1st base

Latest On Guardians, Rhys Hoskins

By Nick Deeds | February 22, 2026 at 9:38am CDT

Veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins is in the Guardians’ clubhouse today, as first reported by Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Hoskins is in Guardians gear and MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins adds that he also has a locker in the clubhouse. While a deal between the sides has not yet been officially reported, those appear to be strong indications that Hoskins is joining the organization.

More to come.

Guardians To Sign Rhys Hoskins To Minor League Deal

By Nick Deeds | February 22, 2026 at 9:54am CDT

9:54am: Hoskins and the Guardians are finalizing a minor league deal, according to Meisel. Meisel goes on to report that the Boras Corporation client will receive a $1.5MM salary if he makes Cleveland’s MLB roster.

9:38am: Veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins is in the Guardians’ clubhouse today, as first reported by Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Hoskins is in Guardians gear and MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins adds that he also has a locker in the clubhouse. While a deal between the sides has not yet been officially reported, those appear to be strong indications that Hoskins is joining the organization.

Hoskins, 33 next month, spent six seasons in Philadelphia as one of the more reliably above-average corner bats in the game. He managed to make up for low batting averages by consistently flashing 30-homer pop and keeping his walk rate above 10%. After a 2022 campaign where he slashed .246/.332/.462 with 30 homers in 156 games, Hoskins figured to be a key figure in the Phillies’ lineup headed into 2023 when those plans were abruptly scuttled by an ACL tear that wiped out his entire season. That lost season led Hoskins to reach free agency as something of an unknown quantity, but he ultimately found a two-year deal with the Brewers that afforded him the opportunity to opt out after the 2024 season.

The veteran appeared in 131 games for Milwaukee during that first season but didn’t hit at his typical levels, with a slash line of just .214/.303/.419 and a wRC+ of 101. While he was still good for 26 home runs, a career-high 28.8% strikeout rate sapped much of the value Hoskins had offered during his days in Philadelphia. That down season was enough to convince Hoskins to remain in Milwaukee for 2025, but he was limited to just 90 games this past season due to a sprained thumb. The good news is that when he was on the field, his production ticked back up to be more substantially above league average. In 328 trips to the plate last year, Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with a wRC+ of 109. While Hoskins’s power numbers were the weakest of his career, his strikeout rate ticked down to 27.7% while his walk rate crept up to 11.6%, his highest level since 2020.

[ Low Risk - High Reward - Didn't cost any prospects - That's a good thing I guess ]

more to come:

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Hoskins, Guardians agree to Minors deal (source)

8 minutes ago

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- One of the top questions hanging over the Guardians’ offseason was how they would improve an offense that collectively struggled in 2025. With Cactus League play underway, Cleveland is set to make its biggest addition of this winter.

The Guardians and first baseman Rhys Hoskins are finalizing a Minor League deal that includes an invitation to big league Spring Training, a source told MLB.com on Sunday.

The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical that is expected to be completed in the coming days. It would be worth $1.5 million if he makes Cleveland’s Opening Day roster.

Guardians Six Packs for the 2026 season are on sale now!
Hoskins was already in the Guardians' clubhouse at their player development complex in Arizona on Sunday.

As the Guardians weighed lineup additions this offseason, their top consideration was how a given move would impact the opportunities they want to give their up-and-coming players this year. Hoskins’ addition will have ripple effects in the position-player mix, but it should raise the floor of Cleveland’s lineup given his track record of production.

Over eight seasons with the Phillies and Brewers, Hoskins hit 186 home runs and logged an .819 OPS.

The Guardians’ first-base mix includes Kyle Manzardo, CJ Kayfus and David Fry. Manzardo bulked up this winter, as the club wanted him to physically prepare to play first base four or five days per week. Kayfus can play first and right field, and Fry entered Spring Training as a right-handed complement to the mix, in addition to his presence as a third catcher.

