Covering the Corner - All PostsCleveland Baseball: A team that's accomplished some things.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52871/Covering_The_Corner_Favicon-ICO..png2024-03-19T06:34:17-04:00http://www.coveringthecorner.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T06:34:17-04:002024-03-19T06:34:17-04:00News and Notes: Guardians Take Frustrations about Manzardo Demotion Out on White Sox
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<figcaption>Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes</p> <p id="DIDol0">The Guardians announced that Kyle Manzardo was getting sent to minor-league camp and Cleveland players responded by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-vs-white-sox/2024/03/18/747906/final/box">pounding the White Sox 8-5</a>. Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio both hit homers, as did a little known prospect named Chase De-Laut-er.</p>
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<p id="7awfgQ">Rocchio added another double and Deyvison De Los Santos in left-field had a hit and no strikeouts. Tanner Bibee was solid in four and a third, allowing five hits, two walks, one run and striking out four. Scott Barlow struck out two in a scoreless inning.</p>
<p id="nF4HWK">Mandy Bell shared <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/kyle-manzardo-reassigned-to-guardians-minor-league-camp?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage">some positive things manager Stephen Vogt </a>had to say about Manzardo on his way out of major league camp. Props to Bell for pointing out that the choice for the Guardians seems to be between Deyvison De Los Santos and folks like Manzardo or David Fry. In De Los Santos’ defense, he has absolutely smoked some balls this spring and seems to be working on his approach as camp has continued.</p>
<p id="LZHxcv">Paul Hoynes of <a href="http://Cleveland.com">Cleveland.com</a> wrote about <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/all-star-closer-adding-tools-to-thwart-opposing-base-stealers-guardians-takeaways.html">Emmanuel Clase’s attempts to better hold baserunners, and about Tim Herrin’s good camp</a>. It would be a huge bonus if Guardians pitchers were able to keep runners in check more effectively this season. Hoynes also <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/managing-101-theres-always-something-to-watch-guardians-spring-training-breakfast.html">noted</a> that Tyler Freeman and Xzavion Curry have been out with the camp virus but are coming back soon, and Angel Martinez has a bruised toe.</p>
<p id="cOxQFQ">Covering the Corner user DelGua provided <a href="https://futurestarsseries.com/2024-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects/">a link yesterday to scouting of the top prospects in the 2024 MLB Draft</a> done by Joe Doyle of Future Star Series. To me, it’s sounding like it’ll be either Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon or Konnor Griffin, but this list made me give some more thought to Braden Montgomery.</p>
<p id="PsejMD">You can take a virtual tour of the renovation project at Progressive Field <a href="https://guardians.fanportal-mlb.com/renovations/">here</a>.</p>
<p id="3TyELH">Today, the Guardians have a split-squad game with Logan Allen starting vs the Brewers at 4:05 EST and Jaime Barria vs the Rockies at 4:10 EST.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/19/24105557/news-and-notes-guardians-take-frustrations-about-manzardo-demotion-out-on-white-soxQuincy Wheeler2024-03-18T09:04:37-04:002024-03-18T09:04:37-04:00Three Positives from the Week of March 10th
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<p>As the Guardians push further into Spring Training, three positive stories from Goodyear</p> <p id="D3ploD">Another Monday, another weekend over with. In addition to that much needed cup of coffee (and maybe a donut), here’s a little pick-me-up for all your baseball needs.</p>
<h3 id="FcwG5U">DeLauter is DeWinner of Spring</h3>
<p id="Eg5vJr">Chase DeLauter was Cleveland’s first pick in the 2022 draft out of James Madison.Currently the team’s No. 1 prospect and No. 31 in all of MLB, there was no doubt that he would get an invite to Spring Training. However, the fact that he’s made it through the first couple of rounds of demotions is a bit further than some thought he would go. </p>
<p id="HFpRM5">He is currently hitting an outrageous .474/.545/.842 in 11 games with the club. While there’s little doubt he’ll head back to the Minors to start the season, there’s lots to be hopeful for with this young star. At just 22 years old (and two months younger than me, yikes), he has shown a level of professionalism and dedication that lots of young players haven’t yet learned at his age. We’re all counting down the days until he shows up in Cleveland. </p>
<h3 id="d6eH3g">Good (ish) News for Gavin Williams </h3>
<p id="dHFw8X">On March 10th, it was reported that Gavin Williams made an awkward throw and felt some discomfort in his elbow. This immediately shut him down from throwing and any in-game action. However, the first report about his condition since this shutdown was released on Wednesday and could have been much worse.</p>
<p id="5yb2bZ">Pitching coach Carl Willis shared that Williams is still day-to-day, but so far everything looks good. His condition is steadily improving and Willis thinks that he’ll be able to throw from a mound soon. On Thursday, Mandy Bell reported that he had an MRI which checked out good. He will start the season on the Injured List, but should be able to start throwing any day now.</p>
<h3 id="J6qfjY">Winning Week</h3>
<p id="wppQCQ">While the Guardians haven’t had the best Spring so far, sitting at 9-12, the past week was a good one. Across eight games from Sunday to Sunday, Cleveland went 5-3 including a huge 13-7 win over Colorado. While the Spring games don’t necessarily mean much, it is very satisfying to see their record improving as the weeks go by.</p>
<p id="0veSZW">As players begin to be optioned to the Minors and the Opening Day roster begins to take shape, we’re getting closer and closer to seeing what the 2024 team will look – and play – like. If they continue to play as well as they did this week, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape for the season. </p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/18/24104691/three-positives-from-the-week-of-march-10thclemadelyn2024-03-18T06:59:07-04:002024-03-18T06:59:07-04:00News and Notes: Shane Bieber Seems Ready
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes for Monday, March 18th, 2024</p> <p id="smhKU4">Shane Bieber struck out eight in five and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing two hits, two walks and one run, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/reds-vs-guardians/2024/03/17/747918/final/box">leading the Guardians to a 4-2 wins over the Reds</a> in Spring Training yesterday. Emmanuel Clase and Tim Herrin added scoreless innings, and Eli Morgan gave up another homer. As always, hard to tell much from Spring Training appearances where guys may be simply working on things, but Morgan has been getting hit hard of late. Estevan Florial added a double and Steven Kwan had a triple to the effort. Herrin struck out the side, however, and hopefully is ready to help the Guardians as a shutdown lefty while Sam Hentges figures out what is going on with his sore finger.</p>
<p id="4fGkWU">MLB.com’s Mandy Bell <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/candidates-to-fill-out-the-guardians-starting-rotation">wrote about the potential rotation options</a> for the Guardians’ since Gavin Williams will start the year with a hopefully short IL stint. Xzavion Curry and Ben Lively have been struck by the flu bug plaguing Guardians camp but are still being considered, as well as Carlos Carrasco and Tyler Beede, both of whom had excellent recent outings.</p>
<p id="z1ERmC">A lot of online discussion on whether or not yesterday’s lineup was an Opening Day preview, and we are nearing the point in Spring Training where I think reading into the lineup is fair. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Biebs on the bump? Say less.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuardsSpring?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuardsSpring</a> <a href="https://t.co/vIetlDhvg0">pic.twitter.com/vIetlDhvg0</a></p>— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) <a href="https://twitter.com/CleGuardians/status/1769439271088447537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="3yQkMj">For what it’s worth, I think things are still uncertain between Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio for the starting shortstop gig. But, the answer will be known soon enough.</p>
<p id="V9xh5a">Hopefully, the many Guardians who have been laid out with this nasty flu will all feel better soon and the roster picture will come into focus shortly.</p>
<p id="kKhkje">Zack Meisel of the Athletic discussed potential extensions in an <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5348599%2F2024%2F03%2F18%2Fcleveland-guardians-contract-extensions-josh-naylor-tanner-bibee%3Fsource%3Duser-shared-article&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coveringthecorner.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24104650%2Fnews-and-notes-shane-bieber-seems-ready" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">article</a> today. He mentions that his sources report that extension talks are happening but not specific names are rumored. He discusses Josh Naylor, Bo Naylor, Sam Hentges, Tanner Bibee and Kyle Manzardo, prominently.</p>
