The Cleveland Guardians sat within five games of a tight division race on the day of the trade deadline in 2023. While some speculated the team would look to boost the outfield and compete by trading for a budding star such as Lane Thomas (funny how that worked out), the organization sent a clear signal that 2023 was not the basket to receive the organization’s eggs. The team dealt 1B Josh Bell to Miami for prospect Khalil Watson, but more importantly, traded Aaron Civale (amid a career year) to Tampa Bay for 1B prospect Kyle Manzardo.

Since that fateful day two years ago, Civale is 10-12 across two organizations with a paltry 4.58 ERA. Manzardo may be the next cornerstone of the Guardians’ organization.

Manzardo wowed fans with his gap power as he knocked double after double during his first big league stint in 2024, but was sent back to Columbus after foes made their initial adjustments to the left-handed power hitter. Manzardo, who knocked 20 home runs with a .900+ OPS in Columbus last season, came back confident and hit four home runs in the season's final month, en route to earning a spot on the playoff roster. 

The first baseman made his mark on the Guardians playoff run by launching a 3-1 belt-high fastball from Clarke Schmidt to The Corner to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead over the Yankees in a game Manzardo’s club would go on to win. Manzardo finished the playoffs 6-19 with a .800+ OPS. 

As the offseason unfolded, the Guardians placed so much stock into Manzardo that they were willing to part ways with the expiring contract of cleanup hitter Josh Naylor. MLB teams rarely, if ever, let go of a 30HR-100RBI bat unless they are positive they can recreate that production. While most of this will fall on Manzardo, the Guards reunited with Carlos Santana to take a chunk of ABs against LHP. Santana, a seasoned vet and one of the most disciplined hitters in baseball, could help cut into Manzardo’s higher whiff rate (>20% K rate this spring), which could be the last key to unlocking Manzardo’s game in totality. 

Through March 16th, Manzardo has turned heads in Spring Training, as he’s hit .368 (14-38) and added three home runs. The chink in Manzardo’s has been his lack of ability to draw walks, as he’s drawn 2 in 40 plate appearances this spring, and only 9 in 160 PAs last season.

Do you see Manzardo as option #1 at first base? Tune into the Bruce Drennan Show all spring long for the best coverage of Guardians spring training!