Cleveland Sports Forum

Petey Halpin lead off the 7th with a base hit to the pitcher, DeLauter Walked, Halpin stole third, EeLauter stole second, Manzardo walked to load the bases with no outs, Noel went down swinging, Brito walked on a 7 pitch at bat, Halpin scored, CLE 5 CIN 0, Chourio with a sac fly to center, DeLauter scored, CLE 6 CIN 2, runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs, Ingle goes down own stikes, ball in the dirt, to end the half inning. Mid of 7, CLE 6 CIN 2.

Andrew Walters walked 1 but struck out the side on 15 pitches. End of 7, CLE 6 CIN 2.

Field View: Kyle Manzardo hits a Spring Breakout HR

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/fie ... efault-vtp

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Field View: Jhonkensy Noel hits a home run

https://www.mlb.com/guardians/video/field-view-of-jhonkensy-noel-s-home-run?t=t114-default-vtp

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GAME DAY BOX SCORE

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-p ... /final/box

Guardians left-hander Sam Hentges has been shut down with a sore finger on his pitching hand.


Guardians reliever shut down because of sore finger; season opener in doubt

Updated: Mar. 16, 2024, 9:37 p.m.|Published: Mar. 16, 2024, 9:27 p.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When spring training opened, the Guardians thought that Gavin Williams, Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak would be a part of their pitching staff when the regular season began on March 28.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When spring training opened, the Guardians thought that Gavin Williams, Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak would be a part of their pitching staff when the regular season began on March 28.

That will not be the case because of the injuries they’ve suffered.

Now it appears that Williams, Stephan and Karinchak may have company.

Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters on Saturday at the team’s spring-training headquarters in Goodyear, Arizona that left-hander Sam Hentges has been shut down “for a couple of days” with swelling and discomfort in the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Hentges was examined by a specialist on Thursday when the team announced that Stephan would need season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and that Williams (right elbow) and Karinchak (right shoulder) would not be ready to open the season.

“They’re finding out more (on the injury) today,” said Vogt.

Vogt was asked if Hentges could be ready for opening day. There are only 11 days left before the Guardians travel to Oakland to open the regular season.

“It’s tough,” said Vogt. “There are some questions there. We just don’t know enough yet about Sam to make a decision. In the next day or two, we should have more information on what that means.”

Hentges made his last spring appearance on March 8 when he pitched a scoreless inning against the White Sox. In four appearances this spring, he’s pitched four innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits. He’s struck out five and walked three. The opposition is hitting .375 against him.

In 2022, Hentges helped the Guardians win the AL Central. He went 3-2 with one save and a 2.32 ERSA in 57 games. He struck out 72 and walked 19 in 62 innings. The opposition slashed .186/.258/.258 against him.

Last year Hentges opened the year on the injured list after missing much of spring training with a sore left shoulder.

Hentges didn’t join the Guardians until May 6. He still made 56 appearances, striking out 56 and walking 18 in 52 1/3 innings. Overall, he went 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA. The opposition slashed .260/.318/.338 against him.

The Guardians are expected to open the season with an eight-man bullpen. Right now they seemingly have four spots filled with Emmanuel Clase, Scott Barlow, Nick Sandlin and Eli Morgan. If Hentges isn’t ready, they’ll have four openings to fill.
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Mar 12, 2024; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Estevan Florial (90) bats against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Surprise Stadium.


Guardians Encouraged By Estevan Florial's Progress

Estevan Florial is getting more comfortable in the Cleveland Guardians organization.

TOMMY WILD 3/16/24 3 HOURS AGO

The outfield picture remains unclear as the Cleveland Guardians get closer to Opening Day. The newest outfield to the organization, Estevan Florial, remains in play to be on the team's big league roster despite a difficult spring.

Stephen Vogt still remains encouraged by what he's seen from the 26-year-old.

"As far as Florial goes, I've really liked his at-bats as of late," said Vogt. "He got off to kind of a rough start, but this is a guy who is new to the organization.

"He's starting to get more and more comfortable and better and better each day putting a lot of time with J.T. McGuire out there working on center field. He's also spent a lot of time in the cages with [Chris Valaika] and the hitting group. So, Estevan's at-bats have been a lot better over the last week and I really like the way he's trending and progressing."

