Guardians Surprisingly Option Young Second Base Candidate To Triple-A

In the past few days, Cleveland Guardians infielder Juan Brito started to turn things around after a rocky start to spring training.

After homering on Tuesday, his slash line reached a less-than-ideal, but increasingly respectable .176/.222/.529.

Still, despite the fact he was starting to get hot at the plate and making up lost ground in the battle to be the Guardians’ second baseman, the organization decided to move on with another candidate.

This became evident when they optioned him to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

“Roster moves today from Goodyear. Optioned to @CLBClippers: INF Juan Brito, UTL Angel Martínez, OF Johnathan Rodríguez. Reassigned to Minor League camp: RHP Luis Frías, RHP Brad Hanner, RHP Zak Kent, 1B/OF Micah Pries,” GuardsInsider posted on X.

Roster moves today from Goodyear

Optioned to @CLBClippers
+INF Juan Brito
+UTL Angel Martínez
+OF Johnathan Rodríguez

Reassigned to Minor League camp
RHP Luis Frías
RHP Brad Hanner
RHP Zak Kent
1B/OF Micah Pries

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 21, 2025

Brito opened camp as the favorite to win the gig.

He had an excellent 2024 in Columbus, with 61 extra-base hits and a 113 wRC+.

When Cleveland traded second baseman Andrés Giménez in the offseason, Brito was considered the long-term replacement.

He might still be: the season is long and he will have plenty of chances to re-appear in the picture.

For now, however, that won’t be the case.

Martinez was also considered a strong candidate for the position but was sent down alongside Brito and another group of players.

Right now, Tyler Freeman and Daniel Schneemann might be the last men standing in this surprising race.

Both men have an OPS over .900 in Cactus League play and offer versatility and upside.

The Guardians certainly shocked many people with this development.

If we go to the numbers, however, it makes perfect sense.