New Guardians catcher excited for mentor role

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Mike Zunino knows there will be more to his role than taking on the bulk of the innings behind the dish for the Guardians in 2023.

The team made the one-year deal with the former Rays backstop official on Thursday afternoon. In a Zoom call with local media, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti explained that the plan will be for Zunino to serve as the starting catcher, assuming he remains healthy as he bounces back from July surgery due to thoracic outlet syndrome. But Antonetti was quick to clarify one thing: The organization is still extremely excited about No. 5 prospect Bo Naylor.

Naylor was in a tough spot. He got just a taste of the big leagues this past year, playing in five games and tagging along to soak in the postseason atmosphere. But with that quick cup of coffee combined with only half a season at Triple-A Columbus, Cleveland was not ready to throw the starting role on Naylor’s shoulders. It didn’t seem beneficial for his development or for the team’s needs.

The fact that the Guardians signed a veteran catcher like Zunino to a one-year deal proves that Naylor is still the plan for the future. And now Zunino will be responsible for playing a part in his journey.

It’s not too often that a player gets signed and also has an understanding that an up-and-coming prospect will need some guidance. Maybe some wouldn’t like the idea of having those extra responsibilities. Maybe some wouldn’t take the time to worry about another player, especially when they’re trying to find their own footing in a new organization.

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

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

Mentors were difficult to come by last year. The Guardians’ roster was the youngest in the Majors for the entirety of the 2022 season. Bryan Shaw, Anthony Gose and Luke Maile were the only three players who were in their 30s for all 162 games. José Ramírez and Austin Hedges joined the select group halfway through the season. Adding more veterans to a mix of promising youth will make differences that don’t show up on stat sheets.

Zunino is ready for that leadership role.

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

Naylor has already proven to be eager to learn. He worked tirelessly last offseason to fix his swing after a shaky offensive season in 2021. That effort paid off. Now he’s looking to improve his Spanish (a language he recently took up) to better connect with all of his pitchers. And most of all, he’s ready for more than five games in the big leagues to show that he’s poised for the next step.

Zunino is known for his ability to lead a staff and his solid defense. In an All-Star season in 2021, he showed he can bring some power to the table as well by hitting 33 homers. But the experience he’s already had working with a younger roster -- similar to Cleveland’s -- with the Rays will certainly prepare him for his new team. And if he’s anything like his reputation, Zunino could be crucial in setting Naylor up to flourish in the future.

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