Guardians' Crowded Right Field Picture: Spring Training 2025

The Guardians' right field situation took a probable yet unexpected turn this week. With top prospect Chase DeLauter, ranked #2 in the organization, sidelined 8-12 weeks following sports hernia surgery, the competition has opened up beyond just the obvious candidates.

The returning duo of Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel remain the frontrunners, though Brennan comes off a disappointing 2024 where he posted a 98 wRC+ and struggled with a 33% strikeout rate in the postseason. Prospect Johnathan Rodriguez, ranked #13 by MLB, brings intriguing power potential. With 58 home runs over the past two seasons (29 in each), he offers a promising profile for a team that hasn't had a 20-homer outfielder since 2014.

But the competition doesn't end there. George Valera, once a top prospect who was designated for assignment in November before re-signing on a minor league deal, is getting another look after a solid Triple-A campaign. The Guardians are likely to explore other creative solutions, with utility players Gabriel Arias, Angel Martínez, and Tyler Freeman all potential options depending on how other position battles shake out.

While Rodriguez's power is tempting, his high groundball rate of 50.2% last year at Triple-A raises some concerns. With no clear and convincing stand out, and DeLauter's setback creating an extended opportunity, this spring battle could stretch well into the regular season before a permanent solution emerges.

Personally, I'm hoping Christmas comes early with Noel stepping up and claiming the full-time role.

Who do you think will win the Guardians' right field battle? Drop your prediction in the comments below!

Enjoy this post? Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond the Guardians Prospect Spotlight: Zac Veen, Colorado Rockies

Veen is ranked #5 in the Rockies system at Prospects1500 . Below is the 2025 pre-season blurb I contributed to the Prospects1500 site. Let me know your thoughts on Veen in the comments below.  Zac Veen , OF, 23, Triple-A The ninth overall pick from 2020, Veen’s progress hit another speed bump in 2024 as various ailments (back, hand, thumb) limited him to just 65 games across multiple levels in the Rockies’ system. Despite the interruptions, the 23-year-old flashed his trademark speed and defensive skills when available, though he continued to struggle with consistent contact at the plate. Colorado’s decision to protect him on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft signals their long-term commitment. As 2025 approaches, Veen’s path likely starts at Triple-A, with a big-league debut possible if he can maintain his health and find more consistency in his swing. The tools for fantasy impact remain, provided he can stay on the diamond. Enjoy this post? Never miss out on future po...
Read more

Cleveland Guardians Bullpen: More Settled Than Competitive

Let's be honest about the Guardians' bullpen situation in 2025: this isn't exactly a wide-open competition. According to Roster Resource , the full bullpen projection includes Emmanuel Clase , Cade Smith , Hunter Gaddis , Paul Sewald , and Tim Herrin as the core five relievers. The remaining spots are expected to be filled by Andrew Walters , Eric Sabrowski , and  Jakob Junis , with Nic Enright and  Luis Frias also in the mix as potential depth options. Walters, who made his MLB debut on September 12th, 2024, quickly made an impact in his rookie season. In 8.2 innings, he posted an impressive 0.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts and a 0.69 WHIP. He appeared in 4 postseason games as well, gaining valuable big-league experience and showing why he was considered such a promising prospect. He's now looking to build on that initial success and establish himself as a consistent major league reliever. Franco Aleman , another promising young arm, entered spring training as an intrigui...
Read more

Thome Thursday: The Unlikeliest Steal

In just over two months, baseball will celebrate one of its most improbable anniversaries - and I'll celebrate another birthday too. On May 21, 1997, Jim Thome did something that defied belief: he stole home plate, scoring the only run in Cleveland's 1-0 win over Kansas City . It stands alone in baseball's last half-century - the only 1-0 game decided by a steal of home. And of all people, it was Thome, a self-described "slow runner", who pulled it off. Of his mere 19 career steals, this was the only time he ever stole any base besides second. I guess baseball has a way of turning sluggers into sneaky speedsters when you least expect it! But on that spring day in '97, The Pride of Peoria gave me one unforgettable birthday present - even if he didn't know it at the time. (Unfortunately, the video clip of this historic steal seems to be lost to time. If anyone has footage of this moment, please share it with me!) Did you ever see Thome steal a base in pers...
Read more