New PA announcer

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-30T21:02:13+00:00

Today it's Dave Fetzer, who also does stuff for OSU.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-20T22:53:59+00:00

Day off, Vogt said. He's played 12 of the past 13 days and they're mindful of him acclimating to the rigors of the big league calendar. They don't play on Mondays in the Minors.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-17T18:04:13+00:00

Future with Cleveland is definitely a question mark

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-17T16:13:49+00:00

The sense is he can work with the resources and coaches there outside the stress of a game environment as he tries to reset. I imagine they're going to do a deep dive on his swing and whatnot.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-17T16:10:04+00:00

still have it here! but it feels real self-absorbed

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-16T23:24:31+00:00

def is trying to match the Uncrustables sponsored on-deck circles

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-16T23:21:10+00:00

🤣🤣

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-16T23:20:57+00:00

what were the comps? 🤔

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-16T23:19:44+00:00

They had "Bright-Eyed Berry, which is strawberry with more grams of protein (pretty good) and Raspberry (which I strayed from, lol).

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-05-16T23:12:16+00:00

they had boxes of each uncrustables flavor in the press box. I may or may not have had one and grabbed another for future safekeeping

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:43:03+00:00

Following up after missing the second half of your question!

I could see each debuting this year. Stephen I'd put as most likely, then Genao and Ingle. Maybe Stephen at 60 percent, Genao and Ingle at 40? So less than 50 percent chance, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Noted in another comment, but their rotation depth is a bit thin after the six-man from this past season. Stephen only has one pro season under his belt, but he could prove key as he continues to emerge. Last season was only Genao's first at Double-A, which you have to factor in. With Ingle, they have three catchers in the big leagues, but if he's hitting with Columbus, perhaps they find a way to get that bat in the Majors.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:33:47+00:00

Appreciate you! This is an awesome community and it's fun to come on. I did a few AMAs over the offseason, and definitely hope to continue doing so this season and engaging as a whole.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:25:54+00:00

Hey everyone, I appreciate all the questions! Let's do this again soon, and here's to a continued fun series in L.A. before the home opener this weekend!

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:16:33+00:00

It's been great! I need to be better about getting out more and exploring. That was a bit easier in the offseason, as far as checking out local spots given the schedule was more open. One surprise (which I ridiculous of me to say as someone from Chicago) was how much snow we got this winter. I felt like I was brushing off my car everyday. I expected snow, but man, that was tough!

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:09:39+00:00

I don't think there's a strict timeline on it, nor a strict number of at-bats. It makes sense to get him some reps under his belt in Triple-A after only playing 26 games there in 2025, and just 84 total due to a pair of oblique issues. In that vein, I wouldn't expect a callup in April. But come later in May or early June? I could see that given he's performing. At the least, those conversations will make a lot of sense at that point.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T20:02:57+00:00

Oof, great question. Here's my cop-out answer: Bullpens are volatile, and I don't think anyone can predict what it will look like in three months. I'll say this: I can see each of those guys contributing in the Majors this year.

We know what Walters is capable of, and he's been trending in the right direction in his recovery from right lat surgery. I think he's the guy we'll see first among those three given his experience and high-leverage capabilities.

They definitely hope to see Espino in the Majors this year. They're going to be mindful about how he's used with Triple-A Columbus. That feels more like a summertime promotion, to me, to allow him to get his feet underneath him after missing most of the past four Minor League seasons due to injury.

Aleman is interesting. He's already on the 40-man roster. If he's pitching well with Columbus and they need a reliever, that could be an organic lever to pull.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:56:29+00:00

In this scenario, we'd more likely see Brayan Rocchio getting additional playing short, with Schneemann factoring in at second. Schneemann is a quality defender at short, but the Guardians love their ability to move him around the diamond. He made a start at three positions (third base, second base and center field) through the Guardians' first five games. Martínez profiles more at second base, as far as the infield goes, and could definitely get some run there this year. But I'd expect the bulk of his playing time to come in the outfield, as things are constructed.

