This 2024 photo captures Deyvison De Los Santos of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, reflecting the team's active roster as of February 22, 2024, in Goodyear, Arizona. The Guardians are known for their talented infielders and outfielders, but they have struggled offensively in recent seasons.
In the previous year, the Guardians ranked 27th in Major League Baseball for runs scored, with only 662 runs. Their 124 home runs were the fewest in the league, highlighting the need for offensive improvement. Despite fan expectations for impactful hitters, the team's offseason acquisitions were outfielder Estevan Florial from the New York Yankees and first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos from the Arizona Cardinals.
The Guardians aim to address their offensive shortcomings by focusing on player development. Rather than pursuing established free agents, the team is giving minor league prospects the opportunity to showcase their skills during spring training and potentially impact the starting lineup. Players like Jhonkensy Noel, Johnathan Rodriguez, and De Los Santos are being closely watched to see if they can provide the power needed in the lineup.
New manager Stephen Vogt is using spring training to evaluate players for key positions, including the shortstop role. Gabriel Arias, Brayan Rocchio, and Tyler Freeman are competing for the position, each bringing unique strengths to the team. Arias, with the most big league experience, offers stability, while Rocchio and Freeman showcase potential in both offense and defense.
The Guardians are also assessing promising young talents like second baseman Juan Brito and infielder Angel Martinez, who show potential for future impact. Brito's power and plate discipline make him a standout prospect, while Martinez's clutch hitting has caught attention during spring training.
Left-handed hitting third baseman Daniel Schneemann, despite being older at 27, has impressed with his batting skills, speed, and defensive abilities. While he faces tough competition, Schneemann remains a solid prospect for the Guardians at third base.
As the Guardians continue their evaluation process, they prioritize developing their organizational players over pursuing short-term solutions in the free agent market. The team's focus on internal talent assessment aims to strengthen the lineup and address their run production challenges effectively.
