We will now release our 1st edition of the CABC Men's AAA Top 10 Rankings for the 2025 season. The list is meant to have some fun and grow the sport of baseball at the Men's AAA level. These rankings are based on regular season, playoffs and major tournament results from the 2024 season. To this point in the season, I have not seen too many rosters for team so there is the chance that their may be some major movement among this first set of rankings. 

 

Again, as stated before, this is meant to have a bit of fun and create some chatter across the country about this level of baseball. Everything is not going to be perfect every time and I will do my absolute best to be as accurate as possible. So without further ado.....here we go for 2025. 

 

Honorable Mentions

*Sherwood Park Athletics (Sunburst League; 8-10 Reg. Season/0-2 Playoffs)

I would be remiss not to include this club as an honorbale mention to start the season. They had a bit of a subpar season for their standards last season but managed to sneak into the playoffs before bowing out to the Edmonton Cubs in the league semi-finals. They had an amazing run at the Canadian Men's Baseball Championhsips narrowly missing out on a medal after a couple of tough 1-run losses to Team Saskatchewan in the Semi-Finals and the host Tecumseh Thunder in the bronze medal game. 

 

*Brampton Royals (COBA Major League; 19-5 Reg. Season/1-2 Playoffs) 

The Brampton Royals went punch for punch with the Etobicoke Rangers last year as they challenged all season long for top spot in the COBA Major League loop. They fell just short finishing one game behind the Rangers for the coveted Anson Buck Trophy. The Royals also had a good run at the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament (former Elims Tournament) making into the Top 3 but just falling short on Monday morning. The loss of Aidan Murphy as he plays overseas this summer will leave a gap both in the heart of the order and on the mound but Coach Fascia will look to some other vets to help in those roles.

 

*Windsor Stars (Can Am League; 11-8 Reg. Season/2-2 Playoffs)

The Windsor Stars always seem to be in the mix when it comes to things here in Ontario. The club fell just short of their goals last season though. In league play, they defeated the Windsor Jr Selects in a tough Best of 3 series before bwoing out to the Tecumseh Thunder in the league finals in two straight games. At the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament in August, the club again had a deep run into this tournament. After losing their opener to Ilderton, the Stars ran off three straight wins before bowing out to Sarnia 5-4 in the Final 5. Coach Ron Smith will be back at the helm this summer as him and the Stars will look to climb back to the top. 

 

*Edmonton Cubs (Sunburst League; 13-5 Reg. Season/3-3 Playoffs)

The Edmonton Cubs had another successful season in 2024. The Cubbies had a great regular season as they finished tied with the Red Deer Riggers for the top spot in the Sunburst League. In the first round of the playoffs, they drew the Sherwood Park Athletics. Edmonton was able to easily take that Best of 3 series 2-0 earning a spot in the league finals. They ran out of gas in the end though as they dropped this Best of 5 league final 3-1 to the Calgary Rockies. If the Cubs are able to keep the heart of their order intact as well as get some good innings out of their starting pitching again, they should be a very dangerous club in 2025. 

 

*Pirates de St Jean sur Richelieu (Ligue de Quebec; 20-10 Reg. Season/3-4 Playoffs)

The Pirates de St Jean sur Richelieu had another very successful regular season in the Ligue de Baseball Majeur du Quebec. They finished with a 20-10 record only a game behind the division leading Castors d'Acton Vale in the Louisville Slugger Division. They ended up matching up with divisional rivals the Jets de Montreal in the quarter-finals of the playoffs. The Best of 7 series went the distance with the Jets edging out the Pirates 2-1 in Game 7 of that series. Veterans Kevin Tremblay and Francois Lafreniere headline some of the returnees for the 2025 season as the Pirates will look for another successful season and a deep run into the playoffs. 

 

*Etobicoke Rangers (COBA Major League; 20-4 Reg. Season/4-0 Playoffs)

The Etobicoke Rangers had another solid season in 2024 as they finished atop the COBA Major League with a 20-4 record edging out the Brampton Royals by one game. In the playoffs, the Rangers, again, played some very good baseball and ran the table winning the championship defeating the Oakville A's in the finals. At the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament, the Etobicoke club came out of the gates hot winning their first three games of the tournament before losing their next two games finishing in the Top 5. The loss of Owen Boone back to the IBL will be a bit of a hit for the Rangers but Coach John Ferracuti still has a very strong club as they look for another deep run at an Ontario title in 2025. 

