Even back when the Cleveland Guardians traded for Kyle Manzardo ahead of the 2023 deadline, the consensus on him as a player was that he had the potential to hit at a high level.
Through his first full big-league season, the left-hander has shown that to be the case. In 2025, Manzardo logged a .768 OPS with 27 home runs and 19 doubles.
Advertisement
Even though the Guardians need Manzardo to take another jump at the plate next season, his bat alone won’t be what helps Cleveland reach its full potential as a team. The Guardians need Manzardo to be just as effective in the field as he is in the batter’s box.
Manzardo appeared in 142 games last season, with 68 of those starts coming as the team’s designated hitter, and 53 of them coming at first base.
The problem is that the 25-year-old defense on the right side of the infield wasn’t the best, to say the least. Manzardo has an outs above average of negative three, and a fielding run value of negative two.
Advertisement
The Guardians were able to live with that last year because they had a Gold Glove winner in Carlos Santana at the position for over half the season. Now, Cleveland needs Manzardo to play more in the field, to give other players more opportunities in the lineup.
Aug 14, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) looks for a foul ball in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Manager Stephen Vogt said, having Manzardo able to play first up to five or six times a week, “allows us to float the DH around. It allows us to get guys that we want to play more consistently off their feet and get them a DH day, without taking their bat out of the lineup. It allows us to do a lot of things.”
Advertisement
That designated hitter spot will be necessary for players such as CJ Kayfus, who may not have a defensive position, and Chase DeLauter and George Valera, who are injury-prone. Even though Jose Ramirez may not want to admit it, he needs a day every now and then where he should be off his feet in the fiel,d and solely focus on hitting.
There’s been a lot of talk about all of the muscle that Manzardo has put on over the winter. Yes, that should help his power numbers at the plate, but Vogt also believes that it could help on the defensive end as well.
“That’s how we wanted Kyle to go through the winter; to prepare was to be ready to play first base, four to five days a week,” Vogt said.
Advertisement
“Kyle did a tremendous job putting on strength. He’s been working on his speed and agility. He said he feels faster, he feels quicker. And a lot of times when you put on strength, you do get faster and quicker. We’re really pumped at the work that Kyle put in and continues to put in. I’m really excited for his future.”
Guardians Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Guardians. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.