Canadian Premier Teams Expand With Addition of Sophomore Class Beginning in 2026

by Rich Leitch

Canadian Premier Teams Expand With Addition of Sophomore Class Beginning in 2026

The Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL) is proud to announce the expansion of its Canadian Premier Teams program with the addition of a Sophomore age group team, beginning in 2026.

Since its launch in 2022, the Canadian Premier Teams have served as CPBL’s All-Prospect Teams, bringing together top talent from member organizations to compete against elite high school programs, U.S. colleges, and professional-level competition. The program has become a premier pathway for Canada’s top amateur baseball players to gain national and international exposure.

Starting in 2026, the Canadian Premier Sophomore Team will represent the top players from the 2029 graduating class within the CPBL. The team will compete at the Perfect Game Midwest Champions Cup, scheduled for September 25–27, 2026, in New Lenox, Illinois.

Player evaluations for all Canadian Premier Teams begin with the CPBL Prospect Game Tryouts, continue throughout the CPBL regular season, and conclude following Prospects Weekend, running July 31–August 2.

Through three draft classes since the program’s inception, Canadian Premier Teams alumni have gone on to become some of the most accomplished draft picks and college prospects in Canadian baseball history, including:

  • Myles Naylor — 2nd Round, Oakland Athletics

  • Will Hynes — 2nd Round, Cleveland Guardians

  • Tyson Moran — 13th Round, Kansas City Royals

  • Aiden Taggart — Free Agent, Toronto Blue Jays

  • Owen Gregg — Free Agent, Toronto Blue Jays

  • Ryan McDonagh — Free Agent, Kansas City Royals

  • Brendan Lawson — University of Florida (Top-ranked player for the 2027 MLB Draft)

  • Tate Carey — University of Michigan (Preseason Big Ten Pitcher of the Year)

“A Canadian Premier Team at the Sophomore age group makes a lot of sense for what we are trying to build within the CPBL,” said Jamie Romak, GM of the Canadian Premier Teams. “We’ve seen players take great pride in earning a spot on these teams and return to their home programs with increased confidence and leadership. We’re excited to extend this opportunity to the 2029 class and look forward to the evaluation process.”