CLEVELAND, Ohio — With one third of the schedule complete in Cactus League play the Guardians stand at 2-8, but there have been plenty of highlights among the young prospects in camp. Angel Martinez, Chase DeLauter, Kyle Manzardo and Daniel Schneemann are some of the young players trying to make the opening day roster who have stood out through the first 10 games.
On Monday’s podcast, Paul Hoynes and Joe Noga look at which of the standout prospects has the best chance to stick around for a while in major league camp and who could be a contributor at the big league level this season.
Listen and read along with an AI-generated transcript of the podcast below.
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Read the automated transcript of today’s podcast below. Because it’s a computer-generated transcript, it may contain errors and misspellings.
Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, March 4, 2024
Joe Noga (00:05):
Welcome back to another edition of the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast. I’m Joe Noga, joined by Paul Hos Hoey The Guardians dropped both sides of a split squad games yesterday in Arizona, lost to the Cubs and to the Giants at Goodyear. The good news out of the game against Chicago is that Logan Allen went two innings and looked pretty good. Didn’t give up a run or anything like that over in Goodyear. Tanner Bibe gave up a two run home run in the first inning and then settled in Face nine batters there. What do you take away from those two losses and not just looking necessarily at the score, but beyond that with some of the performances of the guys who were at the plate there in those games?
Paul Hoynes (01:01):
Yeah, Joe, I think they swung the bats pretty well. They out hit the Giants 13 to 10 and they were right there with the Cubs. What they lose five three, but the Cubs what hit three home runs and beat ‘em so offensively, I think it was a decent weekend Angel, an Angel Martinez is having a great spring once he at 5 71, 8 for 14, two for five. So that’s encouraging. And you think about a guy like that, Joe, where does he fit? Is he really kind of competing for the shortstop job or obviously he’s put himself on the radar here, but does he have a chance to make the big league club? I’m curious.
Joe Noga (01:52):
Well, and it’s not, maybe not just as an infielder, but he’s also been working out in the outfield. It sounds like he’s sort of taking that Jose Ramirez approach and saying, Hey, any way I can get on this roster and get at bats, I’m going to do it. And it sounds like that’s what he’s been up to because he’s been taking time in the outfield when he’s been getting in games though it’s been as an infielder and that’s probably where he’s most comfortable. But this is a guy who, another guy, I believe he’s the son of Sandy Martinez, a former big league catcher, spent some time with Chicago. This is a guy who’s got that pedigree so it doesn’t feel like big League Spring training is too big of a moment for this guy. He’s out there and he’s been showing a little bit of surprising power and as far as prospects go, he is on the 40 man roster. He should be a guy who’s in the mix here. When you’re looking at some sort of utility, maybe infield position, maybe pushing a guy like a Tyler Freeman.
Paul Hoynes (03:07):
Yeah, I mean this is a switch hitter, Joe. I remember talking to this Martinez during the covid year. It just really an engaging kid, nice kid to talk to. And like you said, his dad played in the big leagues. I mean he’s had uncles playing, so he’s coming from a baseball family and I asked him once, did you want to be a catcher like your father? And he said, my dad wouldn’t let me catch. So
(03:39):
He got a headstart on the game there. But Joe, he had a big game Saturday against Kansas City Home Run. He had drove in three runs with a homer and a single and sacrifice fly. This is a strong kid too. Somebody said they were kind of comparing him to Jose Ramirez when Jose first came up, but he’s bigger than Jose and he looks stronger than Jose. Jose. He wasn’t much taller. I mean he was about as tall as he is now and he was about 20 pounds lighter. But this kid he’s put together and he caught my eye. He’s an interesting guy
Joe Noga (04:20):
And the question is where would he fit if there was a spot for him on the roster? And really it’s that utility role that he’s got to be targeting, but the versatility to be able to maybe take an inning or two in the outfield as well, that can only help him if that’s where he is been putting in a little time, putting in a little work. Speaking of prospects with surprising power or emerging power, Davidson. Los Santos had two hits yesterday, drove in a run. He’s got his batting average up to 200 in the cactus league. But this is a guy who’s been getting a lot of opportunities. They’re definitely trying to give him as much of a look as they possibly can at every opportunity in camp,
Paul Hoynes (05:09):
And I think that’s probably taken a little bit away from his offense, don’t you think, Joe, if you’re playing the outfield for the first time, you’re playing right field, you’re working out a little bit in left field, then you’re going from first to third. So you’ve got that on your mind and you’re also trying to hit and you’re also trying to make a club. So he’s got a lot going on and anything he gives you offensively is probably gravy right now because I think they’re making up their, there’s a lot more things going into this decision and just his batting average and how many runs he drives in this spring,
Joe Noga (05:49):
Right? It’s almost like that stuff. The statistics are immaterial. It’s more like he has to pass a certain eye test and he’s doing everything right by all accounts. He’s done everything they’ve asked of him. It’s just is it going to be enough to get him strong enough consideration to make that final roster that remains to be seen again. We always check in on Chase de Lauder, Kyle Manto to the names, to the biggest names in terms of prospect watching in this camp. De Lauder had another nice weekend as did Manto. I believe Manto had a hit yesterday. What do you think the chances are either one of those guys is on that first flight to Oakland?
