games in 2020.

Minor league hitting coach: Cole Armstrong (Surrey, B.C.), class-A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers