The Cleveland Guardians’ strength lies on the quality and depth of their pitching staff.
They had the best bullpen in baseball last year and it wasn’t particularly close; and they have worked hard to add to their rotation, too.
Their offense, while still not really elite, took an important step forward in 2024 compared to the bleak image it left in 2023.
Chances are that the unit will be even better in 2025.
In fact, according to projections system Steamer, eight of the nine hitters of the Guardians’ lineup are projected to be above the league average.
“2025 Guardians Lineup with Steamer Projected wRC+: 1. Kwan LF (125), 2. Manzardo DH (119), 3. Ramirez 3B (137), 4. Santana 1B (109), 5. Noel/DeLauter RF (108/115), 6. Thomas CF (106), 7. Brito 2B (98), 8. Naylor C (102), 9. Rocchio SS (102),” Guardians fan account @FranmilsEyebrow posted on X.
2025 Guardians Lineup with Steamer Projected wRC+
1. Kwan LF (125)
2. Manzardo DH (119)
3. Ramirez 3B (137)
4. Santana 1B (109)
5. Noel/DeLauter RF (108/115)
6. Thomas CF (106)
7. Brito 2B (98)
8. Naylor C (102)
9. Rocchio SS (102)— La Mole (@FranmilsEyebrow) December 27, 2024
The wRC+ metric is an all-inclusive stat that measures offensive performance relative to the league average and adjusted to external factors such as ballpark or era.
The league average value for wRC+ is 100.
Above-average batters are over that number, and below-average ones are below it.
It’s that simple.
Steamer projections are notoriously optimistic, and they are just that at the end of the day: projections.
However, to see the Guardians having eight of nine hitters above the league average is obviously promising.
The only projected below-average regular on offense, Juan Brito, is very close to a 100 wRC+, too.
Of course, as expected, Jose Ramirez is projected by Steamer to be the Guards’ best hitter with a 137 wRC+, with Steven Kwan closely behind at 125.
If reality turns out to be close to these projections, the Guardians will probably have no complaints.
NEXT: Guardians Utilityman Is Preparing For Pivotal Season
