which all means that the pitching prospects are being recharged after the graduating class of 2023

Friday Lineup:

Kwan hitting 375 OPS 875
Ramirez 333/833
J Naylor 429/858
Laureano 333/833
Giminez 125/250
Arias 333/833
Brennan 250/1125
Hedges 250/1250
Fry 143/714

7 of 9 OPS over 800/ the bottom 2 in the order has each hit a homer!

Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 2/29/24

ARTHUR KINNEY

MAR 1

Game 6 - Los Angeles Angels 4, Cleveland Guardians 1

STARTERS WHO REACHED BASE (I guess that's one way to look at it when you only get 4 hits)

Chase DeLauter (LF): 0-1, 1 BB - While the prospect-laden lineup made for an unremarkable day of baseball for the Cleveland nine, the big story was on the lineup card itself as DeLauter earned the start in only the sixth game of the spring despite officially being in Minor League Camp. I say “officially” as he has remained in Major League Camp even as Depth Camp has given way to Minor League Camp proper earlier this week. At this point, the Guards such just officially recognize Chase’s meteoric rise and extend him an official Non-Roster Invite and the red-lettered Nike jersey that comes with it. (For those who don’t know, Guardians Minor League Camp guys get Rawlings jerseys with their last name in white on the back.)

Johnathan Rodriguez (RF): 0-1, 1 BB,1 K, 1 CS - While sans the spectacular backstory, J-Rod had a nearly identical statline to DeLauter.

OTHER STARTERS

Brayan Rocchio (SS): 0-3

Jhonkensy Noel (1B): 0-2

Juan Brito (2B): 0-2

NOTABLE RESERVES

Daniel Schneemann (3B): 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K - Schmeemann scored the only Guardians run of the day on a triple by DH Will Brennan (who played the entire game) after reaching base immediately beforehand on the only other extra-base hit the Guardians got on Thursday in Tempe.

Alexfri Planez (RF): 1-1 - Planez continued his hot start to the Spring (1.400 OPS) with one of only four Guardian hits on the day.

OTHER RESERVES

Petey Halpin (CF): 0-1, 1 K

Milan Tolentino (SS): 0-1

Kyle Manzardo (1B): 0-1, 1 K

Micah Pries (LF): 0-1, 1 K

RELIEVERS

Tim Herrin: L (0-1), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 1 HR allowed - The infamous “one bad pitch” ruining an otherwise solid outing rears its ugly head for the first time in 2024…

Mason Hickman: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 2 K, 1 HR allowed - …and made an encore appearance five frames later.

Tanner Burns: 1 IP, 3 BB, 1 K - Burns, on the other hand, emerged from the bottom of the fifth unscathed despite walking the bases loaded

DRESSED BUT DID NOT PLAY

Cs Eric Rodriguez and Joe Donovan

IFs Dayan Frias and Kahlil Watson

Ps John Doxakis, Jordan Jones, Randy Labaut, Hunter Stanley, and Lenny Torres Jr.

Raynel Delgado (2B): 0-1, 1 K

<

Gavin Williams Is Off To An Impressive Start In Spring Training

By Andres Chavez March 1, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians had a trio of impressive young starters in 2023.

Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen took all the headlines and deservedly so, dominating in their first taste of major league hitters.

Williams started off his season with 14.1 absolutely dominant Double-A innings, in which he had a 0.63 ERA and struck out 20 hitters.

Then, in Triple-A, his ERA “jumped” to 2.93 in 46 frames.

Then the Guards called him up and he responded with a brilliant 3.29 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 82 innings.

Big things are expected from him in 2024, and he is off to a terrific start in spring training.

“#Guardians RHP Gavin Williams faced seven batters today striking out four making his spring debut vs the Angels including this strikeout of Mike Trout. Line – 2.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 4SO,” Guardians Prospective tweeted.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1763317238801580364

That’s actually dominant stuff from Williams: only a walk stood between him and a perfect spring outing.

He is looking dominant and is one of the most exciting young arms in the American League.

The Guardians have so much depth that they might elect to send Williams to Triple-A to open the year, but that would be the wrong choice.

He is, quite comfortably, one of the best five pitchers in a Guardians rotation that also has Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Bibee, Allen, Xzavion Curry, Ben Lively, Hunter Gaddis, and Carlos Carrasco as options.

