2025 MLB Draft – Canadian Watchlist: Antoine Jean

Player: Antoine Jean

Hometown: Montreal, QC

Position: Left-handed Pitcher

Description: Bats – R / Throws – L / 6-foot-2

Program: University of Houston

Background 

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Antoine Jean has emerged as one of the elite reliever arms in college baseball. His collective experience, performance, and profile blend him into the mix of quality draft candidates. 

Jean started his career in elite-travel baseball locally. He played for the Academie de Baseball Canada, a powerhouse organization based in Quebec. This organization is now a part of the Canadian Premier Baseball League (CPBL), another established Canadian organization. He was also a part of the Junior National Team.

Jean’s presence on the field was felt early on and was recognized by colleges south of the border. He ranked fifth for left-handed pitchers in the Province of Quebec by Perfect Game. He ranked 21st overall in the province.  In the country, Jean ranked 223 nationally as a left-handed pitcher. Jean later committed to Alabama to continue playing past his high school days. 

In 2019, scouts saw him fit as a professional pitcher and gave him an opportunity; he was drafted in the 17th round by the Minnesota Twins. The pitcher decided to honour his college commitment. 

Profile 

From 17 innings of work and four starts in his freshman year to 33 2/3 innings and 11 outings (six starts) in his junior year at Alabama, Jean worked to a 3.51 ERA through 77 innings with the Crimson Tide, striking out 61 batters in the process.

With eligibility remaining, Jean took a transfer opportunity to the University of Houston in the Big 12 conference. 

His Houston show-out was his draft primer, as his numbers were bold, specifically in 2025. The 2024 season finished with Jean having a 5.97 ERA, his college career worst. This season, he bounced back and was one of the most dominant college relievers on the circuit, finishing with a 2.55 ERA, a 5-1 record with five saves, 110 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 19 earned runs against. His 14.8 K/9, 5.4 H/9, and 0.896 WHIP led the league. 

In 2025, Jean won the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year award. He is the first Houston Cougars reliever to win the award and became the first reliever in conference history to win the honour.