Paul Hoynes (06:39):
Yeah, Joe, I don’t know, but the Lauder, he’s eyeopening man. When was the last time this early in camp? The decision is made to keep a kid like him that has never been down to 40 man that’s never really been through a complete spring training and keep him in big league camp while the rest of the depth camp guys start their minor league spring training in anticipation of starting their seasons. DeLauder is still with the big league club, so that’s something to take note of. He’s hitting 504 for eight every time he swings the bat. It’s really exciting to me. And Manardo is hitting 4 44, making good contact. Even he’s hitting balls hard that are outs, but he’s still making contact. So both guys have been really impressive as far as making the ball club. I still think probably Mandos chances are better than DeLauder, but we’ll see what happens.
Joe Noga (07:44):
Yeah, and as far as the timing of things right now with the off day on Monday today, you would expect maybe that they start making some early cuts at some point here in the next couple of days coming back to camp in terms of sending some of the depth guys, some of the younger guys down so that they can begin their regular routine with the minor league camp, but maybe DeLauder and Mando get to stick at least another extra week maybe just so that you could get a feel for them and have them get a feel for being around the big league club a little more.
Paul Hoynes (08:26):
Oh yeah, I think so for sure. I think these guys are going to get a long look. They could be in camp, even one of the deals that where okay with maybe a week left in camp, they tell ‘em, okay, you’re not going to make the club, but we’re going to keep you in big league camp here because we appreciate what you’ve done this spring. And then they go to AAA or AA or wherever they’re going.
Joe Noga (08:55):
As far as another couple of names that have made impressions so far in camp, Alex Freeez is a name that we’ve heard a little bit as far as prospects go, but really haven’t seen much of him. And then yesterday he continued. I mean he’s had hits in the last couple of games that he’s played in. He’s a bigger guy than I thought he was actually. And it looks like he’s a solid prospect there.
Paul Hoynes (09:28):
Yeah, Joe, I mean, and he’s kind one of those guys that comes in around the fifth inning as a defensive replacement, but that hasn’t stopped him from swinging the bat. And when you looked at his minor league career, he is a hitter. I mean right now he’s hitting 5 56 5 for nine three rbis, so he’s taken advantage of every chance he gets, so that’s encouraging. Now is there a place for him on a big league club? I doubt it, but he’s certainly opened some eyes and not just with Cleveland but the 29 other ball clubs. So you just don’t know. You just don’t know until you see guys and you put your eyes on him and they get an opportunity to play against the best competition.
Joe Noga (10:15):
Yeah, he’s had hits in four of the five games that he’s played in multiple hits in yesterday’s game. He had two and it’s not just, I mean he’s hitting doubles. He’s got two doubles in the, and they’re looking for power. They’re looking for guys that can drive the ball. He’s six foot two, 180 pounds. This is a guy who maybe they get a longer look at him and he has a chance to climb different levels of the minor league system this year and he’s only 22 years old. So I got to keep an eye on Alex Freeez as well as Daniel Schneemann. This is a guy who he’s sort of taking David Fry path. I think Daniel Schneeman a guy who will play anywhere and whenever he does, he’s making plays. Yesterday he made a play at shortstop from the seat of his pants thrown to second base. Not like, I don’t think he’s going to be strongly considered in the competition there at shortstop, but this is a guy who can play on the infield multiple positions. He’s 27 years old. He is a little bit older than most of the other prospects there in camp. He drafted back in 2018. He was the 33rd round pick back in 2018, but he’s got four hits and 12 at bats, including a home run four rbis. Schneemann is sort of one of those guys that sort of goes anywhere and does anything You ask him. Him,
Paul Hoynes (11:55):
Yeah. You look at his numbers at AAA last year, Joe, and they were really solid. I mean, this is a good hitter, kind of an under the radar guy against Kansas City over the weekend. Like you said, he hit a three run Homer. He had two hits in that game so he can play third, he can play short. He bounced around the diamond. Interesting guy and a little bit older like you were saying for a minor leaguer. But I think what you do hear now what these guys make an impression now that could help them sometime during the season if the opportunity arises, you get a chance to get called up and get to the big leagues.
