Not only is Josh Naylor back, but he is back with a vengeance.
After making history last night in the Cleveland Guardians’ 12-9 come-from-behind win over the Chicago White Sox in extra innings, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 8 RBI in the eighth inning or later, Naylor is slashing a career-best .338/.370/.574 in 73 plate appearances.
One year removed from a horrific injury that cost him most of last season, Naylor is already one of the best stories in baseball. But what is driving his surge in offensive production?
The Athletic’s Zack Meisel wrote earlier this week about the Guardians’ approach at the plate this season, crediting new hitting coach Chris Valaika with helping the organization establish an offensive identity.