There is a very good case to be made that Josh Naylor carried the Cleveland Guardians during the first few weeks of the season.
He was slashing an incredible .325/.393/.623 after his 21st game of the season, with six home runs and five doubles.
Even after his 41st game of the season, he was slugging an elite .564.
However, he has slumped as of late and his season line is all the way down to .229/.315/.479.
Guardians Prospective revealed the extent of Naylor’s slump and it’s real ugly.
“Josh Naylor’s last 10 games with 0-4 today so far…..(3-38) .079 AVG,” they tweeted.
Josh Naylor's last 10 games with 0-4 today so far…..
(3-38) .079 AVG
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) May 27, 2024
A sub-.100 batting average over a 10-game span is brutal.
However, if there is anyone with the skillset to get out of this rough stretch in a hurry (provided he is healthy, of course) it’s definitely Naylor.
He has been expanding the zone and striking out more than he usually does, with 11 punchouts in his last 10 games.
He is good enough to make the necessary adjustments and given how good he has been in the last two seasons, he will likely succeed.
The Guardians need him to fend off the Kansas City Royals, the Minnesota Twins, and other American League powerhouses trying to secure a playoff spot.
Jose Ramirez needs a sidekick, someone who can provide a spark in that lineup and some power, and Naylor is definitely that guy.
When he is not producing, the lineup will feel it, just as it felt J-Ram’s early-season slump.
Guardians fans are worried, but Naylor is too talented to be playing like this for long.
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