Bryan Rocchio stands out as obvious fix to biggest problem in Guardians’ lineup

On Sunday, Brayan Rocchio picked up a four-hit game for the Clevleand Guardians in their deflating 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins. 

While any loss to the Twins is inexcusable, it’s even more inexcusable given it came in a game where Rocchio (who was Cleveland’s 9-hole hitter) set a new career-high in hits while becoming the first Guardians 9-hole hitter to record a four-hit game since Tyler Naquin. 

In a perfect world, Rocchio’s like a second leadoff hitter since any production from him means the top of the Guardians’ lineup has an opportunity to hit with runners on base. 

But that world has been far from perfect lately given how much Steven Kwan has struggled in the leadoff spot. After an 0-for-4 showing on Sunday with two strikeouts, Kwan is hitting just .208 on the season and .167 (6-for-36) in May. 

It’s clear that Kwan isn’t himself, whether it’s because of injury, pitchers adjusting to him or some combination of the two. 

One of the obvious ways to help mitigate those struggles (and take some pressure off Kwan’s shoulders) would be to move him down in the Guardians’ lineup. And if they were to do that, Rocchio stands out as an obvious option to replace Kwan at the top of Cleveland’s lineup. 

The Guardians need to move Brayan Rocchio up in their lineup 

Rocchio’s had 33 hits this season out of the 9-hole, which leads MLB by a large margin (KC’s Kyle Isbel is second with 26). He clearly feels comfortable at the position, and went as far as to call it his “home” earlier this season. 

But the great thing about having a home is that you can always move. And, for the Guardians to be the best version of themselves, Rocchio’s new home should be further up the lineup. 

That doesn’t mean that’s going to happen, however. We have no idea if the Guardians have approached Kwan about moving out of the leadoff spot, and it’s anyone’s guess who that conversation would go. 

We also don’t know what Rocchio would think of that potential move. He’s almost exclusively hit no higher than the No. 6 spot in the past two seasons outside a single game against the Rays last August where he hit in the No. 2 spot (and went 0-for-5). 

But even if the Guardians don’t decide to move Roccio to leadoff, it’s still clear that they need to move him up in the lineup. Not only did the Guardians leave a combined 25 men on base in their final two games against the Twins, but they’re now 3-6 in one-run games this season. 

While they’ve been able to stay in nearly every game this season, they’ve struggled to pick up that big hit. Giving Rocchio more chances at the top of the lineup could end up being the elixir. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow