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OTTAWA – Baseball Canada announced today an expansion of the Junior National Team Schedule for 2025. The Junior National Team will play six exhibition games against MLB Draft League teams from June 10-15, 2025. The Frederick Keys and West Virginia Black Bears will host all games, with the Junior National Team playing two games against each of the Keys, Black Bears and State College Spikes. The MLB Draft League, entering its fifth season, has become the premier destination for Draft-eligible players each summer. 

2025 Canadian Junior National Team Draft League Series

“Baseball Canada is excited to announce a partnership with Major League Baseball in integrating the Canadian Junior National Team Program into the Major League Baseball Draft League,” said Baseball Canada Chief Executive Officer Jason Dickson.  “The opportunity to showcase and develop Canada’s most talented high school age prospects in the Major League Baseball Draft League will be impactful from a Professional a Collegiate scouting perspective.”

“We are excited to bring the Canadian Junior National Team to the MLB Draft League this summer through an expansion of our partnership with Baseball Canada, “said MLB Draft League President Sean Campbell.  “MLB and our Clubs have had a great relationship with Baseball Canada for many years, including annual trips to the Dominican Summer League and Extended Spring Training, and this will be a unique opportunity for these players to develop and receive scouting opportunities prior to this year’s Draft.”

Since 1999, there have been 390 Canadian Junior National Team players selected in the MLB Draft, including 13 First  Round picks: Scott Thorman (2000), Adam Loewen (2002), Jeff Francis (2002), Phillippe Aumont (2007), Kyle Lotzkar (2007), Brett Lawrie (2008), James Paxton (2009), Kellin Deglan (2010), Josh Naylor (2015), Michael Soroka (2015), Cal Quantrill (2016), Bo Naylor (2018) and Myles Naylor (2023).

Since 1999, 35 Canadian Junior National Team graduates have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, including All-Stars Justin Morneau, Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, Michael Soroka, Jordan Romano and Josh Naylor.  Opening Day Major League rosters in 2024 and 2025 featured 13 players born in Canada, marking the country’s most on Opening Day rosters since 2013.

MLB Draft League players gain unmatched exposure to MLB Club scouts through in-person evaluation and advanced scouting technology, accessible to all 30 MLB teams.  185 players have been drafted and more than 300 players have signed with MLB Clubs since the league’s inception in 2021. Notable Canadian players who participated in the MLB Draft League and were subsequently drafted include Mitch Bratt (Texas Rangers), L.P. Langevin (Kansas City Royals), Josiah Romeo (Athletics), and Jonah Tong (New York Mets). Every MLB Draft League game, including the six featuring the Baseball Canada Junior National Team, is streamed live on mlbdraftleague.com.

For more informational about the MLB Draft League please click HERE.