The DH spot offers manager Stephen Vogt flexibility, and Steven Kwan potentially seeing time in center field this season would open playing time in the outfield corners for Kayfus and others. But Hoskins now figures to be first in line to serve as a right-handed complement to Manzardo at first.

That could be fruitful for Cleveland’s offensive production, given how the club has just four right-handed hitters on its 40-man roster and Hoskins’ track record

RYS HOSKINS FIRST HOMER 2025 SEASON

https://youtu.be/gjp-qAReHhQ

RYS HOSKINS HOMERS AGAIN

https://youtu.be/F5dREIOn_LE

RYS HOSKINS TURNS 3-6-3 DP

https://www.mlb.com/brewers/video/brewe ... in-the-3rd

Tim Stebbins covers the Guardians for MLB.com.

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Guardians bring Rhys Hoskins to camp on minor league deal pending physical

Published: Feb. 22, 2026, 11:31 a.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Guardians have finally added a right-handed hitter to balance their lefty-leaning lineup.

They have come to terms on a minor league deal with veteran first baseman-left fielder Rhys Hoskins. The Guardians have not confirmed the deal and he has to pass a physical.

Hoskins, 32, played the last two years with Milwaukee. Last season he hit .237 (66 for 229) with 12 homers and 43 RBI. He appeared in 90 games.

The 6-3, 240-pound Hoskins spent the first six years of career with the Phillies.

More to come on this post

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The 6-3, 240-pound Hoskins spent the first six years of his career with the Phillies.

“We’ve signed Rhys Hoskins to a minor league deal, so he’ll be in camp,” said manager Stephen Vogt on Sunday morning. “We’re very excited. Rhys Hoskins has had a great career to this point. We’re going to acclimate him to camp.

“He’s got a chance to come into camp, make an impact and possibly make the team. He’s a right-handed bat who can play first base and DH. Obviously, we don’t have a lot of right-handed bats in camp.”

The Guardians have left-handed hitters Kyle Manzardo and CJ Kayfus at first base and DH. Kayfus can play the outfield as well. Hoskins offers the Guardians an opportunity to platoon him at first and DH.

Hoskins missed the 2023 season after undergoing ACL surgery on his left knee.

It’s unclear if he’ll see any time in the outfield. He has not played the outfield since 2018 with the Phillies.

Last season Hoskins hit .244 (47 for 193) with eight homers and 29 RBI against right-handers. Against lefties, he hit .221 (19 for 86) with four homers and 14 RBI.

“He has a great track record of providing offense,” said Vogt. “Any competition is welcome. Whether that impacts the outfield or the infield we’re excited.”

On the 40-man roster, the Guardians have only nine right-handed hitters and five of them are switch-hitters. Among the outfielders on the 40-man roster, switch-hitting Angel Martinez and Johnathan Rodriguez are the only right-handed hitters.

Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Brewers before the 2025 season. The Brewers declined his $18 million option for 2026.

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Analyzing the Rhys Hoskins Add for the Guardians

Right-handed slugging in this economy?

by Quincy Wheeler

Feb 22, 2026, 2:45 PM CST

The Guardians added a right-handed bat, finally, bringing Rhys Hoskins in on a minor-league deal today.

First, the reasons the team is bringing Hoskins in:

The price is right. The team doesn’t have to guarantee Hoskins a roster spot while also only owing him $1.5M if he makes the team.

Hoskins is 33 years old, which is not young but not old for a baseball player. This is not a 39 year-old Carlos Santana signing.

Even in a bit of a down year for him compared to his career 121 wRC+, Hoskins still put up a 109 wRC+ last season, which would have been third-best among Guardians’ players who got 300 or more plate appearances in 2025. He also has a 137 wRC+ against left-handed pitching for his career. Some have noted that his wRC+ against southpaws is only 109 in 2024-2025, but it’s generally wiser to look at his career numbers when there is a large enough sample size. I’d expect that Hoskins, if healthy, will be capable of putting up something closer to his career 137 wRC+ against LHP than the 109 of the past couple years.

