The Cleveland Guardians have always tried to have a strong farm system.
As a small-market team, that’s the best way to ensure they can keep up with MLB powerhouses.
They know they’re not going to compete with them in the free agent market, so their best hope is to find and develop their own stars.
Of course, they’re not the only small-market franchise that relies on its farm system to compete, but, as analyst Bernie Pleskoff states, Cleveland’s patience is what makes it different from everybody else.
“Cleveland is known to be conservative in their approach to player development. They want their players to be well-schooled and obtain sufficient minor league experience to handle the rigors of Major League Baseball. In short, while it might be tempting, they don’t rush their prospects to the big leagues. The approach also permits them to gain full control of player contracts, without starting their major league service time prematurely,” Pleskoff wrote.
The Guardians have been patient to a fault at times.
Fans have grown frustrated by how long they wait before giving prospects a chance, and some claim it has more to do with financial reasons than with their actual readiness.
Whatever the case, it’s hard to deny that the approach works.
Also, they went away from that plan this season, promoting Chase DeLauter to make his MLB debut in the playoffs, something that had only been done five times in history.
It’s hard to find a balance between ensuring a player is ready and giving him a fair shot to succeed without him growing frustrated in the minors.
But with the Guardians regularly moving on from their best players once they start getting too pricey, they will always be a good environment for a young player to make his mark.
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