By Andrew Stuetz
@StuetzA

TORONTO – Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) hit eleven home runs – six in his final round – to win the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase Home Run Derby at the Rogers Centre on Saturday morning.

This year’s derby saw 43 total home runs from the eight players chosen to represent their respective squads. Teams New Blue, Royal, Black, Grey, and Navy were all represented with four players from Team Royal making an appearance.

New Blue’s Flewelling set the tone early as he kicked off the derby with five opening round home runs, good enough to advance him to round two – not before watching the remaining seven players swing the bat in anticipation that he’d advance to the final four.

Royal’s Aidan George (Woodstock, Ont.) made the most of his opportunity hitting six home runs to advance to round two, as teammates Benito Bonilla (Halifax), Lee Jones (Toronto), and Brendan Lawson (Toronto) each contributed a home run.

Team Grey’s Esteban Dessureault (Trois-Rivières, Que.) was the offensive juggernaut of round one crushing eight homers, advancing to the final round with ease. He tied George’s six home runs before taking his 30-second time-out with less than a minute remaining in his round

He would then take the lead with a towering home run into the right field bullpen.

Gianluca Montanaro (Aurora, Ont.) of Team Black sent a pair of home runs over the left field wall during his opening round, good enough to send him into the final round on only two home runs.

Round one wrapped up with 25 total home runs hit and roughly 15 enthusiastic ball retrievers running around the outfield.

Final four

Teams Grey, Royal, New Blue, and Black were all represented in the final round, with Team Black’s Montanaro more than doubling his first-round total to get round two started. He finished with five long balls into the left field bullpen.

New Blue’s Flewelling ripped four home runs before taking his 30 second time-out with 47 seconds remaining in his final round. He unleashed his final two home runs on his final two pitches to take the lead – one that he would not relinquish – with six home runs.

Despite hitting 11 home runs in the derby, the 16-year-old catcher was quick to recognize the level of talent he’s been surrounded by since the Showcase opened on Monday.

“It’s just an incredible honour,” Flewelling said after the derby, whilst donning his new Home Run Derby championship belt. “It means everything to me to be part of these 175 players in Canada, and to be considered one [at] the top, it just doesn’t feel real right now.

“It’s one of those times that [help] you realize why you love the game and why you keep playing every day.”

Team Royal’s George felt some pressure after entering round two in second place. He took his 30-second time-out with just over a minute remaining in the round, but only finished with two home runs.

Team Grey’s Dessureault finished the final round with five home runs, good for a second-place finish. He wrapped the derby with 13 total home runs - the highest home run total of all participants.

Final Four results:

Winner: Team New Blue – Nathan Flewelling – 6

Second place: Team Black – Gianluca Montanaro – 5

Third place: Team Grey – Esteban Dessureault – 5

Fourth place: Team Royal – Aidan George – 2