TORONTO – On Saturday, January 11th, Baseball Canada welcomed corporate partners, alumni, and friends to the 21st annual Baseball Canada Awards Banquet and Fundraiser.
The evening featured National Team alum and former big leaguer Stubby Clapp who became the 13th member inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence presented by RBC Wealth Management while eight others were presented with awards.
Baseball Canada Wall of Excellence - Presented by RBC Wealth Management
STUBBY CLAPP – WINDSOR, ON
Not a player who caught the eye of scouts for his physical tools, it was Stubby Clapp’s competitive make-up, desire and high baseball IQ that led to a long career in professional baseball and arguably one of the most storied international baseball careers by a Canadian National Team Player. A multi-sport athlete who was fearless on the hockey rinks, Clapp scrapped his way to a spot on the Junior National Team in 1991 helping Canada win their only World Baseball Championship to date. After a collegiate career at Texas Tech where he still holds school records, he was a 36th round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1996 MLB draft and beat the odds by reaching the Major Leagues for a 23-game stint during the 2001 season. Clapp’s contributions to the City of Memphis were monumental as both a player and manager with the Triple-A Redbirds. He endeared himself to fans with his superb play and trademark backflips before capturing back-to-back Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year honours in 2017 and 2018. Canadian baseball fans will forever remember Clapp for his contributions to the National Team program starting in 1999 at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg where he became a household name and the face of Canadian baseball with many saying that he could’ve successfully run for the Mayor of Winnipeg after helping Canada win the Bronze Medal. He was both a clubhouse and on field leader as Canada qualified for and participated in back to back Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008. He also played for Canada in the first two World Baseball Classic Tournaments before embarking on a very successful coaching career with the St. Louis Cardinals and the National Program where he was part of Canada’s 2015 Pan Am Gold Medal victory over Team USA in Ajax, Ontario. Clapp’s career accomplishments and selfless contributions to Baseball Canada have been immense and he has left a legacy that will impact the Canadian Game for years to come.
Russell Martin Award for Junior National Team MVP - Presented by the Toronto Blue Jays
SEAN DUNCAN – PORT COQUITLAM, BC
Looking to add his name to a long list of Canadian big leaguers from British Columbia, Sean Duncan was barely into his high school years when he joined the Junior National Team in 2023. Showing poise beyond his years against professional players he quickly became one of the “go-to” pitchers on the Junior National Team staff, logging key innings against Mexico and Puerto Rico last summer at the WBSC Americas World Cup Qualifier in Panama. His performance on the mound against Mexico was key as the Canadians held on for a 4-3 victory. Duncan finished the tournament as Canada’s leading pitcher with a 2.42 ERA and nine strikeouts in eight innings of work. Armed with a commitment to powerhouse Vanderbilt and with his draft year looming in 2026 the future looks incredibly bright for this southpaw.
Ashley Stephenson Awards – Presented by RBC Wealth Management
MIA VALCKE – ST. MARYS, ON
Making her Women’s National Team debut in 2016, at just 16 years old, Mia Valcke filled a huge void for the National program in 2024, showing her versatility, athleticism and value as a player in helping Canada win a World Cup bronze medal in Thunder Bay. Switching from her normal spot in the outfield to shortstop, Valcke honed her infield skills in the Quebec Women’s League prior to a standout performance at Team Canada’s Selection Camp and carried that forward to the World Cup. Hitting in the heart of the batting order and carrying the role of Canada’s most veteran player, Valcke hit .429 with a .927 OPS and earned “All-World” honours at shortstop. One of only five players on the team with previous World Cup experience, Valcke took to the field in her third career World Cup and provided the veteran presence that Team Canada needed to reach the podium once again.
Women’s National Team MVP - Presented by RBC Wealth Management
SENA CATTERALL – PIERREFONDS, QC
Speed, athleticism and an unmatched compete level were traits that Sena Catterall displayed at the Women’s Baseball World Cup last summer in Thunder Bay. Patrolling center field for Team Canada, Catterall was a human highlight reel making three unbelievable catches that helped earn her an “All World” selection as the tournament’s top center fielder. Her impact at the top of Team Canada’s batting order was massive as she was among the best hitters in the tournament sporting a .500 average and wreaking havoc on the base paths with six stolen bases. In Canada’s clubhouse and away from the field Catterall was counted on as a leader for younger players and is trending towards placing her name among the all-time greats who have played with the Women’s National Team program.
