What lies ahead in Spring Training for the Guardians?
February 11, 2024 16 minutes ago
[ This story was excerpted from Mandy Bell’s Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. ]
The countdown is on.
In just a few short days, the sounds of metal cleats on concrete, baseballs cracking into the pocket of catcher’s mitts and thumping off of bats will radiate through the air in Goodyear, Ariz., as Spring Training action ramps up.
The wait is almost over, so let’s take a look at everything you need to know heading into Guardians camp:
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
The report date for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 12, and their first workout will take place on Feb. 15. Everyone else will report on Feb. 18.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Feb. 20.
Where is the team’s facility?
The Guardians’ Spring Training facility is located in Goodyear, Ariz. For those interested in stopping by for workouts, the address is 2601 S. Wood Boulevard.
Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, fans can stand in a fenced-in viewing area down the left- and right-field lines of Field 1 and left-field line of Field 2 at the Guardians player development facility. Spectators can also get a glimpse of the action in spots through the outfield fence at Fields 1 and 2. These designated areas are free and open to the public daily, usually after 9 a.m. local time.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
The biggest new face will be manager Stephen Vogt, who is replacing Terry Francona. When it comes to players on the 40-man roster, new additions include: right-handers Scott Barlow and Ben Lively, catcher Austin Hedges (although he’s hardly a new face), infielder Deyvison De Los Santos and outfielder Estevan Florial.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Those in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects on the Guardians’ 40-man roster:
• No. 1 Brayan Rocchio, SS/2B
• No. 3 Daniel Espino, RHP
• No. 5 George Valera, OF
• No. 6 Juan Brito, INF
• No. 10 Angel Martínez, INF
• No. 11 Joey Cantillo, LHP
• No. 12 Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B/1B
• No. 15 José Tena, SS
• No. 25 Johnathan Rodriguez, OF
• No. 29 Jhonkensy Noel, OF/3B/1B
The non-roster invitees:
• No. 2 Kyle Manzardo, 1B
• No. 20 Tanner Burns, RHP
• No. 21 Petey Halpin, OF
KYLE MANZARDO
When is the team’s first Cactus League game?
As always, the Guardians will open Cactus League play with a matchup against the Reds on Feb. 24. Because the two clubs share a home field, Goodyear Ballpark, the teams rotate who serves as the home/away teams. For the opener, the Guardians will be the home team and the Reds will be the away club.
What are a few other notable spring games?
The Guardians could see the Dodgers’ newest star, Shohei Ohtani, on March 1 at Camelback Ranch at 8:05 p.m. ET. They will also face their Opening Day opponent, the A’s, on March 7 at 3:05 p.m. at Hohokam Stadium. Cleveland will face two AL Central foes on five different days:
• March 2 vs. Royals, 3:05 p.m. ET
• March 8 vs. White Sox, 3:05 p.m. ET
• March 15 at Royals, 4:05 p.m. ET
• March 18 at White Sox, 4:05 p.m. ET
• March 21 vs. Royals, 4:05 p.m. ET
What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
Think of MLB’s Futures Game but with more prospects from your favorite team in an intimate environment like Spring Training. MLB will be introducing Spring Breakout this year, which is a four-day event showcasing baseball’s future: The current stars of Minor League Baseball. A series of 16 exhibition games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization’s top 20-25 prospects between March 14-17 in both the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues.
The Guardians prospects’ Spring Breakout game is scheduled for March 16 against the Reds prospects at Goodyear Ballpark, with Cleveland serving as the away team.
BRAYAN ROCCHIO
Will the team’s games be televised?
As the Guardians are working through the details with their television deal for the 2024 season, they have yet to finalize their spring broadcast schedule. The hope is that this will be confirmed and publicized in the early days of camp.
When is the club’s last game in Arizona?
Cactus League play will conclude with a matchup against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on March 24, at 4:05 p.m. ET. This time, the Guardians will serve as the away team.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
The Guardians will travel down I-10 from Goodyear to Phoenix to compete in two exhibition games against the D-backs before regular season play gets underway. The first game is scheduled for March 25 at 9:40 p.m. ET and the second is slated for March 26 at 3:40 p.m. ET at Chase Field.
What are the details for Opening Day?
Vogt is all too familiar with the Guardians’ Opening Day location. Just two years ago, he was ending his career in Oakland by hitting a home run in his final at-bat. Now, he’ll begin his managerial career at Oakland Coliseum, as the Guardians face the A’s on March 28 at 10:07 p.m. ET, beginning a 10-game road trip to begin the season.
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