The launch of the Future Stars Series Baseball League represents a new era in global amateur baseball — one that looks to unify and elevate the game’s best talent across regions. And right on cue, Canada has taken the lead.
With the Mississauga Tigers emerging as the first club to headline the league’s rollout, all eyes were on their Scout Day this past weekend. What followed was a firm reminder of how deep, polished, and projectable this program truly is. Fresh off their appearance at Best of the West, the Tigers look every bit like a flagship franchise in the making.
BOOTH: Best of the West Top 15 Players
Established Names Holding Their Ground
Veteran names — Quinn Lightfoot, Zij Mina, Ramsey Chung, and Adyn Schell — continued to set the standard. Lightfoot impressed again with a broad jump just under 10 feet and showed 60-grade raw power at the plate.
Mina, a known top-tier athlete, ran a 6.8 60-yard dash and posted a 60 hit tool to match.
Schell, meanwhile, remains a throwback infielder with a Mark Bellhorn-type profile, balancing quiet confidence with consistent performance.
These names have long been associated with the Tigers’ national reputation. But the real buzz from this Scout Day came from the players breaking through, either from developmental jumps or making their first major impression on scouts and evaluators.
Familiar Faces, Big Impact
Liam Asher (C, 2028) emerged as a major name to watch. Athletic, controlled in the box, and polished behind the plate, Asher showed a true field of hit, advanced barrel awareness, and the catch-and-throw skills of a much older player. His performance firmly places him on the national radar.
Josh Holden (OF, 2027) might have made the most noticeable physical transformation. Now a full 6-foot-5, he brings a Michael Saunders-type frame with 70-grade raw power and average speed — making him one of the more intriguing power/speed combos seen in the region.
On the mound, Nate Chiasson (RHP, 2026) continues to ascend. His ability to pitch with feel—commanding three offerings, including a lively fastball, a sharp breaking ball, and a developing changeup—evokes comparisons to Sean Marcum. Nothing is straight. Everything moves. And he throws it all for strikes.
Then there’s Demarcus Rideout-Carter (RHP, 2027), whose name stirred some bold talk. The Dwight Gooden comparison might sound hyperbolic, but the electricity is real. Fast, live, and dominant, Rideout-Carter offers true front-line starter potential if the frame adds strength and holds up over time.
Kaden Thomas (3B, 2028) continues to trend up as an athletic third baseman with power and fast-twitch traits. There’s bat speed, arm strength, and presence on the field—and he’s beginning to separate from the crowd in his class.
Max Nantais-Vlahovich (RHP, 2027)—whose name is as eye-catching as his arsenal—is quickly becoming one of the top arms in the region. A repeatable, fast arm, strike-throwing ability, and strong feel for secondary pitches could make him a No. 2 starter down the line.
The Two-Way Talent You Need to Know
Jackson Rouse (OF/RHP, 2028) might’ve had the highest ceiling of anyone on the field. Standing 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Rouse was up to 87 mph, touching 88, with big raw power and fluid athleticism. The body projects, and the swing has juice. The mound presence is real.
It’s not hard to imagine Power 4 potential both ways if his trajectory continues.
Future Class Highlights
The Tigers’ depth goes well beyond the upperclassmen. Several underclass and youth-level players showed flashes of future star power:
• Sammy Cruz (C, 2029): Already advanced as a receiver with strong catch-and-throw tools.
• Noah Arkell (2026): Continues to add strength while the barrel control and consistency at the plate develop in step.
• Jordan Hoorntje (2026): Smooth left-handed swing with positional versatility. The Jason Kipnis parallels are warranted.
• Mateo Harrison-Van Boort, Elgin Perlmutter, and Reid Fernandes (2030): Three extremely young, athletic players playing well above their age group. There’s fluidity, IQ, and projection galore.
Final Word
This is a must-watch organization and a clear early flag-bearer for the Future Stars Series Baseball League. The Mississauga Tigers blend top-end tools with system-wide depth, and they’re developing players with the kind of projection that national programs are built on.
As the league ramps up heading into summer, the Tigers aren’t just representing Canadian baseball—they’re helping redefine what it means to be on the front end of the next wave.
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