We are proud Canadians and proud Albertans.
To celebrate that pride – and Canada’s 150th year of nationhood – we are releasing our list of the Top 150 Alberta baseball players.
Here’s the criteria: players had to either suit up for an Alberta-based baseball team (even if it was just for one game) or they had to be born/raised in the province.
While we prefer to highlight players who stayed here for a long time, each athlete’s overall career in the sport was also a factor in our decision.
It’s also important to note that this list is not a ranked or sorted list. We may release a ranked list in the future but the purpose of this exercise is really to highlight all the amazing baseball players who have contributed to the legacy of the sport in Alberta.
On to the fun stuff! We released the list 50 at a time – one 50-player list per day over the Canada Day long weekend.
ALBERTA’S TOP 150 BASEBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIMEΒ
Here’s a look at the players on our list:
NAME | POS | ALBERTA CONNECTION | ALBERTA NOTES/STATS | MLB NOTES |
TINO MARTINEZ | 1B | Calgary Cannons (250 GP) | 1991 PCL MVP | 339 HR, 2X AS |
KIRK MCCASKILL | SP | Edmonton Trappers (28 GP) | 166.2 IP from β85 to β87 | 17-10, 202 Ks in 1986 |
CHRIS REITSMA | SP-RP | Raised in Calgary | Calgary Christian HS | β96 1st Rd Pick |
JOSE LIMA | SP | Edmonton Capitals | 2 CG, 3.95 ERA | 21 W in β99 |
LLOYD MOSEBY | OF | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (67 GP) | 10 HR, 20 SB, .304 avg. | 280 SB, β86 AS |
STEVE SAX | 2B-SS | Lethbridge Dodgers (39 GP) | .328 avg., .405 OBP | 444 SB, 5X AS |
JIM HENDERSON | RP | Born in Calgary | Dawgs grad | 28 saves, 2013 |
JIM BOUTON | SP | Calgary Jimmies (1975) | 3 games, 4 ER in 23 IP | Won 2 starts β64 WS |
DON BUFORD | OF-INF | Lloydminster-N.Battleford Combines | Centrefielder, 1959 | β70 WS champ, β71 AS |
WALLY JOYNER | 1B | Edmonton Trappers (126 GP) | 68 runs, 73 RBI, 12 HR | Runner up β86 AL ROY |
MIKE CAMPBELL | SP | Calgary Cannons (51 GP) | 1987 PCL MVP | Mβs 7th OA pick β 1987 |
RICK BURLESON | SS | Edmonton Trappers (14 GP) | 10 hits, 2 SB in ’83 | 4X AS, Gold Glove |
JASON GRILLI | RP | Calgary Cannons (25 GP) | 25 games as SP | 33 saves, AS in 2013 |
ROB DUCEY | OF | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (63 GP) | 12 HR, 13 SB, .302 avg. | Played 703 games |
FERNANDO VALENZUELA | SP | Edmonton Trappers (7 GP, ’91) | 3-3, 7.12 ERA, 36 Ks in 36.2 IP | β81 NL Cy Young & ROY |
HAROLD REYNOLDS | 2B | Calgary Cannons (81 GP, 1985-86) | 19 SB, 36 runs, .345 avg., 37 RBI | 3X Gold Glove, β87 AL SB leader |
