Prospect Pulse (ON): Preseason Underclass Watch List
February 4, 2026
‘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, Eastern Canada's Lead Scout, Joe Presutti, covers six underclass players our staff is eager to see at our 2026 preseason showcases following some offseason gains.
To request an invite to the Cambridge Preseason Invite (Feb. 21), click here.
To register for the Ontario Rising Stars ID - 2030/31 Class (Mar. 1), click here.
To request an invite to the Ottawa/Gatineau Spring Invite (Mar. 22), click here.
To request an invite to the Montreal Spring Invite (Apr. 26), click here.
To view Ontario's Commitment Board, click here.
PROSPECT PULSE (ON): PRESEASON UNDERCLASS WATCH LIST
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Austin Burton C / 1B / Resurrection Highschool, ON / 2028Rankings StateRank: 13 / POS: 2
Immediately stands out as a physically advanced member of the 2028 class at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. Upright, loose left-handed operator with controlled aggression in the box. We have had multiple looks at Burton, most recently in October, where he continued to show feel for the barrel. Posted a max exit velocity of 93 mph with a peak distance of 332 feet, while producing a 53% sweet spot rate. Defensively, shows a mature look behind the dish with plenty of arm strength (C Velo - 82 mph) and reliable catch-and-throw actions, recording pop times of 1.95–2.12. Burton profiles as a high follow in the 2028 class and should continue trending upward as he progresses along his development curve over the next few years.
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Jalen Gutierrez C / RHP / Neil McNeil High School, ON / 2028Rankings StateRank: 7 / POS: 1
The underclassmen will be on full display at the Mississauga Preseason Invite at the Athlete’s Turf in just under two weeks. Slotted seventh overall and first at his position, Gutierrez has consistently impressed when our staff has been on hand. Lean 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter with athletic actions in the box. Wide base setup with rhythm and balance to launch. Posted a max EV of 91.9 mph, peak distance of 302 feet, and a 51.7% sweet spot rate last April. Advanced defender for his class, recording pop times of 1.97–2.09 with present arm strength behind the dish (C Velo - 76 mph). A fresh look coming soon—Gutierrez remains a name to track closely within the Ontario Blue Jays’ system.
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Mikey Batiste OF / 1B / Port Credit SS, ON / 2028Batiste has made considerable noise during the 2025 campaign. The former Future Gamer looked every bit himself at LakePoint in July. Athletic 6-foot-4, 230-pound switch hitting outfielder with a knack for impacting the baseball. Operates with a simple, quiet setup from both sides, utilizing an upright stance and controlled movements in the box. Posted a max exit velocity of 104.3 mph, average exit velocity of 94.4 mph, peak distance of 398 feet, an 80% hard hit rate, and a 60% sweet spot rate. Pairs the offensive output with elite arm strength for the class (OF Velo - 93 mph) and shows strong instincts and feel for the position in-game. Loud, well rounded tool set that supports his status as first overall and first by position in the class. Currently nationally ranked 57th overall and 16th among outfielders. Our staff will get another look at Batiste at the Ontario Preseason Invite in Scarborough in just under two weeks.
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Nolan Landry OF / RHP / St Marys High Scool, ON / 2029The former Junior Future Gamer will toe the turf again in just under two weeks at the Ontario Preseason Invite in Scarborough. Multiple looks on Landry over the 2025 campaign, and he has consistently looked the part. Left-handed bat with a strong, mature build for the class at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Present tools already flash, posting a max exit velocity of 94.2 mph, peak distance of 319 feet, and a 54.1% sweet-spot. Shows arm strength from the outfield (80 mph) and above average foot speed with a 7.15 laser-timed 60-yard dash. Just fourteen years, six months old, with ample runway remaining to refine the offensive operation and continue adding strength. Landry projects to keep trending up on both sides of the ball.
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Easton Robinson OF / RHP / Leaside High School, ON / 2029The talented prospect out of the Mets’ system impressed our staff at LakePoint in July, standing out against stiff competition throughout the week. The former Junior Future Gamer showed an advanced feel for the hit tool, spraying the baseball with authority during game action. There is present pop in the profile, flashing a max exit velocity of 92 mph with a peak distance of 295 feet, paired with quality foot speed for his class (7.26 laser-timed 60-yard dash). A definitive name to keep tabs on in the 2029 class. Robinson has plenty of runway left to add strength to the frame pointing to metrics that should continue trending up as the body matures. Another look coming in just under two weeks down at the Future MVP Lab in Scarborough.
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Evan Harding RHP / St. Thomas of Villanova, ON / 2028Rankings StateRank: 10 / POS: 5
Former Best of the West and Junior Future Gamer alum slots in tenth overall and fifth among arms. Strong 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander with some present strength and additional projection remaining as he continues to mature. Moves well downhill on the slope with a free, loose arm action. Most recent TrackMan data dates back to February of last year, where the fastball worked 79–82 mph (T82.3) with an average spin rate north of 2027. Shows feel for his secondary offerings with the ability to manipulate shape. Still young for the class with physical and velocity upside remaining. Harding will be back on full display in roughly three weeks at the Cambridge Preseason Invite at The Yard, where an uptick in stuff is expected.
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