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Toronto New Year Invite: Quick Hits

February 25, 2025
Joe Presutti
Scout, Ontario

On Saturday, February 22nd, the Prep Baseball Ontario staff hosted it's fifth and final event of the 2025 Near Year Tour with the Sold Out Toronto New Year Invite hosted at the The Yard Athletic Centre, home of the Midwestern Ontario Bearcats, in Cambridge, Ontario.

This event featured 80+ prospects in the 2025 - 2028 classes and it was another day that featured a strong crop of big-time underclass players in the 2027 and 2028 classes, as well as several unsigned upperclass names to follow. 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 and Positional Data Dive articles. Now, we conclude our post-event coverage within this Quick Hits article as we bring you scouting notes and video on 16 standouts from the final Preseason Invite Showcase of the 2025 season.

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.

‘25 INF Hudson Kiss (Team Ontario Astros/Uncommitted): Kiss is a 6-foot, 190-pound athletic mould Senior Future Gamer with an array of loud tools.  Generated a peak exit velocity of 101.7 mph, max distance of 366 feet, and a hard hit percentage of 66.7% down at The Yard.  Can get it done on the other side of the ball too showing strong feel for the glove with an 88 mph infield velocity.  In addition, he’s  equipped with a strong motor clocking in at 6.95 seconds in the sixty-yard dash.  To top it all off, Hudson excels in the classroom posting a 4.0 GPA and is still an uncommitted ‘25 looking for a home.

‘26 RHP/3B Alex Kuypers (Toronto Mets/Uncommitted): The robust 6-foot, 200-pound two-way had himself a day and was one of the top performers at our event.  Started the day off with the bat generating a peak exit velocity of 98.3 mph and a maximum distance of 360 feet.  Went on to show off the arm strength on the defensive side registering at 88 mph. Then, got on the bump and showcased the heater topping out at 86.8 mph, which was the best amongst all pitchers at our event.  He’s unequivocally equipped with some loud tools that play at the next level.

‘28 SS Hunter Bartha (Fieldhouse Pirates): The Junior Future Gamer did not disappoint at our event.  Bartha stands in at 6-foot, 175-pounds with ample time to add strength.  Showed off the hit tool by producing  a 94.8 mph exit velocity and a peak distance of 309 feet.  Advanced approach in the box for his class that will only continue to trend up in the coming years.  Looked the part with the glove and had also posted one of the better infield velocities for his class (84 mph).  Concluded the day  with a solid bullpen registering the heater in at 81.8-84.3 mph with feel for the whole arsenal.  Hunter will be a name to know down the road and is one of the top prospects in the ‘28 class.

‘28 LHP/OF Nicholas Perez-Scott (Team Ontario Astros): Our staff had eyes back on Perez-Scott back at the Junior Future Games at Lakepoint last July.  He is a promising prospect in the ‘28 class with a bright future ahead.  Displays a clean operation on both sides of the ball.  Started the event off with the stick that produced a 86.9 mph peak exit velocity and a maximum distance of 300 feet.  Paired it with a strong showing on the mound.  The fastball registered in at 76-77.2 mph (2,180+) with ability to spin the off-speed.  The pitch-ability is advanced for his class and the velocity will only tick up as he matures into his 5-foot-8, 155-pound frame.

‘28 LHP/OF Colt McGuire (Fieldhouse Pirates): The long limbed 6-foot-1, 160-pounder shined on both sides of the ball at our event.  He was another Junior Future Gamer in attendance that put up some impressive numbers.  The hit tool was on display with quality barrel whip to contact, which manufactured a maximum exit velocity of 92.4 mph and a peak distance of 316 feet.  He was equally impressive on the mound posting a 76-77.5 mph heater from the left-side.  The metrics should continue to trend in the right direction with added strength.

‘28 SS/OF Jake Andersen (Ontario Blue Jays): The ‘24 Junior Future Gamer will be a name to remember in the coming years.  Good twitch to him with athletic traits that produced a maximum exit velocity of 90.6 mph and a peak distance of 326 feet.  Andersen lived on the barrel during his two rounds and looks the part in the box from the right-side.  Easy rhythm with ability to create plane early while providing length after contact.  His stock should continue to climb as he matures into his frame.

‘26 OF/RHP Aidan Vivaldi (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): The 5-foot-10, 155-pound outfielder earned himself a seat at the top for maximum exit velocities produced at our event (101.4 mph).  Creates good leverage with strong feel for the barrel.  Vivaldi generated an average exit velocity of 94.0 mph, a hard hit % of 90, and a peak distance of 367 feet.  Went on to show off the arm strength during defensive workouts clocking in at 90 mph.  There’s still room to add strength, and with that, the metrics should proceed to improve in an immense fashion.  He is an uncommitted ‘26 that college coaches should keep tabs on as we head into the summer campaign in the upcoming months.