<p id="cmRsPu">Potential number one draft pick second baseman Travis Bazzana had a big day for Oregon State yesterday:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Travis Bazzana, the No. 3 Draft prospect, had a game to remember:<br><br>5 H (ties career high)<br>2 HR (career high)<br>2B<br>5 RBIs (ties career high)<br>3 R<br><br>Here's his full scouting report: <a href="https://t.co/hHgIMEBrHb">https://t.co/hHgIMEBrHb</a><br><br>( : <a href="https://twitter.com/BeaverBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BeaverBaseball</a>)<a href="https://t.co/j8LGy4Fs2h">pic.twitter.com/j8LGy4Fs2h</a></p>— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1769489860220350899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="DYM8KE">Tanner Bibee will start for the Guardians at 4:05 EST today.</p>
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https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/18/24104650/news-and-notes-shane-bieber-seems-readyQuincy Wheeler2024-03-17T07:00:00-04:002024-03-17T07:00:00-04:00News and Notes: Manzardo and DeLauter seem fated to start season in minor leagues
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Cleveland Guardians at Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H7jM5Qg6eF-OwZ_wl6hLHngFfoA=/0x0:6435x4290/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212869/usa_today_22759378.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes for Sunday, March 17th, 2024</p> <ul><li id="w01HnC">Terry Pluto <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/what-are-plans-for-chase-delauter-kyle-manzardo-terry-plutos-guardians-scribbles.html">wrote an article</a> that I’ll let Quincy summarize for you:</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Terry Pluto said today:<br>De Los Santos will make the roster<br><br>Florial will be a regular starter in CF (it's weird they haven't been playing him there much...?)<br><br>Manzardo & DeLauter are set to play a good portion of 2024 in Cleveland, just not at first</p>— Quincy Wheeler (@QuincyWheeler1) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuincyWheeler1/status/1769046794246251006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<li id="SzCURN">Yesterday’s spring training game was another one in which the Guardians couldn’t produce any offense. The Giants took advantage and buried them 6-0. With 2 each, Rocchio, Josh Naylor and Florial had <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-vs-giants/2024/03/16/747938/final/box">6 of the team’s 7 hits</a>.</li>
<li id="C9LpVk">In the “Breakout” game, the Guardians prospects beat the Reds ones 6-2. Kyle Manzardo homered. <a href="https://twitter.com/tNichols80/status/1769158640680972666">The only people who could watch it though were those few in attendance</a>.</li>
<li id="4oy0Ko">Sam Hentges is still having issues with <a href="https://twitter.com/MandyBell02/status/1769060519955046872">swelling in his finger</a>. Not liking this.</li>
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https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/17/24103419/manzardo-and-delauter-seem-fated-to-start-season-in-minor-leagueswestbrook2024-03-17T06:57:57-04:002024-03-17T06:57:57-04:00Recap of Guardians’ Win of Spring Breakout Game
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Cleveland Guardians at Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Fl2PkdUFfSQqT_6CnBzoumtIds0=/0x0:5061x3374/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212860/usa_today_22759380.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes for Sunday, March 17th, 2024</p> <p id="PjiIGY">The Guardians <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/kyle-manzardo-jhonkensy-noel-homer-in-spring-breakout?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage">won their Spring Breakout matchup 6-2 vs. the Cincinnati Reds</a>, and lost 6-0 to the Giants in their Spring Training game.</p>
<p id="J03YPU">First, the good. Guardians’ pitching looked good in the Spring Breakout game, with Doug Nikhazy striking out six in three innings, giving up one earned run, and the rest of the staff completely shutting down the Reds, with scoreless innings from Nic Enright and Andrew Walters and two scoreless from Ryan Webb. Walters blew away the competition, striking out three in the ninth.</p>
<p id="4RTIx3">Guardians prospect hitters also looked good, with Jhonkensy Noel and Kyle Manzardo mashing home runs. Listen to the sound of this Manzardo bomb:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kyle Manzardo - Guardians Prospects (1)* <a href="https://t.co/ZrLntv91DE">pic.twitter.com/ZrLntv91DE</a></p>— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBHRVideos/status/1769162125648224645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="ZeHTDj">And Jaison Chourio adding a double. Juan Brito had a hit and a walk but did make an unfortunate throwing error in the first, leading to an an unearned run. It’s the first defensive miscue I’ve observed from him this Spring, so of course it came in an exhibition game with plenty of prospect experts no doubt present to continue to doubt his defense.</p>
