The Cleveland Guardians usually do well in the MLB Draft.
However, until people get to see the players, it’s all wishful thinking and speculation.
With that in mind, ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel dug deep into the tape and the numbers to assess how the Guardians actually did.
Notably, he identified three intriguing picks and potential sleepers in Ohio:
“Sleeper to watch: Aaron Walton (No. 66 overall) and Wil Hynes (No. 70 overall) both went a bit higher than I expected, and Nelson Keljo (sixth round) went a bit later than I expected. Walton has a power/speed combo with enough contact skills and he might stick in center field at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Hynes is a lanky 6-2 prep righty who is polished but might not have a plus pitch. Keljo is a 6-4 lefty with solid-average stuff that was OK as a starter but might fit better in shorter stints,” McDaniel wrote.
The Guardians have a long-standing tradition of finding and developing middle infielders with a knack for contact and solid defense, but it looks like they’re finally transitioning into a new era.
Following years of struggles on offense due to a lack of power, they’ve now shifted their focus towards physical specimens and potential sluggers.
They’re looking to add more firepower on the corners, and while they raised some eyebrows for taking several seemingly-equal prospects, they just hope to find people who can rake the baseball out of the park.
Granted, these things take time; the fans can’t expect to jump to conclusions early on in their careers.
You can’t change a team’s entire approach to the farm system overnight, and it will take a while before they start reaping what they’re sowing at the moment.
This team has also been known for being way too patient with their prospects, sometimes to a fault.
The fans have questioned that approach and believe it’s always been related to finances.
Whether that’s the case or not is not for us to say, but one thing’s for sure:
This time, the Guardians have a bright future ahead.
NEXT: Guardians Urged To Extend Key Outfielder
