A promising baseball player from Wingham has taken the first step toward a possible career in Major League Baseball.
On Monday, Tyson Moran was selected in the 13th round of the MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals. The infielder was the 398th overall pick in the 2025 draft.
In an interview with CKNXNewsToday.ca, he thanked residents of the Wingham area for all of their support in his baseball journey. Small-town roots have defined Moran’s journey and remain an integral part of his identity. He called Wingham’s support "incredible," saying the thought of the entire community rallying behind him makes the achievement all the more meaningful.
"It means everything to me. To come from a small community where you have, basically, the entire town of Wingham kind of supporting you, I wouldn't change it for the world," he said. "I'm a small town kid and I'm excited for this next chapter for sure."
Moran’s path to professional baseball began on Wingham’s diamonds at age six, quickly advancing through the Listowel Legionnaires program, where he captured multiple OBA championships. He then spent seasons with the WOBA Toros, the Ontario Nationals, and finally the Great Lake Canadians. Last fall, he earned MVP honours at the Toronto Blue Jays Futures Showcase and entered draft season as Perfect Game’s No. 200-ranked Canadian prospect.
Moran had signed a letter of intent to play at North Dakota State University this fall. But it appears college will give way to turning professional.
"I'm supposed to be getting some more information in the next couple of days. From my standpoint right now, I believe in the next couple of weeks I'll make my way down to Arizona for Rookie Ball. I'll start there and then I'll just kind of start working my way up the chain....That’s where the real work begins. From Arizona, I’ll just focus on earning every opportunity and moving up from there," he said.
Moran was named the Futures Game MVP for the Toronto Blue Jays Showcase last September and was ranked the 200th prospect by Perfect Game leading up to the draft.
"Every time someone said I was too small, it pushed me harder," he said. "Proving myself at each level, making Great Lakes, getting MVP at the showcase...those moments gave me confidence that I belong," he said.
Moran offered encouragement to other young athletes across Midwestern Ontario: set goals, never accept "no" as a final answer, and continually raise the bar for themselves.
"Enjoy each win, but don’t stop there," he said. "Always chase the next step."
Moran was one of three players in the region taken in the draft.
Core Jackson of Plympton-Wyoming was selected by the New York Yankees in the 5th round, while Blake Gillespie of Arva was taken by the Yankees in the 9th round.
**with files from Scott Kitching