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Ontario Insider: Canadians Invading the MLB Draft

June 9, 2015



By Chris Kemlo
PBR Ontario Scouting Director

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Ontario Insider: Canadians Invading the MLB Draft


Day 1:

Josh NaylorDraft day. The day of the year where dreams come true, and for Josh Naylor (pictured right) that dream finally became a reality. The first baseman from St. Joan of Arc high school, Ontario Blue Jays, and Team Canada mainstay was taken with the 12th overall pick by the Miami Marlins in the 2015 MLB draft.

Naylor has often been slated as the top power hitter in the 2015 class with his ability to generate bat speed and hit balls places people can only imagine. He’s produced quality at-bats against professional pitching over the last few years with the Junior National Team and recently went off on their tour throughout the Dominican hitting five home runs. Naylor has light tower power and if he stays healthy, has the chance to be a middle of the order type hitter at the big league level.

Also drafted on the night was Calgary Alberta native Mike Soroka who was taken with the 28th pick. Soroka is a right-handed pitcher who has been up to 94 mph with his sinking fastball while showing a plus breaking ball and feel for changeup. Soroka’s delivery is clean, easy, and at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds, he passes the eye test.

Also selected on the night was left-handed pitcher Jeff Degano. A 6-foot-4, 215-pounder from Surrey, British Columbia who plays for Indiana State University was taken by the New York Yankees with the 57th pick.

Day 2:

Miles GordonRounds 3-10 will take place starting at 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. Top high school prospects that have could go fairly early are outfielders Demi Orimoloye and Miles Gordon (pictured right). Other Junior National Teammates Darren Shred, Tristan Pompey, and Isaac Anesty are likely to be in discussions as well. As today showed, this draft is very unpredictable and the chances of it staying that way seem to look high. That said, with three Canadians take in the first 75 picks, it states that Canadian baseball is on the right track while continuing to produce talent.

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