• Full name Joseph Elias Naranjo
  • Born 05/11/2001 in Whittier, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: L
  • School Ayala
  • Drafted in the 3rd round (101st overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2019 (signed for $770,000).
    View Draft Report
    Long regarded as the best pure hitter from Southern California in his class, Naranjo showed power with a long home run at Globe Life Park during the States Play series last summer and gained increased attention. He followed up with a strong senior season that included a home run in front of numerous evaluators at the Boras Classic. Naranjo draws comparisons to Dominic Smith and Jake Bauers as a 6-foot tall first baseman with excellent feel to hit and questions about his power. Naranjo takes an advanced approach to the plate and has superb bat-to-ball skills. He squares up both velocity and secondary stuff and projects to hit for a high average, with some scouts projecting him as to be a potential plus hitter. Naranjo’s power is average, which makes him a tough profile at first base. He is a plus defender at first base with smooth glovework, and he’s playable in right field. Naranjo gets a bump from Bauers’ and Smith’s success and is in day two draft consideration for some teams. He is committed to Cal State Fullerton.

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Career Transactions

  • Akron RubberDucks placed 1B Joe Naranjo on the 7-day injured list.
  • 1B Joe Naranjo and assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Lake County Captains.
  • Akron RubberDucks activated 1B Joe Naranjo.
  • 1B Joe Naranjo and assigned to Cleveland Guardians.

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