Stephen Vogt Stays With Bo Naylor as Kyle Manzardo Waits

Bo Naylor was batting.138 with eight hits in 58 at-bats on April 25, yet Stephen Vogt kept him in the mix as the Guardians headed into Toronto. The choice shows Cleveland is still leaning on its 26-year-old catcher despite uneven results at the plate and behind it.

Vogt backs Naylor

After the Guardians were blanked 2-0 by the Astros on April 22, Vogt said Naylor was still hitting the ball hard. He added, “We don’t necessarily look at his batting average.”

That approach held even after Naylor went 0-for-3 with a walk in that loss. Vogt also said, “Bo worked a great walk in the ninth (on April 22). He’ll continue to work, continue to have good at-bats and he’s going to get it going.”

Guardians at the plate

Naylor’s line entering the Blue Jays game in Toronto included one home run and three RBI, with five walks and 14 strikeouts. He had also been charged with one passed ball, while five wild pitches got past him.

The defensive side has been part of the decision too. Naylor had allowed 10 stolen bases and thrown out two runners this season, a mixed return for a catcher the Guardians continue to use as their primary option.

Hedges changes the picture

The contrast is sharp. Cleveland was 9-0 when Austin Hedges started behind the plate, and 6-12 when Naylor or David Fry started there.

Hedges, 33, was hitting.267 with eight hits in 33 at-bats, with no home runs and two RBI. He had allowed seven stolen bases, had not caught a base stealer, and had not allowed a passed ball, with four wild pitches eluding him.

For now, Vogt is keeping the job with Naylor in play even as the numbers tilt toward a different result. The Guardians have a catcher situation that is being judged game by game, and the split between Naylor and Hedges leaves little margin for another stretch like the one that has already dragged the club to 6-12 in those starts.