Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Ontario Preseason Invitational: Positional Quick Hits

February 24, 2025
Cam Black-Araujo
Assistant Director, Canada

On Monday, February 17th, the Prep Baseball Ontario staff hosted it's third event of the 2025 season with our inaugural and sold out Ontario Preseason Invitational hosted at the Athletes Turf Inc., home of the Ontario Blue Jays, in Mississauga, Ontario.

This event featured 60+ prospects in the 2025 - 2028 classes and it was another strong group that featured some of the top players in their respective classes and provided some strong leaderboards on both the positional side and the pitching side. Players at the event, alongside Preseason Events across the country, are competing for roster spots on Canada/Ontario's National Team's at events such as the Future Games, Senior Future Games, West Coast Games, New York State Games, NorthEast Senior Games and the Best of the West.

All player ran through a full workout that included batting practice and bullpens captured on our TrackMan, as well as 30-yard springs captured by VALD Performance. Over the next several days we'll be highlighting top performers from the event within our post-event analysis. Stay locked into our social media channels over the next several days as we continue to push out video, leaderboards and more.

Earlier this week, we broke down the top measurable data performers from the event with our Statistical Analysis, Pitching Data Dive, Positional Data Dive and Pitching Quick Hits articles. Now, we conclude our post-event coverage within this Positional Quick Hits article as we bring you scouting notes and video on ten standouts from the event.

For complete event results, click here.
To view Class of 2025 Commitment Board, click here.

To register for the Toronto Rising Stars ID (Mar. 31), click here.
To register for the Pitcher-Only Future Games Trials (Apr. 12), click here.
To register for the Future Games Trials (Apr. 18), click here.
To register for the Future Games Trials II (Apr. 21), click here.

‘26 SS Robert Omidi (Fieldhouse Pirates/Kentucky Commit): It was no surprise that one of the top 2026 prospects in the country put on a show this weekend. Robert’s exit velocity lived in the 90’s, topping at 103.8mph, while the peak distance was 398ft, the top mark on the day. It’s a controlled and repeatable operation at the dish for the 2x Future Gamer and Junior National Team member that works predominantly in the air. Omidi had one of the stronger summers in recent memory in Ontario this year, and the elite makeup and traits at the dish should aid the Fieldhouse Pirate and Kentucky commit in continuing to make hitting look easier than it is.

‘26 SS/RHP Kai Howard (Etobicoke Rangers/Uncommitted): The 6-foot, 180-pound two-way had himself a day on both sides of the ball.  Howard arguably was the top performer earning first in three statistical categories: maximum exit velocity 105.2 mph), hard hit % (94.4), and sweet spot % (77.8).  Then, proceeded to record one of the better defensive velocities on the day registering in at 87 mph.  Furthermore, showed well on the mound recording a top velocity at 86.8 mph.  There’s a lot of loud tools at play here and will be a high follow as we move into season play in the coming months.

‘25 C Cam Dube (Ontario Nationals/Wabash Valley Commit): C Cam Dube was one of the premiere prospects in attendance and the Wabash Valley commit didn’t disappoint, posting some of the top offensive and catching numbers. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound catcher had the ball jumping off his bat with a heavy barrel and peak exit velocity of 103.1mph (92 avg). His game impressed most during catcher throw downs where he was consistent from start to finish with a range of 1.84-1.87 and flashed his arm strength at 80mph. Dube will be playing in the Appalachian League and is one of the top senior positional players in Ontario.

‘26 OF Will Henderson (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Henderson put together arguably the best performance amongst uncommitted positional players. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound outfielder boasted the top velocity at the position at 91mph and had the top 30-yard (3.75s) and 10-yard (1.63s) splits. Henderson also impressed during BP as he put up some big-time numbers during BP and looks to have added some impact in the bat and there’s still plenty of projection and potential strength to come. The right-handed hitter’s max exit velocity of 101.4mph was 5th-best and  his 92.1mph average exit velocity was 3rd-best. Henderson is one of the top uncommitted outfielders in Ontario’s 2026 class and should grab plenty of attention throughout the summer.

