How can the Cleveland Guardians ignite this season?
At 35-32 and 8 games back of the Detroit Tigers for the American League Central, the Guardians currently look hard poised to return to the Championship Series this October.
There is still plenty to like about this Cleveland team, particularly a pitching staff and defense that has allowed 4.16 runs per game (16th in baseball) and a lineup led by stars José Ramirez (.331 batting average, .938 OPS, 162 OPS+, 12 home runs) and Steven Kwan (.305 batting average, .790 OPS, 123 OPS+, 23:23 BB:K ratio).
The bullpen has a combined ERA of 3.62, 13th-best in the Majors, and has the top guys like Emmanuel Close, Cade Smith, and Hunter Gaddis to shorten postseason games.
However, some extra juice in the outfield would go a long way for a Guardians team relying on underperformers such as Nolan Jones (.208 batting average, .592 OPS, 68 OPS+), Ángel Martinez (.242 batting average, .623 OPS, 74 OPS+), and Jhonkensy Noel (.146 batting average, .392 OPS, 10 OPS+).
Cleveland could look for a trade at the deadline, but perhaps their best options lie internally. Tommy Wild of Sports Illustrated recently listed No. 2 prospect OF Chase DeLauter as a possible prospect call-up for the Guardians this summer.
A 2023 first-round draft pick, DeLauter is traveling through the minor leagues at an accelerated pace. In 30 games for Double-A Akron last year, DeLauter hit .252 with a .770 OPS, 5 home runs, and 14 walks to 19 strikeouts over 128 at-bats.
He rose to Triple-A Columbus and has been a fixture on the team this season. DeLauter is batting .250 with a .786 OPS, 1 home run, and 11 walks to 8 strikeouts.
DeLauter is unlikely to catapult this team into championship contention on his own, but keen plate discipline, outfield versatility, and a strong arm could prove a significant upgrade over the current choices.