Vogt emphasizes Florial's recent plate appearances. But he has just one hit and five strikeouts in his last 11 at-bats over the last week. To be fair, the quality of these appearances and battle with the picture also matter in the eyes of coaches.

Florial's overall spring training slash line is a .152/.222/.152 in 11 games and 33 plate appearances.

It's a good sign that the coaching staff feels Florial is headed in the right direction. However, the bottom line is that he is fighting for a spot on this roster. Florial is out of options so the next step for Cleveland would be designating him for assignment so there will be pressure to perform right away.

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Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run home run in the third inning as Cleveland's prospects defeated Cincinnati's prospects, 6-2.

GUARDIANS

Kyle Manzardo, Jhonkensy Noel power Guardians prospects to 6-2 Spring Breakout win against Reds

Updated: Mar. 16, 2024, 10:23 p.m.|Published: Mar. 16, 2024, 10:19 p.m.

By Joe Noga, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a battle of Who’s Next, the Guardians showed that their top prospects can provide just enough thump when challenged by Cincinnati’s best and brightest.

Johnkensy Noel and Kyle Manzardo drilled home runs and Jaison Chourio added a double and an RBI sacrifice fly as Cleveland’s minor league stars picked up a 6-2 victory Saturday against Cincinnati’s brightest farmhands in Major League Baseball’s Spring Breakout showcase at Goodyear Ballpark.

The game was part of MLB’s effort to highlight the game’s best young talent, pitting rosters of top prospects from each club against each other in single games Thursday through Saturday.

Manzardo, the Guardians’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, took Reds righty Arij Fransen deep to right field with Jake Fox aboard in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie and put Cleveland in front. Noel, who was optioned to minor league camp last week, put the Guards on the scoreboard with a solo blast that tied the score at 1-1 in the second.

Manzardo continues to compete for a spot on Cleveland’s opening day roster, hitting .281 in 21 Cactus League at-bats with a pair of RBI and a .934 OPS.

Petey Halpin, Jose Devers and Juan Brito added hits for Cleveland.

Not to be overlooked was the effort of Cleveland’s starting pitcher, Doug Nikhazy, who whiffed six Reds batters in three innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk. The left-hander was a second-round draft pick out of Mississippi in 2021 and spent the entire season in Double-A Akron’s rotation posting a 4-8 record and a 4.94 ERA in 102 innings.

Cincinnati took an early lead when Sal Stewart reached on a throwing error by Brito in the first and later scored on Mat Nelson’s two-out single to center. After Noel’s home run evened the score, Cincinnati’s Cade Hunter doubled home Jay Allen II on a ground ball that deflected off Manzardo’s glove and past Fox into the outfield.

Halpin and Chourio added RBI sacrifice flys and Brito walked with the bases loaded to force in a run in the seventh.

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PIPELINE

Guardians show power potential in Spring Breakout

March 16th, 2024

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Fans lined up against a chain-link fence just to get a chance to interact with the Guardians’ top prospects, Chase DeLauter (No. 1) and Kyle Manzardo (No. 2).

The two were waiting for their turn on Saturday just outside of Goodyear Ballpark to sit down and sign autographs on the left-field concourse when fans spotted them from afar. Manzardo had a conversation with a young fan peeking through the chain-link fence, and DeLauter chatted with a group who were so excited to interact with him. The excitement for their arrivals in the big leagues is mounting in Cleveland. The ability for fans to see and interact with them in person only allowed that to grow.

“It’s fun,” Manzardo said. “I think making sure you’re taking care of those younger kids that are showing up or asking their dad to stay and watch this game, I think that’s what helps baseball as a whole.”

The Guardians secured a 6-2 victory over the Reds in MLB’s inaugural Spring Breakout. Although they made plenty of highlights, three stood out from all the rest:

1. Power supply

Jhonkensy Noel (No. 29) and Manzardo were able to benefit from experience in big league camp this spring, and the two looked like they were in midseason form.

Noel got things started in the top of the second inning by leading off with a home run over the Guardians’ bullpen in left field. This is the power the Guardians are so excited about with the 22-year-old infielder/outfielder. If he’s able to be more patient in the box and more selective with the pitches he goes after, Cleveland might be able to benefit from the big bat in the middle of the order.