Hoskins had his best year defensively since 2019 in 2025, putting up 2 Defensive Runs Saved and 1 Out Above Average at first base. This is a solid indicator of a player not willing to rest on past achievements, but willing to work to continue to contribute as his career wanes.

Hoskins had his lowest chase-rate in six years in 2025 (19.9% out-of-zone swing rate) and the highest hard-hit rate of his career (46.4%). These are decent indications that he still has potential to be the 120 wRC+ hitter he has been for his career for another season if healthy and given the opportunity.

Most importantly, the addition of Hoskins provides needed depth in several areas. First of all, if neither David Fry nor Juan Brito are looking at their best, either or both can be optioned to Columbus. CJ Kayfus, now, can provide much needed depth in left and right field, given the potential for either (or both) of Chase DeLauter or George Valera to be affected or limited by injury concerns. I realize that some folks are concerned that Kayfus and Valera, especially, may not get the opportunities they deserve, but, it’s important to remember that good teams, playoff-contending teams, need the depth to make sure they do not have to rely on every young player to succeed, every injured player to be healthy, and every long-shot cause to pay off.

I think the player this addition affects most is likely Johnathan Rodriguez. Hoskins is very likely a better DH option than Rodriguez will be, and I think the Guardians are likely correct in that assessment. Hoskins also gives the useful aspect of being an average defender at first (vs. Rodriguez being a terrible defender everywhere). This move also probably makes Nolan Jones more of a depth piece than a relied upon starter, which is good news.

I expect that as long as Hoskins is healthy, he will make the Opening Day Roster, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to see David Fry become an option in right field, despite Vogt’s earlier indications that he wouldn’t be. The collection of hitters for Opening Day seems likely, at the moment, to be:

C - Bo, Hedges, Fry
1B - Manzardo and Hoskins
2B - Arias or Brito
3B - Jose
SS - Rocchio
LF - Kayfus or Valera (or Kwan, if centerfield doesn’t pan out)
CF - Kwan (or Jones or DeLauter if Kwan is in left)
RF - DeLauter (or Valera or Kayfus if Kwan is in left)
Utility Infielder: Daniel Schneemann (or Gabriel Arias if Brito makes the team)
Utility Outfielder: Stuart Fairchild or Angel Martinez

The good news is that Fry, Kayfus, Rodriguez, Schneemann, and Valera all have options and can be useful depth in Columbus as need be. Nolan Jones, also, can probably be designated for assignment and passed through to Columbus if he doesn’t make the roster (though I suspect he would probably be traded, insead). This is important for a team that wants to have the piece necessary to survive the grind of a 162-game season while maintaining a consistent level of offense.

Finally, Hoskins had a wRC+ of over 130 last season before he injured his thumb a couple months into the season. Seems a reasonable chance that healthy thumb Hoskins can be that kind of threat again. Choosing the Guardians as his minor-league deal option means Hoskins thinks he has a good shot to make the roster here.

I feel much better about the Guardians’ offseason. I’d like to see Randal Grichuk also brought into camp to add to the competition for right-handed outfielders, but this is enough to call off the worst of the dogs in terms of Guardians’ offseason inactivity for me. Last second heave by Chris Antonetti with the game clock expiring - and it’s good!

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George Valera Shows Off Power In Win On Sunday

February 22, 2026

By Jimmy Swartz

George Valera is picking up right where he left off.

The Cleveland Guardians outfielder delivered a loud statement in Sunday’s 6-0 spring training win over the Athletics, launching his first home run of the spring and helping power the offense in an impressive all-around performance.

Valera finished the day 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a home run. His blast accounted for an early spark in a game where Cleveland steadily built separation. For a player looking to solidify his role, the swing was a reminder of the raw power that has long made him one of the more intriguing bats in the system.

The Guardians lineup generated 12 hits in the shutout victory. Daniel Schneemann chipped in two hits, Ralph Velazquez went 2 for 2 with two RBI, and Kyle Manzardo added a hit and a run scored. Nolan Jones and Stuart Fairchild also crossed the plate as Cleveland controlled the game from start to finish.

