Josh Naylor: A Unique Swing Path and Unpredictable Success
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Josh Naylor's recent performance in the Mariners' game against Toronto showcased his unique ability to hit high, away pitches. This is a remarkable feat, considering the low success rate of batters in this zone. Naylor's swing path, or tilt, is particularly flat as he reaches up and away, which seems to be a key factor in his success.
Naylor's swing path is a stark contrast to the general trend of batters who swing at high, away pitches. In 2025, batters who swung at these pitches whiffed 36% of the time and made poor contact. However, Naylor swung at these pitches 39% of the time, whiffed just 22% of the time, and posted a 46% hard hit rate and a .380 xBA when he made contact.
This is a significant achievement, considering that there are only 14 hits by lefty batters in the entire Statcast era on pitches at least four feet high and a foot off the center of the plate. Naylor's ability to hit these pitches is even more impressive when considering his overall batting style.
Naylor chases out of the zone more than most, whiffs out of the zone less than most, doesn't walk or strike out frequently, and has a quality of contact that isn't impressive. However, his max exit velocity is one of the 10 best of 2025, and he's one of the slowest players in the league. He's also one of the best base stealers in the league and a top 10 first baseman in the game today.
Naylor's unique swing path and unpredictable success make him a fascinating player to watch. His ability to hit high, away pitches is a testament to his skill and adaptability as a batter. While his overall batting style may not be conventional, his success in this specific zone is undeniable.
