Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Josh Naylor

Discover the career path of Josh Naylor, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Josh Naylor is a Canadian professional baseball first baseman currently playing for the Cleveland Guardians in MLB. He has previously played for the San Diego Padres and briefly for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Known for his powerful hitting and clutch performances, Naylor is a key player for his team. He was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2015 and later traded to the Padres before making his major league debut.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1991: Canada wins gold at World Junior Baseball Championship

In 1991, Canada won the gold medal at the 1991 World Junior Baseball Championship in Brandon, Manitoba.

2001: Mariners reach ALCS

In 2001, the Mariners reached the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for the first time since 2001.

2012: Competed in U-18 Baseball World Cup

In 2012, Josh Naylor competed in the U-18 Baseball World Cup with the junior national team.

2012: IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship

In 2012, at the age of 15, Naylor competed in the 2012 IBAF 18U Baseball World Championship in Seoul, South Korea, winning a silver medal.

2013: Greg Hamilton describes Naylor's hitting approach

In 2013, Greg Hamilton, the coach of the Canada junior national baseball team, described Naylor's hitting approach as "advanced".

2013: Competed in U-18 Baseball World Cup

In 2013, Josh Naylor competed in the U-18 Baseball World Cup with the junior national team.

2013: IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup

In 2013, Naylor competed in the IBAF 18U Baseball World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan, where the team finished in seventh place.

2014: Participated in MLB Junior Select Home Run Derby and Perfect Game All-American Classic

In 2014, Josh Naylor participated in the MLB Junior Select Home Run Derby during MLB All-Star Week and finished second. He was also selected to play in the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic and the 2014 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.

2014: COPABE 18U Pan American Championship

In 2014, Naylor competed in the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in La Paz, Mexico, where the team won the bronze medal.

2015: Competed in U-18 Baseball World Cup

In 2015, Josh Naylor competed in the U-18 Baseball World Cup with the junior national team.

2015: Signed with Marlins and Assigned to GCL Marlins

In 2015, Josh Naylor signed with the Miami Marlins for a $2.25 million signing bonus after graduating from St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School and was assigned to the Rookie-level GCL Marlins, where he made his professional debut. He finished the 2015 season with a .327/.352/.418 batting average, one home run, and 16 RBIs in 25 games.

2015: Drafted by Miami Marlins

In 2015, Josh Naylor was selected 12th overall by the Miami Marlins in the first round of the MLB draft.

October 9, 2016: Russell Martin hits Postseason Home Run

On October 9, 2016, Russell Martin hit a postseason home run in Canada.

October 17, 2016: Michael Saunders hits Postseason Home Run

On October 17, 2016, Michael Saunders hit a postseason home run in Canada.

2016: Suspension and All-Star Futures Game Selection

In 2016, Josh Naylor began the season with the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers. In June he was suspended after injuring a teammate with a knife. Midway through the season, Naylor was selected to participate in the 2016 All-Star Futures Game.

2016: Traded to Padres

In 2016, Josh Naylor was traded to the San Diego Padres.

2017: Promoted to Double-A San Antonio Missions

In 2017, Josh Naylor began the season with the Storm before being promoted to the Double-A San Antonio Missions in July. He finished the 2017 season with a combined .280/.346/.415 batting average, 10 home runs, and 64 RBIs in 114 games.

2017: Competed in World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Josh Naylor competed in the World Baseball Classic, playing for the Canada national baseball team.

2018: Played with the Missions as an Outfielder

In 2018, Josh Naylor played with the San Antonio Missions and began playing as an outfielder. He finished the 2018 season batting .297/.383/.447 with 17 home runs and 74 RBIs in 128 games.

May 24, 2019: MLB Debut

On May 24, 2019, Josh Naylor made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut playing for the San Diego Padres against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

2019: Called up to MLB by Padres

In 2019, Josh Naylor began the season with the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas before being called up to MLB by the San Diego Padres on May 24.

2019: MLB Debut with Padres

In 2019, Josh Naylor made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres.

August 2020: Traded to Indians

In August 2020, Josh Naylor was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

August 31, 2020: Traded to Indians

On August 31, 2020, Josh Naylor was traded by the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland Indians.

2020: Played Multiple Positions for Padres

During the 2020 season, Josh Naylor played in 18 games for the San Diego Padres, playing multiple positions, including designated hitter, first baseman, and outfielder. He also entered games as a pinch hitter.

2020: Postseason Appearance

In 2020, Josh Naylor made his first career postseason appearance and recorded five hits in his first five career postseason plate appearances. The Cleveland Indians were eliminated by the New York Yankees.

2022: Postseason Appearance

In 2022, Josh Naylor made his second career postseason appearance. The Guardians were eliminated by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series (ALDS).

2022: Becomes a full-time first baseman

Starting in 2022, Naylor became a full-time first baseman, lowered his strikeout rate, and improved his batting average and power.

January 13, 2023: Contract with Guardians

On January 13, 2023, Josh Naylor agreed to a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Guardians, avoiding salary arbitration.

December 21, 2024: Traded to Diamondbacks

On December 21, 2024, Josh Naylor was traded by the Cleveland Guardians to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2024: Postseason Appearance

During the 2024 MLB postseason, Josh Naylor and the Guardians advanced to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) after defeating the Detroit Tigers, but were eliminated by the New York Yankees.

2024: MLB All-Star Selection

In 2024, Josh Naylor earned his first career MLB All-Star selection and finished the season with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs.

January 2025: Contract with Diamondbacks

In January 2025, Josh Naylor agreed to a one-year, $10.9 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, avoiding his final opportunity for arbitration.

June 9, 2025: Walk-off Grand Slam

On June 9, 2025, Josh Naylor hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Seattle Mariners.

July 2025: Traded to Mariners

In July 2025, Josh Naylor was traded to the Seattle Mariners after beginning the 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

October 4, 2025: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits Postseason Home Run

On October 4, 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a postseason home run in Canada.

November 17, 2025: Naylor re-signs with Mariners

On November 17, 2025, Naylor re-signed with the Mariners on a five-year, $92.5 million contract.

2025: Traded to Mariners and Reached Milestones

In 2025, Josh Naylor was traded to the Seattle Mariners. During the season, he achieved milestones such as hitting his 20th home run and stealing his 30th base of the season. The Mariners won the American League West division.