Josh Naylor -- Prospect Evaluation

Josh Naylor is a Canadian high school prospect generating significant scout interest due to his exceptional raw power. Ranked 33rd on Perfect Game's top 500 HS prospects, 59th on MLB.com's Prospect Watch, and 61st on Baseball America's combined list, Naylor is Baseball America's 2nd ranked HS Canadian and Perfect Game USA's 2nd ranked HS Canadian. He is ranked 3rd among North American high school power hitters, behind Luken Baker and Brendan Rodgers.

Naylor's primary asset is his plus-plus raw power. He recorded the quickest exit speed off bat in Jupiter at 107.9 MPH and generated significant attention during a Dominican tour with five home runs. His performance included multi-hit games against several MLB teams, including 2-run homers against the Yankees and Mariners. He has been compared to Prince Fielder and was noted by Red Sox GM Ben Cherrington, who observed him in Florida.

However, Naylor faces significant developmental limitations. His thick body lacks projection for growth, and he is considered a first-base-only prospect. Scouts noted swing-and-miss tendencies during the previous summer, pull-happy approach, and limited foot speed. Despite these concerns, Naylor is characterized as a likeable teammate with an above-average arm. His position restriction and questions about maturity place considerable pressure on his left-handed bat to carry his value as a prospect.

Josh Naylor is a left-handed 1B/OF from Mississauga, Ontario, who graduated in 2015 and was one of the top-ranked prospects in Perfect Game USA's scouting database. At 6-1, 225 lbs, Naylor displayed an exceptionally strong frame with elite athleticism. His primary tool is power, with evaluators noting he hit 108 mph exit velocity off his bat at Perfect Game National and connected for multiple home runs in Jupiter. He demonstrated outstanding raw bat speed and the ability to drive the ball when making solid contact, though evaluators noted swing-and-miss tendencies that required development for consistent contact. Defensively, Naylor possessed significant arm strength, recording 95 mph from the outfield and 93 mph from first base, though his mobility and speed suggested potential positional limitations in the outfield. He was selected to the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic and committed to Texas Tech. Naylor was drafted in Round 1 of the 2015 MLB Draft and made his major league debut on May 24, 2019.

Josh Naylor is profiled as one of Canada's premier prospects heading into the 2015 MLB Draft. Standing 6'1" and weighing 225 lbs., Naylor possesses the prototypical build and approach of a power hitter. As a left-handed batter, he demonstrates some of the best power in his class, having made a name for himself on the showcase circuit with tape measure shots that translate into games. His swing mechanics feature coiled shoulders and hips that explode through the ball, paired with above-average bat speed and good follow-through. While he exhibits excellent hands and a quick trigger with simple timing mechanisms, he pulls the ball excessively and requires improved patience at the plate. Naylor has been a consistent force for Canada's Junior National team over multiple years. At 6'1" and 225 lbs., he currently lacks the foot speed for the outfield but possesses the arm for right field if a team opts to move him there and have him slim down. However, his power is sufficient to play at first base or either outfield spot. Projected to go in the late first round to early second round, Naylor committed to Texas Tech but is expected to sign as a first-round selection. MLB scouts project him as a cleanup or #5 hitter capable of producing plus power in the heart of a professional lineup, though he is unlikely to win batting titles. His stock has been climbing as draft day approaches, reflecting the premium placed on power in modern baseball.

Josh Naylor was selected 12th overall in the 2015 draft by the Miami Marlins directly from high school in Ontario, Canada. Scouts identified him as a power-hitting left-handed batter with physical concerns that would require elite offensive production to succeed professionally. In his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League, Naylor demonstrated solid performance with a .327 average and .418 slugging percentage. The Marlins promoted the 19-year-old to Greensboro of the Low-A South Atlantic League, a significant jump for such a high pick. While Naylor showed solid production with a .430 slugging percentage, 9 home runs, and 24 doubles, his power output fell short of organizational expectations. An incident on June 5, 2016 in which Naylor injured teammate Stone Garrett—initially described as a prank but disputed by Garrett's agent as having malicious intent—may have influenced Miami's decision to trade the prospect. Naylor was subsequently acquired by the San Diego Padres in a trade that sent Andrew Cashner to the Marlins.

Josh Naylor is a prospect from Mississauga, Ontario, standing 6'1" and weighing 225 pounds. A left-handed batter and thrower, Naylor attends St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School and plays for the Ontario Blue Jays travel team. He is committed to play college baseball at Texas Tech University with a graduation year of 2015.

According to Baseball Factory's official scouting report from the Under Armour All-America Game (08/16/2014), Naylor demonstrates an exceptionally advanced hitting approach for his class. He is noted for his consistent barrel-finding ability and possesses significant raw power. The combination of refined hitting mechanics with power potential positions him as one of the top offensive players in his class. Naylor has earned multiple appearances representing Canada's Youth National Team, reflecting his competitive standing among elite amateur players in the region.