After losing to Welland in the 2025 IBL Finals, the Barrie Baycats mentality in 2026 could be defined as championship or bust.
With the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) season beginning on Thursday, many Baycats players were quick to dismiss that there would be any added pressure with the league's new rebrand and upgraded status.
"At the end of the day, it's just baseball," infielder Ryan Rijo said during the team's pre-season media availability. "I'm going to go out there and just keep playing the game that I love."
Instead, they're raring to get going, knowing how important the first championship in the new era of the league would be to Barrie.
It's the first year in manager Josh Matlow's tenure that the team has played in more than one exhibition game before the season, and first against rival CBL teams. In seven-inning school day games on May 5 and 7, Barrie beat Hamilton 6-1 and Guelph 5-3, respectively.
After starting the 2025 season 1-5 and seeing the playoff field cut down by three teams in 2026, perhaps the extra preparation was welcome for the Baycats this time around.
"We're very conscious of that and want to make sure that we understand that we get off to a good start," Matlow said, referencing the changes in league structure. "That's why we've added a few exhibitions this year, and imports were coming in two weeks before (the start of the season). Usually, they'd show up the week of."
"Those early games in May that might be a little cold, might be a little tough to play—they make a difference now," utility player Noah Hull added. "If we can go steal those games early, it's going to make a difference later on in the year for us."
The extra three import spots also allowed Matlow to fill out a more bona fide bullpen, featuring third-year Baycat Carlos Sano as a closer.
Two of the four import pitchers signed in the offseason are left-handed, and all four have impressed in pre-season exhibition play. Especially right-hander Breidy Encarnacion, who struck out five and walked just one in two scoreless innings.
"In the IBL, you played who you had available, it was a working man's league," Matlow said. "Now, you have a few more options in your bullpen, and I can go to a righty or a lefty in certain situations opposed to just pitching where they're available. So, it will be a little bit of an adjustment, but I'm super excited about it."
Frank Garcés, coming off a season in which he led the league and set a Baycats single-season franchise record with 116 strikeouts, will anchor a lefty-heavy rotation. Behind him to start the season will be Juan Benítez, Juan Mejia, and Saul Vazquez.
Garcés, the former major leaguer, will start the Baycats season-opener on Thursday at home against Toronto.
Entering 2026, the team features 17 returnees from that squad and 10 newcomers, so far they're all jelling well and aligned in their goal of a championship.
"Their talent speaks for itself," Rijo said. "You're going to see this year with the confidence in some of the arms that we got and the position guys as well... It's the culture that we built, and everyone seems to be buying in already."
When it comes to the position players, many familiar faces have returned for another season. That includes Rijo, who will start the season fully healthy after a heart condition forced him to the sidelines for the majority of the 2025 season.
The sudden end to his season in June ended what was arguably the best start to a season in the Barre-native's career (13/29, 10 RBI, 4 HR in 8 GP).
"It's never easy not being able to be a part of it in a sense where I can't contribute offensively," he explained. "I tried to be the boys' biggest cheerleader when I was here. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. But, going into this year, I'm feeling 100 per cent."
Outfielder Noel McGarry Doyle and first baseman Nolan Machibroda return to the team after being named as All-IBL players in 2025, joining other returnees such as Brandon and Francisco Hernandez, and Adam Odd. Meanwhile, star outfielder Canice Ejoh returns to baseball after a season away from the sport.
Adding to the team's depth are catcher Wandy Ciprian and outfielder Edgar Figueroa—both Dominican imports— as well as former Cardinal Brendon Daley, Canadian catchers Krystian Puyol-Genossar and Carson Barker, among others.
"It was always my favorite playing against Barrie," Daley explained from his two seasons in Hamilton. "The team always carried themselves with professionalism on the field, so just looking up to them as a team, I'm glad I'm here."
"We have been historically one of the most winning organizations," infielder Ryan Rijo said during the team's pre-season media availability. "The last three years, we've been to three straight finals... We're a tough team to beat when everyone's healthy and everyone's rolling."
HOME EXHIBITION RESULTS
MAY 5
CLUB FRIENDLY
Hamilton 000 010 0-- 1 5 0
Barrie 104 010 x-- 6 7 1
Seroski, Adames (2), Cory (3), Warkentin (4), Hospital (5), Yan (6);
Benítez, Garcés (3, W,1-0), Vasquez (5), Moreta (6), Sano (7).
HRs: Ham — None; Bar — F. Hernandez (1)
MAY 7
CLUB FRIENDLY
Guelph 030 000 0-- 3 8 1
Barrie 100 103 x-- 5 6 0
J. Kush, Deska (3), Warden (5, L,0-1);
Mejia, Encarnacion (3), Vasquez (5, W,1-0) Grieveson (6, S,1).
HRs: Gue — None; Bar — Ejoh (1)
MAY 9
CLUB FRIENDLY
Thornhill 001 --- --- 1 2 E
Barrie 101 --- --- 2 H 2
*abandoned due to inclement weather
Meron;
Garcés, Vasquez (2), Mejia (3).
HRs: Tho — None; Bar — Ejoh (2)
