The Cleveland Guardians struggled offensively at times during the 2025 season, but there are early signs that the lineup could look much improved heading into 2026. While spring training statistics are often taken with caution, the Guardians’ performance so far in camp has given some reason for optimism.
Last season, Cleveland finished with one of the lowest team batting averages in Major League Baseball. The Guardians hit just .226 as a team in 2025, a number that made it difficult for the offense to consistently produce runs. That type of production is something the organization clearly hopes to leave behind as it builds its roster for the upcoming season.
According to Cleveland.com insider Paul Hoynes, the early results in spring training suggest the offense may be trending in the right direction.
“It should because it’s hard to imagine another team hitting .226 for an entire season as the 2025 Guardians did,” Hoynes wrote.
Although spring training numbers can be misleading, Cleveland’s lineup has produced solid results through the first portion of camp. In their first 21 games, the Guardians are hitting .249 as a team, which ranks ninth in the American League. The club has also scored 113 runs during that stretch, placing them sixth in the AL.
Power production has also shown improvement compared to last season. Cleveland has hit 22 home runs so far this spring, ranking seventh in the league, while the team’s .776 OPS also sits seventh in the American League.
Those numbers may not tell the full story of what the regular season will bring, but they do provide some encouragement for a team looking to strengthen its offense.
Hoynes also pointed out that Cleveland’s lineup could become deeper depending on how the roster ultimately shapes up.
“The lineup should be deeper if outfielders Chase DeLauter and George Valera make the roster,” Hoynes wrote.
Both players represent part of the organization’s next wave of young talent and could bring additional offensive upside if they are included in the Opening Day lineup.
Another interesting name mentioned as a potential contributor is veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Currently in camp on a minor league deal, Hoskins offers the type of right-handed power that could help balance Cleveland’s lineup if he earns a roster spot.
Hoynes noted that Hoskins’ presence could provide additional protection in the middle of the order.
“Rhys Hoskins is on a minor league deal, but he’s a veteran right-handed hitter who could add protection and balance in the middle of the lineup,” Hoynes wrote.
While it remains too early to draw firm conclusions from spring training performance, the early signs suggest the Guardians’ offense could be more productive in 2026. If young players continue to develop and the lineup gains additional balance, Cleveland may be able to avoid the offensive struggles that defined much of last season.
NEXT: Guardians Starter Showing Major Improvement This Spring
