Pitch perfect Two Manitobans part of top 150 junior players selected for Blue Jays Showcase By: Joshua Frey-Sam Posted: 5:13 PM CDT Monday, Sep. 8, 2025

Cason Burton was a talented baseball player who lacked direction on where he could make his best impact on the diamond.

Historically a strong pitcher and batter, Burton wasn’t sure if his future was on the mound or in the field. That was until one evening last summer when the Brandon-born right-hander tossed a gem for the 15U AAA Brandon Marlins in the provincial qualifiers.

A complete game on the strength of 14 strikeouts ignited a flame that has yet to burn out.

“Being able to do that just made me — I don’t know, I love it. I love pitching,” Burton told the Free Press recently. “I found that out last year and just went with it and got where I am today.”

Today, Burton is preparing for one of the best opportunities of his young career.

The 16-year-old will head to the country’s baseball mecca next week to participate in the Toronto Blue Jays Canadian Futures Showcase in Toronto. The four-day event, which goes Sept. 16-19, welcomes the top 150 junior players in the country to Rogers Centre, where they will strut their stuff in a big-league park in front of MLB scouts and college recruiters.

Manitoba had been solely represented at the Futures Showcase by Nate Lodewyks each of the last two years. This year, Burton and Graham Thiessen of Winkler will wear that badge together.

“I’m really excited about the experience,” said Burton, who continues to play for the AAA Marlins. “I think it’s going to be once in a lifetime, and it’s just going to be fantastic. Of course, there’s little things I want to get out of it, just with the next level and that kind of stuff. But I’m just really excited for the experience. If I’m feeling good, if I love the experience, I want to perform when I’m there and just see where it takes me.”

The goal of every player is to make a name for themselves on a national stage while garnering some interest at the next level, much like the 117 former showcase players who have been drafted to the MLB since 2013 did during their time. A strong performance can lead to offers from college programs south of the border.

“I just love the thought of being able to compete against the best in Canada. Those guys are just great players, and being able to pitch against them is just an honour.”

Burton, a four-pitch player (fastball, slider, curveball and a new kick-change) whose fastball tops out at 89 miles per hour, understands that this is his chance to prove that his stuff can play with the best.

“I love that. Just being able to compete against the best in Canada is something I’ve wanted to do,” he said. “I want to prove myself, I guess. I might get hit around. Who knows? But I just love the thought of being able to compete against the best in Canada. Those guys are just great players, and being able to pitch against them is just an honour.”

The paths for Burton and Thiessen’s selections were different.

Thiessen, also a right-handed pitcher, had tried out for the Futures Showcase twice before but came up short in each attempt. This time, the 18-year-old knew what to expect, and that familiarity bred confidence in his delivery.

He left Optimist Park in July, “cautiously optimistic” about his chances after a strong showing.

Last month, the day after returning home from the 2025 St. John’s Canada Games, Thiessen received a text from Burton congratulating him on his selection just as he was reading the news himself.

“It still is definitely a surprise, and a welcome one at that. There was a lot of, ‘Let’s go!’ It was a surprising moment,” said Thiessen, a three-pitch arm (fastball, curveball, change-up) who plays for the 18U AAA South Central Cubs.

“It’s a great opportunity. I don’t know if it’s hit me all the way yet. I think it’ll fully hit me when I get there, but for sure looking forward to it. It’s hard to put into words, the excitement that’s building into that day.”

Meanwhile, Burton left July’s tryout disappointed with himself after a subpar performance. He also knew it wouldn’t be the last time that he would get to make his case. Showcase evaluators were in attendance at the Canada Games, and Burton shines brightest when the bullets are live.

“I know that I can perform better in game situations than I can just in a random bullpen. I thought I had a chance, in the back of my head, but then once the Canada Games reached, I wanted to prove myself and show them what I can do,” he said.

Despite being two of the best players in the province, Thiessen and Burton had never shared a uniform until the Canada Games. They didn’t room together in St. John’s but still spent hours and hours together, which lent to their ties strengthening quickly.

It’s possible that they will be the only familiar face for each other during a pressure-packed few days, and neither player is taking that for granted.

“Having Cason there will be good — not a shoulder to lean on or anything, but kind of someone to voice your feelings through and know that he’s going through the same thing,” Thiessen said.

Added Burton: “I think it’s going to be huge. Being able to have someone to go to, to talk about basically anything, is just huge for keeping the pressure low, I guess, and just being able to trust who you are.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jfreysam