03-24-2024 MLB Preview - Flipbook - Page 23
MLB ’24 AL CENTRAL PREVIEW CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Sunday, March 24, 2024 23
2023: 76-86, third place | Manager: Stephen Vogt (first season) | Opening Day: March 28 at Oakland
OVERVIEW
TOP HITTERS
1B/DH Josh Naylor (.308, 17, 97), LF Steven Kwan
(.268, 5, 58, 36 2Bs, 21 SBs), 2B Andrés Giménez
(.251, 15, 62, 76 runs), C Bo Naylor (.237, 11, 32 in 198
at-bats as rookie).
PROJECTED ROTATION
RH Shane Bieber (6-6, 3.80 ERA, 21 starts due to
injuries), RH Tanner Bibee (10-4, 2.98, 141 Ks in 142
IP as rookie), RH Triston McKenzie (0-3, 5.06 in
4 starts due to elbow injury), RH Gavin Williams
(3-5, 3.29, 16 starts as rookie), LH Logan Allen (7-8,
3.81, 24 starts).
KEY RELIEVERS
RH Emmanuel Clase (3-9, 3.22 ERA, AL-best 44
saves, MLB-high 12 blown saves), RH Scott Barlow
(2-6, 4.37 in 63 games for Royals and Padres),
LH Sam Hentges (3-2, 3.61 in 56 games), RH Eli
Morgan (5-2, 4.01 in 61 games), RH Trevor Stephan
(7-7, 4.06 in 71 games).
OUTLOOK
It’s a new start for the Guardians under the
39-year-old Vogt, a journeyman All-Star
catcher who has never managed at any
level. He’s got big shoes to fill in replacing
the beloved Francona, a future Hall of Famer
and the winningest manager in franchise
history. With the exception of Ramírez and Josh
Naylor, the Guardians lack power, making it
essential for them to manufacture runs and
play solid defense. Of course, playing
in the wide-open AL Central
is a plus and possible path
to the postseason for a
franchise without a
World Series title
since 1948.
ONE TO WATCH
3B José Ramírez
(.282, 24 HRs,
82 RBIs, leagueleading 22 IBBs)
— Associated
Press
HE’S HERE
RHP Scott Barlow, C Austin Hedges, RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Ben Lively, OF Estevan Florial.
HE’S OUTTA HERE
Manager Terry Francona (left), SS Amed Rosario, RHP Aaron Civale, RHP Cal Quantrill, RHP Enyel De Los Santos, DH Josh Bell,
C Mike Zunino, 1B Kole Calhoun, RF Oscar Gonzalez.
CARMEN
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