“If it’s Minor League or Major League, I want to do the same thing,” Noel said. “Not try to do too much and believe in myself.”

And then there’s Manzardo. The first-base prospect who was sent from the Rays to the Guardians in exchange for Aaron Civale last July has been everything and more that the Guardians could have asked for this spring. He has been the talk of camp and has fully displayed that he’s more than deserving of his spot on the big league roster. He doubled down on his case by smacking a long homer over the pavilion in right field in this prospect showcase.

2. Chourio adds a double

This game is designed to showcase players like Jaison Chourio (No. 6). He’s an 18-year-old kid in Single-A who has so much potential but doesn’t quite have the same hype as some of the older prospects who are closing in on their Major League debuts. He may have been one of the youngest guys on the field, but he was responsible for one of Cleveland’s six hits on the day, serving a double to right field.

“This is a great learning opportunity for me,” Chourio said through an interpreter. “Getting to learn from Manzardo, [Juan] Brito and guys who have been at the higher levels is a really good learning experience.”

3. Walters brings the heat

The Guardians need bullpen arms, right? Spring Breakout is supposed to highlight the future. But the way Andrew Walters pitched, he showcased that he could easily be the present.

His new teammates for the day lined the railing in the dugout, smacking the top padding after his eighth pitch. Sure, Walters was one strike away from ending the game – something any group would cheer for. But this could’ve been even more significant. Walters (No. 27) had thrown eight consecutive strikes -- one pitch away from an immaculate inning.

“In the back of my mind ,” Walters said. “But at the same time, I’m just out there competing."

The radar gun flashed the following numbers for his first six pitches: 98, 98, 99, 89 (offspeed), 90 (offspeed), 100. This resulted in two strikeouts.

The fastball started off the third at-bat (this one at 99 mph) and a 90 mph breaking ball in the dirt was so tempting that the batter couldn’t lay off of it. This is when the dugout started to go crazy for Walters to shut things down with an immaculate inning. Instead, a 99 mph heater was high -- his first ball. After a walk, he came back with three fastballs to the next guy to end the game on a swinging strikeout.

MLB Pipeline projects Walters will reach the Majors in 2025, but if the 23-year-old righty pitches like this all year in the Minors, 2024 is absolutely not out of the question.

“For me, it’s just doing what I’m doing out there right now,” Walters said. “Ultimately, refine all my stuff and be the best player I can be.”

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Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor is hitting .324 (11 for 34) this spring after leading the team in RBI last season.


GUARDIANS

Breaking through the Goodyear gloom: Guardians spring training breakfast

Updated: Mar. 17, 2024, 10:55 a.m.|Published: Mar. 17, 2024, 10:49 a.m.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Manager Stephen Vogt and Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, looked forlorn on Thursday after delivering the litany of injuries to their pitching staff from their spring-training headquarters in Goodyear, Arizona to reporters in Cleveland by Zoom.

Who wouldn’t they?

Yet as spring training enters its homestretch, here are five things that should give the Guardians and their fans hope:

1. Josh Naylor is having a big spring and looks primed for another good season.

2. The Guardians have taken a hit in the bullpen with injuries to Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak. But a combination of Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith and Tim Herrin have a chance to replace their innings and production.

3. No matter how the competition for shortstop works out between Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio, the Guards have strong options with Tyler Freeman, Angel Martinez and others.

4 Right-handers Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, who missed so much time with injuries last season, are on schedule to open the season in the rotation.

5. Youngsters Kyle Manzardo, Chase DeLauter, Jhonkensy Noel, Petey Halpin and Jaison Chourio showed well in MLB’s Spring Breakout game against the Reds. See more details below.

Saturday’s game

McKenzie allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 6-0 loss to the Giants on Saturday at Scottsdale Stadium. McKenzie had not allowed a run in his previous two spring starts.

The Giants took a 2-0 in the second on a Matt Chapman homer and a triple by Nick Amed. They made it 3-0 against McKenzie in the third when Mike Yastrzemski singled, took third on a double by Wilmer Flores and scored on a ground ball by Jorge Soler.

