2025 Program 4

OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS

C'S CHAT WITH

ARJUN NIMMALA

2025 SEASON - ISSUE 3

MAY 28

Supporting local charities in our community

$5 from every ticket sold will go directly to Employ to Empower

2 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 3

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FRONT OFFICE STAFF JAKE KERR

CHAIR OF VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL Born and raised in Vancouver, Jake Kerr attended the University of British Columbia before completing his MBA in Economics and Finance at the University of California at Berkeley.

A Canadian business icon, Mr. Kerr has been the recipient of the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia for his remarkable contributions to both our country and province.

Taking ownership of the Canadians back in 2007, Mr. Kerr has led the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club to eight (8) franchise attendance records, multiple Larry McPhail Awards for excellence within the Northwest League, and Minor League Baseball’s most coveted accolade - the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, awarded to MiLB’s most complete franchise.

ALLAN BAILEY

GENERAL MANAGER Allan Bailey has been with the Vancouver Canadians since 2007 and was appointed General Manager on September 5th, 2018 after spending the previous seven seasons as the organization's Assistant General Manager.

Allan has led several departments during his tenure with the C's including the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office and its ticket operations as well as his more recent efforts in the Team Operations handling everything from player housing and travel right through to Information Technology (IT).

Born in Victoria, B.C., Allan was raised on the North Shore and up on the Sunshine Coast. Allan completed his education at McGill University while playing five seasons with the McGill Redbirds baseball program. Prior to university, Allan played for the North Shore Twins of the B.C. Premier League

JEFF MOONEY

CHAIR OF THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL FOUNDATION In addition to his valuable contributions to the Vancouver Canadians, Jeff Mooney is Chairman Emeritus and a major shareholder of A&W Food Services of Canadians Inc. Today, A&W is a strategydriven organization that has grown to over 1,000 locations across Canada.

A&W has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada for the past 10 consecutive years, and in 2008, it was honoured to become an official member of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Platinum Club.

Mr. Mooney is an alumnus of both the University of Saskatchewan and Harvard University Graduate School of Business. In 2003, Mr. Mooney received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Medal and three years later was inducted into the Restaurant Hall of Fame(2006). In 2016, Mr. Mooney was inducted into the B.C. Business Laureates Hall of Fame and this year received the Order of Canada

BRENDA CHMILIAR

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Brenda enters her 16th season at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and her sixth as Financial Controller for the Canadians. She spent the first 10 of those years with Aramark Food Services in the company's financial division, dividing her time between the ballpark and Rogers Arena.

Her knowledge of stadium operations thanks to her time with both Aramark and the Canadians have proven to be invaluable during her tenure.

Brenda is responsible for all aspects of the financial operations and is right at home here at The Nat; much of her childhood was spent on local baseball fields up in Kamloops.

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WALTER COSMAN

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING With more than 20 years of Sales & Marketing experience here in Vancouver, Walter decided to put those skills to work in the sport he's most passionate about, baseball.

With a B.A. from the University of New Brunswick, Walter has worked with Proctor & Gamble, Molson Canada, Granville Island Brewing and Steamworks Brewing.

With a longstanding corporate partnership with the Canadians prior to his arrival in May of 2019, Walter joined the organization fully aware of the standard that has put the C's among the best in Minor League Baseball.

ROB FAI

DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Rob Fai returns to the Vancouver Canadians in 2025, marking his 15th year with the organization. He has previously served as Communications Director and Broadcaster. In his new role as Director of Sales & Marketing, Rob will focus on expanding the organization’s outreach, managing outgoing sales and sponsorships, overseeing merchandise, and revitalizing the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation.

In 2015, Rob was inducted into the Vancouver Canadians Broadcast & Journalism Hall of Fame. He also received Baseball B.C.’s Meritorious Award that same year in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the sport of baseball in British Columbia.

During his time away from the organization, Rob hosted weekend programming at 980 CKNW and is currently a faculty member in the Journalism Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Rob's voice is well-known across the province for his work at TSN1040, where he hosted Rob Fai Nation Radio. Additionally, he co-founded Nation Extreme Wrestling, which has become one of Canada’s premier independent wrestling promotions.

JACOB NAKHLEH

MANAGER, TICKET OPERATIONS Jacob joined the C’s for the 2016 season, starting his time at the Nat in the Box Office. Jacob was first hired as a member of the game day staff, then promoted to Box Office Assistant before joining the sales team at the conclusion of the 2021 season. After spending the 2022 and 2023 seasons working in sales and community relations, Jacob is thrilled to be back where it all started – working in (and now running) the Nat Bailey Box Office.

Prior to joining the C’s in a full-time role, Jacob earned his Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Saskatchewan.

When he’s not at the Nat, Jacob can be found dreaming about ice fishing back in Saskatchewan or rooting on his USask Huskies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Seahawks.

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ROSEMARY ALBERTS

MANAGER, MARKETING SERVICES Rosemary enters her second year with the Canadians and first as Marketing Services Manager. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with her Bachelor of Arts in May 2023 and her Master of Management in Dec 2023.

Born in Richmond, Rosemary was raised in Victoria where she grew up playing volleyball. Her previous work experience includes being the Communications & Administrative Coordinator for Athletics for Kids and a Varsity Game Day Statistician for UBC Athletics. She is excited to help the C’s organization in any way she can.

When Rosemary is not at the Nat, she enjoys her time watching the Canucks, kickboxing, or spending time with family and friends.

TYLER ZICKEL

MANAGER, BROADCASTING & MEDIA RELATIONS 2025 is Tyler’s fifth with the Canadians, eighth within the Toronto Blue Jays organization and 11th in the MiLB. Before the C's, Tyler served as the Director of Promotions & Entertainment and Radio Broadcaster for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Over the course of three seasons in Manchester, he oversaw the entire in-game presentation and promotions departments while traveling throughout the Eastern League calling 'Cats games. He has especially fond memories of the 2018 campaign, when he worked alongside current Jays (and former C’s) skipper John Schneider and the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Jordan Romano.

He began his MiLB career in 2014 as a communications intern for the Advanced-A Lake Elsinore Storm in the California League. He made his professional baseball radio debut with the Storm in 2015 and handled the middle innings of road games for the rest of his tenure.

Tyler, his wife Kate, newborn son Archer – who shares a birthday with Nat Bailey himself – and dog Rosie make their offseason home in Portland, OR, where they play copious amounts of pickleball and obsess over the University of Texas Longhorns football season each fall. Born and raised in San Diego, Tyler is a lifelong Padres fan and will always “Keep The Faith.”

CHARLENE YAROSHUK

ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR Charlene has been with the Vancouver Canadians since the 2018 season. She spent her first summer working as a co-op student before transitioning to working full time in the accounting department.

Charlene graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2020 with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Growing up in New Westminster Charlene spent over 10 years practicing martial arts and currently holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Before joining the Canadians she previously worked as an assistant martial arts instructor.

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COOPER MISIC

SENIOR COORDINATOR, SALES Cooper enters his 4th season with the Canadians and his first season as Senior Coordinator, Sales. He is excited to take on more responsibilities and to continue to grow within the Canadians Organization.

A former Langley Blaze star pitcher who took his talents south of the border to play for both Galveston College and Central Washington University, Cooper graduated from CWU with a degree in Sports Management with a Specialization in Business.

When Cooper’s away from The Nat, you can find him enjoying time in nature, playing golf, or trying out every new restaurant in town.

DREW HOWSON

COORDINATOR, SALES 2025 marks Drew’s fourth season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and third full season in Vancouver. This season will be his first as a Sales Coordinator after joining the office in an Associate role last season.

After graduating St. Clair College with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management and interning with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, Drew began his career in professional baseball as a member of the Canadians Grounds Crew. He would go on to gain experience with the Toronto Blue Jays Facility Department, assisting with the renovation and clean-up of Rogers Centre before returning to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Drew is a baseball savant. He played and coached at many levels in his hometown community of Windsor, Ontario, most notably with the Tecumseh Rangers. In his off time, you’ll usually find him hiking, playing his guitar, or cheering on the Detroit Tigers and his beloved Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

ZACH MAHAFFY

COORDINATOR, SALES Zachary is entering his fourth season with the Vancouver Canadians. He spent the 2022 & 2023 seasons as Box Office Assistant for the club and transitioned to sales prior to the 2024 season.

In April 2023, Zachary graduated with a BBA from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, concentrating in Marketing and Strategic Analysis.

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, but raised in Surrey, Zachary played rep hockey with Semiahmoo MHA from U15 to U18, while also playing one season in the Pacific Junior Hockey League with the White Rock Whalers and Port Moody Panthers. Outside the Nat, you can find him at your local arena officiating a hockey game, at the gym, or watching the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Blue Jays, or Seattle Seahawks.

BEN LETWIN

SALES ASSOCIATE Ben enters his first year with the Canadians as a sales associate. He will graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Langara College in December 2025.

He formerly worked at Nat Bailey for two seasons on the food service side as a lead cook in the premium third base porch section and is excited about his new role as a sales associate with the Vancouver Canadians.

Growing up in Vancouver, Ben played rep hockey with the Vancouver Thunderbirds and won the AAA Provincials with the team in 2018.

Outside of the Canadians, he enjoys playing hockey In the UBC Rec League, playing golf in his free time, and watching the Seahawks and Canucks.

DAWSON MARCHAND

SALES ASSOCIATE 2025 marks Dawson’s first season with the Vancouver Canadians as a Sales Associate. He is excited to apply his skills and continue growing within the organization.

Growing up in Maple Ridge, Dawson graduated from BCIT in 2024 with a diploma in Marketing Management, specializing in Digital Marketing and Brand Strategy. His passion for sports and marketing led him to pursue a career in the sports industry, where he is eager to contribute to the team’s success.

When Dawson’s away from The Nat, you can find him training in Muay Thai Kickboxing, going to the gym, watching NBA basketball, or cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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LEVI WEBER

HEAD GROUNDSKEEPER Levi – the 2023 Northwest League Groundskeeper of the Year – is no stranger to this circuit, with prior experience as the Head Groundskeeper for the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium. His talents have also taken him to the desert, where he was the Field Manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Spring Training facility in Arizona.

The Colton, WA native graduated from Washington State University with a Double Major in Turfgrass Management and Vegetable Management and two minors in Horticulture and Agricultural Systems.

In his time away from the ballpark, you can find him on the golf course, weight training or enjoying time with family and friends.

