Tyler Naquin Dazzles on the Mound in High-A Debut for Lake County Captains

Lake County, USA - Tyler Naquin, the former MLB outfielder, is making waves once again—but this time, he’s on the mound. Recently promoted to the Lake County Captains from the Arizona Complex League (ACL) Guardians, Naquin made his pitching debut on July 9, striking out the first batter he faced and wrapping up a scoreless inning against the West Michigan Whitecaps. What a way to start this new chapter in his career!

In his debut, Naquin threw 16 pitches, hitting the strike zone with 8 of them, allowing no hits and just one walk. The 34-year-old from Iola, Texas, is in familiar territory, having played for the Captains earlier in his career. His journey began way back in 2012 when he was drafted by Cleveland as an outfielder. He certainly made a splash as a player, with a notable performance in the 2016 World Series run, including a memorable inside-the-park home run against the Toronto Blue Jays.

A Shift in Gear

This transition to pitching marks a significant career shift for Naquin, who spent eight seasons in the MLB primarily as an outfielder for teams like the Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and Chicago White Sox. After being released by the White Sox in 2023, he decided it was time to repurpose his talents on the mound. According to Cleveland.com, he reached out to the Guardians during spring training to explore pitching.

Interestingly, Naquin had last pitched competitively in 2010 while in high school and during his time at Texas A&M, but his heart was clearly still in the game. After signing a Minor League contract with the Guardians on March 6, 2025, Naquin underwent rigorous training to refine his pitching skills. His efforts were fruitful, with reports noting that his fastball velocity has jumped to between 94 and 96 mph, even reaching up to 97 mph at times, as detailed by MLB.com.

Positive Developments

Matt Foreman, assistant general manager of the Guardians, has expressed optimism about Naquin’s progress as he faces more seasoned hitters in the higher levels of minor league baseball. Naquin himself has acknowledged the physical challenges of pitching compared to being a position player, but he remains focused on maximizing his efficiency and technique, learning from notable pitchers such as Max Scherzer along the way.

Having started in the ACL, he recorded a respectable 5.14 ERA with a 2-0 record over 13 appearances before taking his talents to Lake County. His performance was highlighted by a phenomenal 0.96 ERA over his last eight outings, allowing only one earned run in 9.1 innings and showcasing his growth as a pitcher.

Looking Ahead

For local fans, the excitement doesn’t stop with Naquin’s debut. The Captains‘ next home game is set for July 18 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, promising to be an electrifying match with a „Women in Sports Night“ theme and a fireworks show to cap the evening.

As Tyler Naquin embarks on this new journey, it’s clear that he has the determination and skill to carve out a fresh chapter in his baseball career. There’s something to be said for resilience in sports, and Naquin’s story is a testament to that spirit.