Tyler Naquin

{{Infobox MLB player

| name = Tyler Naquin

| image = File:Tyler Naquin during warmups, Aug 05 2022.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Naquin with the New York Mets in 2022

| team = Cleveland Guardians

| number =

| position = Pitcher / Outfielder

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|4|24}}

| birth_place = Spring, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 5

| debutyear = 2016

| debutteam = Cleveland Indians

| statyear = 2023 season

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .263

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 61

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 237

| teams = * Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2020}})

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2022}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2023}})

| awards =

}}

Tyler Wesley Naquin ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɒ|k|æ|n}} {{respell|NOK|an}};[https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1381768863499575302 Joey Votto correctly pronouncing Tyler Naquin's surname, Cincinnati Reds on Twitter, Monday, April 12, 2021.] Retrieved April 29, 2022.[https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/07/07/correct-way-pronounce-reds-outfielder-tyler-naquin-name/7890085002/ Nightengale, Bobby. "People have mispronounced Tyler Naquin's name throughout his entire career," The Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, July 7, 2021.] Retrieved April 29, 2022. born April 24, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher and outfielder in the Cleveland Guardians organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2016. Prior to playing professionally, Naquin played college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies. Originally an outfielder, Naquin transitioned to a pitcher prior to the 2025 season.

Early life and amateur career

Naquin attended Klein Collins High School in unincorporated Harris County, Texas,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naquity01.shtml|title=Tyler Naquin|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=July 8, 2016|location=Philadelphia|publisher=Sports Reference LLC}} where he played for the school's baseball team. He lettered in baseball for three years. He was twice honored as All-State, three times honored as All-District, and three times named All-Greater Houston.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatespringtx.com/briefs/9339-college-baseball-tyler-naquin-texas-a-m|title=Ultimate Spring|work=Ultimate Spring Tx|location=Houston|date=May 21, 2011|access-date=May 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616131333/http://www.ultimatespringtx.com/briefs/9339-college-baseball-tyler-naquin-texas-a-m|archive-date=June 16, 2013|df=mdy-all}} Naquin grew up a Houston Astros fan.{{cite web|url=https://topprospectalert.com/2012/08/26/interview-with-cleveland-indians-1st-round-pick-tyler-naquin/|title=Interview with Cleveland Indians 1st Round Pick Tyler Naquin|last=Admin|website=topprospectalert.com|access-date=June 13, 2019}}

The Baltimore Orioles selected Naquin in the 33rd round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. After considering signing with the Orioles, Naquin decided to enroll at Texas A&M University, to play college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.{{cite web|first=Brent|last=Zwerneman|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/A-M-provides-room-for-Naquin-s-big-bat-and-bigger-1690105.php |title=A&M provides room for Naquin's big bat and bigger arm|work=Houston Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Corporation|date=June 3, 2011|access-date=May 21, 2013|location=Houston}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/texas-aggies/20110504-carlton-texas-am_s-tyler-naquin-big-hit-streak-a-result-of-swinging-easy.ece |title=Carlton: Texas A&M's Tyler Naquin big hit streak a result of swinging easy|work=The Dallas Morning News|publisher=A. H. Belo Corporation|location=Dallas|date=May 4, 2011|access-date=May 21, 2013}} Naquin was named the Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=205154227|title=2011 All-Big 12 Baseball Awards Announced|work=Big 12 Conference|location=Irving, Texas|publisher=NCAA|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=July 8, 2016}}

Professional career

=Cleveland Indians=

File:Tyler Naquin 2019 (4).jpg in 2019]]

The Cleveland Indians selected Naquin in the first round, with the 15th overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120604&content_id=32756168&vkey=news_cle&c_id=cle |title=Indians select Texas A&M outfielder Tyler Naquin with 15th pick | indians.com: News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=June 4, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2013}} He signed and made his professional debut that season with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League, batting .270 in 36 games.

