TORONTO -- The dome was open while the Blue Jays played in Tampa.
On the Rogers Centre field this week were some of the most promising teenagers in baseball, a new generation of talent getting an early feel for what potentially lies ahead. The CN Tower was the backdrop for the 11th Canadian Futures Showcase, which gathered 150 of the top amateur players in the country in front of scouts and fans in the Blue Jays’ home ballpark.
It’s one of the most anticipated events of the year for players from all parts of Canada, more than just an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. There’s a feeling of coming together, learning and growing along with the game as these kids work toward their life goals.
“You meet guys from all over Canada,” lefty Sean Duncan said, looking on from the ballpark stands as his Team Royal took on Team Black on Wednesday afternoon. “There’s people I haven’t met before that I get to meet and become friends with. I feel like it's almost a look into the future, hopefully, where one day I'll see myself in this dugout playing in the Major Leagues.”
That optimism is backed by plenty of Futures Showcase alumni, which includes Josh and Bo Naylor as well as Guardians right-hander Cade Smith, Mariners righty Matt Brash and Twins infielder Edouard Julien. Two more made their debut this season -- Cubs top prospect Owen Caissie and A’s outfielder Denzel Clarke.
The Blue Jays have found talent for their own pool through the event as well. Of the eight Futures Showcase players selected in the 2025 MLB Draft, two landed in Toronto’s system: fourth-round pick Micah Bucknam and fifth-rounder Tim Piasentin -- who won the event’s Home Run Derby last year.
So these youngsters know what’s in play when they take the field from Monday to Friday. Players are divided into six teams that compete in a tournament-style format in front of more than 50 MLB scouts, as well as NCAA and junior college recruiters. The coaching staff features 10 former big leaguers.
Duncan, a British Columbia native and Vanderbilt commit playing in his fourth Futures Showcase, found himself in the same dugout as Jeff Francis -- a fellow B.C. southpaw who once pitched on that mound as a member of the Blue Jays.
“Getting to talk to him about his process, how he went about things on the mound, stuff like that, you just try and circle it all in,” said Duncan. “Because he's a ninth-overall pick, and you don't really meet a ton of those. It's really cool to talk to those guys about how they experience the game and what they have to share about the upcoming years.”
These coaches remember a time when they too were grinding for their dream. The outlook of Canadian baseball has changed drastically, in part because of the impetus to give back and grow the game for those who come next.
“Every year I'm here, us coaches are blown away by what we see,” said Francis, currently coaching in his sixth Showcase. “The guys that have been here longer than I have, they remember a time when the pitchers would be throwing 75, 80 mph, and there'd be one guy hitting 85 to 90. Now, it’s every game I've watched, every pitcher that’s been up there. The talent in this country has come a long way, and it continues to grow. The fact that I can be a small part of that makes me feel good.”
That’s precisely what the Blue Jays hope to accomplish.
“It all goes back to doing this for baseball in this country,” said Patrick Griffin, a Blue Jays area scout in charge of the selection process for the event. “ … We could just put this on and close the roof and make it super private, but the fact that it's open and [all] teams get to start building history and relationships with these players, see them perform, get to talk to them a little bit is something that we're proud of. Being able to have these guys excel and get better and just have the opportunity is really important.”
Plus, these kids are having a blast.
Griffin’s job has definitely gotten more complex over the years. Getting here is a testament to skill and preparation, but there’s also time to take it all in.
“It's one of my favorite events I do all year,” said Duncan. “It's great. Like, pitching at Rogers Center is amazing. It's one of the best fields ever. There’s so much history here. … I have a ton of fun every year.”