September 23, 2023

By Jake Schulz

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO – Nathan Flewelling smashed 11 balls over the fence to take home the Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby belt on Saturday morning, at the Rogers Centre.

The Gonzaga commit led off the Derby with five homers in the first round and did not let up.

“I’m kind of in shock right now,” said Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) after the event. “I’m sure it’ll soak in within a couple of hours.”

The two-round event saw eight young Canadian prospects who have been competing at this year’s Showcase compete in a two-minute round with one 30-second time-out.

After moving on to the championship round, Flewelling showcased some serious air on his attempts, smashing his third homer deep into the Schneider’s Porch and finishing his round with six home runs.

His bomb to the Porch was the longest homer on the morning.

Flewelling joked that he doesn’t know if he’ll remember the event or if he blacked out.

“I’m very tired,” Flewelling laughed. “I couldn’t really breathe; that mixed with all the adrenaline and my blood was just pumping.”

The 16-year-old is grateful for the opportunity.

“It just doesn’t feel real,” he said. “It’s one of those moments the game gives you and it’s just one of those times you realize why you love the game and why you keep playing.”

Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, Que.) had an impressive outing in the first round as he bombed eight homers to overtake George’s total for the round to a loud ovation from the watching prospects.

Dessureault hit those before his 30-second time-out with 48 seconds remaining.

He hit three home runs in succession, and finished the second round with five, not enough to overtake Flewelling, but enough to earn the most homers in the event with 13.

Gianluca Montanaro (Aurora, Ont.) socked two homers in the first round, which was enough to send him to the championship round, where he led off and flipped a switch once Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ played after his time-out, smashing three tallies for a total of five homers, tied for second with Dessureault.

Team Royal’s Aidan George (Woodstock, Ont.) briefly took the first-round lead with six after smashing one with two seconds remaining to overtake Flewelling.

George closed out his derby with two tallies in the championship round.

The tournament’s Team Royal also had three other members compete in the derby. Benito Bonilla (Halifax, N.S.), Lee Jones (Toronto, Ont.) and Brendan Lawson (Toronto, Ont.) each hit just one dinger, but all three smashed their homer over the wall with ease.

Keegan Russell (Whitby, Ont.) also made an appearance in the first round, with one homer.

As for Flewelling, he’s putting that belt where he can always see it.

“Probably above my bed.”