Energy City Cactus Rats 2025 Preview

Things are going to get prickly in the Edmonton area this summer.

That’s thanks to a new Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) team that will call Spruce Grove home.

The Energy City Cactus Rats, who will play out of a new state-of-the-art stadium, are the rebranded evolution of the Edmonton Prospects, a franchise that was originally formed in 2005.

“This is more than just a name change,” said the team’s Managing Partner Pat Cassidy.

“The Energy City Cactus Rats represent the hard work, resilience, and passion of our players, staff, and fans. The cities of the Metro Edmonton Region are cities built on energy, determination, and innovation, and our new brand reflects that spirit.”

Added Cassidy: “We’re incredibly excited for this next step in our franchise’s history … this rebrand isn’t just about changing a logo—it’s about embracing the future and creating a legacy that will last for generations. We can’t wait to welcome fans into this new era of baseball in Edmonton.”

The name “Cactus Rats” is a nod to the porcupine and the team logos – which include a high-visibility work jacket and a hard hat – symbolize the region’s blue-collar work ethic.

As much as the club has been working on their new identity and the construction of a premier stadium, there is also plenty of effort required to put a winning team on the field.

In 2024, the Prospects finished last in the WCBL with just 12 wins and 44 losses.

There are lots of moving parts in Spruce Grove this summer. Can a playoff-contending team be one of those parts?

COACHING

Jordan Blundell, who was hired by the Edmonton Prospects in 2018, is back as the head coach and director of baseball operations of the newly minted Cactus Rats.

The program director and skipper at Evolution Baseball was named the coach of the year in the Western Major Baseball League (WMBL) – the predecessor of the WCBL – with the Sherwood Park Dukes in 2008.

He spent 12 years as the head coach of the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners, where he won a Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) title in 2009.

“We’re super excited. We’re pumped. Summer can’t come soon enough,” said Blundell.

Joining Blundell is assistant coach Nick Salahub, who has worked as the pitching coach with the team since 2022. Salahub is the pitching coordinator at Evolution Baseball and was a longtime skipper with the VIU Mariners.

PITCHING

C.J. Lewis, who served as a reliever on the Prospects in 2024, is coming back to Alberta for another summer. In six WCBL games last year, he had seven strikeouts and two saves.

“We are excited to have C.J. anchoring our bullpen this summer. He has the ability to shut down good hitters in high-leverage situations. C.J. is the guy we want on the mound with the game on the line,” said Blundell of the righthander from Bloomington, Illinois.

Cam Bergstrom is a starting pitcher and reliever with a three-pitch mix from St. Albert, Alberta who plays for Barton Community College.

Sussex Community College is sending a pair of pitchers to Spruce Grove for the summer. Sebastian Mizener, a righty from Ancaster, Ontario, and Cole Bolton, a southpaw from Robertsdale, Alabama, will take the mound for the Cactus Rats this year.

“Cole is an athletic pitcher with the ability to start games and get big outs at the end of games. He works quick, has a three-pitch mix, and continues to improve and impress on the mound,” said Blundell.

Righty pitchers Chris Nino, James Alexander and Braden Giardina join the Cactus Rats from Modesto Junior College.

“Braden has a smooth delivery and challenges hitters with his high-energy pace. He has the ability and flexibility to both start and relieve games, and he’s going to be a big piece of our pitching staff this summer,” noted Blundell.

BATTING

Nick Hagen will give the fans something to cheer about. The Spruce Grove catcher and infielder with the Campbellsville University Tigers appeared in 34 games for the Prospects in 2024 and had a .316 batting average. He’s described as a “true gamer” by Blundell.

Catcher Hunter Ferguson is a returning player who suited up in 19 games with the Prospects last year. In his 62 at bats, the Knoxville, Tennessee native had a .274 batting average, 17 RBI and four long balls in the WCBL.

A new backstop with the Cactus Rats is Reese Ruderman, a freshman at Southwest Baptist University.

“Reese brings energy to every team he plays for. He’s a solid receiver with the ability to throw runners out, and he’ll be a major asset for us behind the plate. Plus, he’s going to help with the bat, too,” noted Blundell.

Infielder Timo Aracena is trading his Prospects jersey in for Cactus Rats threads. The Vero Beach, Florida product led Edmonton in games played (42), at bats (162), runs (37), hits (48), triples (3), runs batted in (30) and home runs (12). Aracena will be counted on as a major offensive contributor again this season.

“Timo is a switch-hitting infielder who can play multiple positions and change a game with one swing from either side of the plate. He’s an everyday player with a passion for the game and his teammates. Timo will help lead our club on and off the field this summer,” said Blundell in his assessment of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student.

First baseman and utility player Elijah Bear comes to the Cactus Rats after suiting up with the Moose Jaw Miller Express in 2024. The Texan had a .293 batting average, five homers, 25 RBI and 21 runs in 48 WCBL regular season and playoff contests.

A fresh face in the middle infield is Ryuichiro Uno, a strong defender from Tokyo, Japan who plays for the Odessa College Wranglers. Joining Uno from Japan is infielder Ten Shindo, who is looking for a North American school to attend after playing with the Rikkyo University Asian Breeze.

Switch hitter Cooper Davis, a Spokane Falls Community College student, is also a versatile infielder on the roster. His older brother, Jaxson Davis, will back him up in the outfield. The elder Davis plays for the Vanguard University Lions.

“Jaxson is an athletic switch-hitting outfielder who can play all three outfield positions. His versatility is a major asset—he can impact the game defensively and hit up and down the lineup,” said Blundell.

Zach Pyles, a Barry University freshman, is an infielder from New Orleans, Louisiana with a middle-of-the-order bat.

Jack Jewell, an infielder and outfielder from Sherwood Park, Alberta, is a right-handed hitter who played his freshman season with the Barton Cougars in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC).

“He’s a right-handed hitter who’s shown some power and consistently hits the ball hard,” said Blundell of Jewell.

Newcomers in the outfield include Elias Campbell (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University); Kenyon Sanders (Modesto Junior College); and Parker Husu (Arizona Western Community College).

“Parker loves to play, and he can play quick. He’s an outfielder who covers ground and a left-handed hitter who can make things happen offensively. He’s a fun player to watch,” said Blundell.