Former MLB outfielder Tyler Naquin attempting comeback as pitcher with Guardians

By: The Associated Press Posted: 4:06 PM CST Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Tyler Naquin agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, who intend for him to switch positions from the outfield to the pitcher’s mound.

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GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Tyler Naquin agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, who intend for him to switch positions from the outfield to the pitcher’s mound.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2025 (547 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Tyler Naquin agreed to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians, who intend for him to switch positions from the outfield to the pitcher’s mound.

The Guardians announced Thursday that Naquin had reported to spring training camp and will be working out as a right-handed pitcher.

Naquin, who turns 34 on April 24, played in the major leagues from 2016-23 and was in the outfield for every one of his 511 regular-season games with Cleveland (2016-20), Cincinnati (2021-22), the New York Mets (2022) and the Chicago White Sox (2023).

FILE - New York Mets' Tyler Naquin celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

He has a career batting average of .263 with a .316 on-base percentage, 61 homers and 237 RBIs. He has never pitched in professional ball or at Texas A&M.

Baseball Savant rated Naquin’s arm strength in the 98th percentile among major leaguers in 2021 and in the 94th percentile in 2022, his last two full seasons in the majors. Naquin played just eight games with the White Sox in 2023.