2023 Guardians Spring Training Thread

[sportscoach]

Well let's hope he regains the use in that hand by next week then! Hands can be finicky lol

 

[KluberSociety]

I like Meibrys Viloria quite a bit for a scrub catcher... Smells like a late bloomer...

Was just looking at pop time stats, Viloria has 1.96 career, Gallagher has 2.03, overall the difference is 0.075 which in theory should be about a 7.5% success rate but this of course doesn't factor in accuracy.

Zunino meanwhile had 1.93 in 2021 and 2.03 in 2022, optimistically we might expect him to be about halfway in between at 1.98, or at least better than 2.03 so that probably puts him in between Viloria and Gallagher.

Collins has 2.03 career FWIW.

I don't really know how much hair-spltting this is but Gallagher's reputation as a good defender is not coming from his ability to control the running game which I think is going to be a more critical thing in catching this year.

I'm pretty sold on Viloria being a better ballplayer than Gallagher but he may lack in intangibles which I have no clue how to assess but Gallagher apparently has them.

What are potential configurations for C starting the year? I figure it's a given that Zunino will start in MLB and Naylor will start in AAA. Lavastida will be in the mix somewhere but not in MLB. I see Lavastida generally projected to be in AAA which is where he technically is now but I think ti'd make more sense for him to work with the AA pitchers and midseason if Naylor gets promoted then he can move to AAA with some of the pitchers like Bibee and Williams and whoever else. Then that'd leave Gallagher and Viloria as the backup catchers likely in MLB/AAA (I just don't think Collins is satisfactory enough at defense).

I think it'd make sense for Gallagher to actually be paired with young Naylor while Viloria gets paired with the vet Zunino. Seems like there's more to be learned that way. Also would get 1 righty/1 lefty at MLB level.

Question is how their contracts work - I see nothing about an opt out so I assume it'd be no problem adding Gallagher or Viloria to the AAA roster but it seems like consensus is that Gallagher will catch in MLB and Lavastida will back up AAA which to me does not make any sense as Lavastida is still a developing player who needs reps and he should not be fighting over them with Naylor.

Anyway I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts on the ideal placement of the catchers...

 

[CDAV45]

@CDAV45

Umm... Straw just hit a HR... you may have to eat every bad word you said about him now lol

Because he hit his first HR in a year in ST in Arizona? Sorry, still looking like a 4th OFer to me.

 

[CDAV45]

Shit...

Hope he's a baby and not what it looks like....

Arias is probably going on the IL....

That shit looks smashed to me. I thought for sure something would be broken so good news it's not.

 

[CDAV45]

Was just looking at pop time stats, Viloria has 1.96 career, Gallagher has 2.03, overall the difference is 0.075 which in theory should be about a 7.5% success rate but this of course doesn't factor in accuracy.

Zunino meanwhile had 1.93 in 2021 and 2.03 in 2022, optimistically we might expect him to be about halfway in between at 1.98, or at least better than 2.03 so that probably puts him in between Viloria and Gallagher.

Collins has 2.03 career FWIW.

I don't really know how much hair-spltting this is but Gallagher's reputation as a good defender is not coming from his ability to control the running game which I think is going to be a more critical thing in catching this year.

I'm pretty sold on Viloria being a better ballplayer than Gallagher but he may lack in intangibles which I have no clue how to assess but Gallagher apparently has them.

What are potential configurations for C starting the year? I figure it's a given that Zunino will start in MLB and Naylor will start in AAA. Lavastida will be in the mix somewhere but not in MLB. I see Lavastida generally projected to be in AAA which is where he technically is now but I think ti'd make more sense for him to work with the AA pitchers and midseason if Naylor gets promoted then he can move to AAA with some of the pitchers like Bibee and Williams and whoever else. Then that'd leave Gallagher and Viloria as the backup catchers likely in MLB/AAA (I just don't think Collins is satisfactory enough at defense).

I think it'd make sense for Gallagher to actually be paired with young Naylor while Viloria gets paired with the vet Zunino. Seems like there's more to be learned that way. Also would get 1 righty/1 lefty at MLB level.

Question is how their contracts work - I see nothing about an opt out so I assume it'd be no problem adding Gallagher or Viloria to the AAA roster but it seems like consensus is that Gallagher will catch in MLB and Lavastida will back up AAA which to me does not make any sense as Lavastida is still a developing player who needs reps and he should not be fighting over them with Naylor.

Anyway I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts on the ideal placement of the catchers...

I like Viloria as the other C as well. He actually looks like a decent ballplayer on both sides and I like balance in players. I can't help but wonder if he is being sent down because they expect Naylor to get promoted at some time in the not to distant future? They aren't going to send Zunino packing and having Viloria and Naylor would leave them with 2 LHH C.

