The 2024 version of Cleveland Guardians’ slugger Kyle Manzardo as a major leaguer can be divided into two parts.
There was the player who became a major leaguer in May and had to be demoted in June with a .207 batting average, a paltry 59 wRC+, and no home runs in 87 plate appearances.
And, of course, there was the one who was called up on September 1 and delivered a brilliant 147 wRC+ with five long balls in 69 trips to the plate.
Overall, he had a 98 wRC+ (a hair below the league-average performance for hitters) last year and five homers in 53 games and 156 plate appearances.
The 2025 version of the young slugger, however, is even better than the September one.
He is more mature, more selective, and has shown even more power.
The numbers, as always, don’t lie.
“Cleveland #Guardians (1B/DH) Kyle Manzardo has now homered in three straight games and has seven on the season which is currently tied for the 5th most in all MLB. 2024 – 5 HR / 53 games. 2025 – 7 HR / 21 games,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Cleveland #Guardians (1B/DH) Kyle Manzardo has now homered in three straight games and has seven on the season which is currently tied for the 5th most in all MLB.
2024 – 5 HR / 53 games
2025 – 7 HR / 21 games#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Qrft8A7lDm
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 22, 2025
Quality young hitters will always improve if given the tools.
These tools are knowledge, coaching, reps, time, and patience to adjust.
The Guards have given them all to Manzardo, and he has built himself a bright future with the team.
He is now among the premier power hitters in MLB with seven long balls in just 21 games so far.
The Guardians might just have their Josh Naylor replica in the lineup for a fraction of the cost.
If health is on his side, there is no reason why Manzardo can’t make a run at 30 round-trippers in what is looking like a breakout year.
NEXT: Guardians' Recent Acquisition Showing Considerable Potential In High-A
