Guardians Growing Pains

Reminding ourselves to be patient

The Guardians are the fifth youngest team in baseball, and we should continue to allow for some growing pains.

Join with me now in imagining the soothing tunes of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” playing as you read the following adjusted lyrics with me:

“When I find my team in times of trouble, Brayan Rocchio makes good sense,
Speaking words of wisdom... ‘Faith, Balls and Patience.’ ”

In case you’re unfamiliar with the reference here, on January 25th, 2024, Brayan Rocchio tweeted, randomly: “Fe, cojones y paciencia.” Roughly translated to “faith, testicular fortitude and patience.” While becoming somewhat of a meme since then, it’s honestly very good advice for surviving a baseball season, especially when rooting for a young team. Let’s look a little further at how to find some of each virtue in our current Guardians’ journey:

Faith:

The Guardians’ starting pitching has, again, been pretty terrible to begin 2025, after a rough 2024. But, I don’t think it makes sense to abandon faith in the Guardians’ pitching development system yet. We know that MLB has immense respect for what the Guardians do for pitchers. We can see, right in front of our eyes, adjustments Tanner Bibee is making to his arm angle and pitch mix, that Gavin Williams is making to his pitch mix and ability to command consistently, and that Luis Ortiz is making to his arm angle, release point, and pitch mix. We can see Parker Messick, Austin Peterson and Tommy Mace doing some impressive work in the minor leagues. We know Shane Bieber is working his way back, just as Slade Cecconi also returns to health, and John Means even looms as a potential August addition. I have to remember even amidst frustrating inconsistencies, there is all the reason in the world to trust Carl Willis, Brad Goldberg and company that this rotation is going to be actively good by the end of the year.

Additionally, I know, I KNOW that the Guardians have pivoted from an overly contact-oriented approach to prioritizing more quality contact and plate discipline. I know that’s the right thing to do. I can see the pieces of this philosophy in the process displayed by young players like Angel Martinez, Nolan Jones, Daniel Schneemann, Kyle Manzardo, Brayan Rocchio, Bo Naylor and Gabriel Arias, even as it has yet to produce consistent results through this young season so far. I should not abandon faith that if Grant Fink and co. can get players to stick with their philosophy through tough times, the results WILL start to show up, and established veterans like Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, Carlos Santana and Lane Thomas (when healthy) will produce something close to their expected values. Oh, and David Fry. I know how good he is and have no reason to expect he can’t be something like the 120 wRC+ hitter he was last year.

This team works on baserunning and defense as much as any team in the majors, from all reports. There is no way they can continue to be as bad at both as they have been. And, if they do continue this way, they will make some changes. Keep the faith, Quincy.

“Courage” (to be all-gender inclusive):

When the Guardians lose two games by a combined total of 20 runs, it is very tempting to run to Twitter and say “This team is going to win 70 games. When teams refuse to throw Travis Bazzana anything on the inside of the plate and Bazzana struggles in his first year as a professional hitter to figure out how to produce consistent offensive value on pitches all on the outer edge of the zone, I should resist the urge to announce to all my social media followers that the Guardians picked the wrong guy or to speculate that they may be asking Bazzana to take balls to the opposite field (no hitting analyst in MLB except in Colorado is asking their hitters to pull FEWER fly balls).

When I see the Tigers’ pitching absolutely demolishing teams while getting some excellent early season returns from hitters Spencer Torkelson and Zack McKinstry, it is tempting to believe the Guardians have no shot at defending their Central title. When I see Twins fans rejoicing in their renewed hopes coming at the extent of their hated Guardians’ rivals, it is tempting to react to my team with the misplaced rage I feel at Twitter trolls. When I remember it’s been 76 years since the Guardians won a title, it’s tempting to embrace pessimism and defeatism of all kinds.

This is where I need courage. Quincy... you root for Jose Freakin’ Ramirez. Your manager is “I Believe In” Stephen Vogt. Your bullpen is full of absolute DOGS. Cleveland never performs better than when other teams and national pundits start to count them out. Remember what CTC Commentator RickWaitsForNoOne said: “The Guardians eat offseason disrespect and poop division titles.” Digestion can be difficult, but the processes of this organization produce consistent results with the utmost regularity. Don’t give up, stay strong, Quincy.

Patience:

The four teams younger than Cleveland in 2025 are the Marlins, the Nationals, the White Sox and the Rays. Every single one of these teams is involved in a growing pains season so far, and I have to remind myself amidst an uneven start for the Guardians that I should expect the same.

I have a confession, folks. I am ready for Brayan Rocchio to go to Columbus for a while. Maybe forever. But, that’s silly. I know it’s silly because I was frustrated with what I perceived to be mental errors, disinterested and ignorant baserunning, and unsustainable offensive flaws for another 24 year-old Guardians’ middle infielder last year and that player, now 25 years old, has a 124 wRC+ and is playing consistently good defense. And, I can tell myself that Rocchio has no elite tools like Gabriel Arias did even when he was a bad hitter/player, but I also know that Rocchio lacks some of the glaring flaws that Arias STILL has. It’s way too early to become impatient and give up on Rocchio, especially while Juan Brito recovers from thumb ligament. Yes, he’s got a 55 wRC+ and even his xwOBA has sunk to .301, while he has -2 DRS and 0 OAA... but you’ve seen what he is capable of offensively and defensively. Youv’e also been 24 years old yourself and made incredibly stupid life choices. Give him some time.

It’s tempting to want to send Jhonkensy Noel to the banks of the Olentangy, but I need to remember his absolutely elite bat speed and unmatched raw power... if he can even find his way to the smallest adjustment, he can provide the kind of value few other players can. It’s tempting to bail on Nolan Jones because he watches pitches with a Jake Bauers-like futility at times. But, I can see his ability to hit the ball hard and I know his penchant for taking a walk is an immensely valuable skill. I can’t give up on young players because they are acting like young players. I need to strap myself into the roller-coaster cart, let the lap bar rest uncomfortably as needed, and get ready for all that comes with the usual thrill ride. Good things come to those who wait, Quincy.

“And in our hour of darkness, whenever I’m feeling kinda tense
Rocch’s speaking words of wisdom, ‘Faith, Balls and Patience.’”