With the best combination of five hurlers from that group and a few breakout performances on the offensive side, there is a chance Cleveland makes the playoffs this year after their disappointing 76-86 showing in 2023.

<

GUARDIANS

Carlos Carrasco’s scoreless outing not enough as Guardians fall, 6-4, in spring training loss to Dodgers

Updated: Mar. 01, 2024, 11:59 p.m.|Published: Mar. 01, 2024, 11:54 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Guardians righty Carlos Carrasco walked Shohei Ohtani in the first inning and allowed a two-out single to Miguel Rojas in the second, but escaped with a scoreless outing Friday against the Dodgers in a 6-4 spring training loss to Los Angeles at Camelback Ranch.

Carrasco, making his second exhibition start, faced seven batters, retiring four on ground outs and one on a fly out. Hunter Stanley relieved Carrasco with Rojas at first base and struck out Miguel Vargas to end the inning.

The Dodgers took the lead in the third on Ohtani’s RBI single off Guardians righty Tyler Beede. It was Ohtani’s second hit and third RBI of the spring.

David Fry put Cleveland in front in the fifth with a two-run single off Nabil Crismatt. Fry’s line drive to center scored Will Brennan and Gabriel Arias who had reached base on a walk and a single respectively. Brennan and Arias executed a double steal to get into scoring position for Fry.

The Guardians added a pair of runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Juan Brito and an RBI single by Jose Tena. Petey Halpin tripled to lead off the inning against LA’s J. P. Feyereisen, and Chase DeLauter added a double for his fourth hit in seven spring at-bats.

But the Dodgers scored five times in the eighth inning to surge ahead, capped by Austin Gaither’s grand slamm off Guardians righty Tyler Zuber.

Next: The Guardians return to Goodyear on Saturday to face the Kansas City Royals 3:05 p.m. EST. The game will air on WTAM 1100 and the Guardians Radio Network.

<

José Tena drills an RBI single to left field | 03/01/2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/jos ... efault-vtp

<


David Fry smacks a two-run single up the middle | 03/01/2024

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/dav ... efault-vtp

<

Austin Hedges' Impact On Guardians Young Catchers

Austin Hedges will have an important role on the Cleveland Guardians whether he's on the field or in the dugout.

TOMMY WILD March 2, 2024 2 HOURS AGO

The roles have been reversed for Austin Hedges. The last time he was a member of the Cleveland Guardians he was the everyday starter. Now, he takes a backseat and will assume more of a mentor role for the team.

Obviously, this means helping Bo Naylor become the best big league backstop he can be. Both Naylor and Hedges have talked about this budding partnership.

However, there's another catcher on Cleveland's roster who could see his fair share of time at the catcher position. This would be utility man David Fry. In fact, Fry came into spring training as primarily a catcher.

Hedges will do his part to help not only Bo but also Fry learn what it takes to be a major league catcher. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt broke down the impact that Hedges is having on Fry.

"He's already helped David a lot," said Vogt. "David has made unbelievable strides. I didn't know him last year, but just watching videos from last year to where he is. He looked unbelievable [against Seattle] catching. That's a testament to his hard work, to the coaching, and Hedgey's support."

Hedges' impact will be felt behind the plate, but it doesn't stop there. Vogt made sure to highlight this as well.

"He's gonna play a role for us, and it's going to be really important. We've talked and Austin knows he's equally as important when he's not playing. That's chatting with our starting pitching when they're not pitching, it's helping Bo how to navigate a full season as a catcher for the first time, being a leader in the clubhouse, being that loud and fun guy that keeps the energy up."

<

5 Guardians prospects to watch in the final weeks of spring

March 1st, 2024

By Mandy Bell

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The calendar has officially flipped to March. Evaluations of players will become more critical, roster battles will heat up and pitchers’ workloads will gradually get heftier as Opening Day grows near.

But one of the best parts about Spring Training is not only seeing the stars prepare themselves for a 162-game season -- it’s also a time to get eyes on the future. Whose debuts could be just around the corner? Who is giving fans a reason to be excited? Let’s take a look at five names to watch over the final weeks of camp.

1B Kyle Manzardo
Likelihood of making the Opening Day roster: Average

Manzardo is going to do everything he can to prove he belongs on this roster from Day 1. The Guardians have a complicated situation on their hands with Manzardo and Rule 5 Draft pick Deyvison De Los Santos. If De Los Santos makes the team, carrying two first basemen behind starter Josh Naylor doesn’t make a lot of sense. If De Los Santos doesn’t make the team, maybe the Guardians will opt to have Manzardo start the year with the big league club.

