Can Josh Naylor be Cleveland’s Next Jim Thome?

Photo by Charles Murray

The Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor is having a stellar season thus far. His 53 RBI through 71 games are the most by a Cleveland first baseman since Jim Thome in 1998. Thome had 60 RBI through 71 games that season.

Of course, Jim Thome is a Cleveland baseball legend and Naylor is just settling into his own. However, the way he’s playing is reminiscent of Thome.

The 25-year-old Naylor had a rocky start but began to heat up in the middle of May. He was hitting under .200 at the time but has completely turned his game around.

Naylor went yard in three straight games from May 12-14. Each of his home runs coming after the 8^th inning AND giving Cleveland the lead. That is the first time in club history. What’s even more impressive is Naylor’s 8^th inning go-ahead homers makes him the first MLB player in the Expansion Era (1961) to do so in three consecutive games.

He’s scorching hot at the plate, currently leading first baseman in the majors with the most RBI. The 51 RBI total is sixth overall in MLB. Naylor is a scoring machine. He batted in six runs against Baltimore on May 31^st.

Naylor should absolutely make the All-Star roster. Cleveland fans need to do their part in voting. With his stats it’s unreal that he’s not at the top of the list. Since June 1^st the 25-year-old is batting .387 with 24 hits, 13 RBI and 9 runs scored in 15 games.

As I posed the question can Naylor be Cleveland’s next Thome? I do think he’s showing that he’s a power hitting first baseman who’s coming through in the clutch. Of course, being compared to Jim Thome leaves some pretty big shoes to fill as he’s considered to be the greatest clutch power hitter in the team’s history.

The question of comparison is to say Josh Naylor is looking to be a great Cleveland icon on his own right. He’s an emotional player who famously showed last season that he wants “all the smoke.” Naylor certainly plays with an intensity and passion for the game. However, he has toned down this season. You don’t see him “rocking the baby” or head-butting Tito. That doesn’t mean his passion has left. He’s growing up and channeling his energy into his game. He’s said he wants to be a player that kids look up to. Naylor makes a great effort to sign for the kids before games. He’s notorious for having them sign his glove as well. To be a great role model he’s showing he can still have the intensity without the need for bleeping out his words during the broadcast.

Myles Straw talking about the confidence his teammates have when he steps to the plate with the game on the line:

“He’s so calm and collected. Whenever he’s up at the plate you always assume something good is going to happen.”

Naylor, himself, uttered the same sentiments about his teammates:

 “We always play until the last out. We just try to play hard all nine innings. Anything can happen. We have a confident group of guys here. We feed off each other’s energy. Good things happen when you do that.”

 

Good things are certainly happening for Naylor and for the Guardians as a whole. It’s clear that his love for his teammates is unparalleled. The team is starting to find their rhythm and Naylor is riding what could be a career high season. He’s continuing to grow as a player since he joined the Guardians in mid-2020. Increasingly getting better and being a legitimate first baseman is a staple of the team.

If Naylor continues to play at this pace, he will be an elite player and could end up cementing his name as Thome did.

The “Pride from Peoria” – Jim Thome – was and still is a fan favorite. A country guy who always had that grin gravitated fans towards him. His iconic stance that is now a statue at Progressive Field and his high socks are two of the things that come to mind when you mention Thome.

He was asked about his socks in 1994 and said:

“They’re not a superstition…that’s my trademark. When I was struggling this year, guys in the clubhouse said, ‘Pull down your socks, pull down your socks.” I said ‘No.’ My father and grandfather played minor league ball in the Three-I League. I saw a picture of them, and they wore their socks high like this. So, I guess this is part of a tradition.”

Shirts were even sold with the saying “Socks Up!” after the team honored Thome’s birthday by all wearing high socks in 1997. After winning that game they kept the high socks and went on to advance to the World Series that year.

Thome spent 13 seasons with the Cleveland Indians and has 337 home runs during that time. That is the most in club history. Not only does he have a statue, but there’s also a metal marker in the concourse where Thome hit the longest home run ever recorded at the ballpark on July 3, 1999. That blast sailed 511 feet.

We are a long way from the 90’s yet this team has that special feel. Josh Naylor is gaining recognition for being an elite first baseman. It will be fun to watch him continue to play at this level. Naylor isn’t Jim Thome, but he is a star and a huge one in the making. It’s a compliment to be compared to one of the best to play the game and Naylor has the potential to make his own stamp on Cleveland club history.