The Cleveland Guardians have already opened their training camp for players to get ready for the upcoming campaign.
The roster is hungry and full of confidence, knowing that reaching defining instances in the postseason is possible.
Cleveland will be hosting multiple position battles at their spring training complex, which is why predicting the Opening Day lineup and the rotation is not an easy exercise.
Still, the league’s official X account gave it a good shot and tried to forecast what both units would look like.
The projected lineup and rotation for the defending AL Central champions! pic.twitter.com/v3qSBNApe3
— MLB (@MLB) February 16, 2025
Steven Kwan batting first and playing left field is actually one of the few locks in this exercise.
He is an on-base machine and a three-time Gold Glover, so there is no doubt about his place.
The league has Kyle Manzardo, a popular breakout pick among analysts, hitting second.
He definitely could against right-handers.
Jose Ramirez as the third-hole hitter and third baseman is another certainty, and free agent signing Carlos Santana is likely to follow him.
Postseason hero Lane Thomas, remembered for his clutch home runs against the Detroit Tigers in the postseason last year, would occupy the fifth spot and take care of center field.
This is where things get a bit murky in the lineup.
Unless Chase DeLauter wins the right field job in camp, the Guardians will likely implement a platoon in which lefty-hitting Will Brennan would play against righties (he had a solid 109 wRC+ vs. RHP, compared to a horrible -5 mark against LHP in 2024).
Jhonkensy Noel, a lefty masher (165 wRC+ against them in 2024, compared to a 95 mark vs. righties), would be the other part of the platoon arrangement in right field.
The league has Brennan in that sixth hole in their exercise.
Catcher Bo Naylor is seventh, with prospect Juan Brito projected to win the second base job and bat eighth.
Light-hitting shortstop Brayan Rocchio would complete the unit.
As for the rotation, there are no surprises in the top three: Tanner Bibee, Luis L. Ortiz, and Gavin Williams.
MLB has Ben Lively and Triston McKenzie winning the last two rotation spots against the likes of Jakob Junis, Logan Allen, Kolby Allard, Doug Nikhazy, Slade Cecconi, and Joey Cantillo.
Shane Bieber will eventually join this group and make it better and deeper.
The lineup looks like it’s missing a couple of pieces, but it’s strong at the top, while the rotation is deep and could be fantastic with a healthy Bieber.
With this group, the Guardians intend to retain their AL Central crown.
NEXT: Analyst Says Guardians Star Is Still Underrated Despite Recent Feat
