Josh Naylor: Statistical Profile and Career Highlights of the Arizona Diamondbacks First Baseman
Josh Naylor, nicknamed “Mississauga Masher” and “Naylz,” has emerged as a prominent first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball, currently playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Born on June 22, 1997, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Naylor has made a significant impact since his MLB debut, blending consistent offensive production with defensive reliability. Drafted by the Miami Marlins in the first round (12th overall) of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft, Naylor has played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, and now the Diamondbacks, steadily building an impressive career portfolio.
Standing 5-foot-10 (178 cm) and weighing 235 lbs (106 kg), Naylor bats and throws left-handed. Over his MLB career, he has accumulated 639 hits, 95 home runs, and a career batting average of .267. In the 2025 season, he has already tallied 102 hits and 11 home runs, boasting a .292 batting average. His current contract is valued at $10.9 million for the year, reflecting his value as a productive middle-of-the-order bat and a reliable defender at first base.
Naylor’s 2024 season with Cleveland was a career-best, as he hit .243/.776 OPS across 152 games, registering 31 home runs and 108 RBI—both personal highs. He led all American League first basemen in RBI for the second consecutive year and became the first Cleveland first baseman to notch a 30-homer, 100-RBI season since Jim Thome in 2002. Among his notable achievements were three multi-homer games and a 10-game hitting streak, during which he batted .317 with a .902 OPS. His 16.6% strikeout rate was among the lowest for AL left-handed hitters, while his .992 fielding percentage placed him seventh among AL first basemen.
Naylor was selected as an AL All-Star reserve in 2024, marking his first Midsummer Classic appearance. He has also been recognized with the James “Tip” O’Neill Award, given annually to the top Canadian player who excels in individual achievement and team contribution. His postseason performances have been notable, as he owns an .842 career playoff OPS and has set records for clutch home runs, including becoming the first MLB player in the Expansion Era to hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning or later in three consecutive games.
Injuries have tested Naylor’s resilience, most notably a season-ending right fibula fracture and ankle ligament damage in 2022, but he has consistently returned to form, posting strong numbers both offensively and defensively. He has made starts at first base, designated hitter, and occasionally in the outfield, highlighting his versatility. Alongside his brother Bo Naylor, he made history as the first set of Cleveland (AL) brothers to homer in the same game since 1900.
Naylor’s advanced metrics further underscore his value: a career OPS north of .770, a demonstrated ability to hit with runners in scoring position (.363 with RISP in 2023), and an impressive track record in high-leverage situations. As a fantasy asset and a betting consideration, Naylor offers consistency, power upside, and a knack for timely hitting—key traits that make him a player to watch as he continues his career with the Arizona Diamondbacks.