The Cleveland Guardians have several excellent prospects and young players close to being ready for MLB.
Perhaps that’s the biggest reason behind their relatively discrete offseason: they trust their young guys and know that at least some of them will break out in 2024.
Two of them, however, have stood out from the pack: outfielder Chase DeLauter and first baseman Kyle Manzardo.
The two future sluggers will be in the lineup on Tuesday, and the folks at Guardians Prospective were quick to point that out.
DeLauter and Manzardo both in starting lineup today.#Future https://t.co/x1qfXzztoa
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 12, 2024
There are several regulars missing from that lineup: Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, and Josh Naylor, most notably.
However, the possibility of Manzardo and DeLauter making the Opening Day roster is becoming very real, particularly the former.
Manzardo played 94 games in Triple-A last year between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Guards.
With the latter, he hit a fine .256/.348/.590, producing 23 percent more than the average hitter at the level (123 wRC+).
He is likely ready for The Show and is hitting .429/.529/.571 in nine spring games.
The organization, however, might wait a few weeks before calling him up to try and gain an extra year of service.
DeLauter, on the other hand, could use some Triple-A seasoning.
However, there is no denying he has been huge in spring training, with a .417/.500/.750 line, a double, and a home run in eight games.
He has only played six games above High-A, in Double-A, so he surely won’t break camp with the Guardians.
His upside is palpable, though, and he can make an impact later in the season.
NEXT: Guardians Highlight Spring Success Of Key Pitcher