Naquin played for the Carolina Mudcats of the High-A Carolina League and the Akron Aeros of the Double-A Eastern League in 2013, hitting a combined .269 with ten home runs, 48 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 126 total games between both teams. After the 2013 season, the Indians assigned Naquin to the Arizona Fall League, and he participated in the Fall Stars Game.{{cite web|url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article/cle/bernie-pleskoff-indians-prospect-naquin-has-top-of-order-ability?ymd=20131111&content_id=63830042&vkey=news_cle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113211821/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article/cle/bernie-pleskoff-indians-prospect-naquin-has-top-of-order-ability?ymd=20131111&content_id=63830042&vkey=news_cle |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |title=Bernie Pleskoff: Indians prospect Naquin has top-of-order ability |publisher=Cleveland.indians.mlb.com |date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=November 15, 2013}} Naquin began the 2014 season with Akron, but suffered a broken hand in July.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2014/07/akron_rubberducks_lose_naquin.html|title=Akron RubberDucks lose Naquin, Wendle to hand surgeries -- Cleveland Indians Class AA Insider|work=Cleveland.com|date=July 4, 2014|location=Cleveland|publisher=Advance Publications|author=Plain Dealer Staff|access-date=April 29, 2015}} He required surgery, and missed the remainder of the 2014 season. In 76 games for Akron before his injury, he was batting .313 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. Naquin began the 2015 season with Akron.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-121129218|title=No. 5 Cleveland Indians prospect Tyler Naquin records third straight multi-hit game for Akron RubberDucks - MiLB.com News - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=April 29, 2015}} In June, the Indians promoted him to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple-A International League.{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/06/09/naquin-to-make-triple-a-debut.html|title=Tyler Naquin to make triple-A debut with Clippers|first=Jim|last=Massie|work=The Columbus Dispatch|location=Columbus, Ohio|publisher=New Media Investment Group|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2015}} However, a concussion and soreness in his right hip limited him to 50 games played with Columbus.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/03/how.html|title=How Tyler Naquin added muscle, pop this off-season: Cleveland Indians briefing|first=Paul|last=Hoynes|work=Cleveland.com|location=Cleveland|publisher=Advance Publications|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016}} In 84 games between Akron and Columbus, he slashed .300/.381/.446 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. After the 2015 season, the Indians added Naquin to their 40-man roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2015/11/cleveland_indians_add_5_player.html|title=Cleveland Indians add 5 players to 40-man roster, part ways with reliever C.C. Lee|work=Cleveland.com|location=Cleveland|publisher=Advance Publications|first=Zack|last=Meisel|date=November 21, 2015|access-date=March 28, 2016}}

After the 2015 season, Naquin remained at the Indians' facility in Arizona to engage in strength training. He competed for a spot on the Indians' 25-man roster during spring training in 2016,{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-168747540|title=Cleveland Indians prospect Tyler Naquin homers twice against the Kansas City Royals|work=Minor League Baseball|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016}} and was named to the Opening Day roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_indians_terry_franco_25.html|title=Tyler Naquin's sterling spring pays dividends; he'll be on the Opening Day roster|first=Zack|last=Meisel|work=Cleveland.com|location=Cleveland|publisher=Advance Publications|date=March 25, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016}} Naquin was named the American League Rookie of the Month for June and July 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/danny-salazar-tyler-naquin-win-al-awards-c187528108|title=Danny Salazar, Tyler Naquin win AL awards|work=MLB.com|access-date=August 20, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/08/is_tyler_naquin_the_frontrunne.html|title=Is Tyler Naquin the frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year? (video)|work=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2016}} On August 19, Naquin hit a walk-off inside-the-park home run to lead the Indians to a 3–2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He became the first Indians batter to hit a walk off inside-the-park home run since Braggo Roth, who accomplished the feat in 1916.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/08/19/naquin-hits-game-ending-inside-the-park-hr-indians-top-jays/89028826/|title=Indians walk off vs. Blue Jays on Tyler Naquin's inside-the-park home run|work=USA Today|date=August 19, 2016|access-date=August 20, 2016}} In 116 games, he hit .296 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs and 18 doubles, finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.{{cite news |last1=Florjancic |first1=Matthew |title=Cleveland Indians see improvement from Tyler Naquin |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-indians-see-improvement-from-tyler-naquin/95-422794738 |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=wkyc.com |date=March 15, 2017}} He reached the 2016 World Series with Cleveland, where they lost in seven games to the Chicago Cubs. In Game 6, with two outs in the first inning, Naquin misplayed a fly ball with Lonnie Chisenhall, leading to two Cubs runs. He later struck out with the bases loaded, missing a key scoring chance for Cleveland as they lost 9–3.{{cite news |last1=Marchand |first1=Andrew |title=Game 6: The worst night of Tyler Naquin's sporting life |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/76231/game-6-the-worst-night-of-tyler-naquins-sporting-life |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=ESPN |date=November 2, 2016}}

Naquin began 2017 with Cleveland. However, he was hampered with injuries and struggled with the Indians, and he only appeared in 19 games for Cleveland in which he hit .216. He spent the majority of the year with Columbus, where he slashed .298/.359/.475 with ten home runs and 51 RBIs in 80 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/tyler-naquin-571980|title=Tyler Naquin Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=June 24, 2018}} He played in 61 games for the Indians in 2018, hitting .264/.295/.356 with 3 home runs and 23 RBI.

