Is quite unfortunate that Josh Naylor is losing it step by step…… viewmore 

 

Is quite unfortunate that Josh Naylor is losing it step by step…… viewmore

 

Josh Naylor went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Phillies, striking out twice and failing to drive in any runs.

 

Fantasy Impact

After today’s game, Naylor boasts a solid .316 batting average with 37 hits, 19 RBI, and 4 home runs across 31 games played this season. He has been a solid fantasy contributor in his first season in ArizoBo Naylor’s season has started slowly from an offensive point of view. He’s hitting .214 (9 for 42) with two homers, six RBI and a .687 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage).

 

Josh Naylor has been on fire. He’s hitting .333 (25 for 75) with four homers, 13 RBI and a .987 OPS.

 

In his last five games, he’s 8 for 21 with three homers and four RBI. The three homers came in consecutive games. That’s nothing new to Josh Naylor watchers among Guardians fans. In 2023, they watched him hit three go-ahead homers in as many games against the Angels.

 

The after effects of the Naylor trade could linger all season with the Guardians because they didn’t have to do it. In fact, some in the front office felt that they would indeed open this season with Naylor at firstThey would have then had the option of trading him at the deadline or riding his bat for another possible run to the postseason before watching him leave through free agency.

 

Instead they traded him to the Diamondbacks for right-hander Slade Cecconi and a Competitive Round B pick in this year’s draft. Cecconi opened the year on the injured list with a strained left oblique musclTo replace Naylor at first base, they signed Carlos Santana, 39. They gave Santana a one-year deal worth $12 million. The Diamondbacks signed Naylor for $10.9 million.

 

Santana, no surprise, has been solid. He’s played good defense and provided consistent at-bats in the middle of the lineup. The switch-hitter is batting .260 (19 for 73) with two homers and six RBI in his third go-around with Cleveland.

 

On Friday, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was interviewed on SiriusXM’s MLB Network. When asked about the influence Naylor has had on the 12-8 Diamondbacks, he said, “Josh Naylor is a lion on the field and a leader in the clubhouse.”

 

There’s no argument about Naylor being a lion on the field. Guardians fans have heard hisWho else head butts their manager after hitting a game-winning home run?

 

Who else cracks himself in the head with a bat after hitting a homer?

 

Who else destroys his batting helmet while driving in eight runs in his last three at-bats in a 12-9 victory in 11 innings over the White Sox on May 9, 2022? roar.e. base.na.