Stubby Clapp Award - Presented by Mizuno Canada
DENZEL CLARKE – PICKERING, ON
Loud tools, off the charts athleticism and plays that leave fans questioning what they just witnessed have the entire Athletics organization excited about the future Major League impact of Denzel Clarke. A former Junior National Team Star, Futures Game and 2023 World Baseball Classic participant, Clarke bounced back strong during the 2024 campaign after offseason shoulder surgery. When he returned it was clear that he was on a mission to the majors hitting 13 home runs and stealing 36 bases in 116 games at Double-A before concluding his season with a standout performance in the Arizona Fall League. The Athletics confirmed their belief in Clarke by adding him to their 40-man roster last fall and he’ll be in Major League Camp when Spring Training opens in Arizona next month.
Canadian Futures Award - Presented by the Toronto Chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America
MITCH BRATT – NEWMARKET, ON
Being selected to the Junior National Team at 15 years of age put Mitch Bratt in select company as one of the youngest players to ever participate with the national program. He went on to represent Canada at the U-18 Baseball World Cup before the Texas Rangers chose him in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft where he quickly became one of their top pitching prospects. With his pro career well underway, Bratt has managed to climb the club’s minor league ladder earning Organizational All-Star Awards in 2022 and 2023 and finished his 2024 campaign in Double-A. The 2025 season is shaping up to be a big one for this 21-year-old lefthander as he looks to continue his path towards the Major Leagues.
Baseball Canada Special Recognition Award - Presented by MLB Players Association
TYLER BLACK – TORONTO, ON
Big league dreams came true for Tyler Black in 2024, realizing a dream that started on the sandlots in Toronto. After a tremendous Collegiate career at Wright State the Milwaukee Brewers made him the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and it was only a matter of time before he would reach the Major Leagues. With family and friends in attendance Black made his Major League debut on April 30th in Milwaukee, recording two hits including a double for his first hit in the show and made a bit of Canadian baseball history becoming just the 12th Canadian to record a multi-hit game in their MLB debut. With 18 Major League Games on his resume Black will look to join a rising crop of young Canadian players making their mark in Major League Baseball.
Baseball Canada Special Achievement Award - Presented by RBC Wealth Management
CADE SMITH – ABBOTSFORD, BC
Cade Smith took the Major Leagues by storm in his 2024 Rookie Season with the Cleveland Guardians. Showcasing an elite four-seam fastball he not only cracked the Guardians roster out of spring training but quickly became one of their top relievers logging key innings as they held firm at the top of the American League Central standings. Smith’s regular season numbers were simply outstanding, a 6-1 record, 1.91 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to go along with 103 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings pitched, and he carried that performance into the postseason where he made history striking out 12 of the 22 batters he faced in the ALDS, setting a Major League record for strikeouts by a reliever in the Division Series. A Junior National Team alumnus who also represented Canada at the World Baseball Classic in 2023, Smith is a must watch for Canadian baseball fans in the seasons to come.
Larry Pearson Alumni Award - Presented by Larry Pearson
MICHAEL SOROKA – CALGARY, AB
A can’t miss prospect as an amateur and one of the best pitchers in Junior National Team history, the start of Michael Soroka’s Major League career has been rivalled by few Canadians in the history of the game. An All-Star Game appearance at just 21 years old, Rookie of the Year and Cy Young consideration in the same season, earning a playoff win in 2019 and being tabbed an Opening Day starter for the Atlanta Braves at the age of 22. A freak injury that ruptured his Achilles tendon brought his playing career to a halt in 2020 and set off a series of circumstances that limited his playing time for three seasons. With all of the adversity Soroka has faced, he remained focused and worked to return to the Major Leagues where he just completed his first full season since 2019. A proud alumnus of the Junior National Team Program, this player hasn’t forgotten his roots and has been a source of inspiration for a generation of aspiring Canadian players.
