CLEVELAND — The folks in charge of keeping the top prospect lists updated for each team have been working overtime when it comes to the Guardians.
The youthful wave that has overtaken the major league roster over the last few years has led to considerable turnover. Many players who populated those lists, helping the Guardians to rank near the top of the league in the overall system rankings, are now on the major league roster, including Gavin Wiliams, Tyler Freeman , Bo Naylor , Tanner Bibee , Logan Allen , Jose Tena, Gabriel Arias and others.
Middle infielder Brayan Rocchio, who was recently optioned back to Triple-A Columbus, tops that list now, according to MLB Pipeline . Rocchio has appeared in 19 games with the Guardians this season, hitting .242 with four doubles and five RBIs in 66 at-bats. He'll likely be part of discussion for a role at shortstop in 2024, along with Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman (assuming Andres Gimenez remains at second base).
Among the prospects who haven't made their debut but are candidates to do so in 2024, the top three include first baseman Kyle Manzardo (No. 2 overall in the Guardians system), outfielder George Valera (No. 5) and infielder Juan Brito (No. 6).
Right-handed pitcher Daniel Espino is ranked No. 3, but he'll be sidelined until at least next summer after undergoing shoulder surgery. Outfielder Chase DeLauter is ranked No. 4, but still has a ways to go as he makes his way through the minor league system.
Manzardo was acquired at the trade deadline in the somewhat controversial deal for starting pitcher Aaron Civale . The Guardians were only half a game out of first place at that time, but flaws on the roster, a series of injuries and the ability to add a top-40 prospect across the league for 2.5 years of the oft-injured Civale created a situation that was too much value to pass up. Since the deal, Civale has a 4.24 ERA with the Tampa Bay Rays .
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Manzardo figures to split first base and designated hitter duties with Josh Naylor in 2024. Due to Major League Baseball's new rules, which reward teams for having prospects on the roster on opening day if they perform well enough, Manzardo's chances of breaking camp with the major league club are higher than they would have been a few years ago.
The Guardians are just getting their first chance to work with Manzardo to end the Triple-A season after he missed more than six weeks with a shoulder injury.
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"It's only been a handful of games but, most importantly, he's healthy," said president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "He's obviously a little rusty because he missed a good chunk of time and didn't play in games regularly, but he's starting to get his timing back, starting to get his swing back and by all accounts is a really good worker.
"We'll continue to partner with him for the balance of the season and hopefully can help head into the offseason with a good plan and come in next year ready to go."
It's been a season to forget for Valera. A candidate to possibly hit the majors this season, Valera hasn't taken the type of step forward for which he had hoped while dealing with hamstring and wrist issues, along with a six-game suspension stemming from an altercation with an opposing catcher.
But for a team seemingly always looking for production in the outfield, he could be a major part of the team's plans in 2024.
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"It was a really tough start to the year for George, just with the injuries and him not being able to be on the field, and he came back from the hamate and the hamstring and it was just tough to get into a rhythm," Antonetti said. "I think what we've seen over the last few weeks is he's starting to emerge from that and has been more productive, and that's been really encouraging to see."
Another element to consider this winter and next spring: Both Manzardo and Valera are left-handed hitters hoping to join an already lefty-heavy lineup in Cleveland.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians 2 prospects who could make impact in 2024