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Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 2/21/26

We are so back!

Justin Lada

Feb 22, 2026

Scoreboard

Cleveland Guardians 4, Cincinnati Reds 2
Cleveland Guardians 9, Milwaukee Brewers 6

Starters

Chase DeLauter (CF): 2-3 - Very interesting to see DeLauter handle CF in the first game of the spring. They needed a lot of bodies to cover the two games having a split squad game. He even got three at bats, which is also surprising for the first game, but maybe more necessitated by the split squad set up. But he came through it well and had a couple of nice hits, including a 101 MPH single. He also had a 107 liner off the bat that turned into an out, but he booked it out of the box pretty well. Good start to the spring for DeLauter.

Travis Bazzana (2B): 0-2, BB, K, RBI - The only ball Bazzana put in play in this one was a 99.4 MPH flyout that went 356 feet opposite field. Statcast said this would have been a homer in 11/30 MLB ballparks. He swung at the first pitch in his first at bat. He put a good swing on a 1-2 pitch. Bazzana did later take a called strike three on a 1-2 count on a slider. Maybe most surprising but a good sign is that with the bases loaded, Bazzana swung at a 3-0 pitch. It was a strike and a foul ball. But that is rarely the kind of aggression at the plate Bazzana shows, but not a bad sign for him if you want to see him be a little less passive. A solid first game at the plate overall. He saw 13 pitches in three plate appearances, so just under four per PA.

George Valera (DH): 1-2, BB - Valera notched a solid hit and drew a walk, also getting three plate appearances in his first game. But not a shock that the DH spot would get more than two plate appearances.

Juan Brito (2B): 0-2, K - Brito had a tough day at the plate facing Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, looking caught in between on a lot of his swings vs. them. Two really good young arms. But those are arms you want to see Brito facing in spring. We’re not going to worry about results in spring training, but the at bat quality or swings maybe could have been better. It was eight pitches over the two at bats, so that’s still four per. He looked fine at second base in no real challenging plays. So there is that.

Petey Halpin (LF): 0-2, BB - Didn’t see a single strike in the plate appearance he drew a walk.

Notable Reserves

Cooper Ingle (C): 1-2, HR, 3 RBI - Ingle smoked a 104 MPH homer that went 390 feet. Arizona can sometimes add a little more exit velo because of the environment. But still pretty good. He also was 0-1 throwing out a runner and allowed a passed ball, so that was a bit tougher.

Jaison Chourio (CF): 0-2 - Jaison got to play a few innings opposite his brother, Jackson, in the Milwaukee game.

Angel Genao (SS): 0-1, BB - A nice little debut for Genao despite no hits. His lineout was 100 MPH and went 360 feet. Solid data. He saw 13 pitches in two plate appearances. He had a seven pitch plate appearance in his walk but the walk came from a pitcher pitch clock violation. Genao also challenged and lost an ABS call.

Jose Devers (3B): 1-2, K - Did strike out, not surprisingly so, but also had a 104 MPH single. Devers does surprisingly generate some good exit velos for his size.

Jacob Cozart (DH): 1-2, K - A 110 MPH single for Cozart, though it was beat into the ground as he took his plate appearances at DH with Hedges, Ingle and even Huff on this roster at catcher.

Kahlil Watson (CF): 1-1, BB - Nice day for Watson, who made some nice reads in centerfield, fighting the high sun, and then had a single on a good swing the other way. He even drew a walk. He would have had a stolen base if there wasn’t a batters interference called on the steal.

Ralphy Velazquez (1B): 0-2 - No hits for Ralphy in his first official big league spring training invite, but his flyout was 105 off the bat and 352 feet. Maybe some of the Arizona air carried that one as far as it went, but we’ll take it. Chris Antonetti also mentioned him on the broadcast as well as someone they’re excited about this year.

Alex Mooney (2B): 1-2, 3B, K - Tripled thanks to the Reds left fielder diving and missing the ball.

