The Cleveland Guardians will continue their spring training journey on Tuesday.
They will be facing the Oakland Athletics in Goodyear, Arizona.
The lineup has multiple players expected to be regulars or at least candidates for semi-regular playing time.
Jose Ramirez, of course, is the star and will be playing, as will projected starter Myles Straw.
There are more promising hitters in the batting order, from Estevan Florial to Gabriel Arias, Jhonkensy Noel, and Will Brennan.
There is also the potential shortstop of the future: Brayan Rocchio.
Hot off the press is today's lineup!#GuardsSpring pic.twitter.com/vkHKQZ6sPC
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) February 27, 2024
Rocchio will be batting seventh on Tuesday, behind Arias.
The slick-fielding shortstop struggled in his first exposure to MLB pitching last year, hitting .247/.279/.321 in 23 games and 86 plate appearances.
However, a meticulous offseason regime, some valuable experience in the Venezuelan Winter League with the Tiburones de La Guaira, and his natural ability and potential make him a candidate to break out in 2024 with the Guardians.
Rocchio doesn’t have the power of Francisco Lindor or the speed of Bobby Witt Jr., but he does have 10-homer power and 25-stolen base speed.
What he does have is a steady bat with enough contact ability to hit close to .290 one day and some very impressive defensive skills.
The glove alone gives him a solid floor, that of a utilityman.
But the Guardians believe that he can develop into an above-average offensive producer, and if that’s the case, he could be an All-Star at peak.
Rocchio will be given every chance to win the shortstop gig out of camp, and that’s definitely the Guardians’ preference.
NEXT: Guardians Stars Reveal A 2024 Breakout Candidate
