Guardians Offense Shows Promise in Spring Training

But will it translate to the regular season?

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:05am

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The Cleveland Guardians' offense showed some promising signs during spring training, with the top of the lineup featuring Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Jose Ramirez, Rhys Hoskins, and Kyle Manzardo all having strong performances. However, the team is cautious about reading too much into spring training results, and they've decided to send top prospect Travis Bazzana to the minors to get more at-bats rather than keep him on the major league roster to start the season.

Why it matters

The Guardians' offense struggled last season, so any signs of improvement during the preseason are encouraging. However, the team is taking a measured approach, recognizing that spring training results don't always translate to the regular season. The decision to send Bazzana to the minors also highlights the team's focus on player development and not rushing prospects to the big leagues.

The details

The Guardians are largely returning the same lineup from last season, hoping that a year's worth of experience will lead to better production. Newcomer Chase DeLauter is expected to help at the top of the order, and the team is also excited about the potential of young players like Kwan, Ramirez, Hoskins, and Manzardo. However, manager Stephen Vogt has cautioned against reading too much into spring training stats, noting the different conditions and competition level compared to the regular season.

  • The Guardians' offense showed promising signs during the Cactus League games in spring training.
  • Top prospect Travis Bazzana was sent down to Triple-A Columbus to start the season.

The players

Chase DeLauter

A top prospect who is expected to help improve the Guardians' offense this season.

Steven Kwan

A young outfielder who had a strong rookie season and is expected to be a key part of the Guardians' lineup.

Jose Ramirez

The Guardians' star third baseman and one of the best players in the league.

Rhys Hoskins

A veteran slugger who was acquired by the Guardians in the offseason to bolster their lineup.

Kyle Manzardo

A promising young hitter who is expected to contribute to the Guardians' offense this season.

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What they’re saying

“I do think Chase DeLauter is going to help. The top of the lineup with Steven Kwan, DeLauter, Jose Ramirez, Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Manzardo have shown flashes this spring.”

— Paul Hoynes, Columnist

“Why not try to keep that going at Triple-A Columbus until an opportunity arises to bring him up?”

— Paul Hoynes, Columnist

What’s next

The Guardians will continue to monitor the progress of their young players, including Travis Bazzana, as they prepare for the start of the regular season. The team's focus will be on getting off to a strong start and building on the promising signs from spring training.

The takeaway

The Guardians are taking a measured approach to their offense this season, recognizing that spring training results don't always translate to the regular season. However, the team is cautiously optimistic about the potential of their young core, and they are committed to developing their prospects while also fielding a competitive team in 2026.