<p id="FUZd7W">Just to clarify, I missed yesterday that Terry Pluto <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/what-are-plans-for-chase-delauter-kyle-manzardo-terry-plutos-guardians-scribbles.html">offered some Guardians’ notes</a> for <a href="http://Cleveland.com">Cleveland.com</a>. Pluto predicts that Deyvison De Los Santos and Estevan Florial will make the Guardians’ Opening Day roster, for what it’s worth. Paul Hoynes, also of <a href="http://Cleveland.com">Cleveland.com</a>, agrees with Pluto on these spots and <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/sneak-peek-at-the-guardians-26-man-opening-day-roster-the-week-in-baseball.html">leans toward them selecting Gabriel Arias over Brayan Rocchio to get first crack at being the team’s starting shortstop</a>. Mandy Bell of MLB.com’s <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-2024-opening-day-roster">prediction</a> has David Fry over Deyvison De Los Santos, but that’s the only notable difference among hitters the writers project. So, we likely won’t see any players on the Spring Breakout roster make the team from the sounds of things.</p>
<p id="8jn0Xq">In other news, Happy St. Patrick’s Day for all who celebrate</p>
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https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/17/24103694/news-and-notes-guardians-win-spring-breakout-game-lose-spring-training-gameQuincy Wheeler2024-03-16T17:29:49-04:002024-03-16T17:29:49-04:00Chase DeNow or Chase DeLauter? That is the Question
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<figcaption>Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>When is the right time for the Guardians’ top prospect to debut</p> <p id="idQt9s">It started out with a tweet, how did it end up like this? It was only a tweet, it was only a tweet.</p>
<p id="reDXZr">On March 4th, Jeff Passan of ESPN published an article about prospects impressing in Spring Training and he had a pull-quote on Chase DeLauter of the Guardians for the ages, here captured by Twitter user I480BRIDGE:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">From Jeff Passan <a href="https://t.co/06jKyKAZ20">pic.twitter.com/06jKyKAZ20</a></p>— I480BRIDGE (@I480BRIDGE) <a href="https://twitter.com/I480BRIDGE/status/1764714872615424077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a>
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<p id="ySHiHZ">Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com followed this up with a quote from Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt on DeLauter:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I still have no idea what this means, it seems impossible but here's a quote from Vogt about DeLauter in a Hoynes column <a href="https://t.co/PPByy1MBRy">pic.twitter.com/PPByy1MBRy</a></p>— Quincy Wheeler (@QuincyWheeler1) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuincyWheeler1/status/1765722072297214298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a>
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<p id="GAcJAS">Baseball writer based in Cleveland, Travis Sawchik, joined the fray recently as well:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So Chase DeLauter looks pretty ready-ish</p>— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) <a href="https://twitter.com/Travis_Sawchik/status/1767661887930404929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
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<p id="T5BFDT">Since these events, we have been reminded by trusted sources like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGq8PLMU6gE">Zack Meisel</a> and <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/what-are-plans-for-chase-delauter-kyle-manzardo-terry-plutos-guardians-scribbles.html">Terry Pluto</a> that Chase DeLauter making the Opening Day roster is very unlikely. Neither writer seems to dispute that DeLauter could spend a good portion of 2024 with the club if things go well.</p>
<p id="U4Nxxx">So, is there a story here? So, Passan was just being click-baity, Vogt was just talking up his guy and Hoynsie took it out of context, Sawchik is simply making an observation?</p>
<p id="Gt3ePI">I think there is something to take away from the noise about Chase DeLauter potentially making the Opening Day Roster. I would give the possibility of that happening about a 1% chance of coming to fruition, but I think fans are being notified that DeLauter isn’t far away, on purpose. I think the notion of an early DeLauter debut has come into being because the team is quickly recognizing that they have drafted a special talent, especially as a hitter, who can put their fruitless efforts to solve their outfield’s lack of offensive input to an end.</p>
<p id="cWkEkg">So far, Chase DeLauter has put up these stats, since graduating from the college and advancing past the complex leagues:</p>
