Spring training evaluations are about more than the season at hand for the Cleveland Guardians. With a successful team of returning players, most of the roster decisions are predetermined, with very little chance for a lower-level prospect to break through all the way to the major leagues.
However, it does provide a chance for everyone in the organization to get an up-close look at the players in the system. Making a good impression could go a long way in solidifying someone’s role in its future plans.
With that in mind, manager Stephen Vogt had high praise for versatile Guardians prospect Milan Tolentino, who played 121 games at three infield positions for Triple-A Columbus last season.
“Just a very mature approach at the plate,” Vogt said. “Barreling all kinds of pitches off lefties, off righties. The baserunning was tremendous, the defense was outstanding, and we know he can pretty much go anywhere on the field to play.”
Tolentino was a fourth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2020 MLB Draft out of high school. Now 24 years old, he has steadily worked his way up through the system, with 493 games played. Those appearances have been divided on the infield, with 270 starts at shortstop, 101 at third base, and 86 at second base.
At the plate, he has a .245/.335/.387 career slash line in almost 1,800 at-bats. Last year, the left-handed hitter showed a marked increase in power, almost doubling his previous career total with 21 home runs for Columbus. This spring, he has two homers and a 1.023 OPS in 19 at-bats, which is an indication of some physical maturity entering his sixth pro season.
Though he is not listed among Cleveland’s top 30 prospects by MLB.com, he is the type of player that fits its homegrown profile. Daniel Schneemann, who was a 33rd-round pick in the 2018 draft, currently holds a vital major league role as the primary multi-position utility player.
With Jose Ramirez a fixture at third base, Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio as Cleveland’s current starting middle infielders, and No. 1-ranked prospect Travis Bazzana as the second baseman of the future, having that versatility could be necessary for Tolentino to make it to the majors with Cleveland.
If he continues to show improvement at Triple-A and can back it up with another strong spring training next year, that role might be his in the near future.
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