CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Fireworks were canceled at Progressive Field on Saturday night, but Bo Naylor made sure the fans still got a show.
The 22-year-old got his first taste of the Major Leagues just hours after the Guardians selected his contract from Triple-A Columbus and added to the 28-man roster. Naylor replaced Luke Maile in the 6th inning and immediately showed why he belonged.
“He comes with the reputation as a very good defender,” said manager Terry Francona. “He's just he's young. He's got he got four innings under his belt.”
Naylor made two spectacular throws in his Major League debut, getting one runner and narrowly missing another. He was the lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable 7-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
“It’s one of those things where you just see it happen and your body just does what it's supposed to do,” Naylor said.
The 29th overall pick in the 2018 draft gunned down Kyle Isbel, who walked and was trying to steal second base, with a perfectly placed throw that showed off his arm strength.
“I didn't have any thoughts. I just kind of let the game play and trusted in myself,” Naylor continued. “It came out came out really well.”
Naylor becomes the 17th Guardian to make his Major League debut this season, tying the franchise mark set in 1912 and matched two years later in 1914. His premiere behind the plate force Naylor to get acclimated with PitchCom, the electronic device that allows catchers to transmit pitch signals to pitchers.
“I really enjoy using it,” Naylor said. “I spent the first five innings practicing it, getting the feel for it. But I think once I got out there, it felt natural.”
The road to The Show has been filled with twists, turns and potholes for Naylor. He posted two good seasons in the minors before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season.
The lack of action took its toll. Naylor hit just .189 in 2021 at Double-A Akron in more than 335 plate appearances. But his rebound this year allowed him jump to the Major Leagues as the Guardians prepare for a playoff run.
“I think that the biggest thing was just going out there and checking everything out and just taking that deep breath,” Naylor said. “Once it got going, it felt really comfortable.”
It’s no guarantee, even as a first-round pick, to make the Big Leagues. The fact that both Bo and Josh did is not lost on them. The only time the two have played together on the same team was when they were teenagers. Bo got the call-up from his dad, the manager, to play on Josh’s team.
“I don't know if it's quite sinking yet. I think little by little I'm starting to realize it. But this has been awesome,” Naylor said.
Naylor’s callup comes as the season winds down and indicates the club could opt to carry three catchers into the postseason with Austin Hedges, Luke Maile and Naylor. Francona said his plan is to spread the catching duties out over the final four games.
Naylor figures to play a large role into that plan.
“I'd like for those guys to not catch every inning the rest of the way,” Francona said.