BROOKS PRIMO

ASST GROUNDSKEEPER

CAM CARELSE

GROUNDSKEEPER

PHIL CHAN

BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT

CHARLIE O’NEILL

DIRECTOR, STADIUM OPS

CHRIS GEORGES

BROADCAST & MEDIA

NOLAN BOWKER

CLUBHOUSE ATTENDANT

s k r o w e Fir S T H NIG VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 9

2025 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

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ARJUN NIMMALA NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#1 BLUE JAYS PROSPECT GOES 9-FOR-25 WITH MULTIPLE BIG NIGHTS AT THE DISH FOR HIS FIRST WEEKLY AWARD Minor League Baseball has named Canadians shortstop Arjun Nimmala as the Northwest League Player of the Week for May 19-25 after he went 9-for-25 (.360) with a double, a triple, two homers, six runs scored, six RBI, 18 total bases, four walks and two steals in six games played. The 19-year-old is the third C’s player to earn a league award this season, joining Victor Arias and Adrian Pinto. It’s the first time he has been honoured with a weekly award since he was drafted 20th overall in 2023 and the second time he’s earned a league distinction; he was the Florida State League’s Player of the Month for August 2024.

MLB Pipeline’s #1 Blue Jays prospect began the week with one of his best games as a pro on May 20 in Eugene. That night, Nimmala finished a double shy of the cycle, drove in four runs and racked up a single-game career-best eight total bases. After a hitless game with one walk the next day, he bounced back with seven more total bases on May 22, a game in which he singled, doubled and homered. From there, Nimmala had a base hit in each of the next three games to wrap up his first week of the year where he started all six games in a series.

The Tampa, FL native has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him to start his second full season in the organization. Nimmala is slashing .286/.368/.540 with a .908 OPS, 46 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, nine home runs, 30 runs scored, 24 RBI, 19 walks, three steals and 87 total bases in 40 games played. He’s among league leaders in average (6th), homers (2nd), RBI (T-10th), slugging (2nd), OPS (4th), hits (T-4th), doubles (2nd), triples (T-9th), extra base hits (T-1st), total bases (2nd) and runs (T-4th). He’s listed in every category except stolen bases.

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R E N R O CRAFT C - LOCATED IN THE -

T R U O C D O O F E 3RD BAS

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ROAD TO THE SHOW

The Canadians are a part of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The C’s are a High A affiliate of the Blue Jays.

That means they are in the middle of the Toronto farm system, slightly higher than the Dunedin Blue Jays (Low A) and the Gulf Coast Blue Jays (Rookie). Baseball players work their way up through the organization in hopes of getting to the big leagues. Toronto is in the American League and pulls its talent from these teams.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (MLB) | TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (416) 341-1000 | BLUEJAYS.COM MANAGER

JOHN SCHNEIDER

DON MATTINGLY

BENCH COACH

ASSOCIATE MANAGER

PITCHING COACH

PETE WALKER

DAVID POPKINS

FIRST BASE COACH

THIRD BASE COACH

ASSISTANT HITTING COACH

ASSISTANT HITTING COACH

ASSISTANT PITCHING COACH

MARK BUDZINSKI

DEMARLO HALE

CARLOS FEBLES

BULLPEN COACH

LOU IANNOTTI

BULLPEN CATCHER

GRAHAM JOHNSON

HUNTER MENSE

BULLPEN CATCHER

ALEX ANDREOPOULOS

HITTING COACH

SAM GREENE

MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

LUIS HURTADO

JOHN LANNAN

BUFFALO BISONS (AAA) | BUFFALO, NEW YORK (716) 846-2000 | BISONS.COM MANAGER

BENCH COACH

CASEY CANDAELE

HITTING COACH

CESAR MARTIN

RYAN LONG

ASST. HITTING COACH

PITCHING COACH

TREVOR CHO

DREW HAYES

ASST. PITCHING COACH

COACH

HENRY LEAKE

CHRIS SCHAEFFER

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATS (AA) | MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (603) 641-2005 | NHFISHERCATS.COM MANAGER

BRENT LAVALLEE

BENCH COACH

HITTING COACH

JAKE McGUIGGAN

MITCH HUCKABAY

PITCHING COACH

POSITION COACH

AUSTIN BIBENS-DIRKX

COACH

THOMAS CAULFIELD

DELTA CLEARY JR.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS (HIGH A) | VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (604) 872-5232 | CANADIANSBASEBALL.COM MANAGER

BENCH COACH

JOSE MAYORGA

MATT VON ROEMER

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER

KATIE REYES

PITCHING COACH

HITTING COACH

ERIC YARDLEY

POSITION COACH

RYAN WRIGHT

HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING ASST. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

DALTON HOLEMO

JOE CARDENAS

NOAH OR

BULLPEN COACH

ROBELIN BAUTISTA

PETR STŘÍBRCKÝ

NUTRITION

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

STEPHANIE TAVEL

OWEN RUDDOCK

DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS (LOW A) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 733-9302 | DUNEDINBLUEJAYS.COM MANAGER

HITTING COACH

GIL KIM

ASST. HITTING COACH

NASH KNIGHT

PITCHING COACH

JONATHAN DAVIS

ASST. PITCHING COACH

CORY RIORDAN

ANTONIO CACERES

COACH

COACH

ASHLEY STEPHENSON

RODRIGO VIGIL

GULF COAST BLUE JAYS GULF COAST LEAGUE (ROOKIE) | DUNEDIN, FLORIDA (727) 734-8007 MANAGER

ANDY FERMIN

BENCH COACH

CHRIS SCHAEFFER

HITTING COACH

PAUL ELLIOTT, FRED LANDERS

PITCHING COACH

ANTONIO CACERES, ALEX KACHLER

DEVELOPMENT COACH

ALEX KACHLER

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE BLUE JAYS DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE (DSL) | BOCA CHICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MANAGER

DANNY CANELLAS

BENCH COACH

DIEFERSON BARRETO

HITTING COACH

RICARDO NANITA

PITCHING COACH

VICTOR RAMOS

COACH

PEPE FORTUNATO

COACH

BRANDON GONZALEZ

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AARON 16 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

BY NIALL O’DONOHOE

PUBLIC ADDRESS VOICE OF THE NAT NIALL O’DONOHOE COVERS ALL THINGS CANADIANS AT CSPLUSBASEBALL.CA. HE’S BACK ON THE BUMP WITH ANOTHER C’S CHAT, THIS TIME JOINED BY 2024-25 VANCOUVER CANADIANS PITCHER AARON MUNSON Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Munson was a two-way player at Lady Bird Johnson High School, where he was also an outfielder.

He batted .338 in what turned out to be his final year of high school ball in 2019 as COVID cancelled his 2020 season. Pitching for Munson moved to the forefront when he attended Angelo State University in 2021 in San Angelo, an NCAA Division II school located just over 200 miles northwest of San Antonio.

As a freshman with the Rams, Munson struck out 35 batters in 32-1/3 innings, mostly as a reliever and put up an earned run average of 3.34. He joined the Kansas Cannons of the Kansas Collegiate League that summer, winning his lone decision and ringing up 38 batters over 27 innings.

In 2022, Munson moved to the starting rotation and won 10 of 13 decisions, including two complete games. He finished with a 4.77 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 94-1/3 innings, earning Lone Star Conference All-Tournament Team and Second-Team AllConference honours. Munson also put in time with the Upper Valley Nighthawks of the New England Collegiate League, where he went 4-1 with a 4.12 ERA and punched out 20 batters over 19-2/3 innings.

MUNSON The 2023 season was one to remember for Munson. He reached double-digits in victories again with 11, losing only two decisions and fanning 115 batters over 101-2/3 innings. Munson capped off the season by allowing just two runs and striking out four batters in 5-1/3 innings against Rollins to help Angelo State win the Division II National Championship for the first time. He was named National Tournament MVP and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

The 2023 MLB Draft saw the Toronto Blue Jays select Munson with their 19th-round selection on the recommendation of scout Max Semler. Agreeing to a $100,000 signing bonus, Munson began his pro career with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays before a quick promotion to Low-A Dunedin. He gave up just one run over nine innings between the two clubs.

Munson was back with Dunedin in 2024 and recorded a pair of saves, including two strikeouts in a perfect inning to preserve a win against Jupiter on May 19. He ended his D-Jays tenure with five Ks over 2-2/3 scoreless stanzas against Daytona on June 21. Four days later, Munson was promoted to Vancouver and he put together a solid string of appearances in July, including a three-strikeout effort over two innings against Everett on July 1. He fanned four more with a pair of goose eggs at Hillsboro on July 23 to finish the month with a 3.09 ERA. A bumpy August ensued, but he ended the season with

four scoreless outings out of six.

Back in Vancouver for 2025, Munson is logging key innings in the bullpen once again. He earned his first hold of the year with two shutout innings in a win against Everett on May 13 to mark a stretch of four of six outings in which he has not surrendered a run.

C’s Plus Baseball spoke with the 23-year-old Munson during the team’s homestand against Hillsboro in April. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – Let’s take it back to the beginning. How did you get started in baseball?

Aaron Munson – I think it was just at a very young age, probably, you know, before I could walk, my parents put a ball in my hands, and they always said, I always threw it, I never held it in my hand very long. I started playing T-Ball when I was probably three, so I’m now 20 years into this thing.

CPB – Take us through the timeline. Who did you play for, working your way up to Angelo State?

AM – I went to high school in San Antonio, Texas, went to Johnson High School, to be exact, played there, was only an outfielder all three years, and then I was getting into pitching. COVID shut down my senior season, and then I went to Angelo, started to learn more VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 17

about pitching, and then, I guess, it worked out all in the end, and now I’m here.

CPB – What got you involved in pitching? How did it all come about?

AM – I went to Angelo State in San Angelo, they were very good, I went into a winning program, and as a freshman, I really wasn’t gonna have a chance to play in the outfield. So they’re like, ‘You have a good arm, let’s try the mound,’ and then I started pitching. It took me probably about halfway through my freshman season to get my first outing, and ever since then, I never looked back.

CPB – What would you say was really instrumental in helping you develop as a pitcher starting out?

AM – Starting out, I was like an outfielder. It helps, just kind of like what hitters think. I wasn’t a very high-level hitter, to be honest, but it gives you a little more of an idea of what they want in what count, and whatnot.

CPB – Was there anyone who helped you develop as a pitcher?

AM – The very first person that helped me out would be at Angelo State, his name is Coach Foster (pitching coach Adam Foster). He taught me everything I knew until I got to the Blue Jays, so I’d give all my shout-outs to him.

CPB – When you look back on your time in college, you were involved in a championship. What stands out when you look back at your career there?

AM – Oh gosh, a lot of good things, three really good years, three years going straight to the College World Series. I mean, winning it that final time, that final hurrah, it was awesome, especially to be able to start that game that you win the national championship in was special, a very special moment. And for Angelo State, it was very special to us because COVID really shut down that 2020 team, which was the year before I got there, but supposedly that team was supposed to be the best on record, so they never got to play because of COVID. So to go on and win it with some of those guys that were on that team meant a lot for the team and the coaches and all those guys over those four years.

