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OTTAWA- Junior National Team slugger Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON) will have an opportunity to put his tremendous talent on display, in one of baseballs biggest showcases, tomorrow night during the Gillette Home Run Derby at Target Field in Minneapolis.
The 17 year-old hit six home runs during the qualifying round of the Major League Baseball Junior Select Home Run Derby earlier today to earn a spot in the final round that will take place during the Gillette Home Run Derby tomorrow night (8pm EST/Sportsnet).
“It was so unbelievable, definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Naylor this morning. “I can't wait to meet all the amazing hitters in MLB.”
Naylor will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest stars in the game including Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays who will captain the American League Home Run Derby squad and fellow Canadian Justin Morneau (New Westminster, BC) of the Colorado Rockies.
Naylor will go head-to-head against Luken Baker from Oak Ridge (TX) High School who enters the final round as the number one seed after swatting eight home runs during the qualifying round.
“I just want to have as much fun as I can tomorrow and really soak in the experience,” said Naylor. “All my hard work is slowly paying off and I can't wait for more opportunities to come.”
The final round will see Naylor and Baker get ten outs or four minutes (whatever comes first) in round one and ten swings on maximum 15 pitches in round two. They will hit after hitters four, six and eight in the Gillette Home Run Derby.
Naylor returned from Cuba on Friday with the Junior National Team after hitting .455 in eight games against the Cuban 18U National Team. He left for Minneapolis yesterday.
He is currently in his third year with the Junior National Team program after joining the club in 2012 as a 15 year-old for the IBAF 18U World Cup in Seoul, South Korea where he helped Canada win a silver medal.
Baseball Canada would like to congratulate Josh on this tremendous accomplishment and wish him best of luck tomorrow night!
