This prospect can be the answer to the Cleveland Guardians catcher issues

When Bo Naylor was called up to the major league roster in 2023 for everyday reps, many hoped he would be the answer to the many struggles the catcher position was harboring.

Instead, the Cleveland Guardians would have their issues at the plate only magnified further.

The tandem of Naylor and veteran Austin Hedges have kept a strong hold on the defensive metrics, but the bats have gone silent. With the American League Central race remaining highly contested, Cleveland faces a critical question: Is it time to look another direction at catcher?

Once hyped as a future cornerstone catcher, Naylor has endured offensive disappointment.

From his call-up to the current season, Naylor has slashed a line of .202/.286/.381, showing very little discipline and power at the plate. He is currently averaging just 29 walks to 80 strikeouts per season.

In 2025, he's posted a career-worst batting average of .171 through 211 total at-bats. After being at a 1.4 bWAR in 2023, his bWAR has shot down to 0.5 this season.

Just like Naylor, Hedges has been great behind home plate, but when standing up with a bat in hand, the struggles are yet again evident.

He boasts an elite talent for framing that helped lead the Texas Rangers to a 2023 World Series title, but his hitting has always been a struggle. Across his career, he has maintained a batting average in the low .200s with minimal power and on-base production.

During his five total years with Cleveland, his slash line sits at .160/.222/.260 for a total OPS of .482. With his hitting issues, his bWAR comes in at -1.3.

Hedges' value really only exists in his game-calling and ability to handle just about any pitcher throwing his way.

When both of your primary options at catcher produce little to nothing offensively, it creates a major hole in the lineup.

With the Guardians fighting to pick up a Wild Card spot and stay competitive in the AL Central, they cannot afford to hold up that kind of dead weight in the hitting department.

Enter Cooper Ingle to solve the Guardians' catching issues.

The 23-year-old catching prospect has been quietly making waves in the Guardians' minor league system for the past few seasons.

Unlike Naylor and Hedges, Ingle offers contact hitting and on-base speed. He has shown an advanced approach at the plate, rarely chasing pitches and consistently being able to put the ball in play.

Through three seasons in minor-league ball, he has slashed .296/.416/.470 with an OPS of .885. Most recently, the organization has rostered him with the Double-A Akron Rubberducks.

In 2025, he has 75 hits, 23 doubles, nine home runs and an impressive 42 RBI. His eye at the plate has also remained incredible, with 52 walks drawn to just 58 strikeouts, something that has been very important to his growth.

Defensively, he is still working to get used to the professional game, as he is just in his third season. Coming out of college, scouts raved about his ability to be athletic behind the plate and move with speed.

So far behind home plate this season, he has an 98.7% fielding mark with six errors. Fortunately, he has made up for those errors by throwing out roughly 22% of base runners.

Not only does he have the attributes, but he also has shown mental strength, with an impressive work ethic. With continued reps, there is no doubt his defense can improve further.

So, why should the Guardians wait?

Since Ingle is just a few seasons removed from playing college ball at Clemson, the Guardians may want to give him more time to get adjusted to professional ball. That's reasonable. However, time is currently not on Cleveland's side.

The offense has been among the weakest in the league, at one time sitting 29th in runs scored, and the catcher position has reached its breaking point.

The organization has to weight development against opportunity, and while Ingle may not be a polished defender just yet, his knack for making contact at the plate would provide a major spark to the current lineup.

Giving Cooper Ingle a shot is not just about keeping the team competitive. It is about developing a catcher alongside a veteran like Hedges to help mentor him in the majors.

If the Guardians decide against Ingle taking a leap this season to the majors, many expect to see the reliable catcher up in Triple-A in due time.