CPB – How did you wind up at Angelo State? Were there any other schools that were recruiting you?

AM – My Dad (Scott Munson) went to Angelo State (in 1985), actually, so I was familiar with it. We would go up, watch a few games growing up. I never really thought about (playing) in San Angelo, Texas, but they ended up being my first offer. I went there, talked to Coach Brooks (head coach Kevin Brooks), Coach Mote (assistant coach Sam Mote), Coach Foster, all those guys. I got to look at the campus, and I enjoyed everything I saw. So I just decided, ‘Okay, I think this is the right fit, it’s not too far from home, it’s in a good area, let’s do it.’ And then I committed there on the spot.

CPB – Was your Dad a pitcher or outfielder, what did he play?

AM – My Dad was a pitcher in high school, but he played football at Angelo State for a few years before he got hurt, and then he stopped playing.

CPB – What position did he play in football?

AM – He was a strong safety, he was a fast linebacker.

CPB – Were you involved in any other sports?

AM – I played all the sports growing up. It was just when I got to high school, kind of just straight baseball, because I didn’t really think I had a future in all the other sports.

CPB – You get drafted by the Blue Jays, what do you remember about the draft day experience?

AM – It wasn’t for sure if I was gonna get drafted or not, so I was just 18 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

kind of at home. It was just me, my Mom, my Dad. I’m an only child, so it was just my small family. We were listening, because I knew I had a chance, obviously, and then (my name) finally popped up, and we all hugged. I think my parents started crying, I think I started crying.

CPB – Did you have any idea the Blue Jays were going to take you?

AM – I didn’t have a lot of teams on me. The Blue Jays were definitely the heaviest, especially towards the end, leading up towards the draft, so I thought it’d either be like the Blue Jays, or like the Guardians or the Twins, but I was like, ‘I think it’s gonna be the Blue Jays.’

CPB – Once you hear your name called, do you remember who the first person was from the Blue Jays organization to reach out to you?

AM – It was Max. That whole draft day was kind of through him and my agent. I got so many calls.

CPB – Your first stop was Dunedin and going to draft camp. What was that whole process like, getting ready for Dunedin?

AM – You get a lot of, like, FaceTime, Zoom call stuff, and you get an email, and they say, ‘Oh, you leave in three days.’ You go to Florida draft camp, get introduced to everything in the whole org. You get introduced to how everything is run, and all that sort of stuff. Then they sent me off to Dunedin, and I finished the last three weeks of that year in Dunedin.

CPB – I’m sure you met a lot of people at your first trip to Dunedin.

Who did you hit it off with right away?

AM – Chay Yeager, actually. Me and Chay definitely hit off pretty quick. We were roommates in Dunedin for those three weeks, so I guess that’s where we kind of just hit it off and be friends. Now me and him are, like, you never see one in a room without the other.

So now it’s just, that’s like a thing around the whole org. When someone asks where’s one, they always ask where the other one is.

But it’s definitely Chay, the very first, personally.

CPB – Did you meet any rehabbing big leaguers?

AM – Joey Votto last year, when he was rehabbing in Dunedin, but I had maybe, like, one or two interactions, and it was, like, a ‘Hey!’ or ‘What’s up?’ But no, I don’t really talk to those guys. I kind of just try to give them their space, whatever, like, you know, what they’re doing.

CPB – You got your first taste of the pro experience down in Dunedin.

What was that experience like, getting used to pro ball?

AM – It was awesome. You learn a lot, especially being from, like, a smaller division school, like college. This game’s a lot faster, definitely. Definitely a lot more time on the field, so just kind of having to get used to just the pace of the game, and kind of the approach of it, I guess you could say. But I caught on to it pretty quick, and it’s helped me out ever since.

CPB – You had an offseason to prepare for 2024. How did you prepare heading into last season?

AM – I mean, it’s your first pro offseason, so you really have no idea what to do. For me, I just did whatever all the Blue Jays had programmed for me, just because it was my first offseason. In college, you always have one season, college season, and then you have summer season. But I just followed whatever they had for me, a starting program, lifting, running, all that sort of stuff and then I did that back home in San Antonio.

CPB – You start off 2024 with Dunedin, but then you got the call to Vancouver. What do you remember about that? I know José Mayorga has been known to have fun with the players before giving them the news they’re going to Vancouver. Was there anything like that?

AM – Yeah, it was on our off day, on a Monday, and I was at the field throwing with Bo Bonds, actually. I had music playing on my speaker, and we’re playing catch, and the speaker goes off. I was like, ‘Hmm, I think someone’s calling me, whatever.’ I just keep playing catch. (Jose) calls me again. I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I should get it,’ and then the phone goes off. I keep playing catch. The third time I get up, and I finally go and grab my phone, and I was like, ‘Dude!’

‘You trying to, like, ignore me, dude? Like, do you not want to go to Vancouver? ‘And he’s like, ‘You leave tomorrow, the bus will pick you up at 6:45 in the morning. I was like, ‘Thanks!’ I smile, finish throwing and went home and started packing.

CPB – You get here in the midst of a series here (in Vancouver). What was that like trying to adjust, getting used to a new city, and some new teammates? I’m sure it’s a bit of a process to get your bearings here.

AM – Yeah, especially after finding out that you’re gonna go across the country from Dunedin, and I’ve never been on this side of the country, if not outside of the country, so this is all a brand new experience for me, which is really cool, trying to just adjust. It’s so different from the East Coast and Texas, where I’m from. It’s so cool, the culture’s just so different, so trying to, adjust to the culture, and there’s lots of different things, obviously. I love it here, it’s really cool. Definitely a lot of things going on, for sure, big town, big city.

CPB – What was it like pitching in front of a bigger crowd in Vancouver? Was it similar to your college experience?

AM – Oh, no. In college, the biggest crowd I ever played in is not even a quarter of this stadium. It was the middle of summer, it was a packed stadium, throwing in there. I remember the juices were flowing through my body, definitely a lot of adrenaline, but it’s so fun, they’re so loud up here. They make it pretty hard for the opposing team, for sure. We have great fans here, it’s really fun to play here, for sure.

of mixes in. And then my changeup is just kind of, like, get me over, steal a strike, mainly for lefties, kind of thing. Just to get them to, like, go over the plate, to show them I do have something that goes into a righty, or armside for a pitcher.

CPB – The fastball, is it a cut fastball or four-seam?

AM – It has a little cut to it as perceived on the Trackman and all the analytics nowadays. It looks straight to me, that’s what they tell me, but they say it has a little bit of cut, you know, with carry to it.

I just need to throw it at the top of the zone for a strike, that’s the hard part.

CPB – The slider. I’ve heard of two classifications—a sweeper and a gyro slider. How would you describe yours?

AM – I would say I’m in the middle, more of a traditional slider. A gyro would be straight, like, vertical up-and-down slider, that’s usually, like, traditionally really hard. The sweeper is more of that horizontal shape that you get that is usually slower. I have one that’s kind of in the middle, so it has a little bit of that glove-side movement into a lefty, but not as much. But I’m able to throw it as hard as a gyro, so I would say it’s more of a traditional slider.

CPB – The changeup. Is it a traditional circle change or a split?

AM – No, so I’m weird. I can’t pronate very well, so I could never throw a changeup growing up. So now with all this new technology, all the cameras, like the Edgertronics, the Trackman and all that stuff. Somebody, I don’t know who, some genius in the baseball world came out with, if you cut a changeup with a ball in a certain way, it’ll actually force the ball to go the right way and dive like an actual changeup. So I’d never heard of it, they call it a seam shift

CPB – Was there anything you worked on this offseason, now that you had that first full season under your belt? Did you feel kind of more certain of what’s expected out of you from the Blue Jays?

AM – This offseason, our main focus was just kind of put on muscle, getting some body mass and just try to throw and move better and throw harder. Right now, I’m throwing a little bit harder as of right now, but it’s also cold, so that’s hard to say, because it’s hard to throw in the cold. Especially a kid from Texas who was in Florida when it was 85 degrees, just getting used to that, and then I come here, and it feels like 20. It was just get strong as heck and throw strikes. It was just about trying to keep it as simple as possible. You don’t want your mind to start trying to do too much during the offseason. You try to pick out things to focus on.

CPB – Let’s talk about your pitch mix, what is it that you’re throwing right now?

AM – I throw a fastball, slider and a changeup right now. That’s just a simple reliever (repertoire) to get through a lineup once.

CPB – How would you rate them, from best to, well, you like it to be a little bit better?

AM – Fastball, I have a pretty good fastball. I’m a smaller guy, I get down the mound really well, so I’ve kind of, like, perceived (to have) a little harder velo than what it says on the board, especially being smaller so that helps set up everything else, obviously, because with your fastball, they have to be like, ‘Oh crap!’ on the fastball. Then everything else is just gonna play, because they’re gonna have to be ready for the fastball. And then the slider, when it’s good, it’s really good for me. I throw it hard, so it looks like my fastball a lot, because my fastball has a little cut to it, so when I throw my slider, it kind

AARON MUNSO

N FILE

Born: March 15 , 2002, in San An tonio, Texas Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 180 po unds Bats/Throws: Le ft/Right Professional De but: August 19, 2023, for the Fl Jays at FCL Yank orida Coast Leag ees. Tossed two ue Blue sc oreless innings.

First Profession al Strikeout: Au gust 31, 2023, fo at Daytona Tortu r the Dunedin Bl gas, fanning Lo ue Jays u Collier.

First Profession al Save: April 11 , 2024, for Dune Struck out only din at the Tampa batter he faced Tarpons. to leave the bases C’s Debut: June loaded.

28, 2024, versus the Hillsboro Ho inning and one ps, logging a sh strikeout to earn utout a hold.

Uniform Numbe rs: Wore numbe r 21 with Angelo Wore number 41 State from 2021 with the Florida -2023.

Complex League 21 with the Dune Blue Jays and nu din Blue Jays in mber 20 23. Wore numbe Blue Jays in 2024 r 2 with the Dune and wore numbe din rs 10 and 5 with Va Twitter: @aaron_ ncouver in 2024 munson3 .

Instagram: @aa munson27 Now You Know : Munson is the second Angelo appear in a C’s State Rams pitc uniform. Fellow her to rig hthander Matt Vancouver durin Shannon was in g the 2017 seas on.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 19

changer, so that’s a new thing in baseball. And so I started throwing it. It did nothing for the longest time. I remember I started throwing when I got here last year. And I never threw it last year, and that whole season, that whole second half, I never threw it. And I finally figured out in the offseason how to get the spin all right, to cut it enough to make it go. I know it sounds super weird, you’re trying to make the ball go that way, but you want to trust that aerodynamics or whatever smart people call it, make it go that way, so I don’t know exactly, but it’s weird. You learn something new every day.

