The Cleveland Guardians had to make a tough decision on first base prospect Kyle Manzardo.
While most specialists (and his minor league performance) suggest he is very much ready to succeed in MLB, they have other things to prioritize so they chose to re-assign him to the minors, where he will likely open the year.
“The Guardians have reassigned 1B Kyle Manzardo to Minor League camp. The team also reassigned C Bryan Lavastida and OF Petey Halpin,” Guardians insider Mandy Bell tweeted.
The Guardians have reassigned 1B Kyle Manzardo to Minor League camp.
The team also reassigned C Bryan Lavastida and OF Petey Halpin.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) March 18, 2024
Manzardo was having an amazing spring and was also excellent in his Triple-A stint with Cleveland last year.
However, by keeping him in the minor leagues for a month or two, the Guards will win an extra year of service time.
For a cost-conscious team like the Guardians, that extra year helps a lot.
It’s definitely a bummer for the player, though, especially one that doesn’t have much to prove in Triple-A anymore.
While he lacks elite raw power, Manzardo’s bat and barrel control might give him a path toward hitting 20-25 yearly homers.
If we combine that with his contact ability and on-base skills, we get the potential for a comfortably above-average hitter, perhaps even an All-Star, at peak.
The first sacker is slashing a solid .381/.458/.476 in 13 spring training games, so he clearly wasn’t sent down because he was struggling.
It will require a bit of patience, but Manzardo will be back up, probably at some point in May and June, and has the potential to never leave the lineup again.
NEXT: Jose Ramirez Remains Tied With Mike Trout For Elite MLB Record