Guardians Opening Day Roster Projection 2.0

Where do we stand with a mere two weeks left of Spring Training?

Some things have become clear as we progress through Spring Training, so let’s take a look at where things stand for the Guardians’ Opening Day Roster.

Projected Lineup (vs. LHP Cole Ragans)
1. Steven Kwan - LF
2. Jose Ramirez - 3B
3. Carlos Santana - 1B
4. Lane Thomas - CF
5. Jhonkensy Noel - DH
6. Tyler Freeman - RF
7. Brayan Rocchio - SS
8. Bo Naylor - C
9. Gabriel Arias - 2B

Bench:
Kyle Manzardo - 1B/DH
Will Brennan - OF
Austin Hedges - C
Daniel Schneemann - UIF/OF

Analysis:
I think Kyle Manzardo will get a good bunch of at-bats against lefties this year, but I could see him sitting against the most elite of the southpaws, which would call for an Opening Day game off the bench against Ragans. Freeman has been seeing a good bit of time in right field which makes me think he may get the start there here over Noel who will DH. I’ll be shocked at this point if Arias doesn’t get the second base job or if Schneemann doesn’t win that 13th man utility spot, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about either of those scenarios. Juan Brito and Angel Martinez have simply not hit in Spring Training so I would expect them both to start in Columbus. I’ll root for Arias and Schneemann to prove me wrong.

Rotation:
1. Tanner Bibee - RHP
2. Gavin Williams - RHP
3. Luis Ortiz - RHP
4. Ben Lively - RHP
5. Triston McKenzie - RHP

Analysis: The push for Doug Nikhazy to make the roster from fans has conveniently subsided after the Dodgers handed him his lunch, so I expect these five to find a spot on Opening Day... but I also think a small trade involving either McKenzie or Lively (they’re not getting much of anything for either) is possible to free up a rotation spot for Nikhazy, Logan Allen or Slade Cecconi. Interestingly, it’s been a bit since we’ve seen Cecconi or Vince Velazquez in a game, so I’m not sure what’s going on there. Perhaps both are refining some changes and adjustments on the backfields.

Bullpen:
1. Logan Allen - LHP
2. Jakob Junis - RHP
3. Kolby Allard - LHP
4. Paul Sewald - RHP
5. Tim Herrin - LHP
6. Hunter Gaddis - RHP
7. Cade Smith - RHP
8. Emmanuel Clase - RHP

Analysis: I think that one of the NRI guys - Allard, Parker Mushinski or Vince Velazquez - will make the roster with 40-man spots available for guys who will be headed to the 60-Day IL. Allard has been the best in games, so that’s my choice. Andrew Walters is supposed to get in games sometime next week, so maybe he makes the roster, but I think they may prefer to let him continue to work in Columbus for a bit, especially if there is even a little setback. Allen may be a little wishcasting on my part, because I don’t believe in him as a starter but think he could be a lefty Eli Morgan in relief, but it does feel to me like either Allen or Cecconi gets a chance in that longman role to start the year. Side note, I really hope Sewald’s issues this Spring are just Spring Training woes because he has been BAD.

Bottom Line: Still wish we had another proven middle of the order hitter against RHP, and still feel a little unsure about the rotation until Shane Bieber is back, but there are some fun storylines to watch here and it certainly has the potential of being a playoff team in the AL Central.