Manager Ernie Whitt will lead Team Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games Qualifiers in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Baseball Canada announced on Tuesday their 24-man official roster for the 2023 Pan American Games Qualifiers in Buenos Aires, Argentina at Estadio Nacional de Beisbol from June 16-21.
Canada is currently ranked 13th in the World Baseball Rankings and placed 11th in the World Baseball Classic with a 2-2 record, failing to advance out of Pool C in Phoenix, Arizona.
The other four nations participating in the event are World No. 14 Panama, the host nation, No. 29 Argentina, No. 40 Peru, and No. 43 Honduras.
Canada will play their first game of the Pan American Qualifiers against Panama at 10 a.m. EDT on June 16.
Canada will carry professionals that are not on the 40-man rosters of Major League Baseball organizations. Players that are current professional free agents, playing in independent professional leagues in the United States and Canada, and at the collegiate level are also on the roster for the 2023 Pan American Qualifiers.
The roster for Canada will have five players with Major League Baseball playing experience who will add a veteran presence, as well as players that recently played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, including left handed pitcher Andrew Albers, right handed pitcher Phillippe Aumont, right handed pitcher Scott Mathieson, outfielder Jacob Robson, and right handed pitcher RJ Freure. Right handed pitcher Jesse Therrien from Montreal, Quebec played one season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 will suit up for Canada in the Pan American Qualifiers.
Ernie Whitt, who has managed in all five World Baseball Classics for Canada, will be the manager for the 2023 Pan American Qualifiers. Whitt’s managerial record in international competitions all time is 74-42, and he has led Canada to gold medals at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games. The 2015 Pan Am Games was the last time that Canada placed first at an international senior event.
Canada will hold their training camp from June 10-13 at the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida, before leaving for Buenos Aires, Argentina for the 2023 Pan American Qualifiers.
The baseball portion of the 2023 Pan American Games will be from October 21-27 at the Baseball and Softball Center in Cerrillos, Chile. Three nations have already earned qualification for the 2023 Pan American Games: Chile as the host nation; Colombia, for placing first in the 2021 Junior Pan American Games; and Brazil, for placing first in the 2022 South American Championships.
The top three nations that finish in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, El Salvador, from June 24 to July 1 at Parque de Pelota Santurnino Bengoa will qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games.
2023 Canada Pan American Qualifiers Roster
* CFA – Current Free Agent
Pitchers (Current Team)
Andrew Albers (CFA)
Phillippe Aumont (CFA)
Landen Bourassa (Winnipeg Goldeyes)
Michael Brettell (Quebec Capitales)
RJ Freure (Lincoln Saltdogs)
Karl Gelinas (CFA)
Ryan Kellogg (CFA)
Brandon Marklund (Winnipeg Goldeyes)
Scott Mathieson (CFA)
Will McAffer (CFA)
Jake Polancic (Evansville Otters)
Travis Seabrooke (Winnipeg Goldeyes)
Jesen Therrien (Trois Riveres Aigles)
Catchers (Team)
Josue Peley (CFA)
Jordan Procyshen (Round Rock Express)
Infielders (Team)
Wes Darvill (CFA)
David Glaude (Quebec Capitales)
Matt Lloyd (Sioux City Explorers)
Elijha Hammill (University of Utah)
Conor Panas (Lincoln Saltdogs)
Outfielders (Team)
Michael Crouse (Chicago Dogs)
Tristan Pompey (Guelph Royals)
Jacob Robson (Kansas City Monarchs)
Jake Sanford (Sioux City Explorers)
Canada 2023 Pan American Qualifier Coaching Staff
Ernie Whitt – Manager
Dustin Molleken – Coach
Mike Johnson – Coach
Tim Leiper – Coach
Gregg Hamilton – Coach/Baseball Canada Director of Men’s National Teams