4 Cleveland Guardians who have gotten off to a rough start in 2025

Jhonkensy Noel - Right Field

The beginning of the 2025 season has not been kind to Guardians right fielder Jhonkensy Noel. The 23-year-old has struggled to get going at the plate, and with the overall offensive performance of Clevleand's lineup leaving something to be desired, the lack of production from Noel becomes increasingly magnified. Cleveland was counting on Noel to provide some power to their lineup, and the results simply aren't there up to this point.

Noel has just six hits in 32 at-bats this season, with his batting average that sits 12 points below the Mendoza Line more closely resembling a Year without a Santa Claus rather than a Big Christmas. Now, no one expects, or at least should expect, Noel to compete for a batting title, but a low average such as Noel's (.188) can be tolerated a little bit more if there is a certain level of power that comes with it. There's just one problem - Noel has not hit an extra-base hit yet this season.

The Guardians need Noel to hit home runs and doubles, end of story. There is nothing wrong with hitting singles, and it is a positive of sorts that Noel has managed to get the hits he has so far in 2025, but that is not what he is in the lineup for (they have Steven Kwan for that). If Noel is unable to turn things around soon, some uncomfortable conversations regarding his playing time/role and maybe even his major league roster status might have to take place.