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Canada's squad armed and ready

Baseball Betting Lines

07/22/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As Canada prepares to host the 2010 IBAF World Junior Baseball Championship in Thunder Bay, Ont., beginning Friday, here's a closer look at its final 20-player roster.

It all starts behind the plate.

Canada's top player, Kellin Deglan, will be looked to as the leader of a team that has won the event just once in 1991.

The Langley, British Columbia native is the heart and soul of the club and after the 2010 MLB Draft, the face of it too. The 18-year-old catcher caught the attention of an entire country when the Texas Rangers selected him 22nd overall this past June.

Deglan is the big left-handed bat that head coach Greg Hamilton will rely on in the middle of the order. However, Deglan comes with more than just a bat and keen baseball sense. As one player mentioned, "You can't compete with his work ethic."

Deglan's leadership will play a large factor in his team's ability to channel the home crowd hysteria into victories.

INFIELD

Canada is also strong in the middle infield, anchored by shortstop Brandon Dailey, from Brantford, Ont.

Standing in at 5'10", 170-pounds, Dailey isn't the most imposing player physically, but nonetheless a solid athlete with a multi-use skill set.

Described by the coaching staff as a leader on the team, Dailey should provide consistent contact at the top of the order (likely second) given his aggressive approach at the plate and tendency to square up on pitches. His ability to run and hit for average are both amplified when you consider his exceptional defensive talents, behind a strong infield arm and soft hands.

Fresh off an exhibition tour that saw the Junior National Team play 11 games in 15 days, there's still uncertainty as to how the middle infield will fill out.

One thing they'll have is depth - soon-to-be 17-year-old Justin Atkinson provides the team with a high-ceiling player that projects to be a top-level talent. At 6'1", Atkinson has the frame and athleticism to be a special player but it remains to be seen what type of impact the youngster will make during the tournament.

Also competing for playing time at second base will be Raymond, Alberta native Jimmy Ralph. The 17-year-old infielder is a solid defender with a simple, straight stroke that will keep defenses on their toes.

One of the keys to Canada's success in the tournament will be the play of its corner infielders. The corner infield of third baseman Jalen Harris (Toronto) and first baseman Jordan Boston (Brampton) is big on size and high on potential.

Both players are physically gifted, especially Harris (6'2", 210), who is one of the top athletes on the roster. His defense should be solid, as he plays with a strong sense of composure and has good hands. If Harris can get himself into a groove at the plate, he has the potential to make an impact in the tournament.

OUTFIELD

Canada looks to be solid in the outfield, headlined by three players selected in the MLB Draft - Rowan Wick (Milwaukee, 18th round), Dalton Pompey and Philip Diedrick (Toronto, 16th and 45th round, respectively).

Pompey is a multi-talented player, evidenced by the Jays' decision to sign the Mississauga, Ontario native almost immediately following the draft.

A switch-hitter with the ability to spray the ball to both sides of the field, Pompey will give Hamilton and his coaching staff plenty of flexibility with the roster. Pompey's speed and athleticism are assets both in the field and on the basepaths, and he figures to find himself at the top of the order.

Both Diedrick (Ajax, Ont.) and Wick will be relied upon, along with Deglan, to provide the power in the lineup. This will most likely be Canada's greatest weakness, but they overshadow it by playing a brand of ball that includes solid contact and line drive hitting.

The two outfielders both have good size and possess the strength to hit the ball out of the park. Wick's ability to spell Deglan behind the plate and a very strong arm make the North Vancouver native a key player in Canada's run for a medal.

PITCHING

Here's where Canada's hopes for success truly lie.

With six of the 11 players drafted by major league teams coming from the mound, Team Canada will be blending a strong mix of veteran leadership with high- ceiling talent.

Lead by Evan Grills, who signed with the Houston Astros after being taken in the 10th round, the Canadian staff features three left-handers and two ace- quality arms.

Grills, in his fourth year with the national team and competing in his second world championship, is an imposing 6'5", 205-pound lefty with strong command of his breaking ball and changeup. He won't overpower you on the mound but the Whitby native knows how to pitch, fading and sinking his fastball in and out to keep hitters off balance.

One of the youngest players to ever play for the national team (at age 14), the competitor in Grills should rise to the occasion and he'll look to seize the moment in his final appearance with the Juniors.

The other top-flight arm - keeping in mind, the staff itself is strong top to bottom - is Windsor native Joel Pierce.

Pierce is a big strong 17-year-old who has been labeled by scouts as a highly promising talent. The 6'4" right-hander has a heavy sinker to go with a live fastball in the low-to-mid 90s and a good changeup. Pierce also has an intimidating presence on the mound, something the Canadians will look to use against strong teams such as South Korea and the United States.

Although it hasn't been officially announced, the thought is that Hamilton will go with Brian Bardis (St. Constant, Que.) to close games. Given the versatility Hamilton has with lefties and righties in the rotation, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team close games by committee, depending on matchups.

Bardis isn't your typical closer, in that he's a bit undersized to be classified as a "power pitcher", but has exceptional poise and makeup on the mound and should be able to use his confidence to pitch effectively in tight games.

While Canada will be in tough against strong opposition, it's a squad heavy on leadership, defense, and quality pitching. It's a combination that often wins games.