Cleveland Guardians’ Farm System Not Quite Ready To Provide An Offensive Jolt

Last season, everything fell in place for the Cleveland Guardians.

In a dream season, with a roster populated by young, talented rookies, the Guardians won the American League Central with a record of 92-70, 11 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox.

This year, the Guardians are struggling to score runs and win games. Prior to play May 9, the Guardians had a team batting average of .223, last of the 30 teams in MLB.

The Guardians have taken a lot of called third strikes.

The Guardians have struck out 269 times, which places them 27th out of the 30 MLB teams.

Their 124 runs scored place them 29th overall, just above the Miami Marlins.

Their 19 home runs are the fewest in the game.

Their .329 Slugging Percentage ranks last in the game.

Their .300 On Base Percentage ranks 28th.

Their .629 Slugging Plus On Base Percentage ranks last in MLB.

Last year, the Guardians were a team that didn’t hit many homers, but they could get em on, get em over, and get em in.

Last year, the Guardians suffered few injuries, got timely hitting, and put pressure on the opposition with aggressive base running. Their bloop hits fell in front of defenders, and they had a blend of enough offense, superb defense, good speed, and solid pitching.

Last season, the Guardians had four Gold Glove defensive players. Pitcher Shane Bieber, second baseman Andres Gimenez, and outfielders Steven Kwan and Myles Straw saved countless runs with terrific, steady defense.

Last season, All Star Jose Ramirez was a game-changer at the plate. Ramirez hit .280 with 44 doubles, 29 home runs, and 126 RBIs in 685 plate appearances. Ramirez was only slowed when a serious thumb issue hampered his swing.

It seemed every time there was a runner in scoring position, Ramirez would drive him home.

That was then. This is now.

Power Hitters In Development:

The Guardians can’t look to players in development to add an offensive jolt to their lackluster lineup.

Not yet.

The Guardians don’t have consequential, impactful hitters currently ready for graduation to the parent club.

The Guardians have successfully selected excellent pitchers in recent MLB drafts. However, they have not given as much attention to drafting power hitters; especially corner infielders or outfielders. Offensively, their emphasis has been on middle-infielders via international signings.

Now, there is very little, if any power in development.

Left-handed hitting George Valera, 22. is viewed as a power hitting outfielder. However, he had surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his right hand. He will not be ready to graduate until he gets playing time at Triple-A Columbus.

In his career to date, Valera has hit 52 home runs in 1,165 plate appearances, including nine home runs last season in 179 trips to the plate at Columbus.

As of this writing, Valera has not played in 2023. He is assigned once again to Columbus.

Jhonkensy Noel, 21, is a very raw, right-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder. He is 6-3, 250 pounds.

Noel was signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic.

This season, Noel has hit five doubles, and six home runs in 128 plate appearances. Noel has driven in 23 runs in Triple-A. He has struck out 36 times, which is an issue.

When this scout observed Noel in spring training, he lacked plate discipline and pitch recognition. However, there is no doubting his power potential.

He reminds this scout of Franmil Reyes, a player with power, but with unrefined mechanics and an “all or nothing” approach at the plate.

Left-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder, Micah Pries, 25, is playing at Columbus as well. One can’t consider him a true power hitter. But based upon what this scout has seen, he’s a good hitter. So far he has three homers.

New Additions This Season:

In a quest for more power, the Guardians signed switch-hitting first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell, 30, to a one-year, $16.5 million contract, with a player option for next season.

Bell was off to a slow start this season, but has recently shown signs of life at the plate.

Convinced he had recovered from thoracic outlet surgery on his right shoulder area, the Guardians signed catcher Mike Zunino, 32, to a one year, $6 million contract. The team hopes the right-handed hitting Zunino can upgrade the primary catching role until prospect Bo Naylor is ready to assume the position.

Zunino has struggled defensively behind the plate. Considered a good defender, Zunino has looked slow blocking balls. And he has thrown out only five of 28 attempted base stealers, or 18%. Some of that is on the pitching staff.

Reputed to have some pop in his bat, Zunino has hit two home runs in his 88 plate appearances. He has struck out 37 times.

Struggling Hitters:

Andres Gimenez, 24, has seen his production tail off considerably from last season. A clutch hitter last year, Gimenez’ strikeouts have mounted, as he is making weak contact.

Amed Rosario, 27, started slowly last year. However, this year he is chasing pitches outside the strike zone more often, hitting into double plays, and leaving base runners stranded with poor at-bats.

Rosario can be a free agent after the season, and Cleveland has a decision to make regarding Rosario’s future with the team.

Thought to be a source of power, right fielder Oscar Gonzalez, 25, was chasing pitches out of the zone and not extending his swing. In essence, he was cutting his swing short. He was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. At the time he was sent out, Gonzalez was part of a platoon with left-handed hitting Will Brennan.

Brennan, 25, has been woeful at the plate as well. After a promising rookie season, Brennan has been thrust into a larger role. He has not capitalized on the opportunity.

Left-handed hitting first baseman/designated hitter Josh Naylor, 25, is viewed as a dangerous power hitter. However, Naylor has continued to struggle hitting left-handers. So far this season, he is hitting .115 vs. lefties, and only .198 overall. He has just three home runs.

When Naylor makes contact, he hits the ball hard. The Guardians need more contact and greater production from Naylor.

Switch-hitting Ramirez, 30, can still punish pitchers. He remain one of the best hitters in the game, but even Ramirez has only three home runs.

However, with the team in a collective hitting slump, and with Josh Bell, Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez not producing behind him in the batting order, pitchers are having their way more often with Ramirez.

He is seeing fewer fastballs to hit. He is seeing few good pitches to hit. He is making the best with the favorable pitches he does see.

After having successful offseason thumb surgery, this writer has little doubt Ramirez will once again drive in runs and bring fear to opposing pitchers.

For the Guardians to repeat as division champs, they will have to do what they did after their slow 2022 start. Simply put, they will have to find ways to score more runs.