 

*Jets de Montreal (Ligue de Quebec; 19-11 Reg. Season/6-7 Playoffs)

The Jets de Montreal had another good season in 2025. Even though the finished in 3rd place in the Louisville Slugger Division with a 19-11 record, they were only two games behind the Castors d'Acton Vale. In the playoffs, the Jets won a very hard fought Best of 7 series against St Jean sur Richelieu. In the league semi-finals, they matched up against Acton Vale and the Castors proved to be too much as they prevailed in the Best of 7 series 4-2. Standouts Jonathan Martin and Moises Perez Infante will anchor a deep hitting lineup again in 2025 while Sam Belisle Springer, Mathieu Poirier and Charles Lefebvre will anchor the pitching staff. 

 

 

National Top 10 Rankings

#10 - Calgary Rockies (Sunburst League; 11-7 Reg. Season/5-1 Playoffs)

The Calgary Rockies had a very good season in 2024 in the Sunburst League in Alberta. Their 11-7 record was good for 2nd Place in the South Division during the regular season. In the playoffs, the Rox caught fire as they defeated the Red Deer Riggers in a Best of 3 series 2-0. That advanced them into the league final against the Edmonton Cubs and in only their 2nd year in the Sunburst League they won the league championship winning the Best of 5 final 3-1. The young Rockies should have a large returning corps this summer as Calgary will look to build on their 2024 season as they prepare for the Canadian Men's Championships in Regina in 2025. 

 

#9 - Boissevain Centennials (South West League; 14-2 Regular Season/6-1 Playoffs) 

The Boissevain Centennials had a very successful 2024 season in Manitoba. The Cents had a great regular season going 14-2 earning the top seed for the playoff round. In the playoffs, Boissevain faced the Wawanesa Brewers in a Best of 5 semi-final and easily took them down winning 3-0. In the finals, they faced the Deloraine Royals and while the Royals proved to be a little more of a challenge, the Cents won this series 3-1 locking down the 2024 South West League Playoff title. I'm still waiting to see a schedule for the 2025 season but it sounds like the South West loop will have some changes to it with new teams coming in 2025. 

 

#8 - Cartwright Twins (Border League; 15-2 Reg. Season/9-4 Playoffs)

The Cartwright Twins ride into 2025 after a very successful 2024 campaign. The Twins 15-2 regular season record was good for top spot in the Border League. In the playoffs, the Twins faced the Baldur Regals in the quarter-finals and beat them 6-2 in the First to 6 Points series. In the semi-finals, Cartwright faced off against the Pilot Mound Pilots and again won this First to 6 Points series 6-2. In the league final, the Twins faced off against the Altona Bisons and in a well played series they prevailed 6-4 to take home the Border League title. The Twins will look to carry that momentum into this season as they look for back-to-back league titles.

 

#7 - Newmarket Hawks (Greater Toronto League; 15-5 Reg. Season/No Playoffs - Attended Canadians)

Newmarket had a very good season on the field in 2024 but had some bad news off of it as they had to deal with the tragic passing of veteran teammate Dan Lehmkuhl. Lehmkuhl was an angel by their side all season though as the Hawks went 15-5 in league play good for top spot in the Greater Toronto League. They also won the inaugural CABC Gold Bat Tournament in Sarnia defeating the host club in the final and also won the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament in Windsor going 6-1 for the weekend. At the Canadian championships, the Hawks went 1-3 in pool play and missed out on the medal round. For 2025, the club looks poised to return a good portion of their 2024 roster and will look for another strong season in 2025. 

 

#6 - Charlottetown Islanders (NB League; 17-11 Reg. Season/8-3 Playoffs)

Charlottetown will be looking for a 3-peat this season as they begin play in the New Brunswick Men's AAA Baseball League. The Isles had another successful run in 2024 as their 17-11 record in the regular season gave them top spot in the loop. In the playoffs, they defeated the Fredericton Royals in a Best of 7 semi-final 4-1. In the finals, they faced the Moncton Mets and in a very exciting series, the Isles outlasted the Mets winning the Best of 7 series 4-2. Charlottetown also attended the Canadian Men's Championships going 2-2 in pool play and narrowly missing the medal round. The Isles should return a good chunk of their roster and will look to challenge for another title as they prepare for another trip to Canadians in Regina.

