The Cleveland Guardians could use just about any offensive contribution (or reliable contributor) they have available in the organization.
They just aren’t very good at scoring a lot of runs, and the numbers back that up.
Their MLB catchers have all struggled to get anything going at the plate with any semblance of reliability.
However, in Triple-A, they have a potentially game-changing catcher and hitter in Bo Naylor.
Josh’s brother is proving, once again, that he can handle Triple-A pitching.
Will he get the chance to prove himself in the bigs?
We don’t know, but he is very much deserving of an extended shot.
“Guardians Prospect Bo Naylor with his 13th HR of the year. He has a .261 BA, .916 OPS, and 47 BB to 52 K at AAA. Mike Zunino = 137 PA, .182 BA, .591 OPS, -0.1 WAR. Cam Gallagher = 77 PA, .137 BA, 333 OPS, -0.4 WAR. David Fry= 18 PA, .118 BA, .284 OPS, -0.2 WAR,” Prospect Larceny tweeted.
Guardians Prospect Bo Naylor with his 13th HR of the year. He has a .261 BA, .916 OPS, and 47 BB to 52 K at AAA.
Mike Zunino = 137 PA, .182 BA, .591 OPS, -0.1 WAR
Cam Gallagher = 77 PA, .137 BA, 333 OPS, -0.4 WAR
David Fry= 18 PA, .118 BA, .284 OPS, -0.2 WARWhat are we doing? pic.twitter.com/yncPZJbIOg
— Prospect Larceny (@ProspectLarceny) June 14, 2023
Yes, it’s true that the Guards have a lot of resources invested in Mike Zunino.
However, if they want to significantly improve their 31-35 record, they need to stop shooting themselves in the foot and call up the younger Naylor.
This is actually his second straight successful stint in Triple-A.
Last year, he slashed .257/.366/.514 in 66 games there.
In 2023, he is at .256/.393/.507 in 58 games.
He even trimmed his strikeout rate from 25.9 percent last year to 19.8 percent this season in Triple-A.
In other words, he has gotten better and is more equipped to deal with MLB pitching.
He is ready for a prominent role in MLB as soon as the Guardians are.
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