This is just me, but I'd like to see Naylor working with Bibee, Williams, Allen and Espino when he returns. This is our next wave of SP and Naylor is probably going to be the C handling them so getting to know them now would seem like an ideal scenario. Then again if Naylor hits the ground running how long will he be in Columbus? I'm not sold that Zunino will replicate his 2021 season. Would be awesome if he did, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[KluberSociety]

I like Viloria as the other C as well. He actually looks like a decent ballplayer on both sides and I like balance in players. I can't help but wonder if he is being sent down because they expect Naylor to get promoted at some time in the not to distant future? They aren't going to send Zunino packing and having Viloria and Naylor would leave them with 2 LHH C.

This is just me, but I'd like to see Naylor working with Bibee, Williams, Allen and Espino when he returns. This is our next wave of SP and Naylor is probably going to be the C handling them so getting to know them now would seem like an ideal scenario. Then again if Naylor hits the ground running how long will he be in Columbus? I'm not sold that Zunino will replicate his 2021 season. Would be awesome if he did, but I'm not holding my breath.

IMO he's likely to be a pretty bad hitter but at least has some upside there that is nonexistent with Gallagher and in the organization provides some legitimate depth alongside Naylor and Lavastida so we have less chance of having to go out and keep signing overpriced catchers like Zunino. He's gotten eaten up by MLB pitching so far (33% K) but his recent performances seem to at least show he's got a chance to be better than that.

I agree on who Naylor should be catching. If he's going to be the catcher of the future he should be working with the pitchers of the future. Maybe they'll be in Columbus soon enough though. I wouldn't mind them working with Lavastida for now though, sure beats throwing to a catcher who has almost no chance of being in the MLB in a few years.

 

[CDAV45]

IMO he's likely to be a pretty bad hitter but at least has some upside there that is nonexistent with Gallagher and in the organization provides some legitimate depth alongside Naylor and Lavastida so we have less chance of having to go out and keep signing overpriced catchers like Zunino. He's gotten eaten up by MLB pitching so far (33% K) but his recent performances seem to at least show he's got a chance to be better than that.

I agree on who Naylor should be catching. If he's going to be the catcher of the future he should be working with the pitchers of the future. Maybe they'll be in Columbus soon enough though. I wouldn't mind them working with Lavastida for now though, sure beats throwing to a catcher who has almost no chance of being in the MLB in a few years.

Wouldn't change anything you said here.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

That was no meatball Straw hit, or a hanging off-speed pitch in the middle of the zone. That was a fastball on the inside corner at the belt. Not a mistake from how it appeared. And it cleared the fence by plenty.

It reminded me of how Kwan was turning on inside fastballs and driving them down the line and over the wall at the end of last season. Four home runs in his last 23 games and another one in the playoffs off Garrett Cole.

Straw is up to .357/1.009 this spring. He hit .313 in September last year then went to swing camp in the winter. He looks great.

Josh Naylor is hitting .333/.905. It seems the elimination of the shift plus being a year away from his ankle injury is helping him. I'm expecting a big year. That .385 OBP is impressive.

Jose is at .356/.911. He is poised to have a big year with no shift and hopefully no torn ligament in his hand the last 100 games. He and Naylor will benefit the most from no shifting.

Kwan has a .412 OBP this spring, picking up right where he left off.

Josh Bell is coming around; he's up to .250/.886, including 4 homers in 40 at-bats. The Guardians will take that all day long.

Will Brennan continues to rack up doubles with 5 in 40 at-bats and a .826 OPS.

Oscar and Amed have been the slackers at the dish, but with Amed hitting .282 and .283 the last two seasons while playing every day I'm not worried. Oscar has seven hits in the last five games so he's coming around. However, 9 of his 11 hits have been singles and I would like to see him get more balls in the air.

Zunino looks like he will need some time after having to cut his season short last year.

Juan Brito has the craziest numbers; a .120 batting average and a .512 on-base percentage. I assumed he must be 5'6" with all those walks but he's listed as 5'11". He must have a Kwanesque level of plate discipline. Last year in A ball he drew 78 walks in 107 games with a .407 on-base percentage. Interesting guy and he'll be 21 the entire season.

 

[CDAV45]

Uhhhhhhh that pitch that Straw hit was the definition of a meatball and he did what a good hitter should do with a pitch like that. You couldn't place a ball on a tee in a better spot to drive it out. Belt high, slightly in and straight. Regardless, I hope he destroys my expectations from him offensively speaking.

Odd you didn't mention how well Arias is hitting this spring. He's up there with our best.

Brennan is simply a fantastic hitter. It seems easy for him and there's more power coming, but he won't sellout for it.

With Bo being sent to Columbus I'm concerned with our C corps. Hopefully Zunino eases my mind and Bo shows he needs promoted quickly.

Bell is gonna help even if he doesn't have his best season.

Kwan is Kwan. Arguably the best leadoff hitter in baseball. I can't think of anyone better even if hitting a few more over the wall would be nice he doesn't really need to. He needs to keep doing what has been. With his profile in LF I would like to see some power added somewhere else. I don't care if that's SS, CF or C, but we need a little bit more IMO.

It wouldn't surprise me to see J. Naylor breakout this season. He could provide that extra bit of power needed. I'd still like to see him firm his body up a bit. He's a little sloppier than his 2 brothers and I think that is something he will have to put extra work in to control.