<p id="OihdKM">High-A: 176 Plate Appearances, 164 wRC+, 12.5/5.7 K/BB%.<br>Double-A: 28 Plate Appearances, 149 wRC+, 10.7/17.9 K/BB%<br>Arizona Fall League: 109 Plate Appearances, .914 OPS (Roughly a 121 wRC+), 21/17 K/BB%<br>Spring Training: 22 Plate Appearances, 266 wRC+, 13.6/13.6 K/BB%</p>
<p id="3jBjQJ">Whatever else we can say about DeLauter, he is having little trouble finding success at each new level he has experienced as a hitter. From all rumors, he is also impressing in scrimmages and in backfield work. He’s 22 years and five months old, so he will not be a teenager attempting to solve major league pitching and handle the big league lifestyle. He seems to be a capable defender, and may even have the potential to play in center.</p>
<p id="ipAuki">The Guardians, meanwhile, seem set to cycle through Estevan Florial, Myles Straw, Ramon Laureano and hopefully Will Brennan in the outfield. Tyler Freeman, a known infielder, has looked good in centerfield this spring and fans are desperately hoping his projected 100 wRC+ will find a home there to replace the lack of production they have been seeing there. And, don’t forget Deyvison De Los Santos, the 20 year old somehow inexplicably on the Guardians’ roster who has been wandering the Goodyear outfield occasionally as well. Jhonkensy Noel is a duplicate of De Los Santos in just about every way, George Valera is hurt, again, and Johnathan Rodriguez is at best a better version of Oscar Gonzalez. Outside of Steven Kwan, the team has no proven outfield options and few that even project as league average starters.</p>
<p id="7HkieG">Meanwhile, the Guardians passed on pursuing Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall, Tommy Pham, Joey Gallo and numerous other affordable veteran options who can hold a glove in an outfield spot. As frustrating as that was, perhaps their repeated mantra of “we need to see what our young guys can do,” would hold more water for fans if it meant an aggressive promotion of their most exciting outfield prospect since... well... since Michael Brantley?</p>
<p id="AB9oQH">If DeLauter is indeed playable in center, there is a spot for him there. If he’s preferable in right field, the remaining potentially viable outfielders in Cleveland can all feasibly play in center and there is no bat whose production would preclude the top prospect from locking down right field in Manny Ramirez-esque fashion (Ramirez had 336 plate appearances and a 120 wRC+ in his 22 year old rookie season in Cleveland... that’s a pretty good - and lofty goal - for a DeLauter debut in 2024). To be clear, if DeLauter was as good as Manny was at 2022, it would be a 100th percentile outcome for him in 2024, 30 percentile points better than the 90 wRC+ ZiPS projects for him currently.</p>
<p id="w9RDph">There are still some matters to sort through for DeLauter, certainly enough to give him some time at Akron and Columbus for April and maybe even May while taking a look at Florial and Freeman in the outfield, and double-checking that last year’s findings on Will Brennan were representative. First, as mentioned, he can spend some more time in centerfield, a spot he fairly evenly split his reps between with right field in 2023. Second, in the minors in 2023, he had a .592 OPS against LHP. It was a mere 44 plate appearances, but handling major league left-handed starters and relievers would certainly seem to be DeLauter’s biggest challenge. Finally, DeLauter has a bit of an odd scissor kick on his swing and a sawed-off follow-through. It would be a luxury to see if that all holds up against a larger number of high velocity pitchers he will see as he advances through Double-A and Triple-A.</p>
<p id="GrMGAP">But, then again, when you have a special hitter and a player whose make-up in which you feel confident, it’s not impossible to envision the growth he needs to experience taking place at a major league level. Especially when he is simply being asked to replace production that is major league average, at best. See the following quote from Bryan Shaw of <a href="https://twitter.com/GuardCastMLB">GuardCastMLB</a> (recommend checking out their YouTube!) as listened to Guardians GM Mike Chernoff on a recent Spring Training broadcast:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quote is "I think he's got about 350 plate app. in the minor leagues, you have to remember that, & there a lot of things he hasn't experienced yet & you want him to experience those things, usually at the minor league level first. But at the same time you don't set timetables"</p>— Bryan Shaw (@WxShaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/WxShaw/status/1768386275394916459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="LFfzUa">My expectation is that Chase DeLauter will start in Akron. If he is handling the level well, I could see a promotion by Mother’s Day. The question of whether that promotion will be to Columbus or to Cleveland will depend on what the likes of Florial, Straw, Brennan, Freeman and Laureano are doing in the meantime.</p>