So far, Manzardo has done just about everything he can to make a strong impression on his new big league coaching staff. In his first four Cactus League games, he’s gone 3-for-5 with a walk and has caught the attention of nearly everyone who has seen him step into the batter’s box.

OF Chase DeLauter
Likelihood of making the Opening Day roster: Low

DeLauter’s debut is still a ways off (although 2024 is not out of the question), but he’s giving every reason to get excited about what he’s going to do once he’s called on. DeLauter had a late start to his professional career after having surgery on his foot last January. Once he came back, he was as advertised and continued his success through the Arizona Fall League.

With some question marks in the Guardians’ outfield, it’s only a matter of time before his Minor League performance demands big league consideration. He’s not even technically in big league Spring Training since he’s just part of their depth camp to fill in late in Cactus League games, but he’s gone 4-for-7 with a monstrous homer and a walk in the time he’s gotten to play.

SS Brayan Rocchio
Likelihood of making the Opening Day roster: Mid-to-high

The term that should be used is “slightly above average.” The shortstop job seemed to be Gabriel Arias’ to lose since the offseason began. However, the Guardians expressed open-mindedness to giving Rocchio an equal look this spring, especially knowing the offensive struggles Arias went through last year.

Spring stats hardly mean anything when coaches and managers are evaluating a player, but Rocchio still has gone just 1-for-7 in his first three games after an impressive campaign in Venezuela over the winter. The Guardians talked to the shortstop about making routine plays consistently last season, and he has had one hiccup in the field thus far, but it’s nothing that would take him out of the competition. If Rocchio can prove he’s the better option over Arias in these final weeks, he could be the starting shortstop on Opening Day.

INF Juan Brito
Likelihood of making the Opening Day roster: Low

Put Brito in the DeLauter category. It’s not quite his time yet, but the excitement is building. He’s hitless in his first six Cactus League games, but the Guardians are optimistic about his approach at the plate despite having nothing to show for it so far. What’s really been impressive is seeing his defense in action, whether he’s playing in the middle infield or even at third base. There’s a reason the Guardians wanted to trade a former top prospect in Nolan Jones to acquire Brito. If you watch closely enough, you may see a future middle infielder for Cleveland.

RHP Cade Smith
Likelihood of making the Opening Day roster: Average

There’s an opening for Smith; he just needs to showcase why he deserves it. Assuming the Guardians carry eight relievers, there are three open slots to fill in the bullpen. Guys like Carlos Carrasco, Xzavion Curry, Ben Lively, Tyler Beede, Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis will all be fighting for those vacancies. Although Smith doesn’t have Major League experience yet, he’s been impressive in the Minors and could be someone the Guardians choose to lean on, especially since he’s already on the 40-man roster.

<

After a rocket double from MLB's No. 31 prospect Chase DeLauter, a fellow prospect José Tena brings him home.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1763767745681006621

<

On cue, DeLauter doubles to left.

Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 3/1/24

ARTHUR KINNEY

MAR 2

Game 7 - Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Cleveland Guardians 4

Reserves Who Reached Base

Petey Halpin (LF): 1-3, 3B, R, Halpin had a triple down the right field line in his second at bat, showing plus run times out of the box. He flew out and struck out in his other two at bats. He made a nice play in LF going back on a deep fly ball where he sort of had to make a few extra turns, but he got there.

Chase DeLauter (CF): 1-2, 2B, K - DeLauter smoked a double to left center field late in the game. It wasn’t against any Dodgers regular pitchers, but it was a good piece of hitting. He made a solid catch in centerfield where he wasn’t too challenged to go get it, but it was a low enough line drive where a decent read had to be made on it to get into position.

Jose Tena (2B): 1-1, RBI, BB - Tena put together two solid at bats late in the game and drove in a run with a ground ball single to left.

Angel Martinez (SS): 1-1, 2B - Martinez shot a double down the right field line for a nice late-game extra base hit. He had a few chances at short to make some flashy plays but was unable to come up with them. They certainly were not routine but plays that would have been nice resume builder for his prospect status.

Michael Berglund (PH): 1-1 - Berglund had an infield single in the ninth on a grounder pinch-hitting for David Fry.