Pitchers

Doug Nikhazy: 2IP, BB, K - Got two whiffs on his changeup but did end up with a walk in his 24 pitches over the two innings.

Tanner Burns: IP, BB

Steven Perez: 0.2IP, H, 2BB - Not a great first major league spring training debut by Perez, who was 93-94 and had a hard time locating his slider.

Cam Schuelke: 0.1 IP, K - Came in with the bases loaded and befuddled Cam Collier at the plate and even Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus on the broadcast with an inning ending strikeout.

Jack Jasiak: IP, 2K - Averaged 94 with his fastball and got two whiffs on his slider.

Hunter Stanley: IP, K

Izaak Martinez: 0.2IP -

Ryan Webb: 1.1IP, 4H, 2ER, K - Looks like Webb has added a sinker and a cutter to his fastball arsenal, which makes sense with a lighter four seam.

Jack Carey: 0.2IP, H, BB - The first official Cleveland org appearance by a minor league Rule 5 pick this offseason.

Jack Leftwich: IP, 2K - Averaged 94 with the fastball and got a whiff with that and a slider, and we also saw a splitter, so that’s interesting for Leftwich.

Matt Jachec: IP, BB, K

Zane Morehouse: IP, 2H, 2ER, BB, K - Averaged 94 with his fastball.

Xavier Martinez: IP, 2BB, K

Other Reserves

Kody Huff (1B): 0-1, BB, K - Saw 13 pitches in two plate appearances. Surprising he saw time at first base instead of catching, but Hedges and Ingle got the first crack at those reps.

Wuilfredo Antunez (RF): 0-1

Alfonsin Rosario (RF): 0-2, K

Dayan Frias (SS): 0-1

Milan Tolentino (SS): 0-1, BB - Tolentino walked but the notable play was this diving stop at short.

Cam Barstad (PR-DH): 0-0, BB

Joe Lampe (RF): 0-2, 2K

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Guardians’ David Fry returns after two Tommy John surgeries and one broken face

Updated: Feb. 22, 2026, 6:49 p.m.|Published: Feb. 22, 2026, 6:42 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

MESA, Ariz. — David Fry couldn’t wait to get back behind the plate with no restrictions. The last game he caught was on July 23, 2024, against the Tigers.

He did it with a painful right elbow that he knew would have to be repaired after the season. But that’s all history now. Sunday was about Fry’s return in the Guardians’ 6-0 spring-training win over the A’s at Hohokam Park.

“It’s just such a blessing that I get to do it again,” said Fry. “I’ve had two TJs (Tommy John surgeries) and a broken face and now I get to go back out there and catch and throw. It was so cool.”

Fry caught five innings on Sunday. He even went out to warm up the pitcher for the sixth inning before manager Stephen Vogt finally managed to get him out of the game.

Regarding his two Tommy John surgeries, the most recent came in October of 2024. The first one came in 2018 when he was in college at Northwestern State University.

The broken face came courtesy of a 99 mph Tarik Skubal fastball to the face on Sept. 23, 2025. He suffered nasal and facial fractures that required surgery.

“My face is great,” said Fry. “It’s healed up and prettier than ever.”

The one thing Fry didn’t get to do Sunday was throw to the bases. He tried to pickoff Jeff McNeil after he walked in the second inning, but added, “McNeil was about a foot off the bag. I just wanted to throw the ball. But our pitchers were too good and didn’t give up baserunners. I just wanted to backpick somebody and get back to being a real catcher.”

Fry made a couple of high hard throws back to left-hander Parker Messick, who started and pitched two scoreless innings.

“Fry has a cannon,” said Messick with a smile. “He looked good back there. He gives you a big target.”

In the early part of spring training Vogt has repeatedly said how great it is to see Fry throwing free and easy to the bases.

“For so long he was wondering how much his elbow would hurt when he threw,” said Vogt.

Fry, a right-handed hitter, gives the Guardians three catchers along with Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges. Although Fry can play other positions, the Guardians want him concentrating on catching for most of spring training. With Naylor headed for Team Canada and the World Baseball Classic, there will be no shortage of innings.

