© Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
WATCH: Guardians' Bo Naylor Hits First Home Run Of Season
Bo Naylor hits a home runs off Luis Castillo extending the Cleveland Guardians lead.
Bo Naylor is going to be a real difference-maker for the Cleveland Guardians this season. He’s got a year of development under his belt and showed exactly what he can offer the team on Tuesday night as he hit his first home run of the season in a big moment.
Naylor stepped up to the plate with Will Brennan standing on second. He waited patiently for his pitch and blasted one over the right field wall giving the Guardians a 3-0 lead.
Watch the highlight here:
This homer had an exit velocity of 97.9 mph, traveled 383 feet, and would’ve been a home run in all 30 ballparks in the big leagues, per Baseball Savant. What’s even more impressive is that this came off of Mariners’ ace Luis Castillo who was settling in and had struck out six Guardians batters before this blast by Bo.
It was a true no-doubter and a great blast for him to start the season on.
Apr 1, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) scores a run against the Seattle Mariners on a sacrifice fly ball hit by second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) (not pictured) during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Naylor wasn’t catching in this one with Austin Hedges starting behind the plate. Stephen Vogt wrote Bo in as the team’s designated hitter and the rookie manager must be ecstatic that he did given the result. This Guardians offense is going to be in a great place if they’re getting production such as this from Bo even on days when he’s not playing in the field.
The 24-year-old is off to a hot start. After this home run, Bo is hitting .273/.429/.545, has an OPS of .974, and has driven in two runs.
