Cleveland Guardians Prospect Christian Cairo Is A Chip Off The Old Block

PEORIA, AZ — Christian Cairo embraces the term “100 percent”. He said it nine times in a brief interview before an Arizona Fall League game last month.

The 22-year-old son of 17-year MLB veteran Miguel Cairo hopes he can use the phrase when referring to his health status for an entire season in 2024. It seems that every time the infielder gets into a groove at the plate, he’s stopped by a pulled hamstring, strained shoulder, a bruised or broken finger – though he is thankful no injuries have been career-threatening.

“It has been frustrating, 100 percent,” Cairo claimed. “I seem to get going, miss time, then have to rehab the injury and get my timing back all over again.”

Drafted by Cleveland in the fourth round in 2019 out of high school, he has yet to play 80 games in a season as a pro. He missed the entire 2000 campaign when the Covid outbreak shut down the minors. He played only 79, 63 and 73 games the next three years. Despite the down time, he always gives … 100 percent effort.

“I don’t think we’ve seen what he can really do yet,” said a scout for a rival American League ballclub. “He’s got a great feel for the game, very instinctive. That comes from working with his dad. He’s never going to be a power source, but can help a team because he does the little things it takes. He’s a baseball ballplayer.” He emphasized the word “baseball”.

“I owe everything to my dad, 100 percent, Cairo said. “He taught me to love the game, the importance of a work ethic and how to be a man. He taught me the details, bunting, moving over runners. A lot of others have helped, coaches and teammates. I don’t want to mention one or two. That’s unfair to the others. They have all helped.”

Cairo did single out one special player. Next to his dad, he’s his all-time hero. He met him on his first trip into a big-league clubhouse at age 5: future Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

“That was just an incredible experience,” Cairo said. “I knew my dad played baseball for the New York Yankees, but I didn’t really know until that day how amazing that was. Derek Jeter talked to me. Derek Jeter!”

Cairo said Jeter worked with and encouraged him after his dad moved on to other teams.

Like Father, Like Son

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder’s game is like that of his father, who batted .264 with only 41 homers in 1,490 MLB games between 1996 and 2012. Pop played six positions, primarily second base and third, and went to the playoffs six times for the St. Louis Cardinals (2001-02), New York Yankees (2004), Philadelphia Phillies (2009) and Cincinnati Reds (2010, ’12).

Miguel Cairo hit .292 with 6 homers and 42 RBI for the Yankees in 2004. He had three good years for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2000), hitting .275 overall with 116 of his 394 career RBI. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.

Dad negotiated Christian’s contract. The youngster had committed to play at Louisiana State, but got a $955,000 signing bonus from the Guardians at pick No. 130 overall. That was more than 56 others drafted ahead of him received.

Christian said he loves playing shortstop but will go wherever he’s asked. He’s played all four infield spots and was used in seven games in left field this year. At Peoria, he made a fine scoop and throw in left field, turning an easy run-scoring single into a bang-bang play at plate. The runner was safe by an eyelash and Cairo hopped around in frustration.

“I really thought I had him,” he said. “I’ve worked on my arm my entire life. My dad told me to do that. He said, ‘I can do everything but throw.’ ”

Christian was clocked at 91 mph in high school. He said he has improved. A lot.

Quite a catch?

One National League scout believes Cairo would be a great catcher.

“It might be a little late now to switch, but he’s got all the tools,” he said. “He can throw, has soft hands, great footwork and knows the game. I’m surprised Cleveland didn’t do it. Terry Francona recognized the same thing with Tony Wolters.”

Wolters was a third-round pick in 2010 as a 5-foot-10 infielder. In Francona’s first spring camp in Cleveland in 2013, he suggested the move. Three years later, Colorado claimed Wolters on waivers. He was the Rockies’ reserve catcher the next five seasons, with the Cubs in 2021, Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 and the Minnesota Twins’ Triple-A team this year.

You Never Know

Curt Blefary called a no-hitter in just his fourth game as a catcher 55 years ago.

Blefary was a slugging outfielder nicknamed “Clank” for his fielding deficiencies with the Baltimore Orioles and four other teams. He hit 22 homers in 1965 and was AL Rookie of the Year. He hit 22 and 23 homers the next two years. When backup catcher Charlie Lau broke a toe in spring training of 1968, manager Hank Bauer got creative. He recalled how Yankees manager Casey Stengel utilized power-hitting Johnny Blanchard as a backup outfielder, first baseman and third-string catcher. He asked Blefary to give it a try.

On April 27, 1968, Blefary caught rookie curveballer Tom Phoebus against the defending AL champion Boston Red Sox. “Nervous?” Blefary told The Baltimore Sun afterwards. “You better believe it. His ball breaks so much, I anticipated several passed balls. Tom made it so easy. He threw everything for strikes.”

Blefary, a noted free spirit, then gave all the credit to Leroy. Who in the world was that? “That’s my lucky monkey,” he said of a stuffed animal given him by fans. “Leroy is my middle name.”