Now that we are over the starting point of the season, it’s time for an update. It’s June 8 and the Guardians (39-26) are in first place by 2 games over the Twins and followed closely by an upstart Royals team led by Seth Lugo (currently 11-0 with a 2.04 ERA), the clear front-runner for the Cy Young going into the summer.
The Guardians came out and set the world on fire in April with a 21-9 record. They were swept at home by Boston and then lost an away series against the Braves. Their next series was a another swept effort in Houston. and a butt kicking at home from the Tigers.
It hasn’t been all bad for the Guardians. Prior to the woodchipper that was May they won a series against the Yankees and swept the Red Sox (before the ensuing sweep in response the following week). The Guardians have not been overpowering at the plate, but as a team they are batting for average and currently in 5th place with a .269 average. While they have managed to hit 83 home runs and place 13th as a team, it’s obvious that their biggest weakness is power. However, it seemingly appears when they need it as we will cover shortly.
Grand Pham –
The signing of Tommy Pham on April 16 has been a much needed boost to the lineup. Pham has hit TWO game winning Grand Slams in extra innings. Both instances have been as a sub for Will Brennan against LHPs. While these clutch moments have been huge for the team, it is also showing their weakness in young power bats as well as a couple of holes against LHPs.
TRADE TALK
As the Guardians have moved into summer they are still competing and in first place. They made a couple of moves early in the season. One saw them bring in a prospect at Catcher in Jeferson Quero from Milwaukee in exchange or Myles Straw and Ramon Laureano. This was followed a few days later with Trades for more young talent.
The Cleveland Naylors? – The Guardians made a move with the Oakland A’s in a 3 for 1 deal. Myles Naylor, SS/3B was acquired for Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin, and Kahlil Watson. Naylor is in AAA Columbus with hopes of competing for a spot in the lineup next year.
Adios Valera plus five more – CF, George Valera was sent with 1B, Joe Naranjo, Cade Smith, Estevan Florial, Juan Brito and C, Michael Berglund to the Cubs for CF, Kevin Alcantara and SS, Matt Shaw.
Power Relief – The Guardians acquired RPs Jose Soriano and Ben Joyce from the Angels for Tanner Burns, Adam Oller, and Scott Barlow.
The Big One – Cleveland has made in-roads with a few teams in a deal that would send Shane Bieber away for picks. The Guardians have made it clear that they will not send away their top pitcher for anything less than a top package of prospects. The highest bidder will get Bieber. The question is – how much will any team give for a struggling pitcher – even if it’s Bieber.
Scouting for the Draft –
The Guardians have been hard at work looking into numerous amateur players to select with the first pick in the coming draft. Their scouts have been taking a long look at OF, Bruno Nivar. Nivar is widely projected to be the top player with the most immediate upside in the draft. Nivar won the Golden Spike award in his junior season with Old Dominion as they made it to the College World Series and lost to eventual champions, Tennessee and their junior pitcher (and top ten prospect) Freddie Morales.
Other players the Cleveland scouts have been scouting include –
SP, Jason Waldron – A tall and lean pitcher that comes with a four pitch repertoire and at only 19, he has time to develop. He is still raw with a lot to be desired in his control problems as well as his stamina.
OF, Mariano Irizarry – The prospect that has climbed most draft boards this year started the season as a relative unknown, but the Ohio University standout has shown pop in his bat and a tremendous ability to steal bases as he has been 24/24 in that regard. His .325 average has shown potential, but against lesser talent, we don’t know how that could translate – who really does?
SP, James Walsh – The sophomore was an early top-15 candidate, but the scouts quickly made note of his strange dropoff in strikeouts this year. A lot of contact is being made and he has given up a lot of extra base hits early in the college season.
SP, Jack Thomson – The Indiana professor on the mound has some of the best junk we have seen. The question is whether this kid with the old-time mustache is the next Maddux or the next Joe Blow.
SS, Kevin Beck – Another young prospect out of Cal State CC. He opted out of the draft and is coming out of JUCO as one of the more curious prospects. He was initially the 5 ranked player overall, but has since fallen down the Guardians’ rankings all the way to 46.
SS, Doug Harris – Similarly, the 18 year old was raw but the talent was clear his junior year of HS at San Mateo Valley HS. The Guardians question whether he would be better off to opt out and go to at least Junior College.
OF, John Wallace – The youngster from Chicago has shot up from 5’7″ and 160 lbs to be 6’0″ and 185 his senior year. The 18 year old is raw, but showing potential. He was a Top-25o player last year, but that was as a small second baseman. He has shown signs of growth, and that is a good sign for a team that is looking 3-4 years down the line for OF help.
SS, Ralph Bender – Finally, we have the Georgia mystery man. Bender has shown up all over YouTube making plays as a SS and 3B with some 2B in there as well. The standout from Macon has comitted to Georgia as his next stop. While he is generally considered to be a risk to even draft, he will certainly be on a lot of radars going forward.
NoobTubeTV 