When the Cleveland Guardians announced they were going to have four or five players competing for the second base gig, young infielder Juan Brito was always seen as the favorite.
He was coming off a season with 61 extra-base hits in Triple-A and is brimming with potential.
It’s safe to say, however, that he didn’t get off to the most promising of starts in the Cactus League.
After March 8, he was hitting .053/.143/.211.
He had a single hit in eight games.
After that, his resurgence started.
He went 2-for-4 with a homer on Tuesday and has been really hot in his last five games.
“Brito’s last five games: 4-12 3R 3HR 5RBI 1SO .333 AVG. He now owns a higher OPS in spring training than Gabriel Arias. Brito .760 OPS, Arias .707 OPS,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Brito's last five games:
4-12 3R 3HR 5RBI 1SO .333 AVG
He now owns a higher OPS in spring training than Gabriel Arias.
Brito .760 OPS
Arias .707 OPS https://t.co/xT1oNNhH1Z— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 19, 2025
With prospects, all you have to do is be patient.
The Guardians might not spend as much as fans want in free agency, but you can’t say they don’t wait out their prospects.
They are among the most patient organizations in baseball and have shown the willingness to let them develop at their own pace.
Any other team would have written off Brito as a potential second-base candidate a few days ago.
In Cleveland, however, he is back to being the favorite to be at the keystone on Opening Day.
The 23-year-old is now hitting .176 in the spring but with a .529 slugging percentage.
He has four home runs, and the Guardians could use that injection of power.
Daniel Schneemann and Tyler Freeman have both had strong camps, but if the Guardians want Brito out there, they now have the right to say they are going with the hot bat.
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