The World Baseball Classic has captivated many fans around the world for many reasons. Not only does it showcase some of the game’s top talent and stars, but it can also be an opportunity for some lesser-known players to share their views on the national stage.
Several members of the Cleveland Guardians organization joined their national teams for the competition, including two on Team Canada.
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Even though Team Canada lost to Team USA on Friday and was eliminated from the tournament, two Guardians still stood out in the game and the competition itself.
Stephen Vogt believes that Bo Naylor could be in store for a breakout season in 2026. While that still remains to be seen, the Guardians sent a warning to the entire world on Friday night with a mammoth two-run homer.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the younger Naylor brother smoked a slider off Gabe Speier and took it to the second deck of Daikin Park. Even though Team Canada lost, this homer did cut Team USA’s lead to just two runs at the time. It was definitely a timely hit for Bo’s team.
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With Canada eliminated, Bo will begin heading back to Goodyear to rejoin the Guardians. That said, outside of his quarter-finals home run, Bo still had a great showing in the WBC.
Naylor ultimately had 17 at-bats in the competition and finished with a .941 OPS, and he had only one strikeout. The Guardians were encouraged by how Bo finished the 2025 season, and he is already showing signs of picking up right where he left off in the tournament.
Many Guardians fans know Matt Wilkinson by his nickname “Tugboat,” and now many baseball fans around the globe have been introduced to the left-hander as simply a solid pitcher. The Cleveland prospect pitched 2.2 innings over two appearances and didn’t allow a single hit or run in those outings.
Mar 13, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; Canada relief pitcher Matt Wilkinson (35) reacts during the eighth inning against the United States during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Tugboat was one of the clear bright spots for Team Canada on Friday, as he pitched two clean innings, allowing just two baserunners.
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What might stand out even more to the Guardians organization are the two hitters Wilkinson struck out: Cal Raleigh and Bryce Harper.
Wilkinson will likely start the 2026 season with Cleveland’s High-A affiliate, but a strong WBC performance like the one he had could be a springboard for him to have a big year and start rising through the Guardians organization.
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