Baseball not all that’s on Texan Naquin’s mind

Clippers outfielder Tyler Naquin should be excited because he is a sure thing to be called up when the Cleveland Indians are permitted to expand their roster from 25 players to 40 on Friday.

This, though, has been one hard week for anyone who calls Texas home.

Naquin lives just outside College Station in Iola, and the area has been hit by Hurricane Harvey. Luckily, his house has been spared from flooding.

“It has been emotional seeing this,” he said after a 5-1 loss Wednesday night to the Toledo Mud Hens at Huntington Park. “You watch the news and see the president there. Our old house had a little bit of trouble, but it wasn’t bad at all.

“My dad and brother weren’t able to get to their boats to help the people who are stranded. They had to watch all that craziness going on. They were talking 30 inches of rain in a day and a half — just crazy. People have died.”

This could have been one stormy season for Naquin, but he hasn’t allowed the disappointment of being sent down on April 14 ruin his development. In 75 games with the Clippers, he is batting .296 with nine home runs and 46 RBI and has a healthy .356 on-base percentage.

In 2016, Naquin finished third in American League rookie of the year balloting after batting .296 with 14 homers and 43 RBI in 116 games with the Indians. He played in 11 postseason games, including five in the World Series.

“If my name is called, it will be called and I will be ready to go up there,” he said. “I’m trying to stay consistent and stay with it. Some people say there are two options — to take it or to cower. I have only one option, and that is to take it and run with it. I am committed to this. That’s how I was raised. I can’t live any other way.”

Naquin, 26, was chosen in the first round of the 2012 draft out of Texas A&M. It took him only 3½ seasons to get to the big leagues.

Manager Chris Tremie said Naquin has worked hard.

“Tyler has been consistent and has continued to stick with it,” he said. “He has stayed on the ball more, especially of late. He has shown improvement in the outfield in right field and center. His attitude has been great here.”