Josh Naylor Appointed Team Canada Captain for World Baseball Classic

Casey Halston

Published: March 3, 2026 2:02 PM ET

Josh Naylor Appointed Team Canada Captain for World Baseball Classic

Josh Naylor has been named the captain of Team Canada for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The announcement was made by the team on Monday. Naylor, a talented slugger with the Seattle Mariners, hails from Mississauga, Ontario.

Josh Naylor’s Impressive Season

In the 2025 season, Naylor had a breakout year after a mid-season trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Mariners. He made a significant impact, earning the Tip O’Neill Award, which is given to Canada’s top baseball player.

2025 Regular Season Highlights

Home Runs: 9
Stolen Bases: 19
Games Played: 54

Naylor’s efforts helped lead the Mariners to the American League Championship Series (ALCS), where they faced the Toronto Blue Jays, losing the series in seven games.

Season Statistics

During the regular season, Naylor showcased his prowess by leading Canadian major leaguers in multiple categories:

Batting Average: .295
Runs Batted In (RBIs): 92
Stolen Bases: 30
Hits: 160 (2nd Place)
Runs: 81 (2nd Place)
Home Runs: 20 (2nd Place)
Doubles: 29 (2nd Place)
Walks: 48 (2nd Place)

Following the season, Naylor re-signed with Seattle on a significant five-year contract worth $92.5 million.

International Representation

This marks Naylor’s second appearance for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He previously participated in the 2017 tournament but missed the 2023 edition due to an ankle injury.