When the Cleveland Guardians traded away Josh Naylor late last year, many fans and media members thought they had a ready-made replacement in Kyle Manzardo.
Offensively, Manzardo has the potential to be a bona fide starter.
However, there is a reason why Cleveland felt bringing in Carlos Santana was necessary.
There is also a reason why Manzardo has been limited to designated hitting duties almost exclusively this year.
On Thursday, it became evident when Manzardo committed not one or two, but three errors in the same inning.
“Kyle Manzardo committed 3 errors in the 3rd inning alone. The Blue Jays went on to score 3 runs off Tanner Bibee,” Just Baseball posted on X.
Kyle Manzardo committed 3 errors in the 3rd inning alone😬
The Blue Jays went on to score 3 runs off Tanner Bibee
pic.twitter.com/KNcZRcT5Ms— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 26, 2025
First, former Guardian Myles Straw hit a sacrifice bunt, and a fielding error by Manzardo made everyone safe.
Then, a few moments later, he couldn’t catch a pickoff attempt by Tanner Bibee and then made an awful throw home for errors two and three.
Yes, it was a bad look for Manzardo, but it’s also hard to blame him when he hasn’t had many reps to develop.
Having said this, his weaknesses were on full display on Thursday: his instincts aren’t top-notch, he is unathletic, and he is not sure-handed, among others.
If the Guardians want him to serve as an emergency first baseman, as they should, they have a lot of work to do with him.
With the bat, he has been a solid addition to Cleveland’s lineup, with 12 homers and a 107 wRC+ this year.
He has a solid shot at reaching 25 long balls, and the Guardians will certainly take each and every one of them.
He needs to do better with the glove, though.
NEXT: Tanner Bibee Sounds Off About Hit By Pitch Controversy
