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2024 Guardians Spring Training Thread

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Lee said:
Weird question, but Ralphy is 100% not going to be a catcher? Not sure about Ralphy's speed, but Bo could learn to play outfield some day too with his unusual speed for a catcher.

Just a thought for future.
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I thought of a trade that had McKenzie going to Pittsburgh for Henry Davis with the idea that they could rotate and theoretically remain healthier while giving us the type of offensive production from a corner OF that we've been sorely lacking. Point being, yeah I think Bo playing some OF isn't a bad idea. That's what he did prior to catching anyway.
 
Playing the A's 4 times to open the season is great because they suck. But if you don't win at least 2 of them, it is a quick path to start figuring out when football season starts.
 
CalBuckeyeRob said:
Playing the A's 4 times to open the season is great because they suck. But if you don't win at least 2 of them, it is a quick path to start figuring out when football season starts.
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Wow, potentially passing judgement on the team after 2.5%of their season will have been played. How generous of you... :)
 
CalBuckeyeRob said:
Playing the A's 4 times to open the season is great because they suck. But if you don't win at least 2 of them, it is a quick path to start figuring out when football season starts.
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Opening with the A’s was a springboard in 2023 for the Rays’ ridiculously good start.
 
Damage said:
I can say with almost 100% certainty that his long-term position will not be C.

I guess you can also throw Bo Naylor in the 1B/DH logjam as well
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If Ralphy won't stay at C, that pick becomes bogus. HS 1B never go in the first round for a good reason.

It's one of the things I'll never understand with this org. They're allergic to draft and invest a late cheap pick on a college 1B where lots of good MLB 1B have come from (Goldschmidt, Mancini, C. Walker etc), but then like to draft HS 1B fairly high and often for high bonus (B. Bradley, Naranjo, U. Cantu, N. Rodriguez). That's a terrible ROI strategy.

If Ralphy is ultimately only a 1B, he needs to mash DeLauter/Manzardo style to justify that selection.
 
Wes said:
Wow, potentially passing judgement on the team after 2.5%of their season will have been played. How generous of you... :)
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Go 1-3 or 0-4 against a team that lost 112 games last season could be at least reason for concern.

I am actually optimistic that their offense will be overall better, especially when they get Manzardo and DeLauter up. The bullpen could be ugly so I am hoping they get at least 6 innings from a few of the starters in this long road trip to start the year.
 
Tondo said:
If Ralphy won't stay at C, that pick becomes bogus. HS 1B never go in the first round for a good reason.

It's one of the things I'll never understand with this org. They're allergic to draft and invest a late cheap pick on a college 1B where lots of good MLB 1B have come from (Goldschmidt, Mancini, C. Walker etc), but then like to draft HS 1B fairly high and often for high bonus (B. Bradley, Naranjo, U. Cantu, N. Rodriguez). That's a terrible ROI strategy.

If Ralphy is ultimately only a 1B, he needs to mash DeLauter/Manzardo style to justify that selection.
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I don't believe there's any real doubts about his ability to get the bat to the ball.. He was moved to C because the team had a 1B entrenched, he has a good arm, and can't run.. Doesn't that sound like a catcher? From what I've seen, he has improving lateral mobility, decent/soft hands, & pretty good pop.. Framing to him is what is done to erect a garage wall.. Blocking the ball is more making himself into a wall.. not controlling the direction of the carom.. At the end of the day, that's 4th to 6th round defensive talent level.. The bat is legit.. absolutely top tier contact and natural power... first round talent all the way.. imho...he would have been there in the comp round or later.. I believe he signed a contract that was significantly under slot (over $ 800 K under slot) or the amount that should have been paid to a pick 10 slots later.. Sadly.. there weren't a slew of better picks after him in the first and Comp A portion of the draft..

My hope is that Ralphy becomes an absolute dirtbag about becoming a catcher.. we'll see...
 
CalBuckeyeRob said:
Go 1-3 or 0-4 against a team that lost 112 games last season could be at least reason for concern.

I am actually optimistic that their offense will be overall better, especially when they get Manzardo and DeLauter up. The bullpen could be ugly so I am hoping they get at least 6 innings from a few of the starters in this long road trip to start the year.
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Is the bullpen really looking that bad? We did have a top 10 ERA in 23 from that bullpen, and we are essentially running out a very similar bullpen... Barlow is a veteran that has been actually very steady for the most part, if nothing else, he's been very durable... We have some nice arms coming into the mix this season as well from the AA/AAA group if people struggle...
 
Tondo said:
If Ralphy won't stay at C, that pick becomes bogus. HS 1B never go in the first round for a good reason.

It's one of the things I'll never understand with this org. They're allergic to draft and invest a late cheap pick on a college 1B where lots of good MLB 1B have come from (Goldschmidt, Mancini, C. Walker etc), but then like to draft HS 1B fairly high and often for high bonus (B. Bradley, Naranjo, U. Cantu, N. Rodriguez). That's a terrible ROI strategy.

If Ralphy is ultimately only a 1B, he needs to mash DeLauter/Manzardo style to justify that selection.
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For fun I looked it up. If 1B go it the first round from HS it actually goes pretty well. The first round college 1B is ugly. Since 2012 when the hard slots started 1B drafted in the 1st round. Good luck to whoever drafts Nick Kurtz

HS: Matt Olson, Keon Barnum, Dominic Smith, Josh Naylor, Nick Pratto, Grant Lavigne, Xavier Isaac,

College: Casey Gillaspie, Chris Shaw, Brendan McKay, Pavin Smith, Evan White, Andrew Vaughn, Michael Toglia, Aaron Sabato, Nolan Schanuel
 
sportscoach said:
Is the bullpen really looking that bad? We did have a top 10 ERA in 23 from that bullpen, and we are essentially running out a very similar bullpen... Barlow is a veteran that has been actually very steady for the most part, if nothing else, he's been very durable... We have some nice arms coming into the mix this season as well from the AA/AAA group if people struggle...
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No, if anyone's main concern is the BP then they're not paying attention. Wasn't our BP top 10 last season? Defensively we should be pretty damn good again. SP looks to be in real good shape too. So we should have above average BP, SP and defense. What aspect of our team was shit last season and the real reason we finished 3rd in the weakest division in MLB? The philosophy is different now because they realize the previous flaw, and help is beginning to show up. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds.
 
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