Discover How Mariners’ Josh Naylor Excels in Stealing Bases Despite Slow Speed

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Discover How Mariners’ Josh Naylor Excels in Stealing Bases Despite Slow Speed

Josh Naylor showcased his unique base-stealing skills during the ALCS Game 2 on Monday evening. Playing for the Seattle Mariners against the Toronto Blue Jays, Naylor stole second base standing up. This remarkable feat is noteworthy considering he is among the slowest players in Major League Baseball.

Remarkable Base-Stealing Ability

Naylor ranks in the third percentile for sprint speed according to Statcast. This statistic indicates that 95% of players in MLB possess faster sprinting capabilities than he does. Despite this, Naylor successfully completed 19 stolen base attempts after being traded to the Mariners before the trade deadline. His overall record for the regular season stands at 30 steals out of 32 attempts.

A Different Approach to Stealing Bases

What sets Naylor apart is his mindset on the base paths. He believes that not fearing failure plays a crucial role in his success. “I try not to think about failure,” Naylor stated in an interview. “I just like to play baseball and play hard.”

Naylor’s brother, Bo, who plays as a catcher for the Guardians, highlighted the intellectual aspect of Josh’s game. According to Bo, Naylor excels in pattern recognition, allowing him to exploit opportunities that faster players might overlook. “It all depends on maximizing your abilities,” he mentioned.

Impressive Career Steal Statistics

Prior to this season, Naylor’s highest number of stolen bases was 10, which he accomplished while playing for the Cleveland Guardians in 2023. After his trade, Naylor managed to steal 11 bases over 93 games for the Diamondbacks and another 19 in just 54 games for the Mariners, marking him as one of baseball’s leading base-stealers.

  • Career-high steals with Cleveland: 10 (2023)
  • Stolen bases with Diamondbacks: 11 in 93 games
  • Stolen bases with Mariners: 19 in 54 games

Naylor’s ability to steal bases, despite his slower speed, represents a combination of strategic thinking and fearless execution. This unique talent makes him an essential asset for the Mariners as they pursue postseason success.