The Cleveland Guardians offense has been better than expected this season.
Still, they could use all the above-average hitters they can get to take the unit from acceptable to good, or even great.
That’s why fans are clamoring for the team to call up first base prospect Kyle Manzardo: they know that he can do a much better job offensively than, say, Will Brennan, Gabriel Arias, or Estevan Florial.
In fact, a noted baseball writer points out that Steamer, a famous projection system, has the slugging first baseman as a well-above average batter the rest of the way.
That’s in MLB, not in Triple-A, in case you were wondering.
“Steamer projecting Kyle Manzardo for a 124 wRC+ at ML level rest of season,” MLB analyst Travis Sawchik tweeted.
Steamer projecting Kyle Manzardo for a 124 wRC+ at ML level rest of season
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) May 3, 2024
A 124 wRC+ (weighted Runs Created plus) means that the hitter is projected to be 24 percent more productive than the league-average batter in MLB.
That’s a very desirable offensive output, but keep in mind it’s just a projection.
Projections, however, are based on a number of factors and if Steamer thinks that highly of Manzardo, there is a reason.
The lefty-hitting Manzardo is batting a cool .320/.395/.660 with eight home runs in 27 Triple-A games.
He boasts an incredible 157 wRC+ there, too.
Imagine that kind of offensive player hitting around Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, and Josh Naylor.
He could be a terrific fifth hitter and would give the Guardians another excellent hitter to lengthen the lineup.
Only service time manipulation is keeping Manzardo from being called up, but that is bound to change in the upcoming days or weeks.
NEXT: Guardians Fans Receive Positive Gavin Williams Update
