- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Dunedin Today
By the People, for the People
Team Canada Baseball: Naylor Leads Next Generation in WBC Bid
A New Wave for Canadian Baseball: Naylor Leads a Promising WBC Roster
Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:08pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A palpable sense of excitement surrounds Canadian baseball as a new generation of talent prepares to make its mark on the international stage. The team, currently in exhibition play, showcased its potential in a recent 10-7 game against the Blue Jays, signaling a promising new chapter for the national program. At the forefront of this new era is 28-year-old Josh Naylor, who has been named captain of the World Baseball Classic roster and is considered a veteran presence on the remarkably young team.
Why it matters
The significance of representing Canada on the world stage is not lost on Naylor and his teammates. This new generation of Canadian baseball players is poised to honor the nation's sporting pride and build on the success of past stars like Justin Morneau and Russell Martin, who are now serving as coaches for the team.
The details
Alongside Naylor, the roster boasts a core of rising stars, including Bo Naylor, Owen Caissie, Denzel Clarke, Tyler O'Neill, Otto Lopez, Edouard Julien, Tyler Black, and Liam Hicks. This group provides a potent combination of power, speed, and intelligence, offering a solid foundation for future success. The team faces a tough challenge in Pool A, competing against Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico, but they remain optimistic about their chances to advance in the tournament.
- Team Canada will initiate pool play on Saturday in Puerto Rico after a Wednesday exhibition game against the Phillies.
- The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation and organized by Major League Baseball.
The players
Josh Naylor
A 28-year-old professional baseball player currently with the Cleveland Guardians and the captain of Team Canada for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Justin Morneau
A long-time star of Canadian baseball who is now serving as a coach for Team Canada, guiding the next generation.
Russell Martin
A long-time star of Canadian baseball who is now serving as a coach for Team Canada, guiding the next generation.
What they’re saying
“I really hope the young guys pick the brains of the veteran players here and gain some knowledge for their careers.”
— Josh Naylor
“You take a lot of pride in wearing your country across your chest.”
— Josh Naylor
“We have a strong chance to advance this year.”
— Owen Caissie
What’s next
Team Canada will initiate pool play on Saturday in Puerto Rico after a Wednesday exhibition game against the Phillies.
The takeaway
This new generation of Canadian baseball players is poised to honor the nation's sporting pride and build on the success of past stars, showcasing their talent and potential on the international stage of the World Baseball Classic.