CPB – The Player Development Complex, what’d you think about it when you saw it the very first time?

moves away from you, probably won’t go changeup in. If I was a righty, I’d just say over short, like, the second baseman, just try to hit the ball the other way, because everything moves away. Lefty, I don’t know, now that I have a changeup, it kind of makes it a little harder. I would say, see hard and up. If it’s not, it’s probably going to be down. It’s going to be a ball, and don’t swing at it.

CPB – Did you have a favourite major league team growing up?

AM – Texas Rangers.

CPB – Favourite player?

AM – Josh Hamilton. Growing up, I was a huge Josh Hamilton fan.

AM – I remember (Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coordinator) Aaron Spano, the head strength guy for the org, called me before headed to Florida, and he’s like, ‘Dude, you gotta check out like our complex, like it’s sweet, it’s brand new, it’s the best in baseball.’ I was like, ‘Okay.’ I went online, saw it, and I was like, ‘Holy cow! Yeah. That’s insane.’ I sent that YouTube clip to all my friends and my family, just to see like, ‘This is where work is now, guys. Look how cool it is.’ You finally get there in Florida, and you go into that gate, and you finally walk through those front doors, and it just blows you away. I didn’t expect it to be like this, like, I had a big expectation, but it still just blows it out of the water, and then you go to other places, and you’re like, ‘We have it so much better.’ So yeah, the complex is a 13 out of 10, I would say, on the scale, if we could rate it.

CPB – Any other favourite pro teams? I’m guessing Cowboys, or Texans?

CPB – Do you pay attention to a lot of the numbers, or your analytics, or you just try and keep it simple? As you said before, you’re a threepitch guy. Do you really pay attention to that stuff?

AM – No, I would say college football, outside of baseball, if I could choose a sport to watch, it’d be college football, hands down. I just love the atmosphere, and what it has, all the traditions it offers.

Growing up in the South, I guess you could say, it’s just like, football’s huge in the state of Texas. So I kind of just went up to college and I just loved it ever since.

AM – I look at the shapes, and that’s usually about it, because if the shapes kind of start getting off, that means, obviously, it’s something mechanical, how the ball is coming out of hand. You want to be as consistent as possible, just so you can have the same pitches every day. Those are really the only things I look at. I don’t look at spin or axis. I look at the shape, and if it’s playing good, if it plays, it plays. If it doesn’t, then we’ll go back to the drawing board.

CPB – If you had to give a scouting report of yourself, how would you describe yourself as a pitcher?

AM – If I was a hitter, like, I’m in a hitting meeting, where I’m warming up to go in. It’s probably gonna go hard away, everything 20 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

AM – No, I despise the Cowboys. All my friends are Cowboys fans.

Just because that’s what I grew up with. But it’ll always be Cowboys this, Cowboys that. My teachers have Cowboys stuff. I would go to the gym, and everything was Cowboys. So growing up, I despised the Cowboys. When people ask me now, ‘Who are you rooting for this week?’ I’m like, ‘Who are the Cowboys playing?’ And then they’ll tell me, I’m like, ‘That’s my teAM for the week.’ All my buddies, I always mess with them. But with Cowboy fans, you have the Longhorns. They’ve been okay the last couple of years, because now the Longhorns are good, but when the Cowboys and the Longhorns both stunk, it was not great, weekends were not fun.

CPB – Are you into hockey or basketball?

CPB – Final question. The Canadians have a lot of different uniforms this year—white, red, black, blue, grey, the lumberjack look. Do you have a favourite?

AM – I just like the red, I think the red just looks the best, personally, with both white and gray pants. It’s just simple, so I like the red a lot.

Thanks a million again to Aaron Munson and to C’s play-by-play announcer Chris Georges for setting up the chat.

e m a g t pos s k r o w e r i F a z n a g

a v a r ext

t h g I N e g a t i r e h n a i s A h t PLUS Sou

TUESDAY, MAY 27 VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 21

NO. PITCHERS HT WT 39 Edinson Batista 6-2 210 25 Bo Bonds 5-11 200 4 Irv Carter 6-4 210 11 Pat Gallagher 6-0 200 Chris McElvain 6-0 205 5 Aaron Munson 5-10 180 26 Connor O’Halloran 6-2 195 45 Julio Ortiz 6-3 175 37 Fernando Perez 6-3 180 30 Kai Peterson 6-1 195 Kendry Rojas 6-2 190 38 Yondrei Rojas 5-10 180 3 JJ Sanchez 5-11 175 22 Gage Stanifer 6-3 205 27 Khal Stephen 6-4 215 33 Jonathan Todd 6-6 225 41 Jackson Wentworth 6-1 210 20 Chay Yeager 5-11 185 15 Trey Yesavage 6-4 225

B/T R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/L R/R R/R L/L L/L R/R L/L R/R R/R L/R R/R S/R R/R

AGE – DOB 22 – 05/19/02 24 – 01/10/01 22 – 10/09/02 24 - 06/30/00 23 - 09/15/00 23 - 03/15/02 22 - 09/01/02 24 - 12/30/00 21 - 02/12/04 22 - 08/14/02 21- 11/26/02 22 - 11/22/02 25 - 09/08/99 21 - 11/18/03 22 - 12/21/02 23 - 08/21/01 22 - 08/08/02 22 - 09/11/02 21 - 07/28/03

HOMETOWN ’24 CLUBS Santiago, DR Asheville (HOU) Live Oak, FL DUN, VAN Fort Lauderdale, FL DUN, VAN Leominster, MA VAN Thompson Station, TN Dayton (CIN) San Antonio, TX DUN, VAN Mississauga, ON DUN, VAN San Pedro de Macoris, DR FCL, DUN Rivas, Nicaragua DUN Roseville, CA DUN, VAN Ciego De Avila, CU Dunedin San Juan de los Morros, VZ DUN Los Fresnos, TX DUN, VAN Indianapolis, IN Dunedin Williamsport, IN College Reidsville, NC DUN Urbandale, IA College Gainesville, GA VAN Boyerstown, PA College

ACQUIRED Trade w/HOU, 04/01/25 13th, ’22, Louisiana-Lafayette 5th, ’21, Calvary Christian Academy (FL) 11th, ’22, Connecticut Trade w/CIN, 03/20/24 19th, ’23, Angelo State 5th, ’23, Michigan MiLB FA, 07/21/23 INT FA, 01/15/22 20th, ’23, Sierra College INT FA, 10/14/20 INT FA, 02/10/21 ND FA, 07/20/23 19th, ’22, Westfield HS (IN) 2nd, ’24, Mississippi State 15th, ’24, Western Carolina 5th, ’24, Kansas State 12th, ’23, Pasco-Hernando State JC 1st (20th ovr.), ’24, East Carolina

NO. CATCHERS HT WT 26 Nicolas Deschamps 5-11 190 35 Hayden Gilliland 5-11 175 31 Jackson Hornung 6-2 215 6 Aaron Parker 5-9 200

B/T L/R L/R R/R R/R

AGE – DOB 21 - 08/25/02 23 - 10/29/01 24 - 02/06/01 22 - 01/17/03

HOMETOWN Quebec City, QC Maryville, TN Ashland, MA Los Altos, CA

’24 CLUBS Dunedin College VAN College, DUN

ACQUIRED ND FA, 08/16/21 ND FA, 07/21/24 16th, ’23, Skidmore 6th, ’24, UC Santa Barbara

NO. INFIELDERS 28 Cutter Coffey 7 Nick Goodwin 21 Sean Keys 18 Arjun Nimmala 1 Adrian Pinto

HT WT 6-1 190 6-1 205 6-2 225 6-1 175 5-8 170

B/T R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R

AGE – DOB 20 - 05/21/04 23 - 09/06/01 21 - 05/26/03 19 - 10/16/05 22 - 09/22/02

HOMETOWN Bakersfield, CA Overland Park, KS Centerport, NY Tampa, FL Caucagua, VZ

’24 CLUBS GVL (BOS), VAN VAN DUN FCL, DUN FCL, DUN, VAN

ACQUIRED Trade w/BOS, 07/27/24 7th, ’23, Kansas State 4th, ’24, Bucknell 1st (20th ovr.), ’23, Strawberry Crest HS (FL) Trade w/COL, 07/09/22

NO. OUTFIELDERS HT WT 2 Victor Arias 5-11 180 16 Carter Cunningham 6-4 215 8 Gabriel Martinez 5-9 170 19 Eddie Micheletti Jr. 6-1 220 Brennan Orf 6-4 230 24 Je’Von Ward 6-2 195 22 Jacob Wetzel 5-10 220

B/T L/L L/R R/R L/R L/R L/R L/L

AGE – DOB 21 - 08/24/03 24 - 11/06/00 21 - 07/24/02 23 - 12/29/01 23 - 09/06/01 25 - 10/25/99 25 - 03/26/00

HOMETOWN Maracay, VZ Haymarket, VA Maracaibo, VZ Wilmington, DE Wildwood, MO Long Beach, CA Walkersville, MD

’24 CLUBS DUN, VAN College, DUN NH DUN FCL, DUN, VAN KCO (Indy), VAN MB, SB (CHI)

ACQUIRED INT FA, 08/24/19 10th, ’24, East Carolina INT FA, 7/24/18 8th, ’24, Virginia Tech 13th, ‘23, So. Illinois-Edwardsville MiLB FA, 06/15/24 Rule 5 (CHI), 12/11/24

TORONTO SYSTEM: AAA - Buffalo; AA - New Hampshire; A+- Vancouver; A - Dunedin

^Development List

PRONUNCIATIONS: Yondrei – YAWN-dray | Khal Stephen – Cal Steven | Yeager – YAY-ger | Yesavage – yuh-SAV-ij | Deschamps – day-SHAWM Arjun Nimmal – ar-jin ni-MAUL-uh | Arias – AH-ree-us | Micheletti – mick-uh-LET-ee | Mayorga – my-OR-guh | von Roemer – von ROW-mer Robelin – RO-be-lean | Petr Stříbrcký – Peter stree-BRICK-ski | Holemo – ho-LEH-mo | Cardona – car-DOUGH-nuh | Tavel – rhymes with gavel

FIELD STAFF 17 Manager: Jose Mayorga 13 Bench Coach: Matt Von Roemer 29 Pitching Coach: Eric Yardley 34 Bullpen Coach: Robelin Bautista 12 Hitting Coach: Ryan Wright 14 Position Coach: Petr Stříbrcký 22 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

