New Guardians catcher excited for mentor role

This story was excerpted from Mandy Bell’s Guardians Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.

Mike Zunino is aware of there will likely be extra to his function than taking over the majority of the innings behind the dish for the Guardians in 2023.

The group made the one-year deal with the previous Rays backstop official on Thursday afternoon. In a Zoom name with native media, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti defined that the plan will likely be for Zunino to function the beginning catcher, assuming he stays wholesome as he bounces again from July surgical procedure as a result of thoracic outlet syndrome. But Antonetti was fast to make clear one factor: The group remains to be extraordinarily enthusiastic about No. 5 prospect Bo Naylor.

Naylor was in a tricky spot. He received only a style of the large leagues this previous 12 months, taking part in in 5 video games and tagging alongside to soak within the postseason environment. But with that fast cup of espresso mixed with solely half a season at Triple-A Columbus, Cleveland was not able to throw the beginning function on Naylor’s shoulders. It didn’t appear useful for his growth or for the group’s wants.

The proven fact that the Guardians signed a veteran catcher like Zunino to a one-year deal proves that Naylor remains to be the plan for the longer term. And now Zunino will likely be answerable for taking part in a component in his journey.

It’s not too usually {that a} participant will get signed and likewise has an understanding that an up-and-coming prospect will want some steerage. Maybe some wouldn’t like the concept of getting these further duties. Maybe some wouldn’t take the time to fret about one other participant, particularly once they’re looking for their very own footing in a brand new group.

But Zunino didn’t suppose twice. He had been a part of Cleveland’s membership for all of two hours and he already knew Naylor’s story, and he knew he needed to be part of it.

“I just want to help him grow,” Zunino mentioned. “I want to be a mentor to him.”

Mentors had been tough to come back by final 12 months. The Guardians’ roster was the youngest within the Majors for everything of the 2022 season. Bryan Shaw, Anthony Gose and Luke Maile had been the one three gamers who had been of their 30s for all 162 video games. José Ramírez and Austin Hedges joined the choose group midway by means of the season. Adding extra veterans to a mixture of promising youth will make variations that don’t present up on stat sheets.

Zunino is prepared for that management function.

“I’ve had some great catchers in my career be able to pass on what they know, their knowledge,” Zunino mentioned. “A little bit of those little things that can help you over the edge, help build relationships with pitchers.”

Naylor has already confirmed to be wanting to study. He labored tirelessly final offseason to repair his swing after a shaky offensive season in 2021. That effort paid off. Now he’s seeking to enhance his Spanish (a language he lately took up) to higher join with all of his pitchers. And most of all, he’s prepared for greater than 5 video games within the massive leagues to indicate that he’s poised for the subsequent step.

Zunino is understood for his skill to guide a employees and his strong protection. In an All-Star season in 2021, he confirmed he can convey some energy to the desk as effectively by hitting 33 homers. But the expertise he’s already had working with a youthful roster — much like Cleveland’s — with the Rays will definitely put together him for his new group. And if he’s something like his fame, Zunino could possibly be essential in setting Naylor as much as flourish sooner or later.

“Ultimately, the game is about passing down what you know,” Zunino mentioned, “and I’m looking forward to start a relationship with him.”