Tyler Dupuis is Brian Essery’s kind of ball player.

The manager of the Welland Jackfish loves speedy, scrappy, hard-working players, a description that fits Dupuis perfectly.

“When I step on the field I want to give it 100 per cent every time,” said Dupuis, a 27-year-old St. Catharines native. “Every ball that’s hit to me, if I think I have a chance, I’m going to give it 100 per cent and try and get to it. Same thing with running the bases.”

Essery is a proponent of small ball which is fits right into Dupuis’ skill set.

“Always dirty and plays great defence,” Essery said. “His bat is starting to come on now. He’s really started to hit. Putting the ball in play and hitting it hard. His defence is the best. He’s fast and athletic. 

“We build our team around guys like that. It’s hard for those guys to slump. They have the ability to put the ball on the ground.”

Dupuis previously played professionally in the independent Frontier League and was slated to get another shot with the Ottawa franchise in the same league last season when he broke his thumb.

“I was definitely disappointed,” Dupuis said. “I was excited to go back. It was kind of a kick in the gut but we’re back at it.”

Dupuis loved playing at the pro level.

“I’d say it’s a step up talent wise. It’s another level. The game moves a lot faster at that level,” he said.

Dupuis was working out with fellow local product and former Jackfish pitcher Rob Nixon, who recommenced him to the Jackfish.

A quick workout was more than enough for Essery and his staff to see Dupuis could help the team and the Sir Winston Churchill gradate ended up hitting .342 with 26 stolen bases in 2022.

He has continued that trend this season batting over .300 in the early going while providing top notch defence in the middle infield. 

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