Athletic Trainer: Katie Reyes Assistant Athletic Trainer: Dalton Holemo Strength & Conditioning: Joe Cardona Assistant S&C: Noah Or Dietitian: Stephanie Tavel Tech Assistant: Owen Ruddock

NO PITCHERS (17) 28 Casey Anderson 36 Yordin Chalas 21 Logan Clayton 20 Hayden Durke 32 Daniel Eagen 40 Edgar Isea 38 Sam Knowlton 25 Alexis Liebano 24 Mason Marriott Teofilo Mendez 22 Jorge Minyety 34 Liam Norris 17 Daniel Nunez 23 Carlos Rey 44 Eli Saul 37 Nate Savino Jacob Steinmetz 45 John West 16 Ricardo Yan

T

HT 6-4 6-4 R 6-5 R 6-2 R 6-4 R 6-3 R 6-8 R 6-1 R 6-1 R 5-11 R 6-1 L 6-4 R 6-0 L 6-2 R 6-5 L 6-3 R/R 6-6 R 6-8 R 6-4

WT AGE 185 24 200 21 205 25 220 22 210 22 260 22 270 24 190 22 210 22 170 205 22 230 23 195 22 205 22 235 23 210 23 230 265 23 205 22

NO CATCHERS (3) 14 Kenny Castillo 9 J.J. D’Orazio 27 Gavin Logan

B-T HT R-R 6-3 R-R 6-1 L-R 5-11

R R

BORN 8/31/00 2/22/04 5/2/00 5/1/02 11/23/02 8/20/02 6/15/00 3/8/03 8/14/02 10/08/01 1/4/03 8/13/01 3/4/03 5/19/02 8/16/01 1/24/02 07/19/03 10/5/01 11/14/02

HOME TOWN Cedar City, UT La Romana, D.R. New Smyrna Beach, FL Abbeville, LA Fuquay-Varina, NC El Tigre, VZ Warrior, AL Caracas, VZ Tomball, TX

SCHOOL Utah Valley U Juan Pablo Duarte U Houston U. Louisiana / Rice U. Presbyterian College (SC) J.B.A. U of South Alabama Centro America Baylor U

ACQUIRED 11th Rd, 2023 INT FA, 1/15/23 17th Rd, 2022 13th Rd, 2023 3rd Rd, 2024 INT FA, 9/10/18 12th Rd, 2023 INT FA, 7/27/22 6th Rd, 2024

Bani, D.R. Villa David Cary, NC Green Hope HS Merida, Yucatan, MEX Miami Springs, FL Nova Southeastern U. Vancouver, BC Sacramento State U. Sterling, VA U of Virginia

INT FA, 12/10/22 3rd Rd, 2020 Mi FA, 12/13/23 17th Rd, 2023 13th Rd, 2022 3rd Rd, 2022

Shrewsbury, MA Santo Domingo, D.R.

Boston College Otilio Vigil Diaz

12th Rd, 2024 INT FA, 1/22/21

WT AGE BORN HOME TOWN 170 20 5/13/2004 Guacara, VEN 210 23 12/28/01 Maracay, VZ 210 25 1/14/00 Oyen, Alberta

SCHOOL Las Nieves HS Oregon State U

ACQUIRED INT FA, 2/5/21 Trade w/Toronto 9th Rd, 2022

HOME TOWN Nogales, AZ Louisa, KY San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. Golden, CO Dajabon, D.R.

SCHOOL Nogales HS Morehead State U Mis Primeros Pasos Hutchinson CC / U Arkansas San Jose

ACQUIRED 7th Rd, 2022 8th Rd, 2023 INT FA, 1/15/22 9th Rd, 2024 INT FA, 1/15/21

Acarigua, VZ

Lanceritos

INT FA, 1/15/22

HOME TOWN Bani, D.R. Atlanta, GA Constanza, D.R. Bradenton, FL

SCHOOL Juan Pablo Wesleyan HS Juan Pablo Duarte U Kentucky

ACQUIRED INT FA, 7/2/19 1st Rd, (2nd overall), 2022 INT FA, 7/2/19 1st Rd, (31st overall), 2024

NO INFIELDERS (6) B-T 5 Demetrio Crisantes R-R 35 Jackson Feltner R-R 10 Jansel Luis S-R 11 Ben McLaughlin L-R 26 Anderdson Rojas L-R 12 Kevin Sim R/R 8 Cristofer Torin R-R

HT 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-1 5-10

WT AGE 190 20 220 23 200 20 210 22 190 21 210 200 19

BORN 9/5/04 9/19/01 3/6/05 5/30/02 3/8/04 02/07/02 5/25/05

NO OUTFIELDERS (4) B-T 13 Junior Franco L-L 4 Druw Jones R-R 3 Angel Ortiz L-L 15 Ryan Waldschmidt R-R

HT 5-8 6-3 6-0 6-2

WT AGE BORN 195 22 9/13/02 190 21 11/28/03 200 22 10/3/02 210 22 10/7/02

ARIZONA SYSTEM: AAA - Reno; AA - Amarillo; A+ - Hillsboro Hops; A - Visalia PRONUNCIATIONS: Jim Adduci (uh-DOOS-ee) | Yordin Chalas (yor-DEEN chahl-us, rhymes with “Wallace”) Demetrio Crisantes (duh-MEE-tree-oh kris-AHN-tess) | J.J. D’Orazio (dor-AH-zee-oh) | Hayden Durke (like the man’s name “Dirk”) Daniel Eagen (EE-gun) | Junior Franco (FRONK-oh) | Edgar Isea (ee-SAY-uh) | Druw Jones (drew) | Joe Leo (LEE-oh) | Alexis Liebano (lee-EH-buh-no) Jansel Luis (honn-sell loo-ees) | Brad Marcelino (mar-suh-LEE-no) | Mason Marriott (just like the hotel chain) | Ben McLaughlin (mc-LOFF-linn) Jorge Minyety (hor-hay meen-JET-ee) | Daniel Nunez (NOON-yez) | Angel Ortiz (on-hel) | Carlos Rey (ray) | Anderdson Rojas (Anderson ROW-hoss) Eli Saul (ee-lye sahl) | Cristofer Torin (tore-EEN) | Cat Widay (wih-DAY) | Ricardo Yan (yahn)

FIELD STAFF 7 Manager: Mark Reed 29 Pitching Coach: Tyler Mark 30 Assistant Hitting Coach: Jim Adduci 19 Bench Coach: Ronald Ramirez

Trainer: Cat Widay Strength Coach: Joe Leo Video Coordinator: Dawson Dullnig

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 23

FIELD STAFF

JOSE

MAYORGA

17

MANAGER Mayorga has been managing in the Blue Jays system since 2022. He spent two seasons at the helm for the FCL Blue Jays then managed Single-A Dunedin to a 69-61 record in 2024, the club’s best mark since 2019. This won’t be his first stop at The Nat; the Pueblo Nuevo, Panama native was the bench coach for the C’s in 2018. Mayorga brings a championship pedigree to Vancouver, leading the Federales de Chiriqui to back-to-back Panamanian Professional Baseball League titles in 202223 and 2023-24. The latter squad went 5-1 in the 2024 Caribbean Series and placed third in the tournament. He also skippered Panama in the WBSC Premier12 tournament last year, where former C’s bench coach Ashley Ponce and pitcher Abdiel Mendoza joined him. As a player, Mayorga was a catcher in the Philadelphia Phillies system from 2010 to 2015.

24 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

MATT

VON ROEMER

13

BENCH COACH Matt von Roemer, Bench Coach – von Roemer takes on his largest role as a professional coach since joining the Blue Jays as an intern in 2019. He has rapidly ascended the organizational ranks, first as Technology Operations Coordinator then as Double-A New Hampshire’s development coach in 2023 before making his bench coach debut on Mayorga’s staff with Single-A Dunedin last year. The Kendall Park, NJ native played collegiately at Kenyon College from 2015 to 2018, slashing .366/.416/.503 with a .919 OPS in 147 games played across four seasons with the Lords (now known as the Owls).

ERIC

YARDLEY

29

PITCHING COACH Eric Yardley, Pitching Coach – Yardley assumes the role of pitching coach for the first time as a professional following a three-year big league career with the Padres and Brewers. A native of Richland, WA, the former right-handed reliever posted a career ERA of 3.52 in 53.2 innings of work across 51 MLB games. Yardley, 34, also logged Triple-A innings with the Cubs and Blue Jays in 2022.

He joined the coaching ranks last season and served as Double-A New Hampshire’s bullpen coach.

RYAN

WRIGHT

12

HITTING COACH Ryan Wright, Hitting Coach – Wright is the team’s hitting coach for the fifth consecutive season. The Boise, ID native’s mentorship of Blue Jays prospects Peyton Williams, Jace Bohrofen and Dasan Brown last year had all three among the Northwest League’s top hitters. He has overseen the offensive evolutions of big leaguers Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, Addison Barger and Leo Jimenez during their respective tenures with the C’s and contributed to the rapid development of Alan Roden and Josh Kasevich as potential Major Leaguers in 2025.

ROBELIN

BAUTISTA

34

BULLPEN COACH Robelin Bautista, Bullpen Coach – Bautista will handle the Vancouver relief corps in 2025 after two seasons as the pitching coach for the DSL Blue Jays. Originally from El Seibo, DR, Bautista graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2019 and joined the Blue Jays as Player Development Intern later that year.

PETR

STŘÍBRCKÝ

14

POSITION COACH Petr Stříbrcký, Position Coach – Stříbrcký makes his High-A debut after serving in the same role for Single-A Dunedin last season. The Blansko, Czech Republic native has played and coached all over the world, including an eight-year stint as the director of the Portuguese Baseball Academy.

