CLEVELAND, Ohio — Scribbles in my Guardians notebook:
I wonder if … Angel Martinez could end up winning the second base job. Or maybe, he wins a spot in the outfield. I asked Guards manager Stephen Vogt about Martinez at a recent press conference. Vogt mentioned Martinez in connection with positions. I have heard he likes Martinez — a lot. While the 22-year-old Martinez played mostly center field in Cleveland last year, the position he’s played the most in his minor league career is second base.
I still think … Juan Brito will end up at second base in 2025, although it may not be opening day. The Guardians tend to subscribe to the “April in Cleveland” theory when it comes to hitters having their first exposure to the majors. For many hitters, even veterans, April in Cleveland is the cruelest month because of the cold weather. Many guys don’t hit.
My best guess is … Martinez or perhaps Gabriel Arias opens at second base. Arias is out of minor league options. Arias is physically gifted, but seems to lose focus in the majors. He has 563 career MLB plate appearances, batting .212 (.624 OPS) 14 HR. He strikes out once every three at-bats. He had a good finish to 2024, batting .317 (.905 OPS) in 43 games. Cleveland may want to give him one more shot to prove he belongs in the majors.
The theory is … Brito would spend April and perhaps part of May in Class AAA Columbus. When he’s hitting, they’ll bring him up with his confidence high. Of course, if Brito has a monster spring training, that can change.
Travis Bazzana will need time before he shows up in a Cleveland uniform. Cleveland.com
It makes no sense … for some fans and media people to expect Travis Bazzana to arrive in Cleveland at some point in 2025 and claim second base. Yes, the Oregon State product was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. He hit .238 (.765 OPS) with three HR and 12 RBI in 122 plate appearances at Lake County, a High-A league. Baseball requires a lot of at-bats. Former Guardians manager Terry Francona told me that he thought between 1,200-1,500 minor league plate appearances were needed before most young players are MLB ready.
As for my scouting … I wanted the Guardians to pick Georgia’s Charlie Condon, who crushed SEC pitching. Colorado picked him. Condon was awful in High-A Spokane, batting .180 (.518 OPS) with one HR, 11 RBI and 34 strikeouts in 109 plate appearances. A few top prospects such as Wake Forest baseman Nick Kurtz (Oakland) and Tennessee’s Christian Moore (Angels) breezed through Class A and ended up in Class AA. But many first-year guys tend to struggle when they turn pro right after a long college season.
When it comes to right field … I just don’t know what the Guards would or should do. They can use Will Brennan (.284, .727 OPS career) vs. righthanders. He’s a career .192 hitter (.453 OPS) vs. lefties. They’d love to see Jhonknsey Noel win the job. Big Christmas had the memorable pinch-hit homer vs. the Yankees in the playoffs. He had a hot start when called up in the summer. After Sept. 1 through the end of the playoffs, Big Christmas was 8 for 78 (.104) with a homer (vs. New York). During the regular season, he batted .246 (.968 OPS) with seven HR in 63 plate appearances vs. lefties. They could do a Brennan/Big Christmas platoon.
If Chase DeLauter can stay healthy, he can take over right field at some point in 2025. AP
It will be fun to see what … Chase DeLauter does in spring training. In 2024, he was the King of Goodyear, batting .520 (13 for 25) with four homers. He opened the 2024 season as Class AA Akron, had foot problems and batted .192 (12 for 62). He was out for a month, then hit .312 (25 for 80) with seven HR between Class AA and AAA. He then hit .340 in the Arizona Fall League.
DeLauter could be the answer … in right field. If he can stay healthy. The team’s No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft has battled foot problems. He’s a career .317 hitter (.904 OPS) in the minors, but has only 406 plate appearances. He has an excellent arm. He’ll probably open the season in Class AAA.
I expect … Kyle Manzardo to have a solid 2025 season. Carlos Santana will open at first base with Manzardo as the DH. Manzardo will play a lot of first base in spring training. Vogt praised how hard Manzardo has worked on defense. Santana can be a good mentor for him because the veteran had problems at the position early in his career. He was a converted catcher. Then Santana won a Gold Glove in 2024 at the age of 38. He was the oldest non-pitcher in MLB history to ever win his first Gold Glove.