‘26 1B/3B Gabriel Benincasa (Bullettproof Elite/Uncommitted): Benincasa really showed out with the bat on Saturday and should warrant some collegiate looks heading into his junior season. The physical corner infielder stands at 6-foot-1, 210-pounds and used every bit of that frame enroute to some electric batting practice rounds. Worked up to a peak exit velocity of 100.6mph, one of the strongest marks on the day, and lived in the air with hard contact. Gabriel has really progressed since we last viewed him, and should be a good get for a college program looking for some thump.

‘26 OF Aidan Chanderbhan (Etobicoke Rangers/Uncommitted): Chanderbhan is a high-waisted 6-foot-2, 180-pound outfielder that has stoked some intrigue from evaluators..  The hit tool plays at the next level and exemplified that at our event.  Quiet in the box, creates good separation with a strong feel for the barrel.  He was one of the top performers on the offensive side that generated a maximum exit velocity of 99.5 mph and peak distance of 362 feet.  Aidan is an uncommitted ‘26 that can supply the juice at the college level.

‘27 1B Lucian Donald (Ontario Blue Jays): The strong 5-foot-10, 195-pound first baseman is a talented prospect in the ‘27 class. Donald provides a mature approach from the left-side with feel for the barrel.  He had generated a maximum exit velocity of 98.5 mph and a maximum distance of 354 feet during his rounds at The Yard. Donald’s stock continues to trend in the right direction and will be a name to know in the upcoming years.

‘26 RHP/3B Max LaFlamme (Ajax Elite/Uncommitted): An imposing frame at 6-foot-2, 195-pounds with more room to add strength.  Laflamme put together a solid day on the bump posting a fastball velocity that sat in the 83-85 mph range with a 2250+ spin rate to boot.  The kid can truly spin it, indubitably, manufacturing a 2480+ average spin rate on the breaking ball, and a 2600+ on the slider.  There’s some fluidity in the operation and with some adjustments the velocity should continue to tick up.  Max will be a name to keep tabs  on as we head into the summer circuit.

‘26 SS Colton Lafleur (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Lafleur is one of the better prospects in the ‘26 class.  Strong feel for the stick from the right-side that manipulates the barrel well with plenty of length after contact.  Registered a maximum exit velocity of 98.1 mph with a peak distance of 333 feet.  Furthermore, went onto defensive workouts and showed good footwork providing proper angles to the ball with glove presentation.  The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder is a promising uncommitted ‘26 that college coaches need to check in on.

‘26 INF/OF Matthew Perez Scott (Team Ontario Astros/Uncommitted): A high twitch athletic kid that ranks in as one of the top prospects in the ‘26 class.  The hit tool was on display at our event posting a maximum exit velocity of 98.5 mph, a maximum distance of 376 feet, a hard hit % of 85.7, and a sweet spot % of 85.7.  Perez’s bat plays and has made strides on the defensive side this offseason.  He will be an intriguing follow for college coaches this summer.

‘25 1B Keagan Knowler (Tecumseh Thunder/Roane State Commit): It would be fair to say that Knowler stole the show when it came to his rounds on the offensive side.  The recent Roane State Community College commit lived on the barrel posting the top exit velocity on the day at 114 mph with an average exit velocity of 103.1 mph, and registered a maximum distance of 422 feet.  The Raiders obtained  a quality right-handed power bat that will look to make an immediate impact in the ‘26 campaign.

‘26 OF/LHP Brady Colling (Fieldhouse Pirates/Uncommitted): Colling is a sturdy left-handed hitting outfielder that stands in at 6-foot, 170 pounds with room to fill.  Does an excellent job of creating bat lag through the hitting zone.  Furthermore, generated a maximum exit velocity of 97.8 mph and a peak distance of 314 feet.  He’s another intriguing uncommitted ‘26 out of the Pirates system that will look to make noise in the coming months as we head into the summer.

‘28 OF/RHP Elijah Smith (Barrie Baycats): Smith’s metrics continue to jump off the page as far as 2028 prospects are concerned. The 6-foot, 150-pound Barrie product reached 84.6mph with the fastball, living 83-84mph on the day and flashing improvement on the curveball & changeup from the fall. It’s easy to project more velocity as Elijah grows into the tall, athletic frame. On the other side of the ball, Smith reached 89.3mph with the exit velocity, living on the barrel with some elevation. Intriguing defender as well, with a strong run tool for the class and an outfield velocity of 86mph. With an abundance of physical talent, watch for Smith to really take off as he grows into the frame.

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)

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