In 2019 with Cleveland, Naquin played in 89 games, slashing .288/.325/.467 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, and 4 stolen bases.{{cite web | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naquity01.shtml | title=Tyler Naquin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More }} Overall with the 2020 Cleveland Indians, Naquin batted .218 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 40 games.{{cite web| url = https://www.mlb.com/player/tyler-naquin-571980?stats=career-r-hitting-mlb&year=2020| title = Tyler Naquin Stats, Fantasy & News {{!}} Cincinnati Reds| website = MLB.com}} Naquin was not tendered a contract for the 2021 season by the December 2, 2020, deadline, making him a free agent.{{cite news |last1=Hoynes |first1=Paul |title=Cleveland Indians and Tyler Naquin part ways; former No.1 pick not offered contract for 2021 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/12/cleveland-indians-and-tyler-naquin-part-ways-former-no1-pick-not-offered-contract-for-2021.html |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=December 2, 2020}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On February 18, 2021, Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization that included an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/reds-sign-tyler-naquin.html|title=Reds Sign Tyler Naquin to Minor League Deal|date=February 18, 2021 }} On March 29, 2021, Naquin was selected to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/reds-select-tyler-naquin-cam-bedrosian.html|title = Reds Select Tyler Naquin, Cam Bedrosian| date=March 29, 2021 }}

Naquin appeared in 127 games with Cincinnati in 2021, finishing with a .270 batting average, 19 home runs, and 70 RBIs.{{Cite web |title=Tyler Naquin Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naquity01.shtml |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

In 2022, Naquin appeared in 56 games for Cincinnati, posting a batting line of .246/.305/.444 with 7 home runs and 33 RBI.

=New York Mets=

On July 28, 2022, the Reds traded Naquin and Phillip Diehl to the New York Mets for minor league prospects Jose Acuña and Hector Rodríguez.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-naquin-phillip-diehl-mets-trade | title=Naquin trade presents Mets more lineup combos | website=MLB.com }} He played in 49 games for the Mets down the stretch, slashing .203/.246/.390 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On February 21, 2023, Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.{{Cite web|title=Brewers' Tyler Naquin: Gets minors deal from Milwaukee|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-tyler-naquin-gets-minors-deal-from-milwaukee/|access-date=2023-02-21|website=cbssports.com|date=February 21, 2023 |language=en}} In 40 games for the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, he hit .284/.333/.432 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI.{{Cite web|title=White Sox's Tyler Naquin: Acquired by White Sox|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-tyler-naquin-acquired-by-white-sox/|access-date=September 26, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 7, 2023 |language=en}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On August 7, 2023, Naquin was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations.{{Cite web|title=Milwaukee Brewers Trade Outfielder Tyler Naquin to Chicago White Sox|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/milwaukee-brewers-trade-veteran-outfielder-tyler-naquin-to-chicago-white-sox|access-date=September 26, 2023|website=si.com|date=August 7, 2023 |language=en}} In 28 games for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights, he batted .217/.294/.371 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. On September 26, 2023, the White Sox selected Naquin's contract to the major league roster after Luis Robert Jr. suffered an injury.{{Cite web|title=White Sox's Tyler Naquin: Added to big-league roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/white-soxs-tyler-naquin-added-to-big-league-roster/|access-date=September 26, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=September 26, 2023 |language=en}} Appearing in 5 games for Chicago, he went hitless in 8 at-bats. Naquin was released by the White Sox on October 3 following the waiver claim of Alex Speas.{{cite tweet|number=1709305044103823415|user=whitesox|title=The #WhiteSox have claimed right-handed pitcher Alex Speas off waivers from the Texas Rangers and released outfielder Tyler Naquin.|date=October 3, 2023}}

= Cleveland Guardians =

On March 6, 2025, Naquin signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians as a pitcher.{{cite news |title=Ex-outfielder Tyler Naquin signs with Guardians as a pitcher |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44141172/ex-outfielder-tyler-naquin-signs-guardians-pitcher |access-date=March 7, 2025 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=March 6, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Stebbins |first1=Tim |title=Ex-outfielder Naquin back with Guardians as pitcher |url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/tyler-naquin-signs-with-guardians-as-pitcher |access-date=March 7, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=March 6, 2025}}