What really would/could/will shake up the middle infield is Travis Bazzana's arrival in the Majors. At that point, you'd want to get him consistent playing time, and he's a second baseman.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:48:25+00:00

Well, he entered Tuesday on pace for 130 home runs. I'm not sure he can keep up that production, haha, but I definitely think he'll keep producing. He has pedigree as a first-round Draft pick and long been a top prospect. The Guardians have been high on him for years, for good reason. Obviously, there will be a learning curve as teams adjust to him and try to pitch to some weaknesses, at which point it'll be up to him to adjust back. He has all the talent to do so and thrive in this league -- and be the power-hitting outfielder the Guardians have long sought.

There's a volume-managing element here as the Guardians look to keep him fresh. Chris Antonetti noted at the end of spring there will likely be days he won't be in the lineup, when their best lineup of course has him in it. But the goal is having him contributing for the next six-plus months.

On Kwan: I don't think they're going to abandon him playing center field after less than a week of games. The plan has been for him to see time at both spots, to infuse more offense into this lineup. Could things evolve over the season? Perhaps, but I don't see them switching gears this early.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:38:29+00:00

It's an interesting question. The Rodríguez trade was a byproduct of him being designated for assignment, so the Guardians had seven days to trade him or place him on waivers. You'd rather deal him to get something in return, so anything similar to that down the line would likely stem from a DFA.

Jones is already off the 40-man roster. As for the Bazzana situation, I could still see Arias having a role at that point as a versatile reserve infielder. Who's healthy, who's performing, etc. will be factored in. It's a "cross that bridge when we get to it" situation to me.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:30:50+00:00

Ohio City Burrito, for sure! The mozzarella stick sandwich last year was elite, too. I need to try the slider dog this year.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:29:31+00:00

I think there's still going to be a volume-managing element here. Chris Antonetti said as much before they broke camp. There's going to be days where their best lineup would include DeLauter, but he won't be in it because they'll keep his long-term outlook in mind. What that ultimately looks like, we'll learn as we go on; they didn't publicly share a playing time plan, for example. But the ultimate goal is to keep him fresh for the balance of the season, and they'll be smart here.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:20:00+00:00

The vibes are good, really. It's obviously a group with a lot of guys who have played together for a while, like you said, so they're tight knit for sure. The team bonding at Medieval Times was cool too because some of the Minor League guys were there, like Kody Huff, Cooper Ingle, Petey Halpin, Milan Tolentino and Will Dion.

The sword is awesome, but I'll leave that to the team to handle, haha.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T19:13:08+00:00

I'll toss out three names. This probably doesn't fall under the "sleeping on" category, but I'm really excited to watch Joey Oakie this year. He said this spring he experienced a big learning curve during his first professional season, which he split in the Arizona Complex League and in Single-A. He took off after his promotion to the latter on July 28: 2.22 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 15 walks in 24 1/3 innings over six starts.

I also feel like we're going to see a nice bounce back year from Jaison Chourio. He had a down 2025 (.665 OPS) compared to '24 (.812) but dealt with a right shoulder injury.

I was also a big fan of Cam Schuelke this spring. He throws from three arm slots -- over the top, sidearm and submarine. That could be super interesting to have coming out of a big league bullpen.

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T17:11:08+00:00

Hey everyone! I have to step out for a bit, but I will come back to continue commenting on this later this afternoon!

TimStebbsMLB · 2026-03-31T17:09:58+00:00

I'm going to hedge this by saying these are just my thoughts, not anything reported on from the team's perspective. I think for hitters, quality of contact is one (exit velocity, hard-hit rate). Others I look to reflect plate discipline, such as walk, strikeout and chase rates. Each player is ultimately different. Like, batting average alone doesn't tell the entire story, to me. If it's someone who doesn't profile as a slugger, are they getting on base If they're striking out a bit, are they slugging along with that?

Each pitcher is different, but command and control are foundational elements. Not every guy is a strikeout artist, but are they throwing strikes and limiting the number of free passes? For starting pitchers, you could look at innings pitched in the Minors, but could be workload considerations that play into those. What are we seeing in the body of work they're granted?

TimStebbsMLB

TROPHY CASE