 

#5 - Castors d'Acton Vale (Ligue de Quebec; 21-9 Reg. Season/10-5 Playoffs)

Acton Vale had a very successful season in 2024. Their 21-9 record in the regular season was good for the best record overall in the Ligue de Baseball Majeur du Quebec standings. The defending LBMQ champions opened the playoffs against the Cardinaux des Laurentides and easily won that Best of 7 series 4-1. They then took on the Jets de Montreal and got a little resistance in this series but won the Best of 7 series 4-2. That put them into the final against the Cactus de Victoriaville and in a back and forth series the Castors came up just short losing 4 games to 2. Thd Castors return a good chunk of their roster in 2025 including veterans David Gauthier, Marcos Encarnacion and Johan Ochoa. 

 

#4 - Dartmouth Dry (Nova Scotia League; 24-4 Reg. Season/7-1 Playoffs)

Dartmouth enters the 2025 season looking to defend their Nova Scotia League title from last season. The Dry had an excellent regular season going 24-4 finishing 1st in the league. They entered the playoffs against the Kentville Wildcats and the Wildcats gave Dartmouth everything they could handle but the Dry prevailed in this Best of 5 series 3-1. They then played against the Sydney Sooners in the league final and they ran the table beating the Sooners 4-0 in the Best of 7 league final. At the Canadians, Dartmouth was 2-2 in pool play and just missed out on the medal round via a tiebreaker. The Dry should return a good chunk of their roster from last year as they ramp up for another shot at a NSSBL title and a trip to the Canadian Men's Championships in Regina in August. 

 

#3 - Tecumseh Thunder (Can-Am League; 13-6 Regular Season/4-0 Playoffs)

Tecumseh had a pretty successful 2024 season. The Thunder had a bit of a slow start in league play but got hot late winning their last seven regular season games in a row. They rode that hot streak into the playoffs as they defeated the Tecumseh Jr Thunder in a Best of 3 semi-final 2-0 followed by defeating the Windsor Stars 2-0 nothing as well to capture the Can-Am playoff title. At the Canadians, Tecumseh continued their great play going 4-0 in pool play. Then dropped a heartbreaker 5-4 to Team Quebec in the semis before rebounding to capture bronze over the Sherwood Park A's. The depatures of Paul Lamantia (retirement) as well as a few others will leave a big hole but Coach Jamie Kell always has a way of getting the best out of his teams as will have a strong club in 2025. 

 

#2 - Regina Trappers (Qu'Appelle Valley League; 11-5 Reg. Season/4-1 Playoffs)

Regina had a great season in the summer of 2024. The Trappers had a great regular season going 11-5 and finishing in 2nd place behind the Regina Rockies (12-4). Regina enters the playoffs taking on the Weyburn Iron Pigs. In a tight affair, the Trappers were able to hold off the Iron Pigs in a Best of 3 series 2-1. In the finals, they hooked up with the Regina Rockies and ran the table winning that Best of 3 series 2-0. The Regina club also attended the Canadians for the 2nd year in a row and had a great tournament just coming up short in the final taking home a silver medal in 2024. The Trappers will be the host for the 2025 Canadians and they will be looking for that elusive gold medal at home in 2025. 

 

#1 - Cactus de Victoriaville (Ligue de Quebec; 20-10 Reg. Season/12-5 Playoffs)

Victoriaville had a very strong season in 2024. The Catcus had a strong regular season going 20-10 finishing 2nd overall behind Acton Vale. In the opening round of the playoffs they faced the Expos de Sherbrooke and defeated them 4-2 in the Best of 7 series. They then took on the Unicanvas de Thetford in the league semi-finals and defeated them in. best of 7 series 4-1. In the league final, they took on the Castors d'Acton Vale and were able to secure the win 4-2 in the series and their first league title since 2020. The veteran Cactus will look to repeat in 2025 as the return a large chunk of their 2024 roster with veterans Josue Peley, Raphael John LeBlanc and Rene Dave Pelchat leading the way. 

 

 

Congrats to all of the teams that made the list this time around. After a few weeks, we will release our 2nd edition of the rankings for the 2025 season. By this point, we will have an idea of what rosters are looking like for this season as well as having some league play completed as well. Wishing the best to all of the teams in their upcoming seasons this year. Looking forward to another awesome season of Men's AAA Baseball in Canada. 

 

The CABC Team