RANDY KNORR | C | Trappers & Med. Hat Blue Jays | Given Key to City in Edm | Played w Jays & Expos |
MAC SUZUKI | SP-RP | Calgary Vipers (46 GP) | 12 saves, ’09 | 327 career Ks |
DARNELL COLES | Utility | Calgary Cannons (31 GP, 1985) | 24 RBI, .320 avg., 4 HR | 20 HR w Tigers in β86 |
JAY GIBBONS | OF-1B | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (73 GP, β98) | Pioneer Lg. Triple Crown | 28 HR, 2002 |
SCOTT DOWNS | SP-RP | Edmonton Trappers (43 GP) | No hitter, 2004 | 575 career Ks |
CLIFF FLOYD | OF | Calgary Cannons (9 GP, 1999) | 3 HR, .387 avg. | 233 HR |
DEVON WHITE | OF | Edmonton Trappers (192 GP) | 14 HR, 42 SB in 1986 | 7X Gold Glove, 3X AS |
JUAN EICHELBERGER | SP | Calgary Jimmies (1973) | 2-3, 3.37 ERA | ’75 1st Rd Pick |
MIKE TIMLIN | RP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (13 GP, β87) | 66 SO in 75.1 IP | 141 saves, 872 Ks |
RON KITTLE | OF | Lethbridge Dodgers & Trappers | ’82 PCL MVP, 50 HR, 144 RBI | ’83 AL ROY |
KEVIN MILLAR | 1B | Calgary Cannons (36 GP, 1999) | 24 runs, 26 RBI, .301 avg | 170 HR, β04 WS champ |
BRET BOONE | 2B | Calgary Cannons (189 GP) | 73 R, 73 RBI, 17 SB, β92 | 4X Gold Glove, 3X AS |
CANDY MALDONADO | OF | Lethbridge Dodgers (116 GP in 1978-79) | 12 HR, 48 RBI, 45 runs, .290 avg. , ’78 | β92 WS champ, 146 career HR |
JAY BUHNER | OF | Calgary Cannons (69 GP, 1989-90) | 11 HR, .311 avg. in 1989 | β96 Gold Glove, AS |
JOHN CERUTTI | SP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (14 GP, β81) | 120 K in 107 IP, 5 CG | 1st Jays W at SkyDome |
JIM EDMONDS | OF | Edmonton Trappers (50 GP, 1992) | 37 runs, 36 RBI, .299 avg | 8X Gold Glove, 393 HR |
MIKE MARSHALL | OF-1B | Lethbridge Dodgers (65 GP, 1978) | 12 HR, 70 RBI, .324 avg. | ’84 AS, 530 RBI |
RON FAIRLY | 1B-OF | Edmonton Eskimos (1957) | 10 HR, 55 RBI, .388 avg. | 1,044 RBI, 2X All Star |
ROSS GRIMSLEY | SP | Calgary Cannons (3 GP, 1986) | 6 IP, 10.50 ERA | Won 20 w Expos, 1978 |
NELSON BRILES | SP | Calgary Giants (1963) | 11-4, 2.46 ERA | 1,163 Ks, 3.44 ERA |
TONY WOMACK | SS-2B | Calgary Cannons (161 GP, 1995-96) | 75 runs, 37 SB in β96 | 3X NL SB leader |
CASEY BLAKE | 3B | Edmonton Trappers (220 GP) | 29 HR, .309 avg., β01-02 | 1,265 MLB games |
MARIANO DUNCAN | 2B-SS | Lethbridge Dodgers (30 GP, ’82), Cannons (2 GP, ’99) | 9 runs, 8 RBI w Dodgers, 1 for 5 with Cannons | ’94 AS, 87 HR, 491 RBI, 619 runs |
MARK EICHHORN | SP-RP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (16 GP, β79) | 3.39 ERA, 66 Ks | 640 Ks, 2X WS |
MATT STAIRS | OF-DH | Edmonton Trappers (51 GP, 1996) | 41 RBI, .344 avg., 8 HR | Record 23 pinch-hit HR |
