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Josh Naylor

Born: 06/22/1997 (Age: 19)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 250
Primary Position: 1B
Secondary Position: DH
Physical/Health
Body: Average height, stocky build, compact musculature, carries extra padding in the middle, thick lower half; first base-only frame

Swing: Wide, straight-on base, deep crouch; fairly large hand load, takes a big stride into the pitch, gets too heavy on his front foot; noisy swing at present, aggressive hacks, natural hitter who trusts his hands
Evaluator Adam McInturff
Report Date 07/08/2016
Dates Seen 5x April - June 2016
Affiliate Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low A, Marlins)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Video
2019 High 50 Yes
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 45 Streaky hitter, present issues recognizing spin, struggles to make consistent contact against same-side pitching; shows rhythm and loose hands, but limited present ability to track secondary pitches; will over-swing, frequently expands the zone down with two strikes; has time to make adjustments, fringe-average projection at highest level
Power 55 Plus raw power, won't play up to full utility in games; ball flies off the barrel to all fields with ease, home run carry from pole to pole, notable opposite-field power for a young hitter; carrying tool, should get to above-average in prime, potential for 20+ home run seasons
Baserunning/Speed 35 Below-average runner, portly body and thick lower half limit projection; speed not a part of his game
Glove 50 First base-only body, already has significant experience playing there, displays comfort, good lower-half flexibility on the long stretch; stays calm on bad throws at the dirt, ability to make the back-hand pick and start double-plays
Arm 45 Fringy arm that rarely comes into the equation throwing first to third
Overall

Ceiling: regular first baseman
Floor: platoon power off the bench

Naylor is a bad-body first baseman with power and hitting tools you can't teach. There's lots of natural loft and strength in his swing, and he consistently shows power to both fields. He has held his own all year in full-season leagues as a young player assigned aggressively. He has demonstrated an ability to make adjustments as the year has progressed, and showed big flashes of power and some hitting ability. All the pressure is on his bat, but the offensive tool set and left-handed power gives him the best-case ceiling of a regular first baseman at the highest level. His aggressive approach and issues with same-side pitching leave the floor as that of a platoon player or a bat that gives a jolt of power off the bench.

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