5 Best Canadian Baseball Players in MLB Right Now

Canada might only have one Major League Baseball team, but there are plenty of Canadian baseball players to consider when looking at the latest MLB odds before the season begins.

While there are only two Canadians in the Hall of Fame, there were a couple of Canadian All-Stars in 2023, and numerous other players had productive seasons. 

Here are my rankings of the five best Canadian baseball players in MLB currently: 

Best Canadian Baseball Players in the MLB Right Now

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Toronto Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a bit of a down year in 2023 by his standards, but he still received a third straight All-Star nod. 

A record-setting 25 homers in the finals for Vlad Jr. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/Y4GIohJhC6

— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2023

After a slightly underwhelming rookie year, Guerrero has transformed into one of the sport’s premier hitters. Since the start of the 2021 season, only 14 players have a better wRC+. 

2. Jordan Romano – Toronto Blue Jays

An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Jordan Romano has been a shutdown closer for the Jays. Only David Bednar and Alexis Diaz converted a higher percentage of their save opportunities in 2023.

Emmanuel Clase is the only pitcher with more saves than Romano since the start of 2022. His high-90s fastball and hard slider make him an elite late-inning pitcher. 

3. Edouard Julien – Minnesota Twins

Edouard Julien was drafted in the 18th round by the Twins in 2019. The Quebec native excelled in the Twins’ farm system, earning his first MLB call-up in 2023. 

Edouard Julien hit this homer so hard he lost his helmet. 😆 pic.twitter.com/JTW00YweAW

— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2023

The infielder posted a 130 OPS+ as a rookie, which was good for a seventh-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting. He’s an OK defender at second base and a very disciplined hitter with elite numbers in chase rate, walks and barrel frequency. 

4. Bo Naylor – Cleveland Guardians

Selected in the first round by the Guardians in 2018, Bo Naylor was ranked as the 64th-best prospect in baseball ahead of the 2023 campaign. After just eight plate appearances with the Guards in 2022, Naylor dominated Triple-A in 2023 to earn another call-up.

He posted an .803 OPS across 67 games, with the majority of his appearances coming at catcher. If he can play solid defence, Naylor could soon be considered among MLB’s best catchers. 

5. Josh Naylor – Cleveland Guardians

After posting an .842 OPS, Josh Naylor received an MVP vote in 2023. Naylor, who was Baseball America’s 99th-ranked prospect in the sport before 2019, arrived to the Guardians as part of the Padres’ trade for Mike Clevinger. 

A good defender at first base, Naylor has transformed his career after a difficult first few seasons in the league. His low strikeout numbers with decent pop make him a great fit in Cleveland. 

How Many Canadians Are in the MLB in 2024?

There were 17 Canadian-born MLB players in 2023. Of that group, the vast majority should appear in the league in 2024. 

It’s possible there will be more Canadian MLB players in 2024, with several prospects close to getting called up. In the farm systems of the Brewers and Cubs, respectively, Tyler Black and Owen Caissie are two players to keep an eye on. 

How Popular Is the MLB in Canada?

MLB is very popular in Canada. Multiple surveys have named MLB as the third-most popular league in Canada behind the NHL and NFL. 

According to research from Mintel Reports Canada, 22% of Canadians consider themselves to be baseball fans. Of that group, around 30% are die-hard MLB fans. 

What Canadian Team Plays in the MLB?

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only Canadian team that plays in MLB. 

The franchise competed in its first season in 1977. When the Jays were founded, Canada already had an MLB team in the Montreal Expos. Canada had two teams in the majors from 1977 until 2005 when the Expos became the Washington Nationals.