STUBBY CLAPP | 2B | Edmonton Cracker-Cats (166 GP) | 32 SB, .323 avg. – 2006 | 23 MLB games |
IVAN CALDERON | OF | Calgary Cannons (24 GP, 1986) | 17 R, 18 RBI, .333 avg. | ’91 All Star |
LEN GABRIELSON | OF | Edmonton Eskimos (1958) | .318 avg., 20 RBI | 708 GP |
BILL SWIFT | SP-RP | Calgary Cannons (15 GP, 1986-87) | 4-4, 34 Ks | 21 W in ’93 |
MICKEY BRANTLEY | OF | Calgary Cannons (271 GP, 1985-1990) | 4 hits in Cannons 1stΒ ever home W | 15 HR, 56 RBI, .263 avg., ’88 |
ELIJAH GREEN | 2B-SS | Medicine Hat Mohawks (1951) | 10 RBI, .227 avg. | 1stΒ black Red Sox player |
STEVE TROUT | SP | Calgary Cannons (3 GP, ’88) | 1.15 ERA, 0-2 | 88 W, 656 Ks |
PAT BORDERS | C | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (61 GP, β82) | 33 RBI, 30 runs, .304 avg | ’92 WS MVP |
NAME | POS | ALBERTA CONNECTION | ALBERTA NOTES/STATS | MLB NOTES |
BABE HERMAN | OF | Edmonton Eskimos (107 GP, 1921) | 7 HR, 18 triples,.330 avg | 3X hit for cycle |
EDGAR MARTINEZ | DH-3B | Calgary Cannons (276 GP, 1985-89) | 75 runs, 10 HR, 66 RBI, .329 avg. in 1987 | 5X Silver Slugger, 2X AL batting champ |
HUBIE BROOKS | 3B-OF | Edmonton Trappers (8 GP, 1992) | 1 HR, 11 RBI, .292 avg. | 2X Silver Slugger |
DANTE BICHETTE | OF | Edmonton Trappers (285 GP) | 14 HR, 81 RBI (1988) | β95 NL HR, RBI leader |
ANDRE DAWSON | OF | Lethbridge Expos (72 GP, 1975) | 13 HR, 50 RBI, .330 avg. | Baseball HOF Member |
CHRIS CARPENTER | SP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (15 GP, β94) | 2.76 ERA, 80 Ks | ’05 Cy Young |
TOM CANDIOTTI | SP | Calgary Jimmies (1976) | Alberta Major Baseball | 1,735 Ks, 151 wins |
A.J. BURNETT | SP | Calgary Cannons (1 GP, 2000) | 5 IP, 6 Ks, No hits, 3 BB | No hitter in 2001 |
GLEN GORBOUS | OF | Born in Drumheller | Played in Calgary, 1948 | Longest throw record |
RYAN DEMPSTER | SP-RP | Calgary Cannons (5 GP, 1999) | 29 Ks, 30.2 IP, 4.99 ERA | 2,075 Ks, 132 wins |
KEN FORSCH | SP | Calgary Cannons (13 GP, 1986) | 2 CG, 4.91 ERA, 23 Ks | No hitter, April 7, 1979 |
SID FERNANDEZ | SP | Lethbridge Dodgers (11 GP, 1981) | 5-1, 2 CG, 128 Ks, 76 IP | 2X All Star, 1,743 Ks |
HEINIE MANUSH | OF | Edmonton Eskimos (83 GP) | .321 avg. in 1921 | Baseball HOF Member |
KELVIM ESCOBAR | SP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (14 GP) | No hitter in 1995 | 101 wins, 1,310 Ks |
BENGIE MOLINA | C | Edmonton Trappers (65 GP, 1999) | 41 RBI, .286 avg., 7 HR | 2X Gold Glove, 144 HR |
GLENALLEN HILL | OF | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (46 GP) | 6 HR, 27 RBI, 26 runs | 186 HR, 586 RBI |
JIM ABBOTT | SP | Calgary Cannons (5 GP, 1998) | 1 CG, 2.61 ERA | No hitter, 1993 |
