Naylor tops talented 2015 CBN draft list
* Bob Elliott provides a look ahead to the 2015 Canadian draft class, which includes big slugger Josh Naylor, as well as Darren Shred, Kristjan Storrie, Demi Orimoloye, and more. .... 2014 Canadians drafted … Canadians in Minors … Canadians in college summer ball …. Canadians in College 2015 Canadian draft list Letters of Intent
By Bob Elliott
Onward and upward for Josh Naylor.
Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) rubbed shoulders in the National League dugout during the home run derby at Target Field in Minneapolis during the all-star game festivities as he lost in the final of the eight-player, high school competition.
He’s been named to the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park in San Diego on Sunday, Aug. 10.
And now on the most recent top 500 list of Perfect Game Scouting Service’s top 500 as of July 24, Naylor is listed 31st over-all in North America with a bullet.
Earlier, he had been 13th on Perfect Game’s list of top 500, up from 17th and 43rd on Allan Simpson’s top 200 combined list, but then he fell back.
The Ontario Blue Jays' first baseman showed huge power -- both at the PG National in Fort Myers, Fla. and at the 2013 Perfect Game National Underclass Showcase-Main Event, which was also held in Fort Myers.
A week after the draft, the countdown began ... 51 weeks to go until June of 2015.
Naylor was at Jet Blue Park — five days after the draft ended — for the PG National Showcase with six teams and 322 players. Frequently compared to Prince Fielder in both stature and offensive profile, Naylor stood out, crushing numerous balls over the wall down the right field line.
Naylor was a force on the workout day — both during batting practice and on the infield, where he set an event record with a 93 mph throw from first base across the diamond.
In game action, Naylor stayed back on a curveball very well, getting the barrel to it well and showed his big left-handed strength, driving the pitch to deep centre, one-hopping the 420’ sign for a stand up triple.
He impressed at the PG Game National Underclass Showcase-Main Event to be ranked No. 17 nationally (United States, Canada and Puerto Rico) in the PG class and No. 43rd overall (college, junior college and high school) prospect for the 2015 draft.
Naylor was first spotted with the Ontario Blue Jays at the 2012 PG WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. He’s one of eight Canucks on the top 500.
Catcher Darren Shred (Brampton, Ont.) also of the Ontario Blue Jays and Team Canucks Jrs. moved into the 150th spot on the PG list. Shred was not ranked in the last top 500 list. In fact, he was the seventh-highest high school Canuck.
The third ranked Canadian is RHP Kristjan Storrie (Langley, BC) of the Langley Blaze who sits at 194th. Storrie has committed to Central Arizona after being clocked at 90 MPH. He was 146th in the last PG set of rankings.
Next is 6-foot-8 RHP Matt Ianni (Ottawa, Ont.) of the Ottawa Nepean Canadians. He’s listed 252nd after being 141st on the last list. His fastball was clocked at 89 MPH in Jupiter in the fall.
Then comes his Ottawa-Nepean Canadians teammate OF Demi Orimoloye (Orleans, Ont.) who is ranked in the 310th spot. Orimoloye has showed potential with the bat. He had been ranked 215th.
Then middle infielder JD Williams (Brampton, Ont.) of the Ontario Blue is listed 329th. He’s moved up after being ranked 456th.
Right-hander RJ Freure (Burlington, Ont.) of the Ontario Blue Jays is No. 347. He is down from 342nd on the previous list.
And finally, the eighth prospect listed is RHP Mike Soroka (Calgary, Alta.) Calgary PBF Redbirds, who is ranked 464th. Soroka has fallen from his spot at 366th.