SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For A¡¯s No. 25 prospect Myles Naylor, the past week of Spring Training has doubled as a family reunion of sorts.
One day after coming up from Minor League camp to square off against his older brother, Bo, and the Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark, Myles joined the A¡¯s again for Thursday¡¯s 11-3 loss to the D-backs at Salt River Fields for another family affair, this time facing the eldest Naylor bro, Josh.
Myles entered Thursday¡¯s game as a defensive replacement at third base in the sixth inning, and while Josh -- who started as the designated hitter for Arizona -- was already out of the game by that time, manager Mark Kotsay ensured the two shared a moment by allowing the two to exchange lineup cards just minutes before first pitch.
¡°During warmups, we met in center field and talked for a little bit,¡± Myles said. ¡°He introduced me to a couple of his teammates. We got some cool photos. It¡¯s been a good week so far.¡±
Wednesday featured a brotherly head-to-head interaction. In an 8-3 victory over Cleveland, Myles entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Brent Rooker in the seventh inning with the bases loaded, while Bo was behind the plate. On a 1-0 pitch from reliever Tim Herrin, Naylor poked a blooping single into right field on an excuse-me check swing for a single, his first career Cactus League hit and RBI.
Of course, there was one question on everyone¡¯s mind: What did Bo tell Myles during the at-bat?
¡°I¡¯ve gotten a million questions asking if he told me what was coming or whatever,¡± Myles said with a laugh. ¡°But I walked up to the plate and me and him didn¡¯t exchange any words the whole time. I saw him before and after the game. But in the moment, there were no words said. It was just like, ¡®This is the game we¡¯re going to play, and then we¡¯ll acknowledge what happened after.¡¯¡±
The family reunion extended beyond Naylor¡¯s immediate family. Last Friday, Myles teamed up with his cousin, A¡¯s No. 6 prospect Denzel Clarke, for the club¡¯s Spring Breakout against the Padres.
¡°Being with Denzel on the same team was pretty surreal,¡± Naylor said. ¡°We¡¯ve been getting closer and closer every year now that we¡¯re in the same [organization].¡±
Myles, 19, was selected by the A's with the 39th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and is following some big footsteps. Josh was taken 12th overall by the Marlins in 2015. Bo went 29th overall to the Guardians in 2018.
Myles is coming off what he described as a ¡°down year¡± in his first full season as a professional. Spending the entire 2024 season at Single-A Stockton, the infielder hit just .192 with a .643 OPS, 11 home runs, 17 doubles and 58 RBIs in 116 games.
For this upcoming season, which could include a position switch from shortstop to third base as he continues to grow into his 6-foot-2 frame, Naylor is focused on executing the improvements he worked on this offseason on the advice of the A¡¯s Minor League development staff.
¡°I¡¯m just looking to have a more consistent year this year and remain confident throughout the season,¡± Naylor said. ¡°Just do what I do and believe in myself. The offseason work I did, from swing tweaks to defensive stuff, I¡¯m just trying to improve every part of my game and have an overall better year. Hopefully, I can move up a couple of levels.¡±
The ultimate goal for the three Canadian brothers from Mississauga, Ontario is to one day share the same field as big leaguers. Until then, the Naylor family -- those in attendance for the two games included their father, Chris, aunt, grandma, Josh¡¯s fianc¨¦e, Chantel, and several other family friends -- can relish in their first encounters as professionals.
¡°Playing against Josh and Bo has been the most surreal moment I¡¯ve ever had in my life,¡± Naylor said. ¡°It¡¯s been pretty awesome. ¡ Hopefully, we do it at the big league level one day. But for now, these last two days have been really amazing for me and my family. It¡¯s been a lot to soak in and a lot to cherish.¡±