The Guardians were held scoreless on seven hits. Josh Naylor singled and doubled for Cleveland. Naylor is hitting .324 (11 for 34) this spring with five RBI. Martinez and Naylor lead the Guardians in hits this spring.

Rocchio, who has struggled at the plate this spring, doubled and singled to raise his average to .207. Rocchio is trying to win the shortstop’s job.

Gaddis continued his impressive spring, striking out the side in the fifth. Gaddis, who has allowed two runs in 8 2/3 innings, and Smith lead Cleveland’s pitching staff with 11 strikeouts each.

Saturday’s spring breakout

Manzardo and Noel homered as the Guardians’ prospects beat the Cincinnati prospects, 6-2, Saturday evening as part of MLB’s Spring Breakout promotion at Goodyear Ballpark.

MLB’s Spring Breakout is a four-day, 16-game showcase for the prospects on each team to play another team of prospects.

Noel, just optioned from big league camp, homered in the second to tie the score at 1-1. A Halpin sacrifice fly and a Manzardo’s two-run homer gave the Guards a 3-1 lead.

Cleveland added two more runs in the final inning of the seven-run game. Juan Brito drew a bases-loaded walk and sacrifice fly by Chourio. The inning was setup on a double steal by Halplin and DeLauter.

Manzardo and Halpin are still in big league camp. DeLauter dresses with the minor leaguers, but has been working out with the big league team since the start of camp in February.

Sunday’s game

Bieber (0-0, 3.18) will make his third start of the spring when he faces the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Cincinnati is scheduled to start LHP Brandon Williamson (0-2. 4.00). WTAM will carry the game.

This is actually Bieber’s fourth start, but he was rained out after two innings of work against the A’s on March 7. Bieber has pitched 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts, four walks and three hits. He’s allowed two earned runs and the opposition is hitting .176 against him.

Bieber after facing the Reds will have one more Cactus League start before facing the A’s in Oakland on March 28 to open the regular season. It will be his fifth straight opening day start for Cleveland.

In the previous five years, Corey Kluber was Cleveland’s opening day starter.

What’s next

Here are the Guardians’ next five spring games after Sunday:

@White Sox on Monday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale at 4:05 p.m.

Milwaukee @at Goodyear Ballpark on Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. as part of a split-squad day. The Guards’ other team will play the Rockies @ Talking Stick at 4:05 p.m. WTAM will carry the Guards-Brewers game.

The Guardians are off Wednesday.

Kansas City @Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday for a 4:05 p.m. game. WTAM will broadcast the game.

Texas @Goodyear Ballpark on Friday at 4:05 p.m. Bally Sports Great Lakes and WTAM wll carry the game.

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Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 3/16/24
Guardians spring breakout game highlights and vs. Giants

ARTHUR KINNEY AND JUSTIN LADA

MAR 17

Spring Breakout Game: Cleveland Guardians 6, CIncinnati Reds 2

HIGHLIGHTS

Kyle Manzardo (1B): 1-2, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB -

This was essentially the Kyle Manzardo Breakout game for Cleveland. He hit a nice two run homer and worked two walks, showing who is is as a hitting prospect.

https://twitter.com/tNichols80/status/1 ... dium=email

Jhonkensy Noel (DH): 1-2, HR, RBI -

Noel was a late add to the game as the initial roster didn’t have anyone on the 40 on it. He hit a homer himself before Manzardo.

https://twitter.com/tNichols80/status/1 ... dium=email

Jaison Choruio (LF): 1-3, 2B, RBI -

Chourio doubled in the fourth and then later added a sac fly in the seventh.

Juan Brito (3B): 1-3, BB, RBI -

Brito also had himself a good game, hitting a single in the sixth and drew a base loaded walk. He did make a fielding error at third though, which isn’t his best position (which is with the bat).

Doug Nikhazy (SP): 3IP, 3H, 2R (1ER), BB, 6K -

The Brito error cost Nikhazy a run early but he fanned six and walked one, which is nice, Though this isn’t really the setting to judge if he has improved his control or not, and was sitting 91-93 with his fastball.

Petey Halpin (CF): 1-3, RBI, K -

Had a sac fly in the third and later singled in the seventh. Reportedly did a solid job in center, expectedly so.

