The Cleveland Guardians entered the deadline earlier this month with one of the league’s worst offenses trying to support one of the best pitching staffs. Many people called for high-profile acquisitions to help put them over the top.
When everything was said and done, and the deadline passed, the Guardians made five additions to the roster: one of them, outfielder Blake Perkins, was ticketed to Triple-A. Foster Griffin reinforced the rotation, and Craig Yoho added another weapon to the bullpen.
The most impactful arrivals came on offense, and no, they weren’t bona fide stars. Nathaniel Lowe was a solid, above-average hitter at first base, and Jo Adell was a dynamic, powerful outfielder with on-base issues.
Both have helped the Guardians win games, not by their sheer star-level talent, but by lengthening the lineup and making it more dangerous from top to bottom. Team insider Paul Hoynes supported this thesis on Friday.
“You’ve got threats from the top third, the middle third, and the bottom third of the lineup, which was not always the case with the starting nine from Cleveland. But those trades have really changed the dynamic on the ball club,” Hoynes said.
Now, your regular Guardians lineup includes the red-hot Steven Kwan, who has taken his wRC+ to 110 during his recent excellent stretch, Jose Ramirez, Chase DeLauter, Adell, Lowe, All-Star rookie Travis Bazzana, Patrick Bailey or Austin Hedges behind the plate, the versatile Brayan Rocchio, and, depending on the game, the situation, and the opposing pitcher’s handedness, Angel Genao, David Fry and Angel Martinez.
Kwan, Ramirez, DeLauter, Adell, and Bazzana are currently hot and carrying the lineup, with the others playing a supporting role. Lowe has cooled off some after a brilliant start to his Guardians’ career, but has been steady anyway. To think that the Guardians could potentially call up star first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez is nothing short of amazing.
The lineup is longer than ever. DeLauter can belt a 450-foot home run, Ramirez is prone to go off and hit three doubles in one game, and Adell has been an RBI machine with the Guardians, driving in 18 runs in 20 games. Oh, and Genao has impressed, too. Even Rocchio can do some damage at the bottom of the lineup with his bat control and creativity.
This is a young and exciting offense. Don’t look now, but we might yet see the best of the Guardians’ lineup this year.
NEXT: Guardians Silence Biggest Offensive Criticism During Winning Streak
