Analyst Names An Unsung Hero For The Guardians

Brayan Rocchio has put together one of the more quietly impressive first halves in the American League, and one national writer decided it was time to give him the recognition that has largely slipped through the cracks amid a Cleveland roster full of notable names. With Travis Bazzana and Parker Messick generating headlines as legitimate Rookie of the Year contenders, Rocchio’s breakout campaign at shortstop has largely gone unnoticed outside of Cleveland. Fox Sports’ Rowan Kavner used his league-wide power rankings column to change that.

Kavner made the case for Rocchio as Cleveland’s most overlooked contributor.

“Considering Travis Bazzana and Parker Messick are among the top AL Rookie of the Year contenders, they probably can’t be considered here. So let’s give a hat tip to Brayan Rocchio, who is enjoying a career year at shortstop and has been one of the most valuable position players on the team,” Kavner wrote.

Multiple projection systems expected Rocchio to bat around .236 with an OPS plus near 83 heading into this season, numbers that would have made him a below-average offensive player leaning entirely on his glove to justify his roster spot. Instead, the 25-year-old switch-hitter is slashing .270 with a .727 OPS and his wRC+ ranks second among qualified American League shortstops as recently as mid June. He has also maintained one of the lowest strikeout rates and highest walk rates at his position in the league.

The defensive side of the ledger has been equally impressive. Rocchio ranks in the 80th percentile in outs above average and has made a series of highlight plays throughout the season, including a spinning off balance throw against the Yankees that drew praise from around the league. Manager Stephen Vogt has pointed specifically to Rocchio’s mental development as the engine behind this breakout, noting how the shortstop has embraced positional changes, minor league assignments and shifting roles without letting any of them derail his growth.

With Cleveland’s roster drawing so much attention for its rookie class, Rocchio has served as the quiet foundation that makes the rest of the infield work. His value only grows as the Guardians continue to navigate their injury situation and push toward what could be a division title run in the second half.