Josh Naylor’s performance for the Seattle Mariners has been disappointing to start the season. After signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract in the offseason, Naylor’s struggles are causing concern in the Pacific Northwest.
Naylor’s Opening Slump
Over four games against the Cleveland Guardians, Naylor went 0-for-15 with three walks. He then went 1-for-27 with five strikeouts after the series against the Yankees. While it’s a small sample size, the slump is causing anxiety.
Naylor’s struggles are bittersweet for Guardians fans. His limited performance has impacted the Mariners. However, many Guardians fans still have fond memories of him.
Last Season’s Success
Last year, Naylor had a .295 average with 20 home runs, 95 RBI and 30 steals across 147 games with the D-backs and Mariners. He also performed well in the postseason, batting .340 with three home runs. This performance led to his contract with Seattle.
Positive Momentum Derailed
Naylor previously stated that he wanted to play somewhere he was appreciated, which led him to Seattle. However, his positive momentum from last season seems to have disappeared. While he has only struck out six times and has four walks, he is not hitting the ball with authority.
Only six of the 22 balls he’s put in play have left the infield, with one being his lone hit against Yankees starter Max Fried.
Mariners’ Lineup Woes
Naylor’s struggles coincide with the rest of the Mariners’ lineup also struggling. Naylor, Cal Raleigh and Julio RodrÃguez have combined to go 7-for-78 (.089) this season with zero home runs. These struggles have set the tone for a season where the Mariners have championship expectations.
While the Mariners are not in the same division as the Guardians, Cleveland could still compete with them for a Wild Card spot and/or postseason seeding.