<p id="xCJKHD">These are exciting times, Guardians’ fans. We have an outfield prospect who is hitting the ball extremely well. Sooner or later, we are going to see him in Cleveland and we can have hope we will be seeing a future all-star.</p>
<p id="Gb6211">If I have to guess, I think if all goes well and the group ahead of him does not do a collective faceplant, he will debut in mid-July. But I'll be hoping for it sooner than (that for) DeLauter.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/16/24103316/chase-denow-or-chase-delauter-that-is-the-questionQuincy Wheeler2024-03-16T06:30:36-04:002024-03-16T06:30:36-04:00News and Notes: Chase DeLauter Impresses Again
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<img alt="Cleveland Guardians v Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tdmL6Hvtasz5B07yaj2yQB0J3aE=/0x0:5903x3935/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73211268/2061552573.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes for Saturday, March 16, 2024</p> <p id="0RVtYp">The Guardians <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-vs-royals/2024/03/15/747953/final/box">beat the Royals 6-1 in a Spring Training game yesterday</a>, and Chase DeLauter got another hit and a walk. Jose Ramirez, Deyvison De Los Santos and David Fry added doubles and Daniel Schneemann had a two-run triple. Tyler Beede threw five scoreless innings giving up three hits and a walk and striking out three, adding himself to a list of non-roster invites being considered for the open spots in the pitching rotation and Scott Barlow and Tim Herrin looked dominant in relief, each striking out two in one inning. Cade Smith gave up a run on three hits, but did strike out three in two innings of relief.</p>
<p id="NTWw6I">Paul Hoynes of <a href="http://Cleveland.com">Cleveland.com</a> provided a <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/guardians-carl-willis-chris-antonetti-talk-pitching-as-staff-limps-toward-opening-day.html">transcript of an interview with Stephen Vogt and Chris Antonetti about Guardians pitchers</a>.</p>
<p id="z2GW5Q">Today is the Spring Breakout game between the Guardians and Reds top prospects at 7:05 EST. You can preview the Guardians roster <a href="https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/7/24090556/breaking-down-the-guardians-roster-for-the-spring-breakout-game">here</a> and <a href="https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/14/24101143/previewing-guardians-spring-breakout-roster-part-2">here</a>. You can listen the game on <a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a>. The Guardians also play an exhibition game vs. the Giants at 4:05 EST.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/16/24102829/news-and-notes-chase-delauter-impresses-againQuincy Wheeler2024-03-15T07:22:36-04:002024-03-15T07:22:36-04:00News and Notes: Pitcher Throwing Arm Reaper Visits Guardians Camp
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<img alt="Celebrity Sightings In New York City - March 26, 2023" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Jz5_Aknv88Ite6gw3OXn653iqsU=/554x0:7484x4620/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73208971/1477051497.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by James Devaney/GC Images</figcaption>
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<p>News and Notes for Friday, March 15th, 2024</p> <p id="VbY99s">Beware the Ides of March. Or, Ides of March Eve, I guess, as the Guardians got less than ideal news of varying intensities on four pitchers yesterday. Daniel <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/daniel-espino-shoulder-surgery-2024">Espino will have shoulder surgery</a> again. I feel terrible for a player whose work ethic is rumored to be unparalleled and whose character is supposed to be superb. Trevor Stephan <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/trevor-stephan-elbow-surgery">will also have surgery to repair his UCL</a> and miss the 2024 season. Here’s a clip of President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti and Stephen Vogt discussing the two players:</p>
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<p id="xUMiKs">Additionally, reliever Sam Hentges has a swollen middle finger and saw a doctor yesterday. Hopefully this won’t keep him out for long. And, finally, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-injuries-and-roster-moves">Gavin Williams’ elbow scans came back clean but he’s still a few days away from throwing again</a> after he aggravated the back of his elbow doing weighted ball training. So, sounds like he opens the season on the 10-day IL and hopefully returns to game action soon after that.</p>
<p id="OywKlx">So, if Hentges also needs (hopefully) a short IL-stint, that means the Guardians will need one extra starter and their bullpen currently consists of Emmanuel Clase, Scott Barlow, Nick Sandlin and Eli Morgan, leaving four open spots. More on that in a moment...</p>