OTHER RESERVES

Juan Brito (3B): 0-0, BB, RBI - Two really strong at bats for Brito. He hit a sac fly to life to score Halpin and then worked a walk at the end of the game. It wasn’t off a Dodger regular arm but he sill took some very close pitches.

Alexfri Planez (RF): 0-2, K - Planez has been an extra on the MLB roster nearly everyday, which is interesting. He took some BIG swings yesterday and came up empty.

Bryan Lavastida (C): 0-1

Connor Kokx (PR)

RELIEVERS

Hunter Stanley: 0.1 - Stanley came on to finish the second inning for Carrasco who had reached his pitch limit. He struck out Miguel Vargas running his fastball up to 94.

Ross Carver: 0.1P - I was excited to see Carver get into a game. He threw one pitch and the Guardians picked a runner off of first base. It was a 93 MPH fastball and Carver was done.

Cade Smith: IP, 2K -Smith was put in too late to see any Dodgers regulars, but he was throwing 95-97 with good ride and his split/change was falling off the table. Not a lot of good swings off of him in his inning of work.

Nic Enright: 0.1IP, K - Enright came on to finish the bottom of the eighth after Zuber’s rough outing. He was up to 94.

DRESSED BUT DID NOT PLAY

RHP Franco Aleman: This was a bummer. Camelback Ranch has a radar gun on the scoreboard and I was looking forward to seeing what his velo was in March.

RHP Lenny Torres Jr

C Kody Huff

INF Christian Cairo

INF Milan Tolentino

Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

<

News and Notes: Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez Hit Doubles

News and Notes for Saturday, March 2nd, 2024

By Quincy Wheeler Mar 2, 2024, 8:52am EST

The Guardians lost late to the Dodgers, 6-4. It was another lackluster offensive showing, but Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez hit doubles off a Quad-A pitcher for the Dodgers, for what that’s worth. David Fry also had a hard hit 2-run single (again, off a Quad-A pitcher). Carlos Carrasco looked fine, Cade Smith looked good, and Tyler Beede gave up some hits but also struck out four batters. Ramon Laureano took a couple walks and Juan Brito also showed his plate discipline with a base on balls.

Shane Bieber will pitch today for the Guardians, with Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen due to take the mound in split-squad matchups on Sunday.

<

Guardians Prospect Turning Heads During Spring Training

Cleveland Guardians: Stephen Vogt says he's been "really impressed" with how Angel Martinez has started spring training.

TOMMY WILD March 3, 2024 2 HOURS AGO

The headline position battle in spring training for the Cleveland Guardians is between Brayan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias for shortstop. However, another prospect is forcing the organization to take notice of him.

This would be Cleveland's 10th-ranked prospect (MLB Pipeline) Angel Martínez.

Martínez has played in five games through the first week of spring training action and has received nine at-bats. In those appearances, he's already hit one home run, a double, recorded five total hits, and only struck out twice.

There's no one else more important to notice your production than the manager and Stephen Vogt has recognized Matínez's value

"Angel has had a great start to spring this year," said Vogt. "You know, his at-bats have been really well, but his baserunning has been outstanding. He's gone first to third a number of times now. He's playing really well, and made some good plays in the field. I've been really impressed with Angels camp so far."

Martínez split his time between Double-A Akring and Triple-A Columbus in 2023. He finished the season in Columbus and hit .268/.320/.401 with an OPS of .721 in 37 games. It feels safe to say that Triple-A is where Martínez will start the season, but at some point, the Guardians will have to give him a shot if he keeps swinging the bat like this.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1761879112510042305

It still feels like Rocchio or Arias will be the Opening Day starter at shortstop. However, Martínez is certainly keeping the pressure on both of them considering neither has made a lasting impression.

The best thing for a prospect to do is to make your manager take notice of the little things you're doing to impact winning. That's exactly what Martínez is doing and Vogt has acknowledged it.

<

None of the established major leaguers have done anything noteworthy, nor have the competitors for CF RF or SS
DeLauter and Martinez have been the impressive hitters. Manzardo has been on base regularly but not displaying early power.
Overall, this is certainly not a start to spring training to get fans excited about what lies ahead
What we can hope for is some healthy innings by Bieber and McKenzie; and a return soon by Bo Naylor.

Personally I am very excited about what lies ahead ! Glasnow was almost non hittable yesterday.