Jardinero de Guardianes to Cleveland as Pitcher
Former Outfielder Tyler Naquin Eyes comeback with Cleveland Guardians as Pitcher
Table of Contents
- Former Outfielder Tyler Naquin Eyes comeback with Cleveland Guardians as Pitcher
- Tyler Naquin’s Pitching Career: Q&A About his Comeback with the Guardians
- Why is Tyler Naquin attempting to become a pitcher?
- What are Tyler Naquin’s career highlights as an outfielder?
- How old is Tyler Naquin?
- What kind of contract did Tyler Naquin sign with the Guardians?
- Has Tyler Naquin pitched professionally before?
- What is the Guardians’ history of converting position players to pitchers?
- What are the chances of Naquin succeeding as a pitcher?
- Position players Transitioning to Pitchers
Published: 2025-03-07
Naquin’s transition to the Mound
In an unexpected turn, former outfielder Tyler Naquin is set to don the Cleveland guardians uniform once again, but this time, with a important twist. He isn’t returning directly to MLB as the familiar outfielder; rather, the team has announced his arrival as a pitcher.
The 33-year-old Naquin has agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He will report to minor league training camp as a pitcher, marking a new chapter in his baseball career.Naquin brings a wealth of experience, having played eight seasons in the major leagues as an outfielder, including a five-year stint with Cleveland from 2016 to 2020.
From Outfield Assists to the Pitcher’s Mound
While Naquin, Cleveland’s first-round draft pick in 2012, has no prior experience pitching in the major or minor leagues, his arm strength has always been notable. He boasts a strong arm, evidenced by his 32 career outfield assists, including a league-leading nine in 2019 in the American League.
Naquin’s arm strength has consistently ranked among the league leaders for outfielders. In 2023, his arm strength averaged 91.8 mph,even though he only made nine throws during a brief five-game stint in the major leagues with Chicago.
Guardians’ History with Position Players-Turned-Pitchers
The Guardians have some experience with position players transitioning to pitching roles. Anthony Gose made 31 appearances for Cleveland between 2021 and 2024, including three last season. Gose debuted as a pitcher in 2017 with High-A Lakeland, a Tigers affiliate, after playing 372 games between 2012 and 2016 with Toronto and Detroit as a position player.
This move highlights the Guardians’ willingness to explore unconventional talent progress strategies.
Tyler Naquin’s Pitching Career: Q&A About his Comeback with the Guardians
Former MLB outfielder Tyler Naquin is attempting an unexpected transition to become a pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians. Here’s a breakdown of what we know about this unique career move.
Why is Tyler Naquin attempting to become a pitcher?
Naquin’s transition comes as a surprise, considering his established career as an outfielder. While the specific reasons haven’t been explicitly stated, his strong arm strength, historically ranked among the league’s best for outfielders, may be a key factor. The Guardians are giving him an opportunity to leverage that arm strength in a new way. This could be an attempt to extend his professional baseball career by utilizing his existing skills in a different role.
What are Tyler Naquin’s career highlights as an outfielder?
Years in MLB: Naquin played eight seasons in the major leagues.
Time with Cleveland: he spent five seasons with the Guardians from 2016 to 2020.
Outfield Assists: Naquin recorded 32 career outfield assists, showcasing his strong arm.
League Leader: he led the American League with nine outfield assists in 2019.
Arm Strength: In 2023, his average arm strength was 91.8 mph during a brief stint with Chicago, demonstrating his continued arm strength.
Batting Average: He posted a combined .274 average and .766 OPS with the Guardians from 2016-2020.
How old is Tyler Naquin?
As of March 7, 2025, Tyler naquin is 33 years old.
What kind of contract did Tyler Naquin sign with the Guardians?
Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians. He will report to minor league training camp as a pitcher.
Has Tyler Naquin pitched professionally before?
No,Naquin has no prior experience pitching in either the major or minor leagues. This makes his transition especially noteworthy.
What is the Guardians’ history of converting position players to pitchers?
The Guardians have a track record of exploring unconventional talent advancement strategies.
* Anthony Gose: A recent exmaple is Anthony Gose, who made 31 appearances for Cleveland as a pitcher between 2021 and 2024. Gose previously played as an outfielder with Toronto and Detroit before transitioning to pitching. He debuted as a pitcher in 2017 in High-A.
What are the chances of Naquin succeeding as a pitcher?
The success of Naquin’s transition remains to be seen. Converting from a position player to a pitcher is a challenging endeavor.his strong arm is a definite asset. The Guardians’ willingness to explore this unconventional talent strategy suggests they see potential in Naquin’s ability to contribute as a pitcher.
Position players Transitioning to Pitchers
| Player | Previous Position | New Position | MLB Experience |
| ————— | —————– | ———— | ——————————————— |
| Tyler Naquin | Outfielder | Pitcher | 8 seasons as an outfielder |
| Anthony Gose | Outfielder | Pitcher | 372 games as outfielder, 31 appearances as pitcher |
| Michael Lorenzen | Pitcher | Outfielder | Appeared in 34 games as an outfielder as 2018 |
| Rick Ankiel | Pitcher | Outfielder | Notable for successfully switching positions. |