With Austin Hedges back in Cleveland this offseason, it’s clear the Guardians view Bo Naylor as their catcher of the future. What did we learn about Bo in 2024?
First, the numbers: Bo finished with a 74 wRC+, a 31.4/7.5 K/BB%, and a 1.6 fWAR. Defensively, he excelled, posting 11 Defensive Runs Saved, 8 Statcast Fielding Runs Above Average, and 7.9 Framing Runs Above Average. With the guidance of manager Stephen Vogt, bench coach Craig Albernaz, Hedges, and Sandy Alomar, Bo thrived as a defensive catcher according to metrics. While he was slightly below average in preventing stolen bases (-1) and game-calling metrics (-1), he made enormous strides from his 2023 performance in all other areas. However, his bat took a significant step back from the impressive 122 wRC+ he showcased during his rookie season.
What led to Bo’s struggles at the plate? Part of it was a horrific start and a dismal finish to the season. From June 1st to August 31st, Bo posted a 103 wRC+. But from March 29th to May 31st, his wRC+ plummeted to 51, and he ended the season with a final-month wRC+ of 48. Some might argue that focusing on the whole season is more significant. However, Bo has historically been known as a slow starter, adapting to full-time catcher duties for the first time likely contributed to his initial struggles, and it’s plausible that his performance simply collapsed at the conclusion of his first full season. Interestingly, after a rough outing against the Yankees where Joey Cantillo pitched poorly and resulted in four “wild pitches,” Bo’s pitching strategy seemed off. What makes this encouraging is the fact that after this rough patch, Bo seems to regain some confidence, though not quite pre-season level, making crucial defensive plays toward the finish of 2024 despite being hampered by inconsistent pitchcalling in the latter half of the season. It appears he has the work ethic and intelligence to refine those areas where improvement is needed.
I’ve consistently stated that I believe in what the Guardians have in Bo Naylor, and if I were making decisions for the team, I would prioritize extending Bo rather than searching for a replacement. First, he has proven himself as a top-tier defensive catcher – one of the most difficult aspects of the position. While there are still areas to polish, such as his questionable pitch calling against the Yankees that led to a Kerry Carpenter homer on a Clase slider, overall he has demonstrated the skills necessary to excel behind the plate. He’s widely recognized for his work ethic and intellect, both crucial qualities for continued growth in those areas needing improvement. Second, many solid-hitting catchers struggle in their first or second seasons catching full-time in the big leagues; established catchers frequently experience wild fluctuations in offensive performance year to year. Catching is undeniably the most demanding job in sports. Given that Bo will only be 25 next season, there’s ample reason to believe he’ll rediscover some of his previously displayed hitting prowess from the minor leagues while simultaneously refining his defensive game further.
FanGraphs’ Esteban Rivera wrote an insightful piece about Bo Naylor early last season, highlighting reasons for optimism regarding his offensive profile (pulled fly-balls) and predicting opponents would try to tempt him into hitting pitches on the outside of the zone to his pull side, necessitating him to keep his front side locked in to avoid weak contact or swings and misses. A quick review of 2024 highlights reveals that Bo, often opened up his front leg, leading to wild swings against off-speed and breaking balls on the outer half of the plate or outside the strike zone. I have faith that he’ll rediscover his pulled fly-ball approach and lay off more pitches on the outside in 2025. The arrival of a new hitting coach in Cleveland might also prove beneficial in effectively communicating necessary strategies. Time will tell if my optimism is justified. For now, I’m excited to see Bo batting eighth in the Guardians’ Opening Day lineup as our catcher of the future.
Here are some Bo Naylor highlights from 2024:
