Josh Naylor made his Seattle Mariners cleanup debut Friday night in a game against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first appearance in the Mariners lineup after being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move came swiftly, as Naylor took his place at first base and in the fourth batting spot against Angels right-hander José Soriano.
The Mariners sent Julio Rodríguez Jr. Mastrobuoni down the roster to create a spot for Naylor, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter who had already demonstrated strong performance this season. Before joining Seattle, Naylor was named a 2024 All-Star and carried a .292 batting average, along with a .360 on-base percentage, an .807 OPS, 11 home runs, 19 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and 59 RBIs across 93 games played for the Diamondbacks.
For Naylor, his debut came at a ballpark familiar to him. In his previous appearances at Angel Stadium, playing with Cleveland and Arizona, he posted solid numbers: in four games in 2023, he collected four hits in 11 at-bats, including a home run, a double, and five RBIs, while also drawing three walks. Back in 2021, he similarly went 4 for 11 with a home run and two RBIs at the same venue.
Strategic Slotting in the Mariners’ Batting Order
Seattle positioned Naylor in an impactful spot within their lineup, batting him cleanup between Cal Raleigh, the MLB home run leader, and Randy Arozarena, another 2025 All-Star who has been on an impressive hot streak. Just a day before Naylor’s debut, Arozarena added a home run during Seattle’s 4-2 victory over the Angels. His recent surge includes hitting .298 with 11 home runs, three doubles, five walks, 19 RBIs, and an outstanding 1.088 OPS over the last 22 games.
Arozarena’s 11 homers since June 30 tie him with Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez for the most home runs in MLB during that period, highlighting the competitive strength Seattle hopes to bolster with Naylor’s arrival.
Pitching and Lineup Details for the Mariners
On the mound for Seattle on Friday was All-Star right-hander Bryan Woo, tasked with starting the game at 6:38 p.m. The Mariners’ full lineup for the night included key names supporting Naylor’s integration into the team’s offensive strategy.
Fans were able to catch radio coverage of the game through Seattle Sports, which began its pregame show at 5:30 p.m. The series between the Mariners and Angels continued with additional games at the same time on Saturday and concluded with an earlier 1:07 p.m. game on Sunday.
Context Surrounding Seattle Mariners’ Current Season Moves
Seattle’s roster adjustments and trade talks have sparked broader discussions about the team’s prospects and needs. Observers have noted the significance of the Mariners’ 2018 season, which Ichiro values highly despite sitting out that year.
Prospect evaluations, such as Keith Law’s endorsement of Cole Young as Seattle’s top trade prospect, provide insight into the team’s asset pool and potential future moves. The Mariners have also highlighted a pressing need at third base, a position that remains central to ongoing trade considerations.
Interestingly, recent performances by other MLB teams have indirectly influenced Seattle’s position. For example, the Astros’ sweep of the Diamondbacks may have altered the trade landscape in a way that benefits the Mariners. Additionally, speculation includes the possibility of Seattle turning to the Mets to improve their third base situation.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Josh Naylor rock the baby?
A. I don’t aim to direct anything at anyone intentionally. It’s mainly to motivate the team and boost their energy. Naylor mentioned that it was never something personal. The people in Cleveland really enjoyed it.