LUIS CASTILLO | 2B | Calgary Cannons (4 GP, 2000) | .308 avg., 1 SB, 1 triple | 370 SB, 3X Gold Glove |
GREG MORRISON | 1B | MH Blue Jays, Vipers, Cracker-Cats | Pioneer Lg. Triple Crown | Never played MLB |
ALEX KAMPOURIS | 2B | Edmonton Yanks (1945) | .452 batting average | 17 HR, 71 RBI, β37 Reds |
MICHAEL CUDDYER | OF-3B | Edmonton Trappers (86 GP, 2002) | 20 HR, 70 runs, 12 SB, .309 avg., 52 RBI | ’13 NL batting champ, 2X AS |
BOB LILLIS | SS | Edmonton Eskimos (1950) | 9 HR, 41 RBI, .409 avg. | 817 GP, 198 runs |
TUG MCGRAW | SP-RP | Lethbridge Cardinals (1963) | 4 wins, 7 losses | 2X All Star, 180 saves |
BOB MEACHAM | SS | Barrhead Blue Jays (1978) | Alberta Major Baseball | 1981 8th overall pick |
ANDY HAWKINS | SP | Calgary Cannons (24 GP, 1992) | 3 CG, 2 shutouts | July 1, 1990 no hitter |
KYLE LOHSE | SP | Edmonton Trappers (8 GP, 2001) | 1 CG shutout | 1,612 Ks, 147 wins |
MIGUEL TEJADA | SS | Edmonton Trappers (1 GP, 1998) | 0 for 3, 1 walk | 2002 AL MVP |
DERREK LEE | 1B | Calgary Cannons (89 GP, 1999) | 19 HR, 73 RBI, 60 runs | 331 HR, 3X Gold Glove |
JIM GOTT | SP-RP | Calgary Cardinals (14 GP, 1977) | 60 Ks, 65 IP | 34 saves, 1988 |
TOM NIEDENFUER | RP | Red Deer Border Players & Cannons | 13 GP, 11 Ks, 1989 | 97 saves, β81 WS champ |
ROD BARAJAS | C | Lethbridge Black Diamonds (51 GP) | 10 HR, 50 RBI, 1996 | 480 RBI, β01 WS champ |
ERIC CHAVEZ | 3B | Edmonton Trappers (47 GP, 1998) | 11 HR, 40 RBI, .325 avg. | 260 HR, 6X Gold Glove |
RON PERRANOSKI | RP | Lloydminster Meridians (1956) | 15 Ks in 1st playoff start | 2X AL saves leader |
GARY SUTHERLAND | 2B | Edmonton Eskimos (1963) | Western Canada Baseball League | Led NL 2B in double plays in 1969 |
DANNY TARTABULL | OF-DH | Calgary Cannons (125 GP, 1985) | 43 HR, 109 RBI, 17 SB, PCL MVP | 262 HR, 925 RBI |
MIKE LOWELL | 3B | Calgary Cannons (24 GP, 1999) | .313 avg., 2 HR, 9 RBI | β07 World Series MVP |
KEN WILLIAMS | OF | Edmonton Eskimos (1914) | NA | MLBβs 1st 30-30 player |
MIKE SOROKA | SP | Born in Calgary | Bishop Carroll HS | 2015 1st Rd Pick, ATL |
RAY WASHBURN | SP | Lethbridge White Sox (1959) | No hitter vs. Med Hat | 1968 No hitter |
MIKE MORGAN | SP | Calgary Cannons (1 GP, 1985) | 2 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER | 1,403 Ks, 12 teams |
LUIS SOJO | 2B-SS | Trappers (β92) & Cannons (β94) | 24 runs, 22 RBI, 1992 | 3X World Series champ |
ESTEBAN LOAIZA | SP | Calgary Cannons (12 GP, 1996) | 1 CG shutout | β03 AL Ks leader |
JON LIEBER | SP | Calgary Cannons (14 GP, 1995) | 34 Ks, 7.01 ERA | 1,553 Ks, β01 All Star |
DAVID ECKSTEIN | SS-2B | Edmonton Trappers (15 GP, 2000) | .346 avg., 3 HR, 5 SB | β06 World Series MVP |
