A look at the Guardians Midseason Review

Photo by Charles Murray

Well, we’ve finally made it past the All-Star break, that point in the year where we maybe stop and assess where this team is, and where we think they are gonna go. Since sales for school supplies are starting, let’s get in the back-to-school spirit and assign some grades to them. 1st, the A students

STEVEN KWAN: His rookie year was great, and year two was just so so, but it looks like there is another gear to his game. He’s on pace to become Cleveland’s first batting champion since Terry Francona’s dad and earning his first all-star appearance.

JOSE RAMIREZ: After a slow start, he’s proved he’s still an elite player. 3rd in HR and 2nd in RBIS, easily one of the best players in the MLB for half the price.

EMMANUEL CLASE: His ERA isn’t under 3, isn’t under 2, but under 1. He’s going to the all-star game again and is on pace to lead the league again in saves this year.

DAVID FRY: He was on fire in the month of May with 7 hrs and has destroyed left-handed pitching. Maybe only his parents believed he’d be an all-star this year. He’s slowed up a bit, but I still trust him in clutch situations.

Now the B’s

JOSH NAYLOR: I know he’s an all-star for the first time and is also right up there with Jose’s HRS and RBIS, but his month of May was rough hitting only .186. Overall, he’s really good. HUNTER GADDIS: An ERA under 2 among the league leaders in appearance, the Guardians have 4 in the top 10, and now a key late inning guy.

TIM HERRIN: Also, an ERA under 2, ,and now we have 2 effective lefties. CADE SMITH: 12 SO per 9 innings and he adds to our plethora of late inning options. BEN LIVELY: 8 wins and he has really had maybe 2 bad starts. He’s a 5 and fly guy but we’ll take it.

TANNER BIBEE: Has the most quality starts on the team and the best SO per 9 innings amongst our starters. A decent follow up to his rookie year so far.

The C’s

SCOTT BARLOW: The best SO per 9 innings on our staff, but at times can be a little shaky. ANDRES GIMENEZ: His defense is solid but has been underwhelming at the plate.

PEDRO AVILA: We got him for cash, mostly an innings eater, but he’s played a key role at times.

NICK SANDLIN: Vogt’s pacifier. Has overall been good, but he’s had some clunkers. DANIEL SCHNEEMANN: In 25 games he’s proved to be a nice role player, who deserves the playing time he’s getting.

SAM HENTGES: After his injury he’s rounding into shape, sadly injured again. WILL BRENNAN: He has a 97OPS+; 100 is league average, our 2nd best outfielder. CARLOS CARRASCO: As the season has worn on, he’s at least provided a decent 5 innings, sometimes. We would be a little lost without him, and it would be nice if we win it all and Cookie was a part of it.

The D’s

TYLER FREEMAN: He’s been good in the field, and I’m interested to see what a full year for Tyler would look like. But at some point being a little better then Myles Straw isn’t gonna cut it. BO NAYLOR: His first half of the season has been rough, but since the middle of June he’s been ok. We’ll need him in the second half if we are gonna contend.

AUSTIN HEDGES: He’s here for leadership and experience handling the pitching staff. Any offense he provides is good enough. Maybe those intangibles deserve a higher grade, but I can’t give a passing grade for a guy who has an OPS of .409

The F’s

GABRIEL ARIAS: I thought this would be a make-or-break year for him and it’s not going well. Angel Martinez and Schneeman kind of impede upon his playing time.

LOGAN ALLEN: Even though he‘s tied for the team lead in wins, I couldn’t give a passing grade to a guy who was sent to the minors and has an ERA close to six. TRISTON MCKENZIE: He has a bad habit of walking people and giving up home runs. We are going to need him and Allen to course correct. We can’t trade for that many starters. ESTEVAN FLORIAL: He had a good moment against his former team but that’s it. RAMON  LAUREANO: Based on last year, I thought maybe he could platoon with Brennan or something. If the Guardians win the world series, you’ll look back and say, “Oh yeah, I forgot he was on that team.”

Everybody else the sample size is too small, maybe later I can sum up everybody who appeared in a game for the Guardians.

The first half was great, even with them being a little flat at the end. If Gimenez and Bo Naylor can play a little closer to their past success, it would help lengthen our lineup. As far as trades, I don’t think we have the assets to outbid anyone, So I think any moves we make would be akin to what we did last year, with guys like Kole Calhoun, Lucas Giolito, and such, (Matthew Boyd would be along these lines). It won’t dazzle anyone, but this team can get a lot out of little moves.

My new prediction for their final record is 95-67.