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Do Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter factor into Guardians spring training position battles?
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- Do Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter factor into Guardians spring training position battles?
The Guardians are opening their spring training camp in Goodyear, Arizona, this week, which means they'll soon find answers to many of the most pressing questions about the roster .
With players beginning to report to the club's facility, there are a number of position battles that will take shape over the next several weeks leading up to Opening Day.
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Here are the top five position battles to watch in Guardians camp this spring.
Akron RubberDucks infielder Juan Brito throws to first base between innings during a game against the Bowie Baysox, Aug. 31, 2023, at Canal Park.
Second base: Tyler Freeman , Gabriel Arias , Daniel Schneemann , Juan Brito , Travis Bazzana
Second base is the most open competition on the Guardians roster , and it might only be a short-term arrangement.
Andres Gimenez was sent north of the border , which freed up some payroll flexibility long term, further cleared the eventual runway for recent No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana and left a wide-open race to the Opening Day starting spot.
Tyler Freeman and Gabriel Arias have both been given chances at the major league level but haven't been able to find any consistent success. Both are starting to run out of time. Daniel Schnemman had some nice moments but also needs to show more offensive production at the major league level.
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All three can play multiple spots around the field, so the Guardians have plenty of flexibility and options when it comes to their bench.
As a switch-hitter who last year in Triple-A posted a .365 on-base percentage along with 21 home runs and 40 doubles, Juan Brito is the most intriguing option with perhaps a higher ceiling than those who have already made their major league debuts.
Travis Bazzana is on the way and might make his major league debut in 2024 despite being selected No. 1 overall only last summer, but it remains to be seen if the Guardians are ready to turn over the second base reins to him just yet.
A recurring theme for the 2025 Guardians is going to be their search for enough hitting to bolster the lineup behind Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan . Gimenez had struggled to repeat his 2022 offensive production, but he did provide elite, Gold Glove-level defense at second base. The Guardians have to figure out how to replace that value, at least until Bazzana is ready to make the jump.
Cleveland Guardians' Jhonkensy Noel circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland.
Right field: Will Brennan , Jhonkensy Noel , Johnathan Rodriguez , Chase DeLauter
Will Brennan has had his moments , but he still posted an OPS below .700 last year. Jhonkensy Noel had one of the biggest home runs in recent franchise history when he sent a ball sailing into the Cleveland night to tie Game 3 of the ALCS , but he hasn't yet alleviated some concerns with his hitting profile and his propensity for high strikeout numbers.
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Those two could certainly form a natural platoon.
Chase DeLauter is one of the club's top prospects who made a lot of noise last spring. He could be the long-term answer in right field once he's able to make his major league debut. The Guardians have been searching for stability in right field and would love to have it, but they know they might be headed for a timeshare of some sort.
Johnathan Rodriguez had a brief cameo in the majors last year. He posted a .930 OPS in Triple-A.
Freeman, Martinez, Arias and Schneemann could all also be factors in the outfield as well, possibly involving Lane Thomas shifting from center field to right field.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Andrew Walters (63) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros on Sept. 28, 2024, in Cleveland.
Relief pitcher (three spots): Eric Sabrowski, Andrew Walters , Nic Enright, Francon Aleman, Luis Frias, Parker Mushinski
Emmanuel Clase , Cade Smith , Hunter Gaddis , newly signed Paul Sewald and Tim Herrin should have the first five spots in the bullpen locked up. That leaves three spots up in the air.
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Eric Sabrowski and Andrew Walters probably have the inside track to two of those if they pitch well this spring. Both pitched effectively late in the season a year ago.
Franco Aleman and Nic Enright are both already on the 40-man roster , which might help their cases to make the Opening Day roster, though it could certainly also go to a starter who loses out on a spot in the rotation.
Parker Mushinski, a lefty, and Luis Frias, a righty, are both in camp on minor league deals with invitations to major league camp.
Slade Cecconi , acquired in the Josh Naylor trade , could be a factor in the bullpen if he doesn't earn a rotation spot, along with a few others.
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Sam Hentges and Trevor Stephan will be on the injured list for an extended period of time.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (24) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics on April 19, 2024, in Cleveland.
Starting pitcher (three spots): Gavin Williams , Ben Lively , Triston McKenzie , Logan Allen , Slade Cecconi , Joey Cantillo , Doug Nikhazy
The Guardians haven't had this messy of the situation with their starting rotation at the opening of a spring training camp in quite some time.
Until Shane Bieber can return from Tommy John surgery , perhaps only Tanner Bibee and Luis Ortiz are assured spots in the rotation as camp opens.
Gavin Williams might have the inside track to the No. 3 spot in the rotation if he can build a positive spring camp. Williams missed a large portion of the 2024 season and then posted a 4.86 ERA.
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Ben Lively was retained, but he might still need to prove that his career year at age 32 wasn't a mirage.
Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen are hoping for rebounds after disastrous 2024 seasons. Cecconi could be an option in either the rotation or the bullpen. Joey Cantillo and Doug Nikhazy are the least experienced options who are vying for a rotation spot, but they could make some noise with quality spring showings.
Vince Velazquez and Kolby Allard are both in camp as non-roster invitees, but with so many options already on the 40-man roster they have an uphill climb.
Cleveland Guardians' Kyle Manzardo (9) hits an RBI double against the New York Mets on May 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
Designated hitter: Kyle Manzardo , Jhonkensy Noel, Johnathan Rodriguez, Angel Martinez, Tyler Freeman
This isn't exactly a position, but there are several players who will be competing for at-bats as a designated hitter.
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Until David Fry can return from Tommy John surgery , the Guardians could have a revolving door at the DH spot in the lineup.
Kyle Manzardo has a chance to earn a large share of those ABs, particularly with how he ended last season. Noel and Rodriguez could also find some additional plate appearances if others take charge in right field.
Even Martinez, Freeman, Arias or Schneemann could factor into the mix.
In addition to the position battles at second base and in right field, a number of hitters will have the chance for some available at-bats in the DH spot in the back of their mind.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians 2025 spring training position battles feature Travis Bazzana
