CLEVELAND — Big Christmas has brought some big power to the Guardians lineup . The question is if he can keep a regular spot in the batting order as Cleveland continues its chase for a divisional crown .
Outfielder Jhonkensy Noel sports one of the best nicknames in baseball with "Big Christmas." He also has arguably as much raw power ( as stated by Baseball America this spring ) as any young hitter in the game, something he has put on display since being called up to make his major league debut earlier this year.
In Tuesday night's win over the Detroit Tigers , Noel launched his fifth home run in his 46th at-bat in the majors, a solo shot to the Home Run Porch. It brought his OPS with Cleveland to .964.
"Yeah, it's unbelievable," said Steven Kwan . "Obviously, it's no joke that he's a power hitter, and I think other teams know that and they try to work their way around it, and they still are not executing their plans. I think that's fascinating that he's able to do that and balance that dynamic of maybe off-speed here, maybe a sneak fastball there, and he still gets his swing off every time. It's been super impressive."
In 18 games, Noel has done well to make his presence felt . In addition to being a rather imposing figure at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he also displays an uncommon batting stance in which he holds the bat a bit lower and has his ankle turned during the pitcher's windup.
But the sound of the bat when he's made great contact has been unmistakable.
"Pretty unique setup, pretty unique swing, but I just like watching him hit," said manager Stephen Vogt . "I just smile every time he goes up there, and my ears are still ringing from that homer he hit in Tampa. He impacts the ball really well. He's going to chase like we talk about, but he's been on a lot more pitches than he hasn't."
That last bit is part of the reason why Noel hasn't yet grabbed hold of an everyday role in the Guardians lineup. Yes, he has an immense amount of raw power. Yes, he can hit it a mile. But his contact rate is still something to watch as he develops as a major league hitter, and the Guardians know that it's a factor in the short run.
In those 18 games, Noel has belted five home runs, but he's also struck out 18 times in 43 at-bats. He's also not necessarily known for his defense in right field. Those two elements kept him from ranking among the Guardians' top prospects, despite legitimate light-tower power.
For the time being, Noel will enter the lineup in selected spots, though his power as a right-handed hitter is a needed element to a lefty-heavy Guardians batting order.
"There's going to be some series, when you're a right-handed bat that doesn't play every day," Vogt said. "There's going to be some times where you don't get consistent at-bats. But Jhonkensy's been working extremely hard to stay ready. … We're coming up on stretch right now where we're going to see some left-handed pitching, so he's going to get his playing time. He's got a great attitude.
"I love this guy a lot, and he's been a big part of our team."
The Guardians will have to wait and see how Noel develops as a hitter. But there's no mistaking that with such an immense level of power, facing Noel as a pitcher can be a bit nerve-racking.
"He already has that physicality factor that when he steps in the box, you're like, 'OK, if I leave one over the plate, I know I might not get this ball back,'" said Xzavion Curry , who started Tuesday's game for the Guardians. "So I know pitchers are pretty timid when he steps in the box. … I'm pretty sure it's not a comfortable at-bat at all."
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians love rookie Jhonkensy Noel's home run power