MARK MCLEMORE | 2B | Edmonton Trappers (222 GP, 1986-90) | 29 SB in 1986, 26 SB in 1989 | 272 SB, 615 RBI |
JIMMY KEY | SP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (5 GP, β82) | 1 CG, 2.30 ERA | β87 MLB ERA leader |
CARL EVERETT | OF | Edmonton Trappers (113 GP) | 11 HR, 16 SB, .336 avg. | 202 HR, 792 RBI |
GARY PETTIS | OF | Edmonton Trappers (140 GP) | 52 SB, 138 runs, 1983 | 354 SB, 5X Gold Glove |
LEE STEVENS | 1B | Edmonton Trappers (340 GP) | 19 HR, 96 RBI, 1991 | 144 HR, 531 RBI |
NAME | POS | ALBERTA CONNECTION | ALBERTA NOTES/STATS | MLB NOTES |
OMAR VIZQUEL | SS | Calgary Cannons (94 GP, 1988-92) | 18 runs, 4 SB, 1992 | 9X Gold Glove, 2,877 hits |
JASON GIAMBI | 1B-DH | Edmonton Trappers (55 GP, ’95) | 41 RBI, .342 avg. | 2000 AL MVP, 440 HR |
ALEX RODRIGUEZ | SS-3B | Calgary Cannons (32 GP, ’94) | 6 HR, .311 avg. | 3X AL MVP, 696 HR |
JOHAN SANTANA | SP | Edmonton Trappers (11 GP, ’02) | 75 Ks, 48.2 IP, 3.14 ERA | 2X AL Cy Young |
DAVID WELLS | SP | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (12 GP, ’82) | 1 CG shutout | Perfect Game, May 17, ’98 |
Β JACK McDOWELL | SP | Edmonton Trappers (2 GP, β99) | 1 W, 2 Ks, 7 ER | ’93 AL Cy Young |
FELIX JOSE | OF | Calgary Vipers (77 GP, ’08) | 15 HR, 70 RBI | ’91 AS, 324 RBI |
MARK WHITEN | OF | Medicine Hat Blue Jays (70 GP, ’86) | 10 HR, 22 SB, 44 RBI | 4 HR in 1 game |
GRANT BALFOUR | RP | Edmonton Trappers (69 GP, 2001-02) | 8 saves, 88 Ks | 38 saves in 2013 |
TIM SALMON | OF | Edmonton Trappers (118 GP, ’92) | PCL MVP, 29 HR | ’93 AL ROY |
ANDRES GALARRAGA | 1B | Calgary Expos (101 GP, ’79-80) | 8 HR, 38 RBI | 399 HR, 5X HR |
MITCH WEBSTER | OF | Lethbridge Dodgers (110 GP, ’77-78) | 31 SB, 103 runs | 160 SB, 504 runs |
TONY ARMAS | OF | Edmonton Trappers (29 GP) | 3 HR, 16 RBI in ’87 | 2X AL HR leader |
JIM BEATTIE | SP | Calgary Cannons (3 GP, ’86) | 14 Ks, 13.2 IP | CG WS win, ’78 |
DAVE BURBA | SP | Calgary Cannons (54 GP, 1990-91) | 10 W, 2 saves – ’90 | 1,398 Ks, 115 W |
RICH AMARAL | 2B-SS | Calgary Cannons (205 GP, ’91-94) | 85 SB, 171 runs | 305 runs, 112 SB |
TONY ARMAS JR. | SP | Edmonton Trappers (2 GP, ’04) | 8 Ks, 1.80 ERA | 680 Ks, 53 W |
BERT BLYLEVEN | SP | Edmonton Trappers (2 GP, ’92) | 11.2 IP, 7 Ks | HOF member |
PAT RAPP | SP | Edmonton Trappers (17 GP, ’93) | 3.43 ERA, 93 Ks | 825 Ks, 70 W |
GREG BROCK | 1B | Lethbridge Dodgers (66 GP, ’79) | 16 HR, 77 RBI | 462 RBI, 420 runs |
MAICER IZTURIS | 2B-SS-3B | Edmonton Trappers (99 GP, ’04) | 65 runs, .338 avg. | 406 runs, 93 SB |
SPEED MARTIN | SP | Medicine Hat Hatters (31 GP) | 18-12, 1914 | 30 CG, 4 shutouts |
