As with every rankings that come out, choices can be tough somtimes and there are some teams that are right on the cusp of cracking into the rankings. Here are a short list of teams to keep an eye on that could very easily be in the rankings sooner than later. 

 

Sydney Sooners (Nova Scotia League; 13 - 11 Reg. Season/3 - 4 Playoffs)

Sydney finished 2nd in the Nova Scotia League last summer 9 games behind the powerhouse Dartmouth Dry. In the league playoffs, they faced the Metro Brewers in the semis and took that Best of 5 series in three straight. They then met up in the league final with Dartmouth and the Dry sweeped that series in four straight games. The Sooners have the pieces to put together a good season. Veterans Chris Farrow (SS) and Brett MacMullin (3B) will help lead the offense while veteran Reilly O'Rourke and lefty Garrett Nicholson will help guide the Sydney pitching staff in 2025. 

 

Moncton Mets (New Brunswick League; 15 - 13 Reg. Season/6 - 7 Playoffs)

Moncton had a good season last year as they finished 2nd in the league only trailing the Charlottetown Islanders by two games in the final standings. They defeated a tough Chatham Ironmen club in the league semis in seven games before dropping the league final 4-2 to the Islanders. The Mets look to be in line to have another good season with veterans Serge Vautour (1B) and Luc Vautour (OF) back to pace the offense. Two way threat Justin Cormier (P/SS) will also play a big role in the field and on the mound with lefty Sam Lund returning to help anchor the pitching staff as well. 

 

Brock de Drummondville (Ligue de Quebec; 18 - 12 Reg. Season/3 - 4 Playoffs)

Drummondville had a very strong season last year as they finished in 2nd place in the B45 Division two games behind Victoriaville. The Brock ended up taking on Thetford in the league quarter finals and dropped a tough Bets of 7 series 4-3. Drummondville will look to build on this play in 2025 as they have a large chunk of their roster returning as well as getting a brand new home to play their games in as well. Samuel Nadeau (3B) and Michel Dagenais (C) will be back to lead the offense while import pitchers Masatoshi Sakurai and Hokuto Kanai will be relied on heavily on the mound. 

 

Burlington Brants (COBA Major League; 11 - 11 - 2 Reg. Season/0 - 2 Playoffs)

Burlington had a decent run in 2024 as they finished at .500 for the regular season good for top spot in the Johnson Division. At the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament, they went 2-2 overall. After dropping a tough opening game 3-0 to Sarnia, they defeated East York and Kendal both by a run before dropping a tough 4-2 game to the Windsor Stars. If the Brants can stay healthy, they could make some noise in 2025 with a solid veteran core back in the fold. Veterans Tim Sogan (OF), Corrie Morrison (OF) and Max Von Gemmingen (C/1B) will help anchor the offense with Joel Connors and Jordan Leishman leading the way on the mound. 

 

Thornhill Reds (Greater Toronto League; 11 - 11 Reg. Season/3 - 1 Playoffs)

Thornhill had a bit of an up and down season in 2024. They finished 3rd in the GTBL standings behind the Kendal Eagles and the Newmarket Hawks. In the playoffs, the Reds went 3-1 to capture their 3rd straight playoff crown defeating the Kendal in the final. Thornhill went 1-2 at the 2024 Ontario National Qualifying Tournament defeating Kendal before dropping games to Brampton and Sarnia. 2025 will see a bit of turnover for the Reds squad. Russell McGibbon (INF) and Anthony Silvera (1B) will help pace the offense. Brendal Colley should factor in as well when he returns to the team in July and Dante Smith could be a late summer addition as well. On the mound, Philip Arturi and Joseph Handley will help anchor the pitching staff. 

 

Sarnia Brigade (Southwestern League; 3 - 10 Reg. Season/No Playoffs)

Sarnia had a solid run in 2024. While their league record was not the greatest, they showed well in tournament play finishing in 2nd place at the CABC Gold Bat Tournament and was also 2nd place at the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament losing to Newmarket 7-5 in the final. The 2025 roster for Sarnia looks like it is going to remain the same and they should definitely challenge for an Ontario title again this year. Offensively, the Brigade should be led by Quinton Johnston (SS), Kyle Maloney (OF) & Tristan Buntrock (OF). On the mound, the additions of Seth Ainsworth and Greg Ross will make an already good pitching staff even stronger. 

 

Ilderton Riverhawks (Southwestern League; 10 - 0 - 1 Reg. Season/No Playoffs)

Ilderton had a good run in 2024 as they went undefeated in league play that year. In tournament play around the province, the Riverhawks went 2-1 at the CABC Gold Bat Tournament in Sarnia bowing out to the Thornhill Reds in the quarter-finals. At the Ontario National Qualifying Tournament, Ilderton went 2-2 defeating the Windsor Stars and Erindale Cardinals before dropping a heartbreaker to the Etobicoke Rangers 1-0 and the eventual provincial champion Newmarket Hawks. Not a lot is known about the 2025 squad. They can always hit the baseball well and if Jordan Townshend and Leo Labine are back in the mix on the mound, this team will be a handful again this season. 

 

Deloraine Royals (South West League; 11 - 5 Reg. Season/4-5 Playoffs)

Deloraine held their own last year in the South West League as they finished 2nd in the regular season standings three games behind the Boissevain Centennials. In the playoffs, they hooked up against the Rivers Comets in the semi-finals and in a very tight, contested series, the Royals prevailed 3-2 taking Game 5 by a score of 4-1. In the league finals, they met up with the Centennials again in a 1 vs 2 matchup and even though the Royals were able to take a game they dropped this Best of 5 series 3-1. The club should have a strong 2025 if they return a good portion of this roster. The tandem of Mitch Olson and Eric Sorenson were a tough pair to get out while on the mound Kyle Breesmerch led the way logging 55 innings and six wins with help from Jeff Edwards and Kyle Nestibo. 

 

Regina Rockies (Qu'Appelle Valley League; 12 - 4 Reg. Season/2 - 3 Playoffs)

The Rockies had abother good season in 2024. The topped the league standings in the Qu'Appelle Valley in the regular season at 12-4 edging out the Regina Trappers who were a game behind them at 11-5. In the playoffs, the Rox took on the Regina Pens in the league semi-finals and took a tighly contested Best of 3 series by a 2-1 count winning Game 3 by a 13-4 score. In the league finals, they hooked up against the Trappers again and this time the Trappers took the Best of 3 series in two straight games. The Rockies should have the majority of their roster back in 2025. Josh Cleggett (C) and Payton Friesen (SS) are back to lead the offense while Ethan Klebeck and Dylan Solie will help anchor the pitching staff. 

 

Red Deer Riggers (Sunburst League; 13-5 Reg. Season/0-2 Playoffs)

red Deer had another strong season in 2024 as they were able to go 13-5 in regular season action which was good for a tie for top spot in the Sunburst loop with the Edmonton Cubs. They won a pair of tournaments as well taking the St Albert Tournament as well as winning their own tournament in July as well. In the league playoffs, the matched-up with the Calgary Rockies in the semi-finals and dropped the Best of 3 series against them in two straight games. The Riggers should have a strong team again in 2025. Kyle Belich and Ryley Doig will help try and spearhead the offense again while on the mound Tyler McWillie and Rees DeRuyter will try and lead a strong contigent of arms.