I'm ready for the season to get started and also for the inevitable changes that are coming.

 

[AZ_]

Nvm

 

[tristan+kyrie=$]

Honestly I’m pumped for this season… I predict guardians go 99-63 and win the World Series.. roster is really solid top to bottom

 

[AZ_]

Uhhhhhhh that pitch that Straw hit was the definition of a meatball and he did what a good hitter should do with a pitch like that. You couldn't place a ball on a tee in a better spot to drive it out. Belt high, slightly in and straight. Regardless, I hope he destroys my expectations from him offensively speaking.

Man, it’s going to be brutal having to read this shit all season.

 

[CDAV45]

Man, it’s going to be brutal having to read this shit all season.

Then don't read it and if he hits HR all season you won't have to worry about it.

All most as brutal as looking at that f'd up avatar.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Starting pitching - same as last year, potentially better if Civale stays healthy and gets close to his 2022 first half form. One of the prospects could be a factor as well.

Offense - no significant losses from last year and we gained Bell and Zunino, plus a full season of Oscar Gonzalez. Jose and Naylor should have better numbers with the elimination of the shift and Jose not having a torn ligament in his wrist for 100 games (knock on wood). Straw is swinging the bat better and we'll have Kwan hitting leadoff from Day One. No Franmil, Hedges, and Maile black holes in the order this year. No Owen Miller at 1B or DH. The offense should surge.

Defense - maybe not quite as solid with Zunino catching but the rest is unchanged other than Bell at first base. But Miller was awful at first base last year and Naylor nothing special.

Bullpen - this area was excellent last year but I expect even better. We saw three young relievers grow up before our eyes last year. Look at these ERA's pre- and post-All Star game; Hentges (4.18 and 0.30), Sandlin (3.04 and 1.33), and Karinchak (4.50 and 1.64). I expect all of these guys to pick up where they left off in the second half of last season. All three made huge strides. Add in Clase, Stephan, Morgan, and DLS and we could have the best bullpen in baseball or close to it.

Yep, I think 99 wins or more is realistic barring serious injuries to Bieber or Jose. According to mlb.com the Guardians have nine prospects, including six in their top 100, who are close to being major league ready, or already there. The Guardians are better equipped than teams like the White Sox to handle injuries. If they need to trade for a veteran they have eight prospects ranked in the top 100. It seems to me the Guardians are in excellent position both in terms of front line talent and depth to have one of the better seasons in team history and possibly hit triple digit wins (although they won't get as many games against the weak AL Central this year).

 

[CDAV45]

Starting pitching - same as last year, potentially better if Civale stays healthy and gets close to his 2022 first half form. One of the prospects could be a factor as well.

Offense - no significant losses from last year and we gained Bell and Zunino, plus a full season of Oscar Gonzalez. Jose and Naylor should have better numbers with the elimination of the shift and Jose not having a torn ligament in his wrist for 100 games (knock on wood). Straw is swinging the bat better and we'll have Kwan hitting leadoff from Day One. No Franmil, Hedges, and Maile black holes in the order this year. No Owen Miller at 1B or DH. The offense should surge.

Defense - maybe not quite as solid with Zunino catching but the rest is unchanged other than Bell at first base. But Miller was awful at first base last year and Naylor nothing special.

Bullpen - this area was excellent last year but I expect even better. We saw three young relievers grow up before our eyes last year. Look at these ERA's pre- and post-All Star game; Hentges (4.18 and 0.30), Sandlin (3.04 and 1.33), and Karinchak (4.50 and 1.64). I expect all of these guys to pick up where they left off in the second half of last season. All three made huge strides. Add in Clase, Stephan, Morgan, and DLS and we could have the best bullpen in baseball or close to it.

Yep, I think 99 wins or more is realistic barring serious injuries to Bieber or Jose. According to mlb.com the Guardians have nine prospects, including six in their top 100, who are close to being major league ready, or already there. The Guardians are better equipped than teams like the White Sox to handle injuries. If they need to trade for a veteran they have eight prospects ranked in the top 100. It seems to me the Guardians are in excellent position both in terms of front line talent and depth to have one of the better seasons in team history and possibly hit triple digit wins (although they won't get as many games against the weak AL Central this year).

While my expected win total isn't quite as aggressive as yours they should see marked improvements in some key areas. I think the balanced schedule doesn't work in our favor and I also feel that unless the White Sox and Twins sustain an enormous amount of key injuries again we'll probably drop a few more to them. I think we could hit 92 again if things go right. I feel comfortable saying 88-92. I'm expecting a battle for the division.

Bullpens are unpredictable, but I think ours is going to be fantastic. Especially when Hentges returns. Certainly a strength for this team.

Miller is no 1B and was only used there as a last option. He did hit really well for the first month and a half, but about the time he started seeing reps at 1B is when he tanked offensively. I don't know if that's coincidence or not, but he never regained his form at the plate. I still think he's a very good hitter and that will probably show here soon.