THUNDER BAY – Noah Naylor is following in some pretty good footsteps.
His older brother Josh was a member of the 2015 Canadian team that competed at the Under 18 Baseball World Cup in Japan and was the 12th overall pick of the Miami Marlins in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.
He’s now working his way up the minor-league chain as part of the San Diego Padres organization, dealt to the west coast club in a trade that sent pitcher Andrew Cashner the other direction.
That’s all ahead of the younger Naylor, who this week is in Thunder Bay trying to help Team Canada work their way back into contention at this year’s Baseball World Cup.
The 16-year-old Naylor, who may make it to the next level as a catcher, said his brother has been a major influence on his game.
“He’s been a big part of my baseball career. I’m very thankful to have him be a part of it. Being around forever, it just makes you work hard and play to the best of my abilities – and mostly have fun.”
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind year for Naylor, who got to participate in the high school home run derby at this year’s all-star game in Miami, an event Josh competed in three years earlier.
The Mississauga native advanced to the final, where he only managed to hit two long-balls to the five hit by Nolan Gorman, a current member of the undefeated United States team playing in Thunder Bay this week.
Naylor, who led Gorman 12 to 11 after the preliminary round, looks back on the experience with great fondness.
“That was amazing, playing around the big leaguers, just being in that type of environment. I got to meet a couple big leaguers like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton and many more,” Naylor said. “Being around them is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Did he look to learn from Stanton, who leads the majors with 52 home runs, or Judge, who finally lived up to his potential and has a rookie-best 38?
Not really, Naylor said.
“I just tried to soak it all in, not really think too much about the game,” he said.
Given his trajectory – he’s eligible for next June’s draft – hanging with the likes of Stanton and Judge might not as much of a unique experience as the teenager thinks.
Team Canada manager Greg Hamilton was matter-of-fact when asked why Naylor was expected to play a huge role for the host country in Thunder Bay.
“He’s a really good player,” Hamilton said. “He’s a complete hitter, he can beat you to all sides of the ballpark. He plays under control, he’s real advanced for his age and he embraces the competition. He’s just a really good baseball player.”
Naylor and Canada take on Italy on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at Port Arthur Stadium.
