Dasan Brown to replace Andy Yerzy on Canada World Baseball Classic roster

March 3, 2023

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Dasan Brown (Oakville, Ont.) will replace first baseman/catcher Andy Yerzy on Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster.

Baseball Canada made the announcement on Friday.

Canadian Baseball Network editor-in-chief Bob Elliott reported on Thursday that Yerzy had signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

Chosen in the third round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Blue Jays, Brown has played parts of three seasons in the professional ranks. The speedy outfielder, who honed his skills with the Ontario Blue Jays and the Junior National Team, has stolen more than 20 bases in each of his first two full pro campaigns.

In 85 contests between Rookie Ball, Low-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver in 2022, Brown, 21, batted .283 with six home runs and 24 stolen bases. For his efforts, he was named a MiLB organizational All-Star.

Brown, who is a former Junior National Team MVP, last suited up Canada in 2019 at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Gijang, South Korea.

Like Brown, Yerzy is a Junior National Team grad. He joined the junior squad in 2013 and later competed for them at the 2015 U18 World Cup. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound slugger was chosen in the second round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yerzy, 24, has played parts of six seasons with the D-Backs, rising as high as double-A. Initially during his pro career, he was used exclusively as a catcher but in recent years, he has seen more action at first base. In total in his pro career, he has socked 61 home runs in 438 games.

Yerzy previously suited up for Canada’s Senior National Team in the 2019 Pan Am Games qualifier and at the 2019 Premier12 Tournament.

*Photo of Dasan Brown with Canadian Junior National Team, courtesy of Baseball Canada