Guardians call up flamethrowing minor leaguer at the cost of Connor Brogdon

While the Cleveland Guardians’ bullpen helped lead them on their magical comeback to win the American League Central last season, it’s been a bit of a different story this season. 

In fact, the Guardians’ bullpen currently boasts a 4.12, which is the 15th-worst mark in baseball. (On the other hand, it could be the 15th-best since there are 30 teams in MLB. Life is all about perspective). 

But no matter what perspective you have, it’s clear the Guardians’ front office still has some work to do in finding the best mix of relievers for their big league club. 

They made a move to add one more reliever to that mix on Friday by promoting reliever Franco Aleman from Triple-A. His first action with the club will mark his MLB debut. 

HIs roster spot is coming at the cost of Connor Brogdon, who was the first reliever the Guardians added to their bullpen in the offseason. 

The Guardians were aggressive with their promotion in Franco Aleman 

While that DFA is a bit frustrating given how easy it was to see it coming on the horizon, Aleman’s promotion makes up for it given he’s both a better pitcher and has a higher ceiling. 

This year marks the first time he’s been able to stay healthy since the Guardians drafted him in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, and he’s made the most of the opportunity. 

Not only has he held the opposition scoreless across those 12 innings, but he’s also struck out 40% of the batters he’s faced compared to just four walks while working as Columbus’ closer.

He missed almost all of 2024 with a lat strain before undergoing hernia surgery last season. 

Now he’s another weapon for Stephen Vogt to deploy out of his beleaguered bullpen. While Cade Smith has shook off his early season struggles, Vogt has yet to find the right rhythm for the relievers behind him. 

Erik Sabrowski has emerged into a lights out set up man and Tim Herrin has yet to allow an earned run this season, but they haven’t gotten a ton of success from the relievers in front of them. 

Brogdon was one of those middling options and is coming off an outing where he allowed two solo home runs against the Royals on Thursday. He started the season well (3.18 ERA with a save across his first 5 1/3 innings), but he’s allowed seven earned runs across his past nine outings. 

Brogdon still has the great extension the Guardians coveted (82nd percentile) and has only walked 4.5% of the batters he’s faced this season, but he was giving up far too much hard contact. 

But now his spot in the bullpen will go to a much more exciting prospect in Aleman. Don’t be surprised if he’s working high-leverage innings sooner rather than later.

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