The Cleveland Guardians are winning games left and right, but they are still trying to find their best and most consistent lineup.
That means mixing and matching with veterans and promising prospects to find the perfect mix.
For example, of the young guys, Daniel Schneemann has stuck around and performed, whereas Johnathan Rodriguez and Kyle Manzardo have been optioned.
Rodriguez was actually on the roster until Wednesday afternoon, when he was sent to Triple-A to bring up another promising slugger: Jhonkensy Noel.
The team made the announcement via Twitter through their player development account, @GuardsInsider.
Today's move.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/znjjhM1Kse
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) June 26, 2024
Noel has made real strides at the plate this year and is enjoying the best season of his minor league career.
He is slashing a cool .295/.359/.578 with 18 home runs in 65 games with Triple-A Columbus this season.
His wRC+ is an amazing 136.
For reference, and despite hitting 27 homers last year at the same level, his wRC+ was a mediocre 77.
Much of Noel’s progress has come since the beginning of May, with a brilliant .343/.404/.651 line with 14 homers in 43 games.
He also managed to cut down his strikeouts from 24.8 percent in 2023 to 21.1 percent in 2024, and that’s considerable.
The 22-year-old Noel is more bat than glove, but he can play first base and the outfielder corners.
Most of his playing time is expected to come from the designated hitter spot, though.
If Noel hits, he will carve himself a nice role in Cleveland with semi-regular at-bats at the very least.
Offensively, he has lots to contribute to the surging Guardians.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Reminds The League About Shocking Reality
