Blue Jays Nation’s High 20 Canadian Baseball Prospects for 2025

Blue Jays Nation’s countdown of the highest Canadian baseball prospects continues with a left-handed starter who made it as much as double-A in his age-20 season final yr.

#5 Mitch Bratt

Hometown: Newmarket, ON

Group: Texas Rangers

Place: Left-handed pitcher

Acquired: fifth spherical, 2021 Draft (TEX)

For many Canadian baseball followers, their first impression of Mitch Bratt got here in the course of the 2023 World Baseball Traditional. Simply 19 on the time, he grew to become the youngest pitcher in Crew Canada’s historical past to function in a sport when he drew the unenviable job of beginning towards the US in round-robin play. Bratt did not get out of the primary inning, permitting six runs on three hits and three walks. Regardless of the powerful outing, it seems to have been a beneficial expertise for the left-hander, as he’s labored his manner rapidly via the Rangers system ever since.

Bratt signed for an above-slot $850k bonus out of highschool and a summer season spent within the MLB Draft league, popping out as a 17-year after spending a yr at Georgia Premier Academy amidst pandemic shutdowns in Canada. He bought off to a unbelievable begin throughout his first full yr in 2022, sustaining an 11.0 Ok/9 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP via 18 single-A begins. His superior really feel for pitching has allowed every of his pitches to play up and generate swings and misses whereas limiting walks.

Grateful to characterize my nation on the highest stage on the planet. As soon as in a lifetime alternative. Thanks @baseballcanada pic.twitter.com/q2g3DZ7SZa

— Mitch Bratt (@BrattMitchell) March 16, 2023

After his look on the WBC, the six foot one, 190-pound hurler began his season at high-A Hickory. His numbers and peripherals remained constant regardless of enjoying more durable competitors, managing a 3.54 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 10.8 Ok/9. His stable work earned him a spot within the Arizona Fall League, the place he struggled with walks in a aid function towards a number of the high bats throughout the league.

Regardless of exhibiting that he could also be prepared for double-A, his youth allowed the Rangers to take it gradual, conserving him in Hickory to start out the 2024 season. Bratt did about every part you are able to do to earn a call-up, spinning a 3.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 9.8 Ok/9 throughout 15 begins (17 outings).

In late July, lower than a month after his twenty first birthday, he bought the call-up to double-A Frisco, logging six begins to shut out the season. Some management points got here up at occasions, however it was a largely constructive expertise for a participant who was 4.3 years youthful than the league’s common.

Bratt’s repertoire and ceiling

The previous Toronto Mets and Newmarket Hawks standout could also be the very best out of any Canadian pitcher on this checklist to carve out a protracted big-league profession. He throws a operating low 90’s fastball, mixing in a sweeper and changeup. He’s capable of find and blend them nicely, with the flexibility to throw any of them in nearly any depend.

7.0 IP, 0 R, 5 Ok for Mitch Bratt within the shutout win final night time.

The 20-year-old has posted back-to-back scoreless outings for @HickoryCrawdads 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z5C5bu2kOz

— Rangers Participant Improvement (@TEXPlayerDev) June 21, 2024

Bratt beforehand confirmed a gradual curveball and more durable slider in his first style of professional ball, however has since targeted extra on the slider (or sweeper), sometimes throwing it within the excessive 70s and low 80s. MLB Pipeline’s Seventeenth-ranked Rangers prospect throws his changeup a bit more durable, extra persistently within the low 80s, a pitch that additionally has depth to it.

Bratt will get excessive grades for his management and poise on the mound, possessing a excessive baseball acumen that ought to enable him to be a serious league rotation fixture for years to come back. His flooring might be greater than another starter on this checklist relating to a future rotation arm, particularly since he has over three full campaigns underneath his belt whereas nonetheless simply 21 years outdated.

The place will he play in 2025?

The Rangers will possible give Bratt some extra run in double-A, the place he’ll be poised to provide high quality numbers like he has all through his profession. It will likely be price monitoring whether or not he can preserve his strikeouts up because the competitors will get stiffer within the higher minors and a push to triple-A is probably going in his future. Bratt is Rule 5 eligible after this upcoming marketing campaign, so the Rangers may have some selections to make later this yr relating to roster spots.