Bo Naylor made a mechanical tweak to his swing, and it’s already paying off for the Cleveland Guardians catcher.
The results came Sunday against the Atlanta Braves – four hits in one game for a player who’s been searching for answers all season. Naylor’s hitting just .179/.276/.357 through 96 games with 15 doubles, 11 home runs, and 29 RBIs.
Those numbers tell the story of a season filled with adjustments that haven’t quite clicked. Until now, maybe.
According to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, Naylor’s ditched his traditional leg kick for a toe tap approach. The change allows him to get his foot down earlier and improve his timing on pitches.
“Our hitting group, looking at video from a different angle, they figured my loading pattern was better suited for a toe tap – foot on the ground – as opposed to a leg kick. I was a little inconsistent in getting to the same position with the kick, so they felt the toe tap would allow me to get to the ground earlier and let my body sequence the way it’s meant to.”
It’s a technical adjustment, but one that makes sense when you consider Naylor’s struggles with timing this year. Getting that front foot planted consistently gives hitters a better foundation to work from.
Naylor knows one four-hit game doesn’t erase months of offensive struggles. He’s keeping his expectations measured while acknowledging the progress.
“It’s been a good progression. There are some things to clean up and work on, but it’s been going well so far.”
The Guardians need Naylor to find his swing. Cleveland’s team batting average sits at .227 – dead last in MLB. An improved Naylor could provide the offensive boost they desperately need as the regular season winds down.
Sometimes the smallest adjustments make the biggest difference. For Naylor, trading a leg kick for a toe tap might be exactly what unlocks his potential at the plate.