Vogt is big on players taking leadership roles. He said Fry has embraced the role.

“Last year he could have easily said I just want to make sure that my elbow comes back and I’m ready to play in 2026,” said Vogt. “No, he couldn’t wait to get back in that clubhouse and contribute at the plate.

“It’s a very selfless act. To have him back healthy and being able to catch is a huge boost. When he joined us in New York last year (after being activated on May 31), we noticed a big change. It was a huge lift for our guys.”

When Fry did rejoin the Guardians last year, all he could do was DH or pinch-hit. Once again, he couldn’t wait.

“I just wanted to come back and help anyway I could,” said Fry. “I knew I wouldn’t play a position last year. I knew it would be just a hitting thing.

“I was all about it. I didn’t know if they wanted to bring me back (as just a hitter) because of the roster. To get to be part of that historic run in winning the division, to sit in on the catcher’s meetings and help prepare for the game (was great).”

Fry went 0 for 3 on Sunday, but his bat wasn’t needed. The Guardians finished with 12 hits, including two by prospects Ralphy Velazquez and Khalil Watson. Velazquez also made a leaping catch at first base of a high throw from shortstop Angel Genao to end the second inning after Messick loaded the bases with three straight two-out walks.

George Valera started the scoring with a homer to right field in the fourth. Velazquez added a two-run single later in the inning.

Messick and relievers Codi Heuer, Will Dion, Franco Aleman, Tommy Mace, Alaska Abney and Magnus Ellerts combined on a four-hit shutout.

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Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report: 2/22/26

A fine day for Ralphy Velazquez

Justin Lada

Feb 23


Scoreboard
Cleveland Guardians 6, Athletics 0


Starters

George Valera (RF): 1-3, HR, RBI, 2K - After a strikeout vs Luis Severino, Valera popped a 104 MPH, 389 foot homer off veteran journeyman reliever Joe Kuhnel.

Ralphy Velazquez (1B): 2-2, BB - 20 year old Ralphy Velazquez got his second consecutive start in the first two games of spring training and had himself a good one. He notched a 111 MPH single off Luis Morales, a young and exciting MLB arm that debuted in 2025, and then a softer, but well placed single off Kuhnel. He also worked his walk, a six pitch at bat, vs. Severino. A good day for Velazquez with results and based on the competition he faced. These are the things I think are worth paying attention to in spring training. Opportunities, at bat quality, and competition faced. Velazquez checked all the boxes in this one for a good day and something to actually think about.

Travis Bazzana (2B): 0-2, K - On the other side of things, it was a mixed bag for Bazzana, who also received his second consecutive start in as many games of the spring. In what I will count as an interesting and good development, is that Bazzana ripped at the first pitch he saw from Severino and hit is 93 MPH - not sexy, but ended up on with an error. Swinging at the first pitch is rare for Bazzana, but a good sign to start maybe trying to get a pitch he likes and go after it. Something we do need to see more of from him. Later, he struck out on six pitches and swung at one, but it is worth noting he was down 0-2 and worked it back to a 3-2 count (although the next three pitches were pretty clearly bad) He did later fly out on a 100 MPH flyball that went 360 feet. So far Bazzana has had a few fly balls that were just a little short of being a homer, but he might have gotten some aid of the Arizona ball traveling more on those. Close, but a mixed bag.

Angel Genao (SS): 1-3, 2K - Thanks to the split squad game on Saturday, Genao was another prospect who got in two straight games, but this was his first official spring start. His 95 MPH single also came off Morales. He struck out on seven pitches, looking, to Severino, on a pitch he probably should have challenged. But he challenged a pitch on Saturday and lost, so he was probably a little gunshy. He might have also gotten a bad call on his later at bat too against former Guardian Michael Kelly and ended up striking out swinging.

Parker Messick (SP): 2IP, 3BB, K - Messick didn’t allow a hit but needed nearly 40 pitches and walked three in his first outing of the spring. His fastball was 93 which is about where he normally has been. He got two whiffs on it as well as whiffs on his great changeup and a sinker that is new-ish.

