Marlins sign first-round pick Naylor
Scouting director high on first baseman's power, bat speed
The Marlins on Thursday signed first baseman Josh Naylor, their first-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Naylor, from St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, was the No. 12 overall pick. He also passed his physical on Thursday and received a $2.25 million signing bonus.
"You hate to put a player [comparison] on a prospect, but there is some Prince Fielder in this guy. There really is," Marlins vice president of scouting Stan Meek said after the Draft. "He's got that kind of bat speed. He's got that kind of raw power, which is really unique."
Video: COL@MIA: Naylor takes batting practice with Marlins
Naylor, 18, spent the last four years of his prep career playing for the Canadian Junior National Team and the Ontario Blue Jays' amateur baseball program. He will begin his professional career with the Rookie League Marlins.
Naylor is the highest-drafted Canadian position player in the history of the MLB Draft and the fifth-highest Canadian player drafted. In 2013-14, while traveling the U.S. to play against NCAA Division I and II teams, he combined to hit .449/.518/.838 with 23 doubles, 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.
In addition to Naylor, the Marlins also signed right-hander Reilly Hovis (ninth round) and catcher Matthew Foley (40th). The Marlins have now signed 30 of the 40 players they drafted.