Stříbrcký joined Toronto’s organization as the hitting coach of the DSL Blue Jays in 2019 and returned to that role in 2021 before arriving stateside as the development coach of the FCL Blue Jays in 2022. He first joined the Dunedin staff as development coach in 2023.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 25

Watch Now

26 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

2025 ROSTER

EDINSON

5

CONNOR

AARON

MUNSON

PITCHER HT: 5-10 WT: 180 B/T: L/R DOB: 03/15/02 HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 19th, ’23, Angelo State

BATISTA

39

BO

26

JULIO

38

JJ

PITCHER HT: 6-2 WT: 210 B/T: R/R DOB: 05/19/02 HOMETOWN: Santiago, DR ’24 CLUBS: Asheville (HOU) ACQUIRED: Trade w/HOU, 04/01/25

O’HALLORAN

PITCHER HT: 6-2 WT: 195 B/T: R/L DOB: 09/01/02 HOMETOWN: Mississauga, ON ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 5th, ’23, Michigan

KENDRY

YONDREI

HT: 6-2 WT: 190 B/T: L/L DOB: 11/26/02 HOMETOWN: Ciego de Avila, CUB ’24 CLUBS: Dunedin, Vancouver ACQUIRED: INT FA, 14/10/20

HT: 5-10 WT: 180 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/22/02 HOMETOWN: San Juan de los Morros, VZ ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: INT FA, 02/10/21

ROJAS

ROJAS

BONDS

25

IRV

45

FERNANDO

PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 01/10/01 HOMETOWN: Live Oak, FL ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 13th, ’22, LouisianaLafayette

ORTIZ

PITCHER HT: 6-3 WT: 175 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/30/00 HOMETOWN: San Pedro de Macoris, DR ’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 07/21/23

SANCHEZ

3

PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 175 B/T: L/L DOB: 09/08/99 HOMETOWN: Los Fresnos, TX ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: ND FA, 07/20/23

CARTER

4

PAT

37

KAI

22

KHAL

PITCHER HT: 6-4 WT: 210 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/09/02 HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 5th, ’21, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)

PEREZ

PITCHER HT: 6-3 WT: 180 B/T: R/R DOB: 02/12/04 HOMETOWN: Rivas, Nicaragua ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: INT FA, 01/15/22

GAGE

STANIFER

HT: 6-3 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 11/18/03 HOMETOWN: Indianapolis, IN ’24 CLUBS: Dunedin ACQUIRED: 19th, ’22, Westfield HS (IN)

GALLAGHER

11

PITCHER HT: 6-0 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 06/30/00 HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA ’24 CLUBS: VAN ACQUIRED: 11th, ’22, Connecticut

PETERSON

30

PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 195 B/T: L/L DOB: 08/14/02 HOMETOWN: Roseville, CA ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 20th, ’23, Sierra College

STEPHEN

27

HT: 6-4 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 12/21/02 HOMETOWN: Williamsport, IN ’24 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 2nd, ’24, Mississippi State

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 27

JONATHAN

TODD

33

JACKSON

35

JACKSON

21

ARJUN

PITCHER HT: 6-6 WT: 225 B/T: L/R DOB: 08/21/01 HOMETOWN: Reidsville, NC ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: 15th, ’24, Western Carolina

HAYDEN

GILLILAND

CATCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 175 B/T: L/R DOB: 10/29/01 HOMETOWN: Maryville, TN ’24 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: ND FA, 07/21/24

SEAN

KEYS

INFIELDER HT: 6-2 WT: 225 B/T: L/R DOB: 05/26/03 HOMETOWN: Centerport, NY ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: 4th, ’24, Bucknell

WENTWORTH

41

CHAY

31

AARON

18

ADRIAN

PITCHER HT: 6-1 WT: 210 B/T: R/R DOB: 08/08/02 HOMETOWN: Urbandale, IA ’24 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 5th, ’24, Kansas State

HORNUNG

OUTFIELDER HT: 6-2 WT: 215 B/T: R/R DOB: 02/06/01 HOMETOWN: Ashland, MA ’24 CLUBS: VAN ACQUIRED: 16th, ’23, Skidmore

NIMMALA

INFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 175 B/T: R/R DOB: 10/16/05 HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL ’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN ACQUIRED: 1st (20th ovr.), ’23, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)

28 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

YEAGER

20

TREY

6

CUTTER

1

VICTOR

PITCHER HT: 5-11 WT: 185 B/T: S/R DOB: 09/11/02 HOMETOWN: Gainesville, GA ’24 CLUBS: VAN ACQUIRED: 12th, ’23, PascoHernando State JC

PARKER

CATCHER HT: 5-9 WT: 200 B/T: R/R DOB: 01/17/03 HOMETOWN: Los Altos, CA ’24 CLUBS: College, DUN ACQUIRED: 6th, ’24, UC Santa Barbara

PINTO

INFIELDER HT: 5-8 WT: 170 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/22/02 HOMETOWN: Caucagua, VZ ’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: Trade w/COL, 07/09/22

YESAVAGE

15

NICOLAS

28

NICK

2

CARTER

HT: 6-4 WT: 225 B/T: R/R DOB: 07/28/03 HOMETOWN: Boyerstown, PA ’24 CLUBS: College ACQUIRED: 1st (20th ovr.), ’24, East Carolina

COFFEY

INFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 190 B/T: R/R DOB: 05/21/04 HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, CA ’24 CLUBS: GVL (BOS), VAN ACQUIRED: Trade w/BOS, 07/27/24

ARIAS

OUTFIELDER HT: 5-11 WT: 180 B/T: L/L DOB: 08/24/03 HOMETOWN: Maracay, VZ ’24 CLUBS: DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: INT FA, 08/24/19

DESCHAMPS

26

HT: 5-11 WT: 190 B/T: L/R DOB: 08/25/02 HOMETOWN: Quebec City, QC 23 CLUBS: Dunedin AQUIRED: ND FA, 08/16/21

GOODWIN

7

INFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 205 B/T: R/R DOB: 09/06/01 HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS ’24 CLUBS: VAN ACQUIRED: 7th, ’23, Kansas State

CUNNINGHAM

16

INFIELDER HT: 6-4 WT: 215 B/T: L/R DOB: 11/06/00 HOMETOWN: Haymarket, VA ’24 CLUBS: College, DUN ACQUIRED: 10th, ’24, East Carolina

GABBY

MARTINEZ

HT: 6-0 WT: 195 B/T: R/R DOB: 07/24/02 HOMETOWN: Maracaibo, VZ ’24 CLUBS: NH AQUIRED: INT FA, 7/24/18

8

EDDIE

MICHELETTI JR.

19

OUTFIELDER HT: 6-1 WT: 220 B/T: L/R DOB: 12/29/01 HOMETOWN: Wilmington, DE ’24 CLUBS: DUN ACQUIRED: 8th, ’24, Virginia Tech

BRENNAN

ORF

15

OUTFIELDER HT: 6-4 WT: 230 B/T: L/R DOB: 09/06/01 HOMETOWN: Wildwood, MO ’24 CLUBS: FCL, DUN, VAN ACQUIRED: 13th, ‘23, So. IllinoisEdwardsville

JE’VON

WARD

24

OUTFIELDER HT: 6-2 WT: 195 B/T: L/R DOB: 10/25/99 HOMETOWN: Long Beach, CA ’24 CLUBS: KCO (Indy), VAN ACQUIRED: MiLB FA, 06/15/24

JACOB

WETZEL

KATIE

DALTON

JOE

NOAH

STEPHANIE

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

ASST. ATHLETIC TRAINER

HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ASST. STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

NUTRITION

REYES

HOLEMO

CARDONA

2025 TRANSACTIONS APRIL

4/2 Blue Jays announce C’s Opening Day roster 4/4 Jackson Hornung, Hayden Gilliland placed on Development List 4/15 RHP Connor O’Halloran placed on 7-Day IL 4/18 Jackson Hornung activated from the Development List, Carter Cunningham placed on the Development List 4/19 RHP Edinson Batista transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver 4/25 Jay Harry transferred to Double-A New Hampshire, Carter Cunningham activated from the Development List 4/29 Vancouver Canadians placed CF Jacob Wetzel on the 7-day injured list.

OR

22

OUTFIELDER HT: 5-10 WT: 220 B/T: L/L DOB: 03/26/00 HOMETOWN: Walkersville, MD ’24 CLUBS: MB, SB (CHI) ACQUIRED: Rule 5 (CHI), 12/11/24

TAVEL

5/20 – RHPs Kevin Miranda, Grant Rogers and Juaron Watts-Brown transferred from Vancouver to Double-A New Hampshire, RHP Irv Carter activated from the Development List, OF Victor Arias activated from 7-Day IL, RHPs Trey Yesavage #15, Khal Stephen #27 and Gage Stanifer #22 transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver

MAY OWEN

RUDDOCK

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT

5/6 – RHP Irv Carter placed on Development List, RHP Yondrei Rojas transferred from Single-A Dunedin to Vancouver wearing #38 5/8 – OF Victor Arias placed on 7-Day IL 5/12 – C Alex Stone transferred to Double-A New Hampshire, C Nic Deschamps transferred from Double-A New Hampshire to Vancouver and wearing #26, OF Gabriel Martinez transferred from Double-A New Hampshire to Vancouver and wearing #8 5/13 – UTL Brennan Orf placed on the 7-Day IL 5/16 – UTL Adrian Pinto placed on the 7-Day IL

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 29

79-2005: Frank Robinson was traded to Cleveland late in the 1974 season before becoming the team’s player/manager in 1975. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

30 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

BY BRUCE MARKUSEN

DUGOUT TRAILBLAZER

Fifty years ago, Frank Robinson broke barriers as the American League’s first Black manager.

It’s difficult to fathom the pressure that Frank Robinson felt 50 years ago, as he prepared to become the first Black manager in the history of the American League. The emotional burden was enormous, given the game’s conservative nature and the continuing presence of a few old-line naysayers who still questioned whether a Black man could capably guide a major league team.

As if that atmosphere of stress and anxiety was not enough, Robinson also faced the added burden of being a player.

Having officially been named manager at a press conference on Oct. 3, 1974, Robinson was not just set to serve the Cleveland Indians as their manager in 1975; he had also had another prominent role to fill as the team’s part-time designated hitter. By 1975, player/managers had become virtually extinct within the game. There were no other player/ managers at the time, and the next player/manager would not arrive until 1977, when Joe Torre took on the dual role with the New York Mets.

Without question, Robinson faced a huge task, one that was made more difficult by Cleveland’s mediocrity on the field.

In 1974, the Indians had finished with a record of 77-85, placing them a distant fourth in the American League East. And in a division featuring veteran teams in Baltimore, New York, and Boston, there seemed to be little hope of the Indians emerging as a strong contender in 1975.

On the other hand, Robinson was well prepared for his first managerial go-round in the American League. As a player, he had long been regarded as one of the game’s smartest and toughest competitors, as well as a clubhouse leader. He had also managed several seasons in Winter League ball, where he honed his managerial skills while guiding both veteran players and younger prospects.

As a Winter League manager, Robinson drew praise for his toughness and his general approach to the game. One of his players in the Puerto Rican Winter League, a young Reggie Jackson, raved about Robinson’s calming, reasoned approach. Another Robinson quality, his ability to teach the game and its fundamentals, also drew positive reviews.

That quality figured to help him in his first season at the helm of the Indians, a young team that would feature only two players in their 30s (Rico Carty and the newly acquired Boog Powell) as part of their everyday lineup.

Settling into Spring Training in Tucson, Ariz., Robinson announced a few changes in managerial policy, including the elimination of a curfew for his players, in contrast to past Indians practice. But he also made it clear that he had no interest in becoming a buddy to his players. Even though he was still just 39 years and a contemporary to the players (and still technically their teammate), he believed that

he needed to draw a line of separation. Robinson was not “one of the guys.” He was the boss, and his decisions would need to be respected.

