Josh Naylor Goes 1-for-3 On Wednesday
Josh Naylor went 1-for-3 on Wednesday in an 8-6 Cactus League loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's now 3-for-7 in three spring games, with all three hits being singles. Although he's been caught stealing once as well, it's good to see he's still running in 2024, as his 10 stolen bases last season were likely an added surprise bonus for anyone invested in him since he's not very fleet-of-foot (15th percentile sprint speed). The former first-round draft pick has superb contact skills, with a Contact% of 82.4% and a low K% of 13.7%. Combined with his power and sneaky speed, he offers managers a safe-floor option with upside for those who miss out on some of the higher-priced first base options.
Source: ESPN
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Source: ESPN
Josh Naylor Drives In Run In Loss
Josh Naylor went 1-for-4 with a single, an RBI, and a strikeout in his team's 7- 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Naylor collected RBI No. 17 in the bottom of the first inning, driving in teammate Corbin Carroll on a 102 MPH exit velocity single. It's been a strong start to the season for him, as he's now batting a scorching .323 (.904 OPS) with four home runs, six doubles, and 14 runs scored. Not only has Naylor raised his average exit velocity from 2024, but he's also bumped up his hard hit percentage and holds an xBA of .296. Perhaps most impressively, he's cut his strikeout rate to 9.2%, while drawing walks at a double-digit rate for the first time in his career (11.0%).
Source: ESPN
Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Source: ESPN
Josh Naylor Homers, Drives In Three On Wednesday
Josh Naylor had a big game in a 9-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Naylor went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI to help power his team to victory. The veteran hit a solo shot off Dean Kremer in the fifth inning, giving him his first homer of the season. Overall, it has been a solid start to the season for Naylor, who is hitting .340 with seven runs, nine RBI, and three steals over 47 at-bats. He will look to keep adding to his homer total moving forward.
Source: MLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Source: MLB.com
Josh Naylor Smacks Double In Win
Josh Naylor went 1-for-3 with a double, walk, and two RBI in his team's 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The former first-round pick got the scoring started for the Diamondbacks, driving in Corbin Carroll when he grounded into a double-play in the first inning. His next RBI came in the bottom of the fifth when he rocked a double to the right-field corner. Despite not connecting on a home run yet, Naylor has been strong to start 2025. He's batting a crisp 13-for-43 (.302) with five doubles, six RBI, six runs scored, and an impressive 3:7 K:BB ratio. The 27-year-old's launch angle is down a smidge so far this season, but he's been hitting the ball harder in early 2025 than he had last year (91.6 MPH).
Source: ESPN
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Source: ESPN
Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration
Josh Naylor have agreed to a one-year, $10.9 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. The Diamondbacks acquired Naylor earlier this offseason via a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi. Last season in Cleveland, Naylor posted a .243/.320/.456 slash line with 31 home runs and six stolen bases. He also tallied an impressive 108 RBI. This was his second straight campaign tallying at least 97 RBI. He generated a solid .335 xwOBA and a .443 xSLG. With Christian Walker now in Houston, fantasy managers should expect Naylor to operate as the everyday first baseman in Arizona. He should continue to be viewed as an elite option for RBI and will now bat behind Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll.
Source: Robert Murray
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks and first baseman Source: Robert Murray
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