Shane Bieber talks leadership after dodging rain drops: Guardians spring training breakfast
Updated: Mar. 08, 2024, 1:19 p.m.|Published: Mar. 08, 2024, 9:40 a.m.
By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Arizona has heat, high winds, dust storms and tumbleweed. Rain, not so much.
Rain, however, washed out the Guardians’ spring training game against the A’s on Thursday in Mesa, limiting Shane Bieber to two innings in his second start of the spring.
Bieber, who walked three in his Cactus League debut on March 2, looked more like Bieber on Thursday, striking out four while allowing one run on two hits. The rainout allowed him to reflect on his role as the veteran on a young rotation featuring three rookies from last year in Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Gavin Williams.
Not to mention Triston McKenzie, who was drafted a year before Bieber, but has been slowed by injuries.
“It’s awesome. It’s something I’ve embraced for the last couple of years,” Bieber told reporters in Mesa following the rainout. “But I don’t really have to stress about anything out of the ordinary. I kind of just am able to do my thing.
“Those guys are already so good at what they do. They’ve clearly established routines throughout the minor leagues and throughout their developmental process. It’s really just about them getting more comfortable, gaining more confidence, learning the ins and outs, the tips and tricks, and just how to be a professional, which they’ve already been so good at.”
Not so long ago Bieber was in the same position. He made his big league debut in 2018, learning from veterans Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin. A year later he led the way for an influx of young starters including Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac.
Now Bieber is in his walk year and a candidate to be traded at the deadline.
“There’s no pressure on my end,” said Bieber. “I’ve just got to be me, be as supportive of a teammate as I possibly can be with those guys. But with everybody else, we got a young squad, young locker room, so it’s the same for everybody as it is for them.”
The Guardians were leading, 2-1, thanks to Ramon Laureano’s two-run double in the third when play was stopped. Laureano homered in his last start on Tuesday against Seattle.
Prospects on display
The Guardians will play the Reds on March 16 as part of MLB’s Spring Breakout Showcase. The game will feature the top prospects from each organization.
Outfielder Chase DeLauter and first baseman Kyle Manzardo, who have been impressive in big league camp this spring, are expected to play for the Guardians.
The game is part of MLB’s initiative to feature the future stars of the game. Sixteen matchups will take place between March 14-17 while major league teams are playing games in their Cactus and Grapefruit league stadiums.
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