Every dynasty needs an heir, and for the Naylor family, it may just be Myles. The youngest of the talented baseball brothers from Mississauga is beginning to carve out his own path — one built on confidence, perspective, and the belief that his story can someday rival, or even surpass, the success of the family name that already resonates throughout professional baseball.
Now with the Lansing Lugnuts, Myles Naylor views his time in Lansing as more than just another stop in the minors. To him, it’s an opportunity.
He called being in Lansing “a blessing” and emphasized that he wants to take full advantage of every moment — not only through his own performance, but by being the best teammate he can be.
For someone raised in Canada, the baseball journey wasn’t always easy.
“Playing baseball in Canada wasn’t ideal,” Naylor said. “You get three months out of the summer, but once winter rolls around, it’s tough. You train inside and attempt to play outside.”
In a country where hockey dominates headlines and basketball continues to rise in popularity, baseball players often have to forge their own lanes. Naylor understands that reality better than most. Growing up in Mississauga, he developed in an environment where baseball wasn’t always the center of attention, yet he still emerged as one of the country’s top prospects.
And now, he hopes the next generation sees what’s possible.
Watching his older brothers' journeys through professional baseball has only strengthened his confidence.
“It’s hard to describe, but it’s been nothing but fun to watch,” Naylor said. “They’ve paved the way for me, and I know the correct steps to get to the show.”
That path nearly took a different direction.
Before being selected in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Naylor had verbally committed to Texas Tech University. While he never regrets choosing professional baseball, he admitted he has occasionally wondered what life would have looked like had he taken the college route.
“The development would’ve been great,” he said.
Still, there’s little doubt in his mind that turning pro was the correct decision.
His professional career has already brought plenty of adjustments. After spending time in Stockton, California, arriving in Michigan could have been a culture shock for some players. For Naylor, it felt surprisingly familiar.
“The warm weather was nice,” he said with a laugh. “But even in my first practice here, I said it felt like home. It was a breath of fresh air.”
The colder climate reminded him of home in Canada, and perhaps even more importantly, the Midwest location makes it easier for family members to come watch him play.
While Naylor is focused on building his own identity, some of his baseball influences are easy to spot. One player he admired growing up was Prince Fielder — another notable name with ties to Mississauga.
Despite acknowledging that their games are not particularly similar, Naylor loved Fielder’s approach at the plate and especially appreciated his defensive play. It’s a connection that may resonate particularly well with fans in Michigan, where Fielder became a fan favorite during his time with the Detroit Tigers.
Away from baseball, Naylor’s personality comes through in different ways.
His current walk-up song — “At the Party” by Travis Scott and Kid Cudi — actually came after an attempt to use teammate Dylan Fein’s walk-up song, “Borderline” by Tame Impala, which he had previously used while playing in Stockton.
When that changed, turning to Travis Scott felt natural.
“He’s always in my rotation,” Naylor said.
Off the field, Naylor is also an avid reader. Whether through traditional books or audiobooks while traveling, he constantly looks for ways to improve mentally. One book that particularly impacted him was The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.
The book, he explained, helped him better understand the strength of the mind and how mental discipline impacts performance. He’s since applied some of those ideas directly into baseball by analyzing his emotions and understanding how his mindset affects his play both on and off the field.
And while the present remains focused on development, the future goal has never changed.
Reaching the major leagues — and someday sharing the field with his brothers — is something the Naylor family has discussed for years.
Now, that vision feels closer than ever.
For Myles Naylor, the next chapter of the family legacy is no longer coming someday.
It’s already underway.