Thoughts for a Wednesday: What's Next For Manzardo? Chase DeLauter's Power and Potpourri

 Kyle Manzardo

Well, as predicted here, the Guardians got Manzardo some hollow ABs in the ACL as the DH.  The results are meaningless but it wasn't exactly like he was killin' it, going 0-11 although he did have 2 hits washed away in Sunday's rainout.

So what is next?  Will they send him up to AA or AAA to get more ABs in or will they shut him down for the season now that they think they have proven that they didn't trade for a guy who was damaged goods at the time.

There is a lot of pressure on Manzardo and, by association, Chris Antonetti, for Manazardo to look like a real steal in this deal that gave up 2+ years of control of the cheap, effective ML starting pitcher Aaron Civale. 

Manzardo takes his .000 BA in the ACL to Columbus starting today.  Interesting to see how often he will play, whether he will do more than DH and how he will perform.

Chase DeLauter

I have seen most of DeLauter's Lake County ABs this year and two things stand out:

1. He has great hand-eye coordination, barreling up MANY more balls than any prospect I have seen this year for any team.
2. He is not incorporating his lower body at all in his swing.  It is my understanding that a lot of the power comes from your lower half.  The red flag here is that his leg injury is not better and he is compensating for it by using his hands and arms.  I think the result is that he is not hitting many HRs and is making good, loud contact but the balls are not leaving the yard.  Happened twice in the last couple of games. 

If his injury heals this winter and he comes into ST in 2024 healthy and remains so, being able to incorporate his bottom half into his swing without losing the bat dontrol he has displayed this year, he may be the a pretty darn good power hitter moving forward.  If he foot continues to hinder him, he will be just another slap hitting LH hitting outfielder that the Guardians have about a million of in the minors already.

Pot Pourri

• Even though I know it is trolling-like, I am looking at the understandably small sample size with Alex Mooney.  I see .156 BA, .250 OPB, .219 SLG and the resulting .469 OPS in 36 PA for Lynchburg where he is about 1 year above the average age and all I can think is "So this is what $1 million buys us in today's dollars."  Getting a talent like Alex Mooney in the 6th round is a steal.  Paying 3rd round money for this level of production is really, really bad. 
• The rest of the Guardians 2023 draftees so far in small sample size:
• Cooper Ingle - 22 PA in Lake County where he is young for the league - .375/.546/.500
• CJ Kayfus - 34 PA at Lynchburg - .231/.412/.385
• Alex Clemmey - Not pitching
• Andrew Walters - Not pitching
• Christian Knapczyk - Not playing
• Tommy Hawke - .234/,381/.294 as an overage college player in the ACL
• Ralphy Velazquez - ,348/.393/.739 as an underage player in the ACL in 28 PA
• Jonah Advincula - .250/.519/.563 as a way overage player in the ACL in 26 PA
• Jay Driver - .4.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 18.0 K/9 IP between ACL and Lynchburg
• Matt Wilkinson - 1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP and 3 Ks in the ACL in
• Not including here the other 2023 draftees as the sample sizes are REALLY small.
• Kole Calhoun with a great, clutch HR last night, Jonathon Rodriguez with his 9th HR in AAA, and an overall slash line of .296/.364/.512 at AAA.   So let's say we keep Calhoun.  We need to dump Laureano, the signing of whom was a BIG mistake as we owe him his salary for doing what we could get out of Oscar Gonzalez.  Free (and bring up on September 1st) Jonahton Rodriguez  As he should be protected this winter anyway, this is not much of a stretch.
• Parker Messick on the bump tonight for LC.  Let's see if he can keep his velocity up tonight and continue his good run at the end of the season.
• Even though he still has a lot to learn, Jhonkensy Noel continues to appear to get better and better this season at AAA.
• Free (and bring up) Daniel Schneeman
• Free (and activate off the IL) David Fry
• Fee (i.e., release) Cam Gallagher
• Free (and bring up) Bryan Lavastida - Taking Eric Haase off waivers may have eliminated this as a possibility, however.
• I ask the same questions I have asked before: Are Korey Holland, Aaron Bracho and Daniel Schneeman really prospects who will continue to be on a steep upward trajectory of development?  I add Bryan Lavastida to that list as of today.
• Magnus Ellerts is really interesting...up to 95 mph last night with good command and the makings of two good breaking balls.
• Joey Cantillo is almost ready.  Another half season at AAA and he will be ready to take up a position next to Williams and Bibee in the rotation.   Right now?  He could get some long relief innings in the majors at the end of the season if that is what the Guardians want him to do.
• I am preparing a post on the DSL season and who I think our top prospects were and what to expect from them next season.  Will post that by tomorrow followed after that by a similar ACL prospect post.