‘Team Wins Mean More To Me’: Josh Naylor’s Breakout 30-Homer/100 RBI Season Isn’t His End Goal

Josh Naylor has had an impressive year so far with the Cleveland Guardians. The 27-year-old was selected to his first All-Star Game and he will have the opportunity to make his third appearance in the postseason. Through 148 games this season, Naylor is hitting .240 with 31 home runs and 105 RBI. We have had the opportunity to see that power displayed in full force at the plate.

 

The 30-plus homers are a first. Since joining the Guardians in 2020, Naylor has steadily progressed and shown why he deserves to be in the big leagues and that he’s an important piece to this Guardians team.

 

 

Cleveland has had a lot of success this season, and Naylor has been a big part of that. Now, as the postseason is approaching, Naylor will have the opportunity once again to help his team make a run at a World Series title.

 

The Guardians clinched the American League Central Division this year and the last time they clinched was back in 2022, making that two times in the last three years.

 

Cleveland’s last World Series appearance came in 2016 when they lost to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7.

 

Naylor is no stranger to the postseason. In 2020, he made a huge impact while only playing in two games. In those two games, he went five-for-seven at the plate with a home run and three RBI.

 

He saw more action during the 2022 playoffs, posting a .194 average in seven games.

 

Time after time, Naylor has proved himself to be a threat at the plate this season. He has come up clutch in numerous situations to help put his team in a position to win games.

 

 

And his teammates love the energy he brings each and every day.

 

“Josh is our guy, that’s our heart and soul,” Will Brennan said. “He goes into demon mode like that, you’ve got to just let him do his thing.”

 

Naylor plays with a lot of passion and he’s not afraid to show that.

 

This will be a season that Naylor will not forget, setting career-highs in home runs and RBIs.

 

“What a cool accolade for him,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “It’s a huge milestone for players. It’s something special to have two guys in our lineup with 30 and 100.”

 

 

With Naylor and Jose Ramirez in the Guardians lineup, that is a recipe for runs to be scored. And even with all the individual success that Naylor has achieved this season, he is more focused on the team.

 

“Team wins mean more to me,” Naylor said. “Just the production we have as a unit, that’s more important to me, and to get into the postseason.”

 

Don’t be surprised if Naylor goes on to have a productive postseason. If Cleveland wants to make a deep run, Naylor will be one player who will need to come out swinging and have consistent production at the plate.