by If you were to tell me that the Cleveland Guardians would have the American League’s best record at 58-37 without Shane Beiber, without a manager named Terry Francona, and also hold the number one pick in the MLB draft, you would look at me like I have four eyes. Not only have the Cleveland Guardians exceeded every expectation imaginable, but they have been doing so without a reliable starting rotation. Since the All-Star break is upon us, I think it is a good time to review report cards for 10 notable players based on their performance for the first half of the season.
Steven Kwan – A+
While previously flirting with a possible .400 average, Kwan has cooled down in the past weeks. However, despite missing a month of the season with a hamstring injury he leads all of baseball with a .352 batting average and has only struck out 25 times in his 281 at bats this season. Kwan has also hit more homeruns in the first half of this season (9) than he had total last season (5) and his rookie year (6). It is safe to say, the first time all-star has earned himself this A+.
Andrés Giménez – B
Having the third most RBIs on the team (45), Gimenez hasn’t really been the 2022 version the Guardians paid him to be for 7 more years. With an on-base-percentage of .304, Gimmy has been underwhelming considering how hot he was just two years ago. While having average hitting stats and metrics, he makes up for it by being one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. If just grading defensively it is an easy A+. The Platinum Glove winner, while making $25 million per year, has been serviceable so far.
José Ramírez – A+
José has been everything the Guardians have paid him to be and then some. Tied for second in the league with Marcell Ozuna with 77 RBIs, José has been doing his job. His 23 homers has him on pace to beat his previous best of 39 back in 2018. Repping the city of Cleveland at the 2024 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, José has been the player the Guardians needed him to be so far, and his having the best season of his career.
Josh Naylor – A-
Also a first time All-Star this season, Naylor has been great giving José help in the lineup he so desperately needed years prior. 9th in the league in homeruns with 22, and is tied for fourth in the league with 70 RBIs, Naylor has been having a career year. He has also been clutch when the team needs him and hustles to the very end of every play, beating out many easy routine plays with his surprisingly sneaky speed on the bases. What is lacking is simply just consistency. He has had some slumps as of late, and if Naylor is off one night, it can be hard to score some runs.
David Fry – A+
David Fry has been one of the biggest surprises of the Guardians magical season. The man who can play first base, outfield, and catcher just needed a chance. If someone were to tell me at the beginning of the season David Fry would be an All-Star, I would laugh in their face. Fry has silenced all critics and has also provided much needed help to José as well. While also cooling down as of late, Fry is still deserving of his All-Star selection with his play.
Tyler Freeman – B-
Freeman was on a tear filling in for Steve Kwan at the top of the order when he was nursing his hamstring injury. Every game it seemed as if Freeman would be getting a leadoff hit or making a clutch play. However, the first-time center fielder has been struggling in recent weeks, hitting just .214 in his last 30 games. Freeman has been clutch in certain situations this season, as well as showcasing his impressive skills as an outfielder making diving catches every couple weeks. However, he has cooled down. Being Myles Straw’s replacement in centerfield has been a success so far, as he has 7 home runs in the first half of the season. His original C+ grade gets bonus points for providing some power to an outfield that desperately needed it which makes his grade a B-.
Daniel Schneeman- A-
There were not many expectations for Schneeman when he was called up to the show. The 2018 third-round pick has impressed and has shown that he has the capacity to be a solid big leaguer with his patience at the plate and ability to put balls in play. In 89 at bats, he has 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. It is safe to say that Schneeman has been a welcome addition to the everyday lineup.
Brayan Rocchio – D-
Rocchio has been a big project in the majors. Showing flashes of elite defense, as along with occasional errors, he has not been the reliable player the Guardians need from their second baseman. Batting an abysmal .210 along with a OPS of .608 (league average is .707), Rocchio struggles to consistently get far in the count and hit with much velocity. Unless Rocchio improves dramatically over the course of the second half of the season, the Guardians would be wise to ask around the league for possible replacements such as Bo Bichette of the Blue Jays if they were to be potential buyers at the deadline July 30th.
Ben Lively – A
The Guardian’s starting rotation this year, unlike years past, has been their achilles heel. Recently sending town Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, the team is in desperate need of reliable starters to go further into innings. Lively has been the most consistent of all starters in the rotation. Nobody could have expected the previous journeyman to eventually find success on his fourth team in five seasons. Lively has a 3.58 ERA and a 8-5 record this season. With Shane Beiber sadly missing the rest of the season, Lively has taken the opportunity and ran with it. He consistently goes 6 innings almost every start and is critical to the success of this team moving forward.
Emmanuel Clasé – A+
The best closer in baseball. Second in the league in saves with 29, posting a 0.81 ERA which is by the far best in the league for closers, Clasé has been arguably the Guardians best player. Also, an all-star this season, Clasé has been nothing short of dependable and great for the Guardians.
