Guardians' Struggling First Baseman Manzardo Underperforming to Start 2026 Season

Cleveland's top prospect has yet to find his power stroke, weighing down the team's offense early on.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down a baseball game or match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in the official team colors of the Cleveland Guardians: navy blue, red, and white.The Guardians' offense has struggled to start the 2026 season, with first baseman Kyle Manzardo's early slump a major concern for the team.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Guardians have gotten off to a 10-7 start to begin the 2026 MLB season, but their offense has struggled, ranking 20th in the league in runs scored. One of the main culprits has been first baseman Kyle Manzardo, a former top prospect who has hit just .116 with one home run and two RBIs in 14 games so far. The Guardians are counting on Manzardo to turn things around and produce at the level he did in 2025, when he hit 27 home runs and drove in 70 runs.

Why it matters

Manzardo's early-season struggles are a concern for the Guardians, who are looking to return to the playoffs after making it the last two years. As a middle-of-the-order hitter, the team needs Manzardo to provide power and run production to complement stars like Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan. If he can't get going, it could hamper Cleveland's offense and their postseason aspirations.

The details

Through 14 games, Manzardo is hitting just .116 with one home run and two RBIs. He also leads the team with 16 strikeouts and has a -0.6 WAR, the worst among Guardians hitters. This is a far cry from his 2025 season, when he hit .234 with 27 home runs and 70 RBIs. The Guardians are hoping Manzardo's power stroke is starting to come alive after he hit his first homer of the season in his second-to-last game.

  • The Guardians have gotten off to a 10-7 start through their first 17 games of the 2026 season.
  • Manzardo has played in 14 games so far this season.

The players

Kyle Manzardo

A 25-year-old first baseman for the Cleveland Guardians who was once considered one of the top prospects in baseball. Manzardo had a solid 2025 season, hitting .234 with 27 home runs and 70 RBIs, but has struggled mightily to begin the 2026 campaign.

Jose Ramirez

A star infielder for the Cleveland Guardians who is one of the team's top offensive threats, along with outfielder Steven Kwan.

Steven Kwan

An outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians who, along with Jose Ramirez, is one of the team's key offensive players.

Chase DeLautier

A former top prospect for the Guardians who has broken out this season, leading the team with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

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What’s next

The Guardians are hoping Manzardo can turn things around and start producing at the level he did in 2025 to help boost their offense and playoff chances.

The takeaway

Manzardo's early-season struggles are a major concern for the Guardians, who need the former top prospect to provide power and run production in the middle of their lineup. If he can't get going soon, it could hamper Cleveland's chances of returning to the playoffs.