Prospect Pulse (AB): Next Wave - 2028 Standouts
December 9, 2025
‘Prospect Pulse’ is a series that provides insight into Canada's amateur baseball scene, with vital intel on prospects in each of our big three provinces... Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Each 'Prospect Pulse' article will cover different and timely topics from different classes as we look to bring you the best coverage within Canada on the amateur prospect within it.
This week’s topic: This week, Western Canada's Lead Scout, Jaxson Smith-Peterson, covers five players within Alberta's 2028 class who are part of the Next Wave of talent coming out of the province.
To view Alberta's Commitment Board, click here.
To view last week's Prospect Pulse (Breakout Brigade - 2027s), click here.
PROSPECT PULSE (AB): NEXT WAVE - 2028 STANDOUTS
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Ethan Renaud OF / RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2028Rankings OverallRank: 218 / POS: 50
The lone Western Canada representative in the recent class of 2028 national rankings, Renaud checks in at a projectable 6-foot-3, 180-pounds. In the box it’s a simple left-handed stroke with a slight leg lift and tendency to elevate. The Dawgs product posted in-event exit velocities as high as 96.5 mph with an average of 87.4 during 2025. The two-way moves well down the mound with a high ¾ release point, living in the low-mid 80’s and topping out at 86 mph. There’s present feel for spin in the arsenal and it’s easy to see more velocity on the way. Renaud was a standout on our 2024 Junior Future Games team and is a name we will be watching closely heading into the summer.
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Riley Wolbeck 3B / RHP / Foothills Composite High School, AB / 2028Wolbeck had as big a 2025 season as any Canadian in the class, with an astonishing 27 home runs on the Alberta 15U circuit. The left-handed hitting infielder also suited up for Prep Baseball Canada at the Best of the West where he hit .529 with two home runs. It’s a physical 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame with more strength to come. There is present arm strength and actions that indicate a good chance of sticking on the left side of the infield. The raw power and ability to elevate stand out and make Wolbeck a close follow heading into his Future Games eligible year.
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Gerrit Vanderwal OF / RHP / Vauxhall Academy, AB / 2028Vanderwal is another Alberta native with experience representing Prep Baseball Canada, both at the 2024 Junior Future Games and 2025 Best of the West. Now a member of the Vauxhall Jets, we got an updated look at the young outfielder this fall. In the box there is a natural feel for the barrel and line drive tendencies with increased strength lending to a 94.2 mph max exit velocity. We saw Vanderwal achieve some success while showing off extra-base power at the Sylvan Lake Classic. Expect to see the young outfielder keep trending up as he continues to get exposed to older competition on a strong Vauxhall squad.
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Brooks Froese SS / RHP / St. Joseph High School, AB / 2028Froese really stood out as an underclassmen at the Sylvan Lake classic this fall, posting a 88.9 mph max exit velocity paired with a 94% sweet spot rate on workout day. The 2028 infielder out of St Joes consistently gets on plane and sprays line drives to all fields. Part of the Canadian contingent at the West Coast Super Sophomore games, Froese continued to hit in-game against some of the West Coast’s top Sophomores. There is real upside on the infield where Froese displays good footwork and rhythm with advanced actions. Expect Froese to continue to trend up heading into his Future Games eligible year.
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Chael Quinn 1B / 3B / Bellerose High School, AB / 2028Quinn is a left-handed hitting infielder out of the St Albert Cardinals Program. In the box it’s a quiet set up with a slight leg lift and tight turns. Our staff had eyes on Quinn at two preseason events in 2025 as well as in-game during the early spring where he showed off extra-base power while spraying line drives to the whole field. While still quite raw, Quinn is a sleeper in Alberta’s 2028 class that has a chance to make some noise in 2026 if he continues to develop.
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