‘25/26 Dylan Zaretsky (Team Ontario Astros/Uncommitted): Zaretsky continues to showcase himself as one of the top uncommitted bats in Ontario. At 6’2”, 210 pounds, he brings big physicality to the plate, producing triple-digit exit velocities, with a peak of 100.2 mph and an average of 90.4 mph. The left-handed swing works with natural loft to the pull side, showing the ability to drive the ball with authority and change a game. Given the offensive impact and value behind the dish, Zaretsky is a high-level uncommitted name to check in on.

OF Galen Hudel (Great Lake Canadians/Uncommitted): Galen Hudel has quickly emerged as one of the most impactful bats in Ontario’s 2027 class and the GLC outfielder looked the part at the Preseason Invitational. Strong, physical frame at 5-foot-11, 185-pounds and flashed the strength during BP with consistent hard contact as he was finding the back of the cage with line-drives. His average exit velocity of 92.1mph was tied for 3rd-best and his peak exit velocity was 99.4mph, along with a peak distance of 330ft. The bat is the carrying tool for the left-handed hitting outfielder as he has the ability to impact a game with one swing and will be a name college coaches need to add to their 2027 watch list for the summer.

C Gabriel Larocque (Sudbury Voyageurs/Uncommitted): Larocque continues to be an easy standout every time we see him as he’s a top catcher in Canada’s 2026 class with high-end tools at the position. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound catcher out of Sudbury flashed his arm strength with 81mph throws and was consistently around the bag with pop-times of 1.84-1.91. At the plate, the right-handed hitter generated a peak exit velocity of 99.2mph and average of 92.0mph (Top 5). Larocque will get plenty of reps over the next year against elite competition and it will be interesting to see where the bat is at in 2025 as he becomes more comfortable with velocity and stuff.

‘28 RHP/OF Westin Merritt (Whitby Canadians): Merritt has established himself as one of the top 2028 prospects in Ontario and it was easy to see why on Monday as he flashed his arm strength and power potential at the plate. The 6-foot-1, 178-pound JFG alum has added some noticeable strength since the summer and found the barrel throughout both his rounds with line drives to the middle of the cage. The Whitby Canadians outfielder produced a peak exit velocity of 94.7mph and peak distance of 326ft. His outfield velocity of 83mph was also the best amongst 2028 grads. A name to know in Ontario’s 2028 class who’s played some good baseball on big stages at the Best of the West and Junior Future Games.

‘26 SS Nick Melehes (Great Lake Canadians): Melehes continues to shine on the infield with good footwork, a confident glove and the ability to throw across the diamond from multiple arm slots. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound JFG alum works gap-to-gap with a line-drive approach and there’s plenty to like in the left-handed swing as he continues to fill out and mature. Melehes produced a peak exit velocity of 93.3mph and a peak distance of 341mph. He was also up to 81mph on the infield with a 30-yard time of 4.23. Best days are ahead of him and continues to get better and trend upward each time we see him.

‘27 OF Hayden Stewart (Ontario Royals): Stewart was one of the more impressive 2027s in attendance, flashing an advanced left-handed swing for the class. At 5-foot-10, 150-pounds, he’s still growing into his frame, but the tools are evident with a peak exit velocity of 95.9mph and average of 88.8, both some of the top marks among ‘27 prospects on the day. The peak distance of 338ft lands him near the top of the leaderboard, as well. The swing works with quick hands, some whip to the barrel, and strong path through the zone. Athletic look overall at the plate. Stewart should be a player to have an eye for as he continues to mature heading into his sophomore season.

Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
2025 Ontario Nationals Scout Day ON 03/21 Blue Chip Sports Training
2025 Ontario Blue Jays Scout Day ON 03/29 Athlete's Turf
2025 Toronto Rising Stars ID ON 03/31 The Yard Multi-Sport Training Facility
2025 Pitcher Only Future Games Trials ON 04/12 Pro Teach Baseball
2025 Ontario Future Games Trials ON 04/18 Athlete's Turf Inc.
2025 Ontario Future Games Trials II ON 04/21 Athlete's Turf Inc.
2025 18U Best of the West ON 04/30 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)
2025 13U Best of the West ON 05/01 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)
2025 15U Best of the West ON 05/01 Norbrock Stadium (Kamloops, BC)

RECENT NEWS