Whether it’s playing for the Vauxhall Academy Jets, Baseball Alberta at national events, the Baseball Canada Junior National Team, or the Area Codes Games, the 16-year-old right-hander just seems so calm, cool and collected.
The old saying “pressure is privilege” is one that Andersen welcomes with open arms.
“I think, for me, that’s the best,” he says. “That’s when your blood is pumping the most and that’s when the game really starts to be the most fun.”
As Andersen gets ready for his second Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase, he’s hoping to take what he’s learned from all of his experiences to put on his best performance so far.
Armed with his electric arsenal of pitches, the 6-foot-5, 195-pound twirler took his talents south to Vauxhall, where he could work with coach Les McTavish.
It was there that, as a 15-year-old in April 2024, he threw the program’s second five-inning perfect game, striking out 10 in an 11-0 win over AHP Academy.
That performance was part of a year to remember for Andersen, who would later take part in his first Prep Baseball Futures Games and represented his home province at the Canada Summer Games before joining the Junior National Team at the Dominican Fall Instructional Camp.
“It’s something everyone dreams about doing and to be able to get the opportunity to do that is something I was pumped up for,” he said.
“You work really hard to even get the chance to be in the conversation for Team Canada to know it’s starting to pay off feels amazing.”
First time at the showcase
Among the top highlights of Andersen’s 2025 was heading to Toronto for his first Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.
Being one of the younger players invited, he enjoyed the opportunity to show what he was capable of and how he stacked up against players from across the country.
“I learned that there’s a lot of really good players here in Canada,” Andersen said. “So you just have to be on the attack when you’re out there playing.”
His lone appearance with Team Navy came as a start against Team Royal, he struck out four batters over three innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits and two walks in a 9-1 loss.
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While his start didn’t go as well as he hoped, Andersen treated as he always does: use it as a learning experience for his next outing.
He has continued to turn heads everywhere he has gone, including the inaugural Baseball Canada Road to Okotoks and the Morneau Cup, where he was named the tournament’s top pitcher. In two starts totaling 10.1 innings, he allowed just one run on three hits while striking out 13.
Andersen also went to the Area Codes Games, where he pitched two scoreless innings for the Yankees, allowing just two hits and striking out one in a 22-pitch outing.
Now ready for his trek to Vancouver for the Futures Showcase, he says his goal is to play “loose and easy,” take in some learning moments from the coaches and cherish his time on the field.
“Honestly, I think my biggest thing is to just go out there and be myself,” Andersen said. “I know what I can do and I’m just excited to get out there and have fun.”
With the buzz already surrounding Andersen heading into 2027, the young hurler doesn’t seem to be phased at all.
He’s excited about what’s on the horizon as he’s committed to the University of Oklahoma and could even hear his name in the next Major League Baseball Draft.
Whatever path is coming his way, Andersen remains laser-focused on getting himself in the best and shape to take that next step.
“The biggest thing for me is just growing into my body more and getting a little bigger,” he said. “I also just want to keep being myself and have fun playing baseball.”
Andersen has also drawn some added motivation from another Vauxhall product who has realized his dreams of playing in the big leagues.
He and his Jets teammates clamoured around a television on May 18 to watch the debut of Adam Macko with the Toronto Blue Jays, giving them a glimpse that if they work hard and do the right things, they can also aspire to be on baseball’s biggest stage.
“It’s really inspiring just to know that he was once in your shoes and was able to do what you want to do,” Andersen said. “It’s reassuring that it’s possible and you want to go get that goal.”
He is suiting up for Team Royal at this year’s Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase.