RALPH WORKS | SP | Medicine Hat Hatters (40 GP) | 26-11, 1907 | 28 CG, 3.79 ERA |
MARK GARDNER | SP | Edmonton Trappers (1 GP, ’94) | 11 Ks, 6 IP | 1,256 Ks, 99 W |
PRESTON WILSON | OF | Calgary Cannons (4 GP, ’01) | 5 hits, 10 AB, 2 SB | ’03 NL RBI leader |
SCOT SHIELDS | RP | Edmonton Trappers (27 GP, 2000) | 4 CG, 156 Ks | 631 Ks, ’02 WS |
DALE SVEUM | 3B-SS | Calgary Cannons (321 GP, ’94-96) | 57 HR, 232 RBI | 340 RBI, 305 runs |
GREG COLBRUNN | 1B | Edmonton Trappers (7 GP, ’94) | 1 HR, 2 RBI | .289 avg., 98 HR |
CARMELO MARTINEZ | OF-1B | Calgary Cannons (42 GP, ’93) | 18 RBI, 21 runs | 21 HR, 72 RBI, ’85 |
VEAN GREGG | SP-RP | Lived in Conjuring Creek, AB | “Alberta Ace” | 1911 AL ERA leader |
ELLIS VALENTINE | OF | Edmonton Trappers (5 GP) | 1983-84 | ’78 Gold Glove |
KEVIN YOUNG | 1B-3B | Calgary Cannons (45 GP, ’95) | 8 HR, 6 SB | 144 HR, 606 RBI |
JASON WOOD | 3B-SS | Trappers (’95-98) & Cannons | 461 GP, 54 HR | 153 at bats |
OLMEDO SAENZ | 3B-1B | Calgary Cannons (124 GP, ’98) | 29 HR, 102 RBI | 275 RBI, 73 HR |
JAVIER VALENTIN | C | Edmonton Trappers (248 GP, 2001-02) | 38 HR, 151 RBI | 210 RBI, 45 HR |
SCOTT SPIEZIO | 3B-1B | Edmonton Trappers (145 GP) | 20 HR, 91 RBI – ’96 | 2X WS, 549 RBI |
BEN GRIEVE | OF | Edmonton Trappers (27 GP) | .426 avg., 7 HR – ’97 | ’98 AL ROY, AS |
DAVE VALLE | C | Calgary Cannons (149 GP) | 21 HR, 72 RBI – ’86 | 350 RBI |
JOE RANDA | 3B | Calgary Cannons (3 GP, ’97) | 1 HR, 4 RBI | 739 RBI |
MIKE REMLINGER | RP | Calgary Cannons (40 GP) | 4 W, 51 Ks – ’93 | 854 Ks, ’02 AS |
MIKE BLOWERS | 3B | Calgary Cannons (173 GP) | 18 HR, 112 runs | 23 HR, 96 RBI, ’95 |
BOB HOWRY | RP | Calgary Cannons (23 GP, ’98) | 5 saves, 3.41 ERA | 28 saves in ’99 |
LEE GUETTERMAN | SP-RP | Calgary Cannons (52 GP) | 5-1, 2.86 ERA, ’87 | 38 W, 25 saves |
RAMON CASTRO | C | Calgary Cannons (272 GP) | 27 HR, 90 RBI, ’01 | 67 HR, 217 RBI |
CHAD CURTIS | OF | Edmonton Trappers (115 GP) | 46 SB, 81 runs, ’91 | 2X WS champ |
TONY BATISTA | 3B-SS | Edmonton Trappers (90 GP) | 11 HR, 61 RBI | 221 HR, 718 RBI |
ERNIE CAMACHO | RP | Calgary Jimmies (’75) & Edmonton Trappers (’82) | 18 Ks, 19.2 IP in ’82 | 23 saves in ’84 |
RYAN FRANKLIN | SP | Calgary Cannons (1 GP, ’94) | 5.2 IP, 2 Ks | 84 saves, 668 Ks |
DREW MILLER | OF | Born in Medicine Hat | Calgary Vipers (604 GP, ’05-’11) | No MLB experience |
*statistical sources: The Baseball Cube; Western Canada Baseball
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:Β JIM ACKER,Β DANNY BAUTISTA, GEOFF FREEBORN,Β TURNER WARD, BRIAN KINGMAN, CHAD BRADFORD, LENN SAKATA, DAVE DOWLING, GREG LITTON, HELEN NICOL FOX, BETTY CARVETH-DUNN