One of the players who did not always agree with Robinson’s methods was Gaylord Perry, the team’s ace and 21-game winner in 1974.

During the spring, Robinson implemented a tougher conditioning program that emphasized running and stretching as a way of cutting down on injuries. He believed that all of his players needed to follow the regimen. One day, Robinson noticed Perry taking some shortcuts during his running routine. So he called the veteran pitcher into his office and questioned whether anything was bothering him. When Perry said there was nothing wrong, Robinson admonished his star pitcher, telling Perry that he didn’t appreciate his attitude. Robinson urged Perry, his most recognizable player, to set a better example for the younger players.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 31

Perry later met privately with Indians general manager Phil Seghi to request a trade, but the GM instead arranged for a meeting involving himself, Perry and Robinson. The one-hour sit-down allowed the manager and pitcher to clear the air, at least for the rest of Spring Training.

offense against Perry, who settled down and finished off a complete game effort. In the meantime, the Indians rallied behind the bats of the slugging Powell, who went 3-for-3 with a home run, and Jack Brohamer, who added two hits and two RBI. The Indians won, 5-3, making Robinson the victor in his debut.

After the blow-up with Perry, Robinson’s first Spring Training as manager proceeded without any other major incidents, setting the stage for the regular season. Robinson and the Indians made their way to Cleveland for their Opening Day game against the New York Yankees. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions that included 36-degree temperatures, a large crowd of 56,715 fans gathered at Municipal Stadium on April 8 to see the historic debut of Robinson as manager. Those hardy fans also received a bonus, as Robinson penciled his own name into the lineup as the Indians’ DH.

The crowd at Municipal Stadium responded to the Opening Day win as if the Indians had clinched the pennant. In the top of the ninth inning, as Perry faced the Yankees’ Thurman Munson with two outs and a runner on first base, Robinson fought back some nervousness for only the second time that day (The first bout of nerves had come during the national anthem).

Prior to the cold-but-sunny afternoon game, Robinson met with Seghi.

According to Robinson, Seghi offered the following recommendation to him: “Phil suggested to me this morning, ‘Why don’t you hit a homer the first time you go to the plate?’”

In response, Robinson said, “You’ve got to be kidding.” Seghi almost certainly was joking, but his words would prove far more prophetic than anyone could have thought.

While Robinson’s immediate task at hand included both playing and managing, there were also reminders that placed the nature of this Opening Day in a larger perspective. To mark Robinson’s managerial debut, the Indians staged a 30-minute pregame ceremony. Several dignitaries attended, including Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. For Robinson, he was especially pleased that the ceremony included Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, who had called for baseball to hire a Black manager just before his death in 1972.

According to Cleveland’s newly installed manager, Rachel’s presence at the ballpark kept his mind from straying. “I was very proud that (Rachel) would make the trip over there,” Robinson said. “I hoped and wished that Jackie could have been there. The next best thing was having her there.”

Earlier in the day, Robinson had focused on the task of filling out his first lineup card. In a manner contrary to many managers of that era, Robinson stacked the top of his batting order with his best power hitters, putting Oscar Gamble in the leadoff role, himself second, and the trio of George Hendrick, Charlie Spikes, and Boog Powell in the third, fourth, and fifth spots.

After Gamble started the bottom of the first with a foul pop to third base, Robinson stepped in to face Yankees right-hander George “Doc” Medich. Robinson fouled off three pitches in working the count to 2-and-2 before seeing a fastball low and away. It was not a bad pitch by Medich, but Robinson managed to pull it toward left field. Yankees outfielder Lou Piniella ran back to the wall and leapt, but the ball eluded his grasp and sailed into the seats. In storybook fashion, Robinson had managed to hit a home run in the first at-bat of his managerial debut – and make his general manager seem like a prophet.

As Robinson approached home plate, the fans at Municipal Stadium rewarded him with a roaring cheer. After tipping his cap to the crowd, he was immediately greeted by Gaylord Perry, Cleveland’s Opening Day starter and the man who had drawn Robinson’s ire during Spring Training.

“Any home run is a thrill,” said Robinson to a flock of reporters after the game, “but I’ve got to admit, this one was a bigger thrill.”

Robinson’s blast gave the Indians an early 1-0 lead, but it did not last long, as the Yankees responded with three runs against Perry in the top of the second. Those runs would prove to be the extent of the 32 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

As the Municipal Stadium fans roared with each pitch, Munson battled Perry before hitting a routine tapper back to the mound. That resulted in the game’s final out – and a large commotion in the stands.

As Russell Schneider wrote in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the fans “gave the Indians a spinetingling ovation.”

The fans in Cleveland seemed to appreciate the significance of the game. It was not just an Opening Day win; it was a most fitting way to make history, with the first Black manager in the American League contributing both with his decision-making and his bat.

For Robinson, the day’s events had unfolded like a perfect script. “I couldn’t think of any better way to start my new career,” Robinson told the Associated Press. “I was extremely pleased by the way we won. It was a team effort. The guys came from behind and played together, and that’s what you have to do to be successful.”

As a team, the Indians would find more success in 1975 than they had in 1974, though it did not come easily. Robinson guided the Indians to a respectable record of 79-80, an improvement of three and a half games. It was also a tumultuous season, marked by frequent disagreements. In addition to the Spring Training incident with Perry, who would end up being traded in June, Robinson encountered dust-ups with Rico Carty and John Ellis. There were also many confrontations with umpires. Robinson brought his typical intensity and fire to managing, resulting in numerous on-field arguments and three ejections in 1975.

In later years, Robinson would calm his emotions, remaining old school in approach, but learning to curb his temper and select his battles more judiciously. Those adjustments helped him last for 16 seasons as a manager. In an era without wild card teams, Robinson would never lead a team to the postseason, but did earn two secondplace finishes and took home American League Manager of the Year honors with Baltimore in 1989.

More significantly, in taking on the pioneering task of managing, Robinson served as a trailblazer for other Black managers. Those later managers would include Larry Doby, Maury Wills, Felipe Alou, Cito Gaston, Dusty Baker, and Dave Roberts, among others.

But for all of them, it was Frank Robinson who cleared the path.

Bruce Markusen is the manager of digital and outreach learning at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Reprinted with permission from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum receive free admission to the Museum, as well as access to exclusive programs, such as the Voices of the Game Series. Additionally, members receive a subscription to the Hall of Fame’s bi-monthly magazine, Memories and Dreams, the annual Hall of Fame yearbook and a 10% discount and free shipping on retail purchases. For information on becoming a member, please visit baseballhall.org/join or call 607-547-0397.

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY BLUE JAYS ALUMNI PAT BORDERS & TODD STOTTLEMYRE PLUS DAVIS SCHNEIDER BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY

VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 33

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VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 35

CANADIANS TO REACH THE MAJOR LEAGUES The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club has welcomed more than 800 players onto its rosters since 2000. That’s a lot of guys

all striving to one day reach the bright lights of the Major Leagues. Here is a list of every one of our players who has arrived at the game’s highest stage and play in Major League Baseball.

2003 Rich Harden Neal Cotts Mike Wood

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P P

2001 2001 2001

21-Jul 12-Aug 21-Aug

2004 Santiago Casilla Nick Swisher Joe Blanton

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P OF P

2002 2002 2002

09-Aug Oakland 03-Sep Oakland 24-Sep Oakland

2005 Mark Teahen Dan Johnson Omar Quintanilla Freddie Bynum Nelson Cruz

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

INF INF INF INF OF

2002 2001 2003 2000 2002

04-Apr 27-May 31-Jul 30-Aug 17-Sep

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P OF P C P C INF

2001 2003 2001 2004 2004 2002 2002

22-Apr 02-May 29-May 12-Jun 17-Jul 03-Sep 13-Oct

POS 2007 Travis Buck OF Jared Burton P Danny Putman OF Dallas Braden P Connor Robertson P Marshal McDougall INF Kevin Melillo INF Bill Murphy P

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

2005 2002 2004 2004 2004 2000 2004 2002

02-Apr 04-Apr 23-Apr 24-Apr 17-May 05-Jun 24-Jun 03-Sep

2008 Gregorio Petit John Baker Jeff Gray

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

INF C P

2004 2002 2005

18-May Oakland 09-Jul Florida 08-Sep Oakland

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P C INF P INF

2006 2004 2004 2005 2005

06-Apr 11-Apr 28-Jul 02-Sep 09-Sep

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P

2010 2004

24-Jun 15-Jul

2006 John Rheinecker Andre Either Chris Mabeus Kurt Suzuki Jason Windsor Jeremy Brown Mark Kiger

2009 Andrew Bailey Landon Powell Tommy Everidge Brad Kilby Jeff Baisley 2010 A.J. Griffin Alexi Ogando

36 / VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025

Oakland Chicago (AL) Oakland

Kansas City Oakland Colorado Oakland Milwaukee Texas Los Angeles (NL) Milwaukee Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Cincinnati Oakland Oakland Oakland Texas Oakland Arizona

Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Texas

2011 Justin Sellers Anthony Recker Corey Brown

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

INF C OF

2005 2005 2007

12-Aug Los Angeles (NL) 25-Aug Oakland 06-Sep Washington

2012 Pedro Figueroa Sean Doolittle Dan Straily

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P P

2007 2007 2009

21-Apr Oakland 05-Jun Oakland 30-Aug Oakland

2013 Ian Krol Kevin Pillar Max Stassi Michael Choice

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P OF C OF

2009 2011 2009 2010

05-Jun 14-Aug 20-Aug 02-Sep

2014 Bo Schultz Marcus Stroman Aaron Sanchez Dalton Pompey Daniel Norris

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P P OF P

2009 2012 2011 2012 2012

23-Mar 04-May 23-Jul 02-Sep 05-Sep

2015 POS Miguel Castro P Roberto Osuna P Noah Syndergaard P Justin Nicolino P Dusty Coleman INF David Rollins P

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

2014 2012 2011 2011 2008 2011

06-Apr 08-Apr 12-May 20-Jun 03-Jul 04-Jul

2016 Andy Burns Matt Dermody 2017 Dwight Smith Jr. Seth Frankoff Ian Parmley Franklin Barreto Taylor Cole Tim Mayza Jairo Labourt Carlos Ramirez Richard Urena Tim Locastro 2018 Ryan Borucki Justin Shafer Murphy Smith Dawel Lugo Jose Fernandez Jonathan Davis Jon Berti

Washington Toronto Houston Oakland Arizona Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto New York (NL) Miami Kansas City Seattle

