Canada is known for several things, including hockey. However, what about Baseball? Many great baseball players have hailed from Canada, including greats. Many teams may not have been as great as they are without these Canadians.
Top 5 All Time MLB Players from Canada
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has already joined the list of some of the greatest Canadian baseball players. Just 25 years old, he can still improve drastically. However, in his first 6 seasons, Guerrero has hit .288 with 160 homers. This shows the power and the ability to hit a high average. Many players may be hit for a lot of power; however, they may not have nearly as high as average as Guerrero Jr. This season alone, he has hit 30 home runs, not nearly as much as in 2021; however, in addition to his nice amount of power, he hit a remarkable .323.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been helped massively by their young star, and just like Juan Soto, Guerrero Jr.’s free agency is set to become a big one. However, already, Guerrero has joined other great players who hail from Canada.
4. Joey Votto
Joey Votto was an excellent Baseball player with a high average and a high amount of power. Over his 17-year career with the Cincinnati Reds, Votto hit .294 with 356 homers. Joining the 300-home run club is an incredible statistic, but having a .294 average is fantastic. Votto began 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays minor league teams. However, he never saw the Major Leagues in 2024 and ended up retiring. His final seasons saw him lose his high average, but Votto never lost much power.
Votto’s best season with power came at age 37-38 with 36 home runs in just 129 games . This shows another remarkable thing: he never lost his power, even late into his career. He will always remain to be one of the best Canadian players ever.
3. Fergie Jenkins
Fergie Jenkins serves as a great baseball player for many reasons. The long list includes a 3.34 ERA and 3192 strikeouts in 19 years. The all-time great began his career nicely as a bullpen type of player before notching five straight 200-strikeout seasons as a starter; he also would strike out another 200+ in 1974 in 41 starts (wow). Jenkins would also win a Cy Young and play well into the 1980s, continuing to be a dominant pitcher. After 1974, Jenkins never struck out 200 in a season again, and he also wouldn’t have a below 3.00 ERA again. However, his consistency remained. Still, Jenkins is considered the best Canadian pitcher ever.
2. Freddie Freeman
Freddie Freeman has become one of the greatest Canadian players of all time. While born in California, both of his parents are Canadian, from Ontario. Freeman remains an active star, and it isn’t uncommon to see prop betting odds on Freeman, particularly because Ontario sports betting has taken off in recent years. Freddie Freeman is one of those players with a remarkably high average and many homers in his career. He, too, has hit an average of .300 and 343 Home runs. Freeman has also secured an MVP, a Gold Glove, and several Silver Slugger awards.
Freeman ranks very high on this list for his heroics in the World Series in 2021 and 2024. A star shines bright in the postseason. He remains a great Canadian baseball player and can still win more before his career ends.
1. Larry Walker
Larry Walker will also be remembered as one of the most influential Canadian baseball players ever. Walker managed to secure seven Gold Gloves, 3 Batting Titles, and an MVP award over his long career. Walker hit .314 (!) in his career with 383 Home runs. Larry Walker tops the list of all players because of his career’s longevity, remarkable defense, and consistency. It is rare to see such a high average and such a high amount of power as Walker did. Not only did Walker instill fear into his opponents with a remarkable batting average, he was also even able to notch a batting title. Nobody could top Walker because of his incredible feats. Walker leads all Canadians.
Overall, these great players hail from Canada and affect their teams in a significant way. If not for Freddie Freeman, would the Dodgers have won the 2024 World Series? We will never know. But Canadians have had a great affect on this sport.
Main Image: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