Nic Enright (RP): IP, 2K -

A nice outing for Enright, even if it was against much younger Reds prospects, he was reportedly throwing 94-95. That’s a nice sign for Enright, who in the past has been more 91-94.

Ryan Webb: 2IP, BB, 2K -

Nice two innings for Webb who has breakout potential this year. Appropriate for him to pitch in this game and do well, hitting at least 94 on the radar.

Andrew Walters: IP, BB, 3K -

Nice “pro” debut for Walters, or the first time he’s pitched in a game of any sort of record (using that term loosely here) but he seemed to dominate nonetheless. Walters (No. 27) had thrown eight consecutive strikes -- one pitch away from an immaculate inning. The fastball started off the third at-bat (this one at 99 mph) and a 90 mph breaking ball in the dirt was so tempting that the batter couldn’t lay off of it. This is when the dugout started to go crazy for Walters to shut things down with an immaculate inning. Instead, a 99 mph heater was high -- his first ball. After a walk, he came back with three fastballs to the next guy to end the game on a swinging strikeout.

OTHERS

Chase DeLauter (RF): 0-3, BB -

Shocking he didn’t have a big game.

Cooper Ingle C: 0-4

Jose Devers (SS): 1-3

Jake Fox (2B): 0-2, BB, K

DRESSED BUT DID NOT PLAY

P Franco Aleman, Alex Clemmey, Will Dion, Bradley Hanner, Mason Hickman, Jackson Humphries, Parker Messick

C Kody Huff, Micael Ramirez

INF Angel Genao, CJ Kayfus, Alex Mooney, Rafael Ramirez, Kahlil Watson

OF Joe Lampe


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Game 22 - San Francisco Giants 6, Cleveland Guardians 0

STARTERS

Brayan Rocchio (SS): 2-4, 1 2B -

Ricchio reached base twice for the second straight game, this time in much less painful fashion (no HBP). In his last three games, Brayan is 4-for-9 with two runs, a pair of doubles, and the aforementioned plunking - raising his spring slash line from .100/.143/.100 to .207/.258/.276.

Daniel Schneemann (3B): 0-2, 1 BB -

Schneemann walked for the third straight game to extend his on-base streak to six games overall and nine straight multi-plate appearance games.

Jose Tena (2B): 1-4, 3 K -

Tena, the only fielder to play the entire game, picked up his second hit in as many games, but also nearly doubled his spring strikeout total (now seven) with a hat trick.

RESERVES

Raynel Delgado (SS): 0-0, 1 BB

Bryan Lavastida ( C): 0-0, 1 BB

Gabriel Rodriguez (PR-3B): 0-1

Deyvison De Los Santos (1B): 0-1, 1 E

Justin Boyd (PR-CF): no plate appearances

Lorenzo Cedrola (LF): no plate appearances

Micah Pries (RF): no plate appearances

RELIEVERS

Jack Leftwich: 0.1 IP, perfect, 1 K -

Leftwicg struck out Mike Yazstremski to get the Guards out of the fourth after starter Triston McKenzie hit his pitch limit in an uneven outing.

Hunter Gaddis: 1 IP, 1 BB, check Ks -

Despite some minor control issues, Gaddis was effective and hurled a solid fifth.

Jordan Jones: 0.1 IP, perfect, 1 K -

Like Leftwich, Jones got the Cleveland nine out of a rough frame by striking out the only batter he faced.

DRESSED BUT DID NOT PLAY

C Zac Fascia

IF Miguel Lopez

IF Angel Zarate

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Ps Jaime Arias, Trey Benton, and Randy Labaut

MLB brilliant idea of Breakout Games looks like a financial bust. If there were 500 people at the game I'd be surprised. Probably half were families and scouts. Take a look at the replays of Noel's HR. All empty seats.

Why did they shorten the game to 7 innings? Big deal made about a showcase. G's played 13 players, 4 pitchers and 9 hitters. Zero substitutes.

Could have watched them on the back fields

in fact most of the guys have been playing with the big league club. Kind of a nothing occasion.

Walters as a college reliever who's pretty polished, could move very quickly to the majors; 2024 is possible

Florial finally got 2 hits in a game yesterday Not sure why joining a new organization and getting a new shot should be a particular challenge.