Naylor pegged as top Canadian ahead of MLB draft

Noah Naylor has gained a lot from having a top baseball prospect as his older brother.

A role model. A source of competition. Even a nickname.

The 18-year-old Noah, who will likely become the top Canadian selected in the MLB draft on Monday night, earned the moniker “Bo” as an infant when his brother Josh couldn’t pronounce his name.

“Instead of Noah he’d call me Boah and as I grew it got shortened to Bo — and everyone calls me that now,” the Mississauga, Ont., native said with a laugh.

“I think it will be with me for a very long time.”

Noah Naylor has followed in the footsteps of his 20-year-old brother — a prospect in doubleA with the San Diego Padres — doing everything Josh did three years earlier. He’s become a standout on Canada’s junior team, participated in the high school home run derby at an MLB all-star game and played in premier showcase events across the United States.

Three years ago, Noah sat next to his brother on their living room couch and exploded with emotion when Josh’s name was called 12th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2015 draft.

Josh was the top Canadian selected that year. Now it’s Noah’s turn.

“Having (Josh) and my parents as well going through the whole thing (in 2015), we kinda know what to expect now,” said the younger Naylor, a five-foot-11 catcher who also plays third base. “It showed me that I have to take a lot from this experience because it’s a once-ina-lifetime opportunity and just to be humble, that’s the most important part.”