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

INF P

2011 2013

09-May Toronto 03-Sep Toronto

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

OF P OF INF P P P P INF INF

2012 2010 2013 2014 2012 2014 2014 2012 2014 2014

18-May 09-Jun 23-Jun 24-Jun 09-Aug 15-Aug 01-Sep 01-Sep 01-Sep 29-Sep

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P P INF P OF INF

2014 2014 2009 2013 2014 2014 2011

26-Jun 18-Aug 27-Aug 30-Aug 01-Sep 05-Sep 26-Sep

Toronto Chicago (NL) Toronto Oakland Toronto Toronto Detroit Toronto Toronto Los Angeles (NL) Toronto Toronto Toronto Detroit Toronto Toronto Toronto

POS ALUMN MLB DEBUT TEAM 2019 John Schneider MGR 2011/14-15 28-Mar Toronto Travis Bergen P 2015-17 29-Mar San Francisco Cavan Biggio INF 2016 25-May Toronto T.J. Zeuch 2016 03-Sep Toronto Lane Thomas OF 2015 17-Apr St. Louis Ryan McBroom INF/OF 2014 03-Sep Kansas City

2020 Nate Pearson Dany Jiménez Patrick Murhpy Ángel Perdomo

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P P P

2017 2017 2016 2015

29-Jul 23-Jul 18-Sep 18-Aug

2021 Josh Palacios Alek Manoah Riley Adams Tayler Saucedo Nick Allgeyer Otto López

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

OF P C P P INF

2016 2019 2018 2015 2018 2018

09-Apr 27-May 08-Jun 17-Jun 02-Jul 17-Aug

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

P P INF INF P P P

2016 2017 2012 2018 2015 2018 2017

9-April 19-April 20-April 1-May 9-May 28-May 31-July

POS 2023 Samad Taylor INF Spencer Horwitz OF Davis Schneider INF/OF Hagen Danner P Cam Eden OF Jose Espada P

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

2017 2021 2022 2021 2021 2018

18-Jun 19-Jun 4-Aug 11-Aug 21-Sep 24-Sep

POS 2024 Addison Barger INF/OF Brandon Eisert P Adam Kloffenstein P Orelvis Martinez INF Steward Berroa INF Yosver Zulueta P Leo Jimenez INF Luis De Los Santos INF Griffin Conine OF

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

2021 2021 2022 2021 2022 2022 2022 2021 2018

24-Apr 17-Jun 20-Jun 21-Jun 23-Jun 25-Jun 4-July 31-July 26-Aug

2025 Alan Roden Mason Fluharty Matt Svanson Paxton Schultz

POS

ALUMN

MLB DEBUT TEAM

OF P P P

2023 2022 2022 2021

27-Mar 01-Apr 17-Apr 20-Apr

2022 Zach Jackson Zach Logue Christian Lopes Vinny Capra Danny Young Josh Winckowski Jake Fishman

Toronto San Francisco Toronto Milwaukee Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto Oakland Oakland Oakland Toronto Seattle Boston Marlins Kansas City Toronto Toronto Toronto Toronto San Diego Blue Jays Toronto St.Louis Toronto Toronto Cincinnati Toronto Toronto Miami Blue Jays Blue Jays Cardinals Blue Jays

e m a g t pos s k r o w e r i F a z n a g

a v a r ext

t h g I N e g a t i r e h n a i s A h t PLUS Sou

TUESDAY, MAY 27 VANCOUVER CANADIANS 2025 / 37

HOW TO SCORE A BASEBALL GAME Different fans have different methods of keeping a scorecard, and many use their own notations. But here's a simple method:

circle put the symbol of the play and/or the player that drove him in.

For example, if the No. 5 hitter drives in two runs with a single, mark his single in the bottom right of his box and mark a circle with the number "5" in the boxes of the runners who score (Some people like to use uniform numbers here, so you can tell who did what, even after lineup changes).

For example, If the hitter grounds out to shortstop, for example, write in "6-3," which shows the shortstop threw him out at first base. If the hitter flies out to left field, write a "7."

If the batter gets a hit, write in the hit according to which base he reached. Each corner of the box represents a base, with the lowerright corner being first.

At the end of each inning, total the hits and runs for that inning only.

At the end of the game you'll be able to add the innings total to get the game score.

If he singles, put a "-" in the lower right. If he doubles, write a "=" in the upper right, and so on. For a walk, use "BB" in the lower right. As the runner advances, mark the appropriate symbol in the appropriate corner.

If a runner scores, put a circle at the bottom of the box, and inside the

EXAMPLE SCOREBOARD

SYMBOLS FOR PLAY

1ST INNING 1. SINGLED, ADVANCED ON NEXT BATTER'S WALK, TOOK 3RD ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, SCOREO ON NO. 4 BATTER'S DOUBLE 2. WALKED, LATER FORCED OUT, SHORTSTOP TO SECOND BASE 3. REACHED ON FIELDER'S CHOICE, ADVANCED TO 3RD ON NEXT BATTER'S DOUBLE, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 4. DOUBLED, SCORED ON NO. 5 BATTER'S SINGLE 5. SINGLED, ADVANCED TO 2ND ON NEXT BATTER'S SINGLE, STOLE 3RD BASE, THROWN OUT ON GROUNDER, SHORTSTOP TO CATCHER 6. SINGLED, STOLE 2ND BASE 7. REACHED 1ST ON FIELDER’S CHOICE 8. POPPED OUT TO 2ND BASE 2ND INNING 9. LEADOFF WITH DOUBLE 1. FLIED OUT TO CENTERFIELD 2. POPPED OUT TO SHORTSTOP 3. STRUCKOUT SWINGING

TEAM BATTING ORDER

1

3 2

Single: S or – Double: D or = Triple: T or = Homerun: HR or =

2

1. CENTER FIELDER 8 4 6-4 6 2. SHORTSTOP BB 3 3. 1ST BASEMAN 5 FC K = 4. 3RD BASEMAN 5 SB 2 5. RIGHT FIELDER 6-2 SB 6. LEFT FIELDER 7. DESIGNATED HITTER FC 8. 2ND BASEMAN 4 / 9. CATCHER = R H 3 4 0 1 TOTALS

Sacrifice: Walk: Strikeout: Called Out on Strikes: Balk: Fielder’s Choice: Hit by Pitch: Wild Pitch:

Passed Ball: PB SB

Stolen Base: Double Play: Error: Sacrifice Fly: Intentional Walk: Foul Fly: Force Out: Line Drive: Bunt:

DP E SF IBB F FO L B Unassisted: U

SH or SAC BB K K BK FC HP WP

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS BY THE NUMBERS PITCHER CATCHER 1ST BASEMAN 2ND BASEMAN 3RD BASEMAN 6 SHORTSTOP 7 LEFT FIELDER 8 CENTER FIELDER 1 2 3 4 5

8 7

9

6 5

4 1

3

9 RIGHT FIELDER

BASIC UMPIRE SIGNS FOR THE PLAYERS AND FANS Umpires use a number of signals. Some of these are familiar and are associated with the Rules of Baseball, like safe, out, foul, etc. These are a few you are likely to see when scoring a game.

FOUL TIP

DOUBLE

TRAPPED BALL/SAFE

DELAYED DEAD BALL

TIME/DEAD BALL

COUNT

HOLD UP PLAY

HOME RUN

PLAY BALL

INFIELD FLY

FAIR BALL

FOUL BALL

STRIKE OUT

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SATURDAY, JUNE 14 | 1:05

WEAR BLUE, WIN PRIZES! PLUS SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY BLUE JAYS ALUMNI

BY LINA SETAGHIAN

MEET OUR MASCOTS

THE VANCOUVER CANADIANS HAVE AN ARMY OF MASCOTS THAT ARE ALL DESIGNED WITH ONE COMMON GOAL – ENSURE EVERYONE OUT AT HISTORIC ROGERS FIELD AT NAT BAILEY STADIUM HAS FUN! FROM A LOVEABLE BEAR TO A TRIO OF SUSHI THAT ARE READY TO ROCK – NOT TO MENTION A CONDIMENT AND UTENSIL? THE CANADIANS MASCOTS ARE TRULY ONE OF A KIND!

BOB BROWN BEAR

Debut: 2007 Occupation: Canadians’ official mascot Favourite Pastime: Meeting fans, giving high fives and hugs, posing for photos About BBB: Makes more than 150 local community appearances every year and named after Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball, Bob Brown who dedicated his whole life to the game we love so dearly.

MR. KAPPA MAKI

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Staying cool, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Attending birthday parties, winning races Make-Up: Few slices of cucumber wrapped in rice and then rolled in a piece of dried seaweed.

Sleek and light - Mr. Kappa Maki is always a tough competitor.

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CHEF WASABI

MS. BC ROLL

SADAHARU SOY

CHOP N’ STIX

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Chef, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Running, cooking Make-Up: Whether you buy wasabi in root form or as a green powder, there is one thing that is for sure - Chef Wasabi is one spicy addition to our Sushi Race!

Debut: 2015 Occupation: Pot Stirrer, Professional Racer Favourite Pastime: Cooking, meeting fans, running Make-Up: Known to add a little saltiness to any meal, Sadaharu Soy was named after the legendary baseball slugger Sadaharu Oh who’s legend is global. Sadaharu is both physical and a little trickly during the sushi races!

Debut: 2008 Occupation: Pageant queen, professional racer Favourite Pastime: Beating Chef Wasabi in Sushi Races and hanging out at the ballpark Make-Up: Combination of barbecue BC smoked salmon and fresh cucumber with a little mayonnaise to keep her rollin'.

Debut: 2018 Occupation: Hand Tools, Professional Racers Favourite Pastimes: Helping people, racing Make-Up: Renewable, reusable and environmentally friendly! Chop & Stix come to the ballpark to keep the peace between the super competitive sushi and sauce. Connected at the top, Chop & Stix have a few challenges to iron out during the race – but they always get an A for effort.

BOB BROWN BEAR’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND

PLUSH DOLL GIVEAWAY SUN, JUNE 1

GIVEAWAYS ARE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 1,000 FANS 12 & UNDER

KIDS FUN PAGE

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For more activities click HERE

Baseball BC is the recognized governing body for baseball in British Columbia.

Through its programs and leadership, Baseball BC in cooperation with its affiliates, supports the development of baseball and aspirations of its members, by offering activities that are non-discriminatory and value-based.

To learn more about playing baseball in your neighbourhood contact Baseball BC

www.baseball.bc.ca 604-586-3310

Baseball BC is proud to present the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Buddies Program, where a youth baseball team gets to take a position on-field for the National Anthems.

CANADIANS 2025 / 43 Reserve your team’s spot by calling the Vancouver Canadians VANCOUVER at 604-872-5232.