Notable Reserves

Kahlil Watson (CF): 2-2, R - Another solid day at the plate for Watson who came in late and had a 105 MPH single and ended up with a 98 MPH triple off two younger arms. But he saw 14 pitches across those two at bats and came away with two hits, so a nice day overall.

Joe Lampe (LF): 0-2, 2BB - Saw 10 pitches, took two swings and ended up on first base twice with a pair of walks.

Will Dion (RP): 2IP, H, 3K - He did average 91 with his fastball, which is better than his usually 88-90. He even managed to get two whiffs on it in a solid outing.

Franco Aleman (RP): 1IP, 2H - Averaged 95 with his fastball and got two whiffs on the slider and had a scoreless outing, though no strikeouts and two hits.

Tommy Mace (RP): IP, K - Shockingly, Mace was 94-95. He’s usually 90-92 but has his 94 in the past as a starter. It’s a very metrically light and hittable fastball. And I’ve seen spring training velo increases from him before and it hasn’t stuck. Fool me once…

Alaska Abney (RP): IP, H, BB - Two days in a row Cleveland rolled out their weird submarine arms in back to back games.

Magnus Ellerts (RP): IP, K - Got up to 96 and got two fastball whiffs in this one to close it out.

Other reserves

Dayan Frias (3B): 0-2, RBI, K

Alfonsin Rosario (RF): 0-2, 2K - Two days in a row with a lot of whiffs in Rosario’s spring games.

Jacob Cozart (C): 0-2

Cameron Barstad (DH): 1-2, K

Jose Devers (2B): 1-2, K

Alex Mooney (SS): 0-0, HBP

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Ralphy Velazquez is turning heads at Guardians spring training — and he’s just getting started

Updated: Feb. 23, 2026, 2:52 p.m.|Published: Feb. 23, 2026, 2:45 p.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The scores don’t matter in February. Everybody knows that. What matters is who steps forward and announces themselves — and in the opening weekend of Guardians Cactus League play, one name announced itself louder than anyone else.

Ralphy Velazquez. Former No. 1 pick. Prospect first baseman. And, as of this weekend, one of the most talked-about player in the Guardians camp.

On the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, beat reporters Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga broke down a first weekend that delivered plenty of reasons for optimism — from Nolan Jones’ four-RBI performance against Milwaukee, to David Fry’s triumphant return behind the plate following elbow surgery, to George Valera’s home run against the Athletics. But Velazquez was the story that kept resurfacing, and for good reason.

Hoynes set the table for what happened in Mesa against the A’s: “Velazquez had a really good game against the A’s. Two RBIs, went first to third twice and drew some, some nice words from manager Stephen Vogt.”

Two RBIs. Going first to third — twice. Already earning praise from the manager. For anyone who has followed Velazquez’s development through the Guardians’ system, this weekend felt like a turning point. But what struck Noga most wasn’t the production — it was the physical transformation.

“He’s really sort of developed and he’s a lot bigger than I thought. This is a kid who can hit the ball out of the ballpark too,”* Noga said on the podcast.

That last line matters. Velazquez is not just a contact hitter grinding out singles. He’s a former catcher who outgrew the position, was moved to first base, and has since grown into a frame that now generates legitimate over-the-fence power. Those 112 mph line drives that fell in for singles this weekend? That’s the low end of his damage range.

And here’s what really got Vogt excited, according to Hoynes: the speed. Going first to third twice in a game is a statement for any player. For a 6-foot-3 first baseman, it’s a revelation. But the moment that may have said the most about where Velazquez is heading came not with a bat in his hands — but with a high throw sailing above his head and two outs, bases loaded.

Hoynes described what happened next on the podcast: *“He saved Parker Messick a lot of trouble when he made a leaping catch at first base of a high throw from shortstop with two out and the bases loaded. If he doesn’t catch that, the A’s are still running today.”

