The Cleveland Guardians have one of the league’s best first baseman in Josh Naylor.
Their lineup, however, could definitely use another top hitter.
First baseman Kyle Manzardo, who is currently tearing up the minor leagues for the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate, could be a natural replacement for Naylor eventually.
But why replace one with the other, when both could be complementing each other?
Manzardo should be up in the major leagues in no time, especially if he keeps hitting like this.
“#Guardians No. 2 prospect Kyle Manzardo has seven hits, including three homers, over his past three games,” the Columbus Clippers, his current team, tweeted.
#Guardians No. 2 prospect Kyle Manzardo has seven hits, including three homers, over his past three games.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/XOFj1Zu7OZ
— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) April 23, 2024
After a somewhat sluggish start, Manzardo is really coming into his own in Triple-A.
For the season, he is now slashing a cool .308/.400/.585 with four home runs in 18 games, also showing healthy plate-discipline numbers.
He is hitting the ball with authority, taking good at-bats, getting on base, and showing off the power that first basemen are expected to show.
Keeping this up would mean that the Guardians should add him to the MLB roster soon enough.
They could really use Manzardo’s skillset and overall offensive upside, and his position shouldn’t be an issue: he could enter a rotation system using first base and the designated hitter spot.
In a couple of weeks, when the Super Two deadline has passed and the Guardians are guaranteed to earn an extra year of service time of Manzardo, he should be up in the majors and doing what he does best.
NEXT: Guardians Highlight 2 Players Shattering Expectations
