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British Columbia Scout Blog: July 1-10

July 9, 2024
Cam Black-Araujo
Assistant Director, Prep Baseball Canada

Prep Baseball Canada had it's national staff in British Columbia to start the month as some of the top players in the province congrigated in White Rock for the Select Camp that featured a large crop of the top 2025 and 2026 prospects. Our staff got a look at the players through a series of development days, as well as a trio of intrasquad games which allowed our staff to get eyes on the arms and see how the bats played in-game.

Beyond the BC Select Camp, our staff was able to take in three BCPBL games during the three-day stop as we stopped in Delta, Langley and Chilliwack to see the Blue Jays, Blaze and Reds.

During the trip to the Vancouver area, we had eyes on well over 100 players and we begin to break it all down below as we provide scouting notes and video on 11 players who caught our staffs attention with 10 of the 11 still being uncommitted.

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‘26 LHP Sean Duncan (Langley Blaze/Uncommitted): Duncan keeps doing special things on the mound and the aura/buzz that surrounds him continues to grow as he’s now two years away from his MLB Draft. Our staff got another look at Duncan on Wednesday and the 6-foot-2, 170-pound left-hander carried a perfect game through 5.2 innings against Delta. Over six complete innings, he allowed just one hit, no walks, no runs and struck out 13. The Langley Blaze product has been virtually untouchable in league play this year as he’s yet to allow an earned run, along with 92 strikeouts to just eight walks and hitters are batting just .065. As a 2026, he’s pitched against older players at all levels this year and is consistently one of the most reliable arms on Junior National Team trips against professional hitters. The sky's the limit for Duncan and we’re now less than a month away from August 1st where he’ll likely be a high-priority for several big-time programs.

‘25 1B/RHP Daniel Dykema (North Shore Twins/Uncommitted): Dykema was a two-way product with length who thrust himself into the spotlight over our staff’s three days in BC. He immediately grabs your attention with his 6-foot-6, 195-pound frame and was efficient during his one inning of work while flashing a four-pitch mix. Featured a fastball at 84-88mph, along with a sinker in the 86mph range, slider at 76-78mph and changeup at 78-80mph. Long limbs that made for some uncomfortable AB’s on right-handed hitters. The North Shore Twins product also put together one of the best rounds of BP on the day as he was flashing his power from the left-side and looks to be plenty more in the tank as he fills out. Generated a peak exit velocity of 93.7mph and distance of 363ft. An uncommitted talent coaches need to be on and has a chance to really make some noise on the West Coast over the next year.

‘26 OF/RHP Austin Blair (Victoria Eagles/Uncommitted): Blair was one of the biggest winners at the BC Select Camp as the 6-foot-3, 185-pound two-way talent ran his fastball up to 90mph while also flashing upside on the positional side. Oozes projection and has the early showings of a player who could make an impact on either side at the next level. The right-handed hitter comes with power projection, sub-7.00 60-time and a strong arm in the outfield (91mph). On the mound, the Victoria Eagles product sat 85-88mph, generating swing/miss, and paired it with a breaking ball at 70-73mph. With tools across the board and two-way abilities, Blair should draw plenty of interest from college coaches later this month at the Future Games.

‘25 RHP/C Linden Happell (Ridge Meadows Royals/Uncommitted): Happell possessed the best breaking ball our staff saw at the BC Select Camp as the Ridge Meadows Royals right-hander was spinning his slider at 3200+ rpm. 6-foot, 155-pounds with overall high-spin arsenal as his fastball sat 83-84 T84.7mph with 2400+ spin (2288 avg.). The slider was the go-to and putaway pitch with the aforementioned spin and avg. HM of -23.5in. Happell also featured a changeup at 80-82mph (2057 avg.) with horizontal action (18.1 avg.). Intriguing overall arsenal to work with and looks to be room for added strength.

‘25 RHP/OF Walker Kokotailo (White Rock Tritons/Uncommitted): Kokotailo was another player to flash his two-way abilities this past week and has really trended upwards on the mound since we had him at the Junior Future Games in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander came out of the gate sitting 88-91mph with the fastball before settling in at 86-89mph along with a slider at 80-83mph with cutter-action. Kokotailo was one of the stronger players in attendance and it showed throughout BP with a peak exit velocity of 94.7mph (wood bat) and average of 85mph. Lots to like here and the quick arm/easy velocity is the main attraction right now.

‘26 INF Luke Laird (Langley Blaze/Uncommitted): Laird continues to stand out each time our staff has eyes on him and continues to flash good bat-to-ball skills against older competition. Smaller stature right now at 5-foot-10, 175-pound and moves well on the dirt and pasepaths. Contact-first bat from the left-side and consistently utilizes the entire field. Has handled velocity and more mature pitchers well throughout the course of 2024 and has established himself as one of the more intriguing offensive profiles in Canada’s 2026 class. Will be a fun four-day follow at the Future Games later this month.

‘24 C/1B Keegan Drinkle (Langley Blaze/UMary): Drinkle was a Future Gamer back in 2022 and has steadily trended upwards since then and is looking to be playing some of his best baseball. Strong, physical left-handed hitter at 6-foot-2, 190-pounds and was spraying the ball to all fields during our three days in BC. The swing is looking more loose and direct and Drinkle has provided plenty of production in the middle of the Blaze lineup this year. The UMary commit is trending in the right direction to close out his high school career as he prepares to head to campus in the fall.

‘25 OF Joe Madill (Mid-Island Pirates/Uncommitted): Madill was one of the top performing bats throughout the BC Select Camp and blasted the only HR we saw during gameplay. 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder with some strength and simple approach from the left-side. Handled velocity well and showed the ability to find the barrel. Interesting uncommitted bat on the Island with the potential to be an impactful bat at the next level.

‘24/25 RHP Finley McConnell (Delta Blue Jays/Uncommitted): McConnell got the ball for the Blue Jays in a big matchup against the first place Langley Blaze and worked 5.1 strong innings allowing just one earned run. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander works downhill and was doing a good job changing speeds all night as his fastball sat 81-83 T84. Partnered the fastball with a curveball at 69-73 and slider at 75-76mph. McConnell allowed just two hits, one walk, one run and struck out four en route to the 4-1 victory. The Delta Blue Jays product has put together a strong summer as he sports an ERA below 1.00, along with 36 strikeouts to just six walks over 30.2 innings.

‘25 OF/RHP Finn Hoeschen (North Shore Twins/Uncommitted): Hoeschen is a name who’s jumped onto our radar to start the year and it’s an intriguing profile with power projection from the left-side and two-way potential. 6-foot-3, 190-pounds and was backspinning balls to the pullside throughout his round of BP as he flashed some power and strength with a peak exit velocity of 96mph. Hoeschen’s arm strength from the mound translates well into the outfield is a 7.00 runner, as well. Interesting two-way talent out of the North Shore program.

‘26 OF Carter Bestebroer (Chilliwack Cougars/Uncommitted): Bestebroer quickly jumped on the scene following a strong showing at the Ray Carter Cup last summer and his physical development has allowed his overall game to continue trending upwards. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound left-handed hitter has flashed impact during the past and still looks to have plenty of room for added strength and further power. It’s a mid-80s arm in the outfield and average runner but the potential in the left-handed bat is what will draw coaches his way at the Future Games next month in Atlanta.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Future Games (Class of 2026/27) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
2024 Whalley Summer ID BC 08/17 Whalley Athletic Park

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