🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The Cleveland Guardians are bringing back a free-agent outfielder from their 2016 American League pennant-winning club — as a pitcher.
Tyler Naquin, 33, has never thrown a pitch as a professional, but he'll be the latest veteran free agent to attempt to make the conversion at the minor league level.
Here is a fun one: We've signed RHP Tyler Naquin to a Minor League contract. He has reported to the club's Goodyear facility, converting to a right-handed pitcher. pic.twitter.com/LwGzHLf147
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 6, 2025
From 2016-20, Naquin made 1,023 plate appearances for the Guardians. As a rookie in 2016, he slashed .296/.372/.514 (128 OPS+) and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Naquin appeared in an additional 25 postseason games as the Guardians marched all the way to the 2016 World Series, where they lost a seven-game thriller to the Chicago Cubs.
After being released by the Chicago White Sox in Oct. 2023, Naquin did not appear in a major or minor league game last year. In eight major league seasons with Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York Mets, Naquin batted .263 with 61 home runs and 237 RBIs.
More news: American League MVP Candidate Suffers Injury, Casting Doubt on Opening Day
Naquin made nearly $10 million as a major leaguer after the Guardians made him the 15th overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. Now, he'll attempt to convert to pitching with a franchise that routinely turns unheralded pitching prospects into major league regulars. In nine seasons since Naquin's debut, Cleveland has only finished with a staff ERA above 4.00 once.
More news: Longtime MLB Team Owner Dies at 94
The Guardians have already successfully converted one former major league outfielder into a reliever in recent years.
Anthony Gose played 372 games as an outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers from 2012-16. He converted to pitching in 201 but never reached the majors with the Tigers or Texas Rangers organizations.
More news: Former American League All-Star, World Series Champion Passes Away
In 2019 he joined the Guardians and successfully rose the minor league ladder over the next two years, making his debut as a relief pitcher in 2021.
Gose appeared in 31 games out of the Cleveland bullpen from 2021-24.
More news: Former Red Sox, Guardians, Pirates, A's Pitcher Dies at 53
According to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, here is where Naquin's throwing speed ranked in recent seasons among outfielders who made at least 50 throws:
- 2020: 93.0 mph average (fourth); 96.7 mph max
- 2021: 92.6 mph average (tied for ninth); 98.3 mph max
- 2022: 92.8 mph average (tied for 22nd); 95.6 mph max
Naquin's velocity from the outfield averaged 91.8 mph in 2023, although he only made nine throws during a five-game stint in the Majors with Chicago.
More news: Former White Sox, Red Sox Pitcher Battling Stage 4 Cancer: Report
Naquin signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds in Feb. 2021 but was traded after a season and a half to the Mets for two prospects in July 2022.
In Feb. 2023, Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers but did not appear in a major league game. After being traded to the White Sox for cash in Aug. 2023, he appeared in five games, going 0 for 8 with seven strikeouts.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
About the writer
J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers ... Read more