ANALYSIS
The list includes Hall of Famers, MVPs, Cy Young Award winners, Rookie of the Year recipients, World Series heroes, Gold Glovers, Silver Sluggers, All Stars, First Round Picks, batting champs, pitchers who’ve thrown no hitters (and a perfect game) and clutch closers.
It also includes players that never made MLB but had success in the minors, along with journeymen and role players.
And it includes colourful characters, pioneers, record breakers and even convicted criminals.
Here’s a closer look at our list:
BY POSITION: 46 Starting Pitchers, 39 Outfielders, 20 Relievers, 16 First Basemen, 16 Second Basemen, 16 Shortstops, 15 Third Basemen, 7 Catchers, 1 Utility Player
BY ALBERTA TEAM: 49 Calgary Cannons, 43 Edmonton Trappers, 15 Medicine Hat Blue Jays, Β 8 Lethbridge Dodgers, 7 Edmonton Eskimos, 4 Calgary Jimmies, 4 Calgary Vipers, 2 Edmonton Cracker-Cats, 2 Medicine Hat Hatters, 1 Lethbridge White Sock, 1 Edmonton Capital, 1 Calgary Giant, 1 Lloydminster-North Battleford Combine, 1 Medicine Hat Mohawk, 1 Lethbridge Expo, 1 Edmonton Yanks, 1 Barrhead Blue Jay, 1 Lethbridge Cardinal, 1 Calgary Cardinal, 1 Red Deer Border Player, 1 Lethbirdge Black Diamond, 1 Lloydminster Meridian, 1 Calgary Expo, 1 Calgary Dawg
BY REGION: 61 played on Calgary teams, 54 on Edmonton teams, 18 on Medicine Hat teams, 12 on Lethbridge teams, and 5 played in other regions.
BY ALBERTA LEAGUE LEVEL: 91 AAA, 26 Rookie, 7 Independent, 26 Other
SUMMARY: Not surprisingly, the list was dominated by Alberta’s Triple-A teams. Calgary’s Cannons made up a third of the list, followed closely by more than 40 Edmonton Trappers. Together, the two teams contributed more than half of the players on our Top 150. After that, Β it was the rookie level clubs in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge that represented well.
The league level breakdown also confirms that Triple-A baseball gave Albertans the best baseball players, which is not surprising given the number of MLB players that came from those teams.
Breaking things down by region, Calgary edged Edmonton in the Battle of Alberta, while Medicine Hat beat out Lethbridge in the Battle of Southern Alberta.
One closing note: this list is not intended to be definitive. It is a conversation starter to highlight the amazing baseball talent that has been through our province. There are a lot of factors that went into our selections, including performance in Alberta, time spent playing for Alberta teams, overall career performance, playoff record, individual achievements, etc. So, please keep the feedback coming and let us know what you think.