The first major-leaguer the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series helped produce has already made waves in his debut as their first-ever alum in the World Baseball Classic.
Bo Naylor, who was of the main attractions for the World Team at the inaugural International Week event in 2017, made his much anticipated debut as a professional for Team Canada in their blowout, run-rule win over Great Britain on Sunday afternoon.
The 23-year-old catcher, who made his big league debut for the Cleveland Guardians on October 1 last year, caught all seven innings in the 18-8 win in WBC pool play, throwing out an attempted basestealer. He also reached base three times at the plate, scoring a run while drawing three walks along the way.
A Futures Game alum who is ranked as the game’s No. 68 prospect heading into the 2023 season by Baseball America, Naylor has drawn rave reviews from his teammates for the way he’s handled himself as one of the younger players in camp.
“I think he’s going to be a good one for a long time.” Freddie Freeman told Sportsnet.
Additionally, former Program 15 national infield coordinator Benji Gil was in the news at the World Baseball Classic as well; he led Team Mexico to a stunning upset over Team USA on their home soil on Sunday night.