<p id="mvcOXb">The Guardians beat the Rockies 13-7 in a spring training game yesterday. Logan Allen looked solid, giving up one run in three and a third innings, Hunter Gaddis threw a scoreless inning in relief (clearly he is being seen as a reliever now, and about time), and Tanner Burns continues to look electric, albeit late in Spring Training games, striking out two in a scoreless ninth to keep his 0.00 ERA this spring. Emmanuel Clase got lit up in his inning of work, giving up his first runs of the spring, but I assume this was because the Athletic’s Zack Meisel had <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5338734%2F2024%2F03%2F14%2Fguardians-emmanuel-clase-bounce-back%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coveringthecorner.com%2F2024%2F3%2F15%2F24101648%2Fnews-and-notes-pitcher-throwing-arm-reaper-visits-guardians-camp" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">published an article about him yesterday morning</a> and it’s tradition to give up runs when Meisel writes about you (I say this jokingly, Zack is the best). Eli Morgan, however gave up two runs and three hits again, to push his Spring era to 9. I like Morgan, but when you see guys like Cade Smith, Tim Herrin, Franco Aleman and Burns blowing people away, it’s a little hard to maintain belief in a guy who relies on a change-up in relief. But, again, it’s Spring Training, so best not to read too much into Morgan’s struggles.</p>
<p id="T8Vndy">As of now, I’d guess the fifth starter is Ben Lively, as long as his bout with the camp virus is over shortly, and the remaining four bullpen arms will be Carlos Carrasco, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and Cade Smith. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Xzavion Curry or Anthony Banda made the team in one of those spots. Banda and Carrasco would require roster moves, one of which will be Stephan to the 60-day IL, but it’s unclear if the Guardians would put Espino on the 60-Day or not.</p>
<p id="xP9E2V">As for hitters yesterday, Estevan Florial added two strikeouts and has struck out 14 times in 33 plate-appearances this spring. Not ideal. He also played in left-field, again, making me wonder if he’s competing more with Will Brennan than with Straw for a position. Speaking of Brennan, he added another home run, as did David Fry, Josh Naylor and Ramon Laureano each had two hits, Brayan Rocchio had a hit and a hit-by-pitch playing shortstop, Myles Straw had three hits including two doubles, Chase DeLauter and Deyvison De Los Santos each had a hit off the bench, and Jose Tena had a double as a starter at second-base. Reserves Raynel Delgado and Lorenzo Cedrola also each joined the fun with solo homers.</p>
<p id="Kag1VC">Guardians’ radio announcer Jim Rosenhaus interviewed Guardians’ GM Mike Chernoff yesterday and asked him when fans could expect to see Chase DeLauter in the majors. I wasn’t able to write down what he said as I was working and running around, but Michael Hook captured a quote on Twitter:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thinking about this post right now cause Chernoff was just asked by Hammy about when DeLauter would be in the majors. <br><br>Chernoff: “We want him to experience things, but those experiences don’t have to come at the minor league level, and you also don’t want to set timetables” <a href="https://t.co/JwPZ5B8iqr">https://t.co/JwPZ5B8iqr</a></p>— Michael (@MichaelHook_CLE) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelHook_CLE/status/1768381057198346668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2024</a>
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<p id="437iDY">The answer was certainly not the usual “hold your horses” mantra I expect to hear from Guardians’ brass, I’ll say that.</p>
<p id="8YLSz9">Paul Hoynes of <a href="http://Cleveland.com">Cleveland.com</a> reports that <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2024/03/guardians-start-spring-break-early-with-13-7-win-over-the-rockies-behind-16-hits.html">Tyler Bedee will start today</a>, reminding us that the right-hander is also a possibility for a roster spot, albeit probably not as likely as Carrasco is to get one.</p>
<p id="LTxZ3B">Tomorrow is the Spring Breakout game between Cleveland’s top prospects and Cincinnati’s top prospects and we previewed the rosters <a href="https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/7/24090556/breaking-down-the-guardians-roster-for-the-spring-breakout-game">here</a> and <a href="https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/14/24101143/previewing-guardians-spring-breakout-roster-part-2">here</a>.</p>
https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2024/3/15/24101648/news-and-notes-pitcher-throwing-arm-reaper-visits-guardians-campQuincy Wheeler