July 29, 2023

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Each year, thousands of players across the high school and college ranks hope to hear their name called during the MLB Draft, and Avery Owusu-Asiedu was no different.

The outfielder from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a day two selection, chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth round with the 283rd pick in the draft and later signed for a $150,000 USD bonus.

“The entire experience leading up to the draft was awesome and when my name came up on the video board, it was such an amazing feeling,” Owusu-Asiedu said to the Canadian Baseball Network.

“I had a few pre-draft workouts with various teams and the feedback I got back from the Phillies camp was positive in regards to my plate discipline, my ability at the plate, and they really liked my speed on the base paths. On the day of the draft, I knew I had a few teams interested and there weren’t really any surprises during the draft process. I am really thankful the Philadelphia Phillies decided to select me in the ninth round and I now get a chance to play for an organization that has such a storied history.”

Owusu-Asiedu was the fifth Canadian-born player selected in the 2023 MLB Draft and the sixth with Canuck ties, with the righty-batter becoming the first Canadian selected by a National League team. Owusu-Asiedu (Saskatoon, Sask.) didn’t spend a long time in Canada but has roots in his mother’s side of the family.

“I was born in Saskatoon and I lived there until I was about four years old. My dad was an animal nutritionist and we ended up moving to England. After a couple of years there, we ended up moving back to North America to be closer to family and my dad was able to get a job over here in the States. Moving to Wisconsin, we were closer to Canada and able to go home for the holidays and still travel back to Winnipeg, which is where all of my mom’s side of the family lives.”

With his family now located in Waukesha, Wis., Owusu-Asiedu continued to play baseball but also excelled in other sports, namely basketball and soccer, but his love of baseball ended up being his desired route once his high school days were over.

“Baseball was the one sport I spent a lot of time in and training in almost every day,” he said. “I loved the game and it was the one sport I thought I had the best future in.”

His talents ended up taking him to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, located almost five hours from his home in Wisconsin. With the Cougars, Owusu-Asiedu would spend three years with the program, seeing regular playing time starting in his freshman year all the way through his most recent junior season.

With SIUE, the 6-foot-4 outfielder amassed a collective .265 batting average with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs through 550 at-bats. However, it was his 2023 season - in which he batted .293 with 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and stole 24 stolen bases - that put him firmly on the draft radar. After such a strong season, Owusu-Asiedu earned Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) honours and finished the season tied for the team lead in RBIs while finishing sixth in the entire OVC with his 15 homers. His 24 stolen bases during his junior campaign set a new single-season record for the Cougars DI program while he amassed a .991 fielding percentage in the outfield. Both he and teammate Brennan Orf (Blue Jays, Round 13) would hear their name called this past summer.

“Southern Illinois recruited me during my high school playing days and I felt that this program was the best fit for my development and to get the most playing time on the field. As well, the coaching staff was great and facilities were topnotch in regards to helping me excel on the field.”

Looking ahead, Owusu-Asiedu has already been assigned to the Rookie-League FCL Phillies team and has appeared in one game so far, going 2-for-4 while collecting a double down the first base line that cashed in a run, putting his speed to good use early.

“My biggest goal right now is to keep growing as a baseball player and utilizing all the information from the Phillies organization to reach that goal,” said Owusu-Asiedu. “I get a ton of info from all the various staff members and I just want to soak it all in and understand and remember it as much as I can so I execute on the field.”