The Cleveland Guardians are off to an outstanding start with a 15-6 record, which has them sitting alone atop the AL Central and is also the team’s best start since 1999.
One of the main reasons behind the hot start is first baseman Josh Naylor, who is raking to the tune of a 1.030 OPS with a .329 batting average, six homers, and 17 RBIs, but one of his most recent swings has all the fans talking.
Naylor hit a home run against the Oakland Athletics yesterday and then proceeded to hit himself in the helmet with the bat and spike it on the ground while running to first base, which is an unconventional way to flip a bat, but certainly a welcomed one.
Love him so much.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/3vSq9qFkYA
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 20, 2024
Needless to say, fans really enjoyed this move from Naylor.
I think we have found the image that will be turned into his statue
— Daniel Phipps (@givemefood_84) April 21, 2024
Extend. That. Man.
— Guard The Corner (@GuardTheCorner) April 21, 2024
He's so clutch and great teammate too
— Joe Caputo (@JosephACaputo) April 21, 2024
Pay the man!
— Cody (@CodyisJeff) April 20, 2024
Many fans were also pleading for the team to give Naylor a contract extension, as he has one more year of arbitration before he hits free agency in 2026 when he will still be just 28 years old.
Naylor has blossomed into one of the league’s best first basemen and can cement his status as so if he continues his hot start.
Last year, he hit .308 and drove in a career-high 97 runs in 121 games.
Staying on the field for 150+ games this year would go a long way toward establishing himself as one of the league’s best and help him tremendously when it comes to contract negotiations.
Things are going great in Cleveland, and with the way Naylor is hitting, fans should be in for quite a few more bat spikes this season.
NEXT: Guardians Off To Historic Start After Saturday Win
