A new baseball season is upon us, and the London Majors are hoping to provide plenty of excitement on the diamond in 2022. They certainly did that last summer (and into the fall), winning their first Intercounty Baseball League championship in 46 years. But it’s a new season, and it’s back to square one. There are several returning players from last year’s championship squad, but there are even more new faces – players from near and far.
“We’ve got a good core group of returning players … guys who had a big impact last year … and we’ve got some new young talent that I’m really excited about,” said Roop Chanderdat, Majors co-owner, GM and field manager. “It’s great to be back playing baseball – especially on Friday nights in front of our home fans at Labatt Park.”
Among the returnees are Owen Boon and Pedro De Los Santos, the co-aces of the pitching staff last season. Securing their return was a coup for Chanderdat, and it gives London two top arms. Boon led the IBL in wins and strikeouts last season, while De Los Santos was tops in ERA. Another impactful arm from 2021 who is back is reliever Braeden Ferrington, who posted career bests in ERA, innings pitched and saves last season.
And new pitchers? There are plenty – headlined by a talented import arm, Jose Arias. A native of the Dominican Republic, Arias spent time in the affiliated minor leagues from 2010-2015 with the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins organizations. Fernando Fernandez is another new arm. A Quebec native, he has pro experience in the Can-Am League and previously pitched for the Guelph Royals in the IBL.
Other new arms include Bo Lewington, a Calgary native, Daniel Gore, a recent Madonna University graduate, and Jordan Spring, a local recruit.
Headlining position player recruits is Taylor Wright, who Wright started all 58 games as a senior for the Maryland Terrapins in 2019, batting .290 with 20 doubles (4th most in a single season in Maryland baseball history). Chanderdat also expects import catcher Robert Mullen, from Panama, to have a big impact. So, too, for Starling Joseph, a native of the Dominican Republic who spent five seasons in the Texas Rangers organization (2015-2020).
Also new to the club is Drew Lawrence, Kieran Bowles, Daniel Perrier, Evan Symons and Phil Whelan, each of whom has versatility to play different positions around the diamond. They’ll be joining key returnees Chris McQueen and Keith Kandel, the Majors’ starting middle infield, as well as outfielder Austin Wilkie and DH Cleveland Brownlee, who returns for a 12th season in the Majors pinstripes.
Contributions by London Majors
Photos by Matt Hiscox Photography
