The Cleveland Guardians have earned a solid grade after a competitive first half of the season. Currently, they are tied for first in the American League Central with a 51-46 record. There are a lot of positives to take away, including the overall pitching success and solid play from the young players. Another reason to feel optimistic is that this team has maintained a share of the division lead without the presence of Jose Ramirez for the past month. Cleveland has a long road ahead, but there is a lot to like with the current state of the roster and what they have proven so far.
Grade: A-
The heart and soul of the Guardians has been their pitching staff. The five-man rotation of Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo, and Slade Cecconi has pitched all season and pitched lights out. Overall, the pitching staff has a combined 3.71 ERA, ranking them seventh in baseball. They also share 51 wins as a staff, which puts them eighth in the league. Every important metric in the game has Cleveland’s rotation and bullpen amongst the top teams in the league. With that being said, there is still room for improvement, and it’s mainly from the bullpen.
The Guardians have three All-Stars this season, and two of them are pitchers. Parker Messick and Cade Smith have been some of the best at their position this season with ERA’s under 3.00. The club has also seen breakout seasons from Cantillo, Williams, and Colin Holderman. For Cleveland to continue their push for another division title, this pitching staff will have to continue to dominate and stay healthy.
The Guardians organization has earned the label “pitching factory” for its development and success with young arms. Pitching coach Carl Willis is one of the best in the business and has proven it this season. After losing star players like Shane Bieber and Emmanuel Clase over the past couple of years, this organization has rebounded and found quality starters and high-end relievers.
Grade: C+
For a Cleveland team with the majority of its lineup under the age of 30, this has been a successful offensive season so far. While their metrics and statistics aren’t at the top of the league, they come through in big moments with timely hits. There were a lot of questions about this offense before the season started, and they have answered back with 51 wins at the All-Star break. The youth movement has been fun to watch with great first halves from Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter, and Brayan Rocchio.
The youth movement has brought this offense so much life, while the usual star hitters like Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez have had rather down seasons. Another positive is the production the Guardians are getting from utility players such as Daniel Schneemann and David Fry, who have been key contributors all year long. Early in the year, they acquired Patrick Bailey, who has struggled at the plate throughout his career, and he has started to figure it out with hits in his last five games.
Even with the young players finding their groove, the return of Ramirez and Angel Martinez will give this team a much-needed boost heading into the second half of the season. As the Chicago White Sox look to remain the top competitor in the division, Cleveland’s offense must remain consistent.
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Grade: B+
At the All-Star break, the Guardians deserve a B+ for their first-half performance. Cleveland entered the break above .500 and firmly in the AL Central race despite dealing with injuries and inconsistent offensive production. The club finished the first half on a four-game winning streak, giving them momentum heading into the second half. If the team can acquire a bat and become healthy by the deadline, they have a very real shot at winning the division. The quality of their pitching provides them with a strong floor, and the development of their core could increase their ceiling greatly.
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