Canham attended Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington, where he was a three-sport star and honor student.
Canham was named to the preseason All-American second team by the Collegiate Baseball newspaper and as a third team All-American by Baseball America. He ended the season as a third-team All-American selection by the Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
In college, he played for the Oregon State Beavers baseball team He was drafted by the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball with the 57th overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Pre–high school Canham played for the Lake Stevens Junior Athletic Association (LSJAA) Tigers from 1995-1996.
The team was coached by Mike McCarty.
High school College San Diego Padres Canham began his professional career in 2007 with the Short-Season Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League and the Class-A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm. With the Emeralds Canham batted.293 with two home runs, four doubles, one triples, 34 his and 18 RBIs in 28 games.
In just two games with the Storm Canham had no hits and one Reserve Bank of India. In 2008 Canham spent the entire season with Lake Elsinore of the California League. He hit.285 with eight home runs, 28 doubles, five triples, 119 hits, 13 steals and 81 Reserve Bank of India in 113 games.
2009 saw Canham a promotion to the Double-A San Antonio Missions of the Texas League.
He finished the "09 campaign batting.263 with six home runs, 20 doubles, three triples, 107 hits, five stolen bases and 53 Reserve Bank of India in 111 games.
Canham was on both the 2006 and 2007 Ohio State University teams which won back to back National Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball National Championships at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as the 2005 team which made it there and lost in two games. Canham"s great uncle, Major General Charles D. W. Canham, commanded the 29th Infantry Division"s 116th Infantry Regiment during its Doctorate-Day landing on Omaha Beach, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for valor in combat.
