CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself about the Guardians.
QUESTION: When are they going to bring up Chase DeLauter?
ANSWER: What are the most games DeLauter has played in a minor league season.
Q: I don’t know … maybe 100?
A: How about 57?
Q: 57?
A: That’s right, 57 in 2023.
Q: I knew he had been injured a lot …
A: He played in 39 minor league games last season. This year, it’s 31. That counts eight games in the Arizona rookie league as he was coming back from sports hernia surgery in the spring. He’s played 23 at Class AAA Columbus.
Q: But he’s hitting. Don’t they need him?
A: I’d promote him very soon. He went into Thursday night batting .321 (.965 OPS) with 3 HR and 14 RBI. I love this ratio: He’s drawn 19 walks compared to 14 strikeouts in 108 Class AAA plate appearances.
Q: Why not put him in right field?
A: It’s a legitimate thought, despite his pro career consisting of only 535 plate appearances. I first saw DeLauter in 2023. That was his rookie year as a pro when he was in Lake County. He’s 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. His speed is above average. He’s a gifted athlete. When he wasn’t playing the outfield at James Madison, he also pitched in relief for his college team. His fastball was in the 92 mph range. It’s why Cleveland made him the 16th overall pick in the 2022 draft. He looks the part of a big time player.
Q: So promote him.
A: I don’t know if he’s ready. But I also know the vast majority of players aren’t prepared for the Majors the first time they come up. About 85% go back to the minors at least once. I believe it’s even a higher percentage for non-pitchers because adjusting to facing big league pitching is such a challenge. Jose Ramirez went back three times.
Q: Don’t the Guardians have to do something? Here’s my case. Overall, the Guardians ranked 25th out of 30 teams in runs scored. It’s getting worse: They are 30th out of 30 teams in June.
Nolan Jones has only six homers in 502 MLB plate appearances since opening day of 2024. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
A: Can’t argue with …
Q: I’m not done … Their right fielders this season at batting .182, the worst in the Majors. They have five homers, the second fewest in the Majors. They keep playing Nolan Jones out there … why?
A: They believe …
Q: Jones is hitting .212 (.617 OPS) in 205 plate appearances with only 3 homers. He’s been a little better in June: .238 (.694 OPS) with a homer.
A: They believe …
Q: Jones will hit for power, but has hit only six homers in 502 plate appearances since opening day of 2024. They keep hoping he’ll return to 2023 when he hit .297 (.931 OPS) with 20 HR in 424 plate appearances. But I don’t see it.
A: Can I ask a question? You’ve just been banging away with facts.
Q: Go ahead.
A: Can we have a realistic discussion about the Guardians, rather than focus on DeLauter and right field?
Q: What else?
A: Counting on DeLauter or any other rookie coming up from the minors is not going spark a major turnaround unless several things change.
Kyle Manzardo made three errors in Thursday’s game. Getty Images
Q: I’m listening.
A: In fact, I’m listening to Thursday’s Guardians game while writing this. Kyle Manzardo just made THREE errors in an inning at first base. Don’t ask how. This is not to pick on Manzardo. The Guardians went into the day with the third most errors in the Majors.
Q: Come on, Carlos Santana had only four errors last season in 146 games at first base in 2024. He has zero this season.
A: True. Santana also won a Gold Glove. But there’s a bigger issue. The team’s defense is not the same as a year ago. The Fielding Bible is one of the analytic sites that tracks team defense. In 2024, the Guardians ranked No. 2 overall. This season, it’s 17th.
Q: But they can’t score!!!
A: That’s true. It’s about more than Nolan Jones. Only Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan and Santana are consistently hitting. Daniel Schneemann and Manzardo have had some nice moments. But the Guardians need more from veterans such as Lane Thomas, David Fry, Bo Naylor and some others. After dealing with injuries and a dismal start, Thomas is batting .262 (.830 OPS) with three homers in June.
Q: What is the problem?
A: Early in the season, I wrote the Guardians were a “Blah” team. It goes to what Manager Stephen Vogt said about his team “searching for an identity.” That means, “What does the team do well?” They had the “Guards Ball” identity, which was playing excellent defense, hustling on the bases and finding different ways to score runs. The other part of that identity was a sensational bullpen. None of those aspects have been remarkable this season. Yes, they hustle. But they don’t get on base.
Q: So it’s pretty grim?
A: Not really. Not yet. Heading into the weekend, the Guardians had a 40-39 record. They are a game out of the final Wild Card playoff spot. They have not had a real hot streak all year. It’s possible that DeLauter and possibly Juan Brito can come up from minors and help. There could be some pitching help. But it will be up to the guys on the roster now to turn the team around.