Analyst Projects Guardians’ Opening Day Roster

Barring something unforeseen during the final week of spring training, the Cleveland Guardians likely have a pretty good idea of what their 26-man roster will look like on Opening Day. After conducting competition at a few positions, most notably in the outfield and starting rotation, the construction of the team has come into focus.

The positions and starting assignments will fluctuate over the course of the season. There will also be inevitable changes due to injury and production.

With that in mind, analyst Cade Cracas is projecting the Guardians’ Opening Day roster, with some notable insights regarding Chase DeLauter, Steven Kwan, CJ Kayfus, Nolan Jones, and Logan Allen, among others.

Projected Guardians Opening Day Roster:

LF: Angel Martinez
CF: Steven Kwan
RF: George Valera
3B: Jose Ramirez
SS: Gabriel Arias
2B: Brayan Rocchio
1B: Kyle Manzardo
C: Bo Naylor
DH: David Fry

Bench (5): Petey Halpin, Rhys Hoskins, Chase DeLauter, Daniel Schneemann, Austin Hedges

Starters (In Order): Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick

Relievers: Erik Sabrowski, Connor Brogdon, Colin Holderman, Matt Festa, Peyton Pallette

Closer/Setup: Cade Smith, Shawn Armstrong

Notes: No Hunter Gaddis due to injury and CJ Kayfus starts the year in the minors.

Projected #Guardians Opening Day Roster:

LF: Angel Martinez
CF: Steven Kwan
RF: George Valera
3B: Jose Ramirez
SS: Gabriel Arias
2B: Brayan Rocchio
1B: Kyle Manzardo
C: Bo Naylor
DH: David Fry

Bench (5): Petey Halpin, Rhys Hoskins, Chase DeLauter, Daniel Schneemann, Austin…

— Cade Cracas (@CracasCade) March 17, 2026

DeLauter has been projected to be a starter in Cleveland’s 2026 outfield since the moment he was promoted to make his MLB debut in last year’s playoffs. However, he has been limited by lower-body soreness during spring training, and based on his lengthy injury history dating back to college, it may be wise to use him off the bench in more of a platoon situation to start the campaign.

In addition, Martinez has had an excellent spring facing competition for his roster spot. Though he was last year’s primary starting center fielder, Cracas has him in left field, with Kwan moving to center after experimenting with the position switch this spring.

In this projection, Fry has been given the role of DH, which means Kayfus would be sent back to the minors after getting called up to make his MLB debut and helping the Guardians rally to win the AL Central last season. Hoskins will also get at-bats there after signing late in the offseason.

Halpin as the fifth outfielder means Jones is not on the team, and Messick getting the final spot in the starting rotation leaves out Allen, who is not given a role in the bullpen, even though Hunter Gaddis could be on the injured list. That leaves an opening for Pallette, a Rule 5 draft pick who has impressed this spring.

There will be some difficult decisions for manager Stephen Vogt, to be sure, so it will be interesting to see how this prediction aligns with the actual roster.