Situational awareness. Athleticism. Clutch execution. That’s not a prospect going through the motions in February. That’s a player who knows the stakes and rises to meet them.

The Guardians had a lot to feel good about over the opening weekend. Parker Messick, Logan Allen, and Joey Cantillo all got their first looks in the battle for the final rotation spots, and even a shaky inning from Messick — who walked three straight after retiring five straight — couldn’t dim the overall positive tone coming out of Goodyear. The pitching staff, the defense, the baserunning — all of it was trending upward in the early days of camp.

But Velazquez was the breakout story, and the podcast is where you heard it first and heard it best.

Don’t miss the full episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes are breaking down every standout moment from the first weekend of Cactus League action. This is the essential listen for Guardians fans who want to stay ahead of the curve.

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The Guardians are already weaponizing the ABS challenge system — and turning strikeouts into home runs

Updated: Feb. 23, 2026, 2:55 p.m.|Published: Feb. 23, 2026, 2:48 p.m.

By Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — What if the most important skill in baseball right now isn’t bat speed, spin rate, or exit velocity? What if it’s knowing exactly when to tap your helmet?

The Guardians are betting on it. And the opening weekend of Cactus League play delivered a vivid, undeniable example of why this team could gain a genuine competitive advantage through the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system — well before the rest of baseball fully figures out how to use it.

On the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, beat reporters Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga dove deep into what they witnessed over the first three Cactus League games, and their ABS breakdown is the most compelling piece of baseball strategy analysis you’ll hear this spring.

The moment that crystallized everything came in the sixth inning of the Sunday game against Oakland. Hoynes walked listeners through it step by step: “Cooper Ingle, one of the young catchers in camp, was down in the count. There was a strike call that made it 0-2. He challenged the strike call, and it was turned into a ball. So he gets back into the count at 1-1. He takes another ball to make a 2:1. Then he hits a three run homer.”

Read that sequence again slowly. A challenge overturns a call. A near-certain out becomes a live at-bat. Three pitches later, the ball is clearing the fence for three runs. This is not coincidence. This is a plan being executed.

Earlier in the weekend, the Guardians ran the same concept from the pitching side. With Austin Hedges behind the plate and Joey Cantillo on the mound, Hedges challenged a ball call by the umpire. The replay confirmed it — a perfect changeup right at the bottom of the strike zone — and the challenge resulted in a strikeout. The Guardians went 4-for-6 in challenges in a single game against Milwaukee. That’s not luck. That’s preparation.

Manager Stephen Vogt has been explicit about the team’s philosophy, and Hoynes made it clear on the podcast: “His whole concern about using the ABS is not to accumulate personal stats, but to use it to find ways to win games. And those were two examples of it.”

That distinction is everything. This isn’t a player looking to protect his batting average. This isn’t a catcher protecting his pitcher’s ERA. It’s baseball decision-making weaponized for winning outcomes, applied at the exact right moment.

But perhaps the most fascinating dimension of the conversation — and it’s one that Noga nailed on the podcast — is the generational divide this system creates within the game itself. Veteran catchers like Austin Hedges and Bo Naylor are being asked to learn something that doesn’t feel natural. Younger players are arriving in the big leagues having grown up with it.

As Noga explained: “Right now you’re sort of trying to retrofit guys like Hedges and Naylor who have been in the big leagues the last couple of years and really haven’t had that experience. So guys like Cooper Ingle, this is going to be second nature to them when they arrive in the big leagues.”

This is the hidden long game. Teams that develop ABS fluency in the minors and deploy it strategically in the majors will have an edge that compounds over time. The Guardians — a franchise that has built its modern identity on squeezing more value out of less — appear to understand this earlier and more completely than most.

The early return of four successful challenges from six attempts in one game isn’t just a fun spring training number. It’s a proof of concept for a competitive strategy that could quietly become one of Cleveland’s most significant advantages in 2025 and beyond.

The full breakdown — the specific plays, the coaching philosophy, and what it means for how Cleveland intends to win games this season — is all waiting for you in the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast.

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