Joe Noga (12:44):
There’s always one call up at some point during the summer months and the dog days of the season, there’s always one call up where it’s like, oh, we’re going to see that guy. I remember him from training camp and maybe Nieman’s that guy. That’s a surprise. Call up at some point just to get a look at him. Who knows? But I want to let our listeners know if you’re tuning in here, the best way to get instant updates sent to your phone is through our subtext subscription texting Service Guardian Subtext is available for 3 99 a month. If you want to subscribe, go to cleveland.com/subtext or send a text message to 2 0 8 4 3 4 6 to sign up and get the latest updates from hos and from me throughout the baseball season. Hoey Bone Aler has been, the mystery man has been heard from since he missed some time with back spasms and he’s been sidelined. What’s the latest, what are you hearing and when can we expect to maybe see Bo Naer back in the lineup or do we expect to see Bo Naer back in the lineup anytime soon?
Paul Hoynes (13:59):
Yeah, it’s an interesting situation, Joe not being out there. You can’t really put your hands on it, you wrap your hands around it. But he was supposed to play last Monday against San Diego. He was going to dh, but he was scratched with back spasms and we haven’t seen him since. There was a report in the Guardian’s notes that he had been cleared to catch sim games on Thursday, but I don’t think he did. From what I heard, it was questionable if he caught and then the next day the notes said he has been cleared to stretch, he’s been cleared to throw at 90 feet. He’s been, he can take up to 40 swings and I would think we’ll know more after this off day Monday. We’ll get a better read just on where Bo is. He’s only played one game, but it’s still, they’ve only played 10 spring training games. There’s 20 left. There’s plenty of time for him to get ready, but I think we’ll get a clearer read on this on Tuesday when the players come back to camp and the games resume.
Joe Noga (15:10):
Yeah, what you don’t want to see is this develop into something that he has to deal with prolonged or throughout the season, or we’re talking about this in July or August that he’s got to miss time. That way if there’s an opportunity to rest him or to work this out so that he’s not feeling it throughout the season, it can be done and dealt with and over with, then you want to see that as opposed to having him either have to regularly miss games or have to go on the injured list at some point during the season because they didn’t address it early on when they could have, I think the overly cautious approach is probably the best thing for bone nailer at this point. And I would assume that’s what they’re doing, but we don’t know for sure yet. As far as the pictures coming back from injury, we saw Shane Bieber over the weekend. He uncharacteristically walked a few more guys than I think he would like in his first downing. Excuse me, uncharacteristically walked a few more guys than I think he would like to in his first outing. We get to see Tristan McKenzie then coming back likely on Wednesday. What can we expect from Tristan in his debut in the Cactus League?
Paul Hoynes (16:40):
Yeah, this is really going to be interesting to me Joe. This is kind of the last guy on the rotation to kind of roll out there and make pitches. Debut in the desert. We know Tristan his head, the physical problems from last year, only making four starts. First the terrace major muscle in his right shoulder at the end of spring training. Then the elbow strain in June. He came back and made the two starts at the end of the year. But he’s been kind of a question mark since then. I think he’s thrown, they brought him along slowly in spring training, but he’s thrown bp, he’s thrown simulated games and now we get to see him on Wednesday. I would think everything will go okay. I don’t think they’d run ‘em out there if there was a question, but we’re going to get a much clearer picture after he pitches on Wednesday. It’s only going to be probably an inning, two innings at the most. And then we’ll have a pretty clear picture of the rotation because all the five starters will make at least one start and Gavin Williams will have made two.
Joe Noga (17:53):
Right? And Carl Willis has his formula in terms of how many outings, how many innings, the progression to get through the rotation a number of times. So we’ll see that picture starts to sort itself out about midway through March there. And we will know who’s in line to start when, but I’ve got to assume that there’s a particular target number of outings for the remainder of camp that each one of these starters has to test to get to. And then we will know where each guy stands and how they plan to use him and all that. As far as Tristan, I’m sure that he’s excited and anxious to get back out there, not just to get built up, but just to be reassured in his own mind that he can go out there and do it in a major league setting.
Paul Hoynes (18:49):
Yeah, we talked to him at Guards Fest, Joe, and he seemed very confident that his elbow was fine, that he had let it go, that he’d worked really hard in spring training that he had tested it. But there’s nothing like game conditions. The adrenaline is different, the atmosphere is different. You’re on the mound, there’s people in the stands, you’re facing hitters from another team. So all that factors into it. So that’s why Wednesday’s going to be an important starter, important step forward for Tristan.
Joe Noga (19:24):
Right? And every one of those outings is going to be just a lot of eyes and a lot of ears following and making sure that he gets through and rebounds physically. Not just the day of the start, but the next day that he comes back and reports back that everything’s going fine that way. Alright, again, guardian’s off today. The next game is Tuesday against Seattle in Goodyear. Like we said, Gavin Williams getting the start there should be interesting to follow here and we’ll keep track of that ho. That’s going to wrap up today’s edition of the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast. We’ll check in again with you on Tuesday afternoon and talk more about spring training here on the Cleveland Baseball Talk podcast.
Paul Hoynes (20:14):
Alright Joe.
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