TORONTO – On Saturday, January 10th, Baseball Canada welcomed corporate partners, alumni, and friends to the 22nd annual Baseball Canada Awards Banquet and Fundraiser.
The evening featured National Team alum and former big leaguer James Paxton who became the 14thmember inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence presented by RBC Wealth Management while eight others were presented with awards.
Paxton joins previous inductees Larry Walker, Justin Morneau, Joey Votto, Ernie Whitt, Ryan Dempster, Jason Bay, Russell Martin, Jeff Francis, Paul Quantrill, John Axford, Adam Loewen, Michael Saunders and Stubby Clapp
Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence - Presented by RBC Wealth Management
JAMES PAXTON – LADNER, BC
An athlete whose journey from Ladner, British Columbia to Major League stardom has left an indelible mark on Canadian baseball. James Paxton first emerged on the national stage as a teenager with the Junior National Team, helping Canada capture bronze at the 2006 World Junior Baseball Championships in Cuba. His ascent continued at the University of Kentucky, where he quickly became one of the most dominant pitchers in the SEC. As a sophomore, Paxton delivered a complete-game shutout to clinch a conference tournament berth, and by 2009 he was Kentucky’s Friday-night ace, finishing third in the NCAA with an exceptional 13.22 strikeouts per nine innings.
Drafted initially by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009, Paxton ultimately began his professional journey with the Seattle Mariners and made his MLB debut on September 7th, 2013.
From 2017 through 2019, he posted seasons of 12, 11, and 15 wins, firmly establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier left-handed starters. And on May 8th, 2018, Paxton delivered a moment that will forever live in Canadian baseball history: a no-hitter thrown on Canadian soil at Rogers Centre. He exclaimed afterward, “To have it happen in Canada… It’s pretty amazing. Just very special. And against the Blue Jays? You couldn’t write this stuff.”
His career later took him to New York, where he helped the Yankees reach the ALCS, highlighted by a must-win Game 5 victory over Houston in which he outdueled Justin Verlander with nine strikeouts over six dominant innings. He would go on to make additional stops in Seattle, Boston, and Los Angeles, completing a career that ranks among the greatest ever by a Canadian starting pitcher.
Across his 11 Major League seasons, he finished inside the top ten among Canadians in wins, strikeouts, WAR, and games started, cementing his legacy as one of this country’s most accomplished arms.
Russell Martin Award for Junior National Team MVP - Presented by the Toronto Blue Jays
SEAN DUNCAN – PORT COQUITLAM, BC
Sean Duncan was barely into high school when he joined the Junior National Team in 2023, and the British Columbia southpaw quickly proved he belonged, showing poise well beyond his years against professional competition. He became one of the squad’s most trusted arms and the ace at the WBSC Americas World Cup Qualifier in Panama. With a commitment to powerhouse Vanderbilt and his 2026 draft year approaching, he continued to shine in 2025 at the prestigious Area Code Games and dominated MLB Draft League play with the national team. The lone Canadian on MLB.com’s Top 100 Draft Prospects list, Duncan is a rising talent the entire Canadian baseball community will be watching closely.
Special Achievement Award - Presented by RBC Wealth Management
ALLI SCHRODER – FRUITVALE, BC
Joining the Women’s National Team at just 16 years old, Alli Schroder announced her arrival on the world stage in 2018 when she closed out a victory over the United States to secure Canada’s World Cup bronze medal. She added another World Cup bronze in 2024, all while building a remarkable career fighting forest fires, earning national recognition for her courage both on and off the field as seen in the movie “SEE HER, BE HER” that aired on MLB Network. This past November, she made history once again, becoming the first Canadian player ever selected in the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League Draft, going 5th overall to Boston. A trailblazer, a competitor, and a proud representative of Canadian baseball, Schroder continues to inspire the next generation with every step of her journey.
Canadian Futures Award - Presented by The Toronto Chapter of the BBWAA
WILL HYNES – MISSISAUGA, ON
A standout talent from Mississauga, Will Hynes solidified his status as one of Canada’s top rising prospects with a stellar final season in the Junior National Team program last year. He turned heads in May with a dominant outing in the Dominican Republic, throwing eight brilliant innings against professional competition, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out 11. His impressive performances carried into the MLB Draft League and earned him an invitation to the MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix. In July, Hynes’s hard work and development were rewarded when the Cleveland Guardians selected him in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft, adding his name to a growing list of Canadian talent within the organization. He now represents the next wave of elite Canadian baseball players making their mark on the pro stage.
Stubby Clapp Award - Presented by Mizuno Canada
LIAM HICKS – TORONTO, ON
The Stubby Clapp Award celebrates a Canadian player whose perseverance, resilience, and determination have carried them all the way to the major leagues. In 2025, that journey belonged to Liam Hicks, a catcher who was selected by the Miami Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft, and seized his opportunity in spring training to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster before spending the entire season in the big leagues. Over 332 at-bats, he hit six home runs, including a memorable first career blast on April 19th in Philadelphia in a game where he went 4-for-5 with four RBI. A product of the Toronto Mets program, Hicks continued his development at Arkansas State before being selected by the Texas Rangers in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. His rise to the majors is a testament to hard work and belief, making him a fitting recipient of this award.
Larry Pearson Alumni Award - Presented by Larry Pearson
DENZEL CLARKE – PICKERING, ON
After years of anticipation, Denzel Clarke made his long-awaited MLB debut with the Athletics in 2025 and immediately showcased the elite athleticism that defined his time in the Junior National Team program. His defensive brilliance turned heads across the baseball world, highlighted by a spectacular June 9th catch that earned national attention and was later named MLB’s Premier Play of the Year. His rookie season delivered even more unforgettable moments, including his first big league home run on May 30th at Rogers Centre, just minutes from where he grew up. Though a right adductor strain ended his season early, Clarke’s electric impact left no doubt that he is poised to be a cornerstone of the A’s outfield for years to come.
Baseball Canada Special Recognition Award - Presented by MLB Players Association
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS BASEBALL CLUB
2025 will forever be remembered as a year when the Blue Jays lifted an entire nation, galvanizing fans from coast to coast and giving Canadians a team to rally behind on their unforgettable run to the World Series.
Record-breaking viewership number with households and establishments in places like Gander, Newfoundland, Kapuskasing, Ontario and Castlegar, British Columbia tuning in for each postseason inning – Blue Jays fever hit new levels last year.
The impact of their success reaches far beyond what was accomplished in the postseason. Across the country, interest in baseball has surged to unprecedented levels, and 2026 is poised to bring one of the largest waves of youth registration our sport has ever seen. A new generation of young Canadians now dreams of becoming the next great major league players—following in the footsteps of the athletes and role models in the audience tonight.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays for their leadership, their passion for growing the game, and the joy they brought to Canadians during a truly historic season and take great pride in honouring the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club with a Special Recognition Award.
Baseball Canada Special Achievement Award - Presented by MLB Players Association
JONAH TONG – MARKHAM, ON
On August 29th at Citi Field in New York, Jonah Tong delivered a memorable first impression—striking out six batters and earning the win against the Miami Marlins in his eagerly anticipated MLB debut. A product of the Toronto Mets program, he’s has been a model of steady development since being selected by the New York Mets in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft. His rise continued this past September, when he struck out eight batters over five strong innings to secure his second big league win against the San Diego Padres. Poised, talented, and rapidly earning the trust of the Mets organization, Tong projects to be a key part of New York’s starting rotation for years to come—joining a growing list of Canadian pitchers making their mark at the highest level of the sport.
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