He might be the only one with a Saskatchewan birth certificate going to the Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase this season, but it’s not phasing Keaton Lejan.
In fact, he is welcoming the opportunity to “show what Sask baseball is all about.”
The Saskatoon native has burst onto the scene in a big way in major tournaments over the last few months to get his name onto the lineup card at the annual event, which is being held this year in Vancouver.
All the work he’s been putting in has finally paid off and now he gets the opportunity to face the best high school talent that Canada has to offer.
“You get to go down there and see what the next level looks like,” Lejan told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories.
“You get to play against some future draft picks, some future Division I guys, and just really know what that level is all about.”
The young righthander says being a part of the showcase has already been a massive boost to his confidence while he looks to find an interested college as he gets ready for high school graduation in just a few months.
GOING TO THE YARD
Interestingly, baseball wasn’t really a sport on Lejan’s radar growing up.
Like most Canadians, hockey was his first love, but he quickly realized he wasn’t the greatest at it and, when he found himself on a diamond during the summer, he seemed to like baseball more.
The 6-foot-1, 198-pound pitcher/first baseman says a trip to play in B.C. made him change from “like it” to “love it,” and he started dedicating himself to his craft with Going Yard Academy starting in 2025.
“Keaton is a strong, well-rounded athlete who makes an impact on both sides of the ball,” said coach Jordan Draeger in an Instagram post in February 2026.
“On the mound, he features a heavy fastball paired with a sharp, biting breaking ball that keeps hitters off-balance, and at the plate, he brings a powerful, confident swing.”
He adds Lejan has become known for his hard work, toughness and focus, as well as his drive to be a reliable and positive teammate.
MEMORIES OF BRONZE
Lejan’s first major foray into representing his home province came during the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
He made two relief appearances, allowing seven runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out three.
While it wasn’t the performance he was hoping for, the team rallied around him to capture the bronze medal.
“I wish it was a gold, but that bronze just felt special,” Lejan said.
“I don’t know how to really put it into words, but that team was so close and that was definitely my favourite moment on the field.”
Many of those same players came together again this past summer for The Road to Okotoks, hoping to lay claim to the inaugural Morneau Cup.
Despite a 2-2 record in the round-robin, Team Sask was eliminated from the medal rounds.
Lejan made another couple of relief appearances – one in the Prairie Qualifiers and one at the main event in Okotoks – allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out nine.
RACKING UP THE K’S
While he would have loved to give up fewer hits and runs in those two events, Lejan was starting to get some attention for his strikeout totals, particularly in The Road to Okotoks.
Determined to capitalize on it, he joined Baseball Sask for the Baseball Canada Cup later in the summer.
In a start against Ontario, the Saskatoon 18U ‘AAA’ Giants product whiffed eight batters in a little more than four innings of work, rolling through most of the first few innings before encountering some troubles in the fifth inning.
He says he was impressed with his velocity (where his fastball was hitting 89 miles per hour) and with the quality of his off-speed pitches.
“I was talking with my dad and he was like, ‘If you don’t get picked here (for the Canadian Futures Showcase), then I don’t know what will,” Lejan laughed. “I was really, really wanting to make that list and when it came out, I was just ecstatic. I can’t even tell you how excited I was.”
Lejan was also named Saskatchewan’s Player of the Game for his efforts in the eventual 6-5 loss to Ontario.
PRIDE IN HIS PROVINCE
Not letting the moment get too big is going to be something Lejan says he will be focusing on heading to Vancouver.
He wants to stay true to himself and showcase himself in the best way he can.
“When I pitch, I always like to think that I’m the best player on the field and I’m going to show it to you,” he said. “I don’t think it will change much when I’m there.”
There’s an intense amount of pride in his voice talking about representing Saskatchewan, whether it’s at national or international events, and the Canadian Futures Showcase will be no different to him.
“Know your why” has become his mantra, and the 2027 grad says his involves being happy and to remember who he’s playing for.
“I just want to go out there, give it my best, and really showcase what Sask baseball is all about,” Lejan said. “It’s grit and hard work, proving to everybody that we’re no joke and that we will put in all the work and should be able to win any game that we’re in.”
The Blue Jays Academy Canadian Futures Showcase is scheduled for September 17-20 at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver.
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