Alumni spotlight: Alex Nolan

Alex Nolan has somewhat has made a name for himself across the Ontario baseball landscape recently as he became just the third Brock Badger to sign with an MLB organization.

Heading into 2019, there had only been one OUA player selected in the MLB Draft and the 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-hander was looking to become the second. While Nolan didn't hear his name called that June, he went on to sign a pro contract with his childhood team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

While it was a dominant performance on the college circuit for the Burlington, Ontario product, that helped propel him towards pro baseball but some eye-opening starts in the Northwoods League against Division I talent abled him to silence some critics. 

If the Northwoods track record wasn't good enough for the OUA doubters, Nolan posted some fantastic numbers throughout his first pro season with the Vancouver Canadians. In the summer of 2019, he posted a 3.22 ERA over 58.2 innings while picking up 35 strikeouts and allowing just 11 walks. 

After a respectable first season in the Blue Jays organization, his 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19 with widespread layoffs for the majority of minor leaguers. 

Nolan joined Team Ontario for one summer after returning to Ontario from Arizona, where he grew up. While it was a short stint with the program, Nolan always showed the drive and determination to move on to the next level. We wish Alex the best of luck as he prepares for what will be his second season as the future of the MiLB moves into uncertain times amidst the elimination of dozens and dozens of teams across America.