3 Cleveland Guardians prospects that could get called up soon

1. Bo Naylor- Columbus Clippers

Bo Naylor should have been called up to the major leagues this past offseason, but the organization decided to let him stay down with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers to start the year.

Even though the team lost starting catcher Austin Hedges, they decided to utilize catchers Mike Zunino and Cam Gallagher instead of the rising 23-year-old. Zunino and Gallagher have both struggled this season as they have a combined batting average of .270 through the first 13 games. While Zunino has been much more efficient than Gallagher, he has been very lackluster defensively.

Someone who has been successful while batting and squatting behind the plate is Naylor.

Naylor spent time with both the Akron Rubberducks and the Clippers last season, amassing a .263/.392/.496 slash line in 118 games. Looking to build upon last season, Naylor has started out 2023 batting .220/.421/.512 to go alongside 14 RBIs, nine hits, three home runs and three doubles in 41 at-bats.

Defensively he's been a phenomenal fielder, throwing out runners left and right, and rarely letting a ball go past him behind the plate. That last point is a recurring issue with one particular catcher currently in Cleveland and it is getting old fast. With the continued struggle of play at the catcher position, it is only a matter of time until the Guardians bring Naylor up to shine.

2. Tanner Bibee- Columbus Clippers

Once again, Tanner Bibee is dominating the minor league scene.

After a stellar 2022 campaign in Single-A and Double-A, Bibee is starting his 2023 season up with the Clippers. Throughout his time with the Lake County Captains and Rubberducks he recorded eight wins and two losses with an impressive ERA of 2.17. In 2018 pitches thrown he recorded 167 strikeouts and gave up just 32 runs.

The Guardians front office has kept a close watch on their young rising star, and deservedly so.

With the season just starting he's already recorded a win in his first appearance with the Clippers, tossing seven strikeouts and allowing just four hits through five innings. Bibee's second start saw him limit Worcester to one hit in six innings while striking out eight along the way, earning his second win of the campaign.

Now that the Guardians are starting to lose starting pitchers due to injury, such as Triston McKenzie and Aaron Civale, the team has already attempted to grasp at minor league prospects early this season. One of those recently was Hunter Gaddis, who played with Bibee during their time with the Rubberducks, however his time with in the big leagues may have a definitive enddate if he is unable to find some consistency on the mound.

These struggles may be the perfect opportunity to see a player like Bibee given the shot to prove himself. If he is given that opportunity now would be the perfect time as the Guardians gear up to take on some struggling teams.

3. Jhonkensy Noel- Columbus Clippers

Jhonkensy Noel might be the best power-hitter the Guardians have in their entire organization.

With elite hitting power Noel made his way from the Captains and Rubberducks up to the Clippers in one season, just like Bibee did. The reason for Noel's progress is much different than Bibee, as instead of preventing runs, Noel is driving them in.

Last season he slashed .229/.310/.489 to go alongside an impressive 84 RBIs and 32 home runs. Noel ended up hitting more home runs then he did doubles, finishing the season with 26. However, the main knock to his game is his excessive amounts of strikeouts. Noel struck out 150 times last season through 134 games, and through just 12 games this year he's struck out 18 times.

Noel has experience at first and third base, but is sitting behind two consistent players in Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor. While the versatility to play multiple positions is valuable, Noel has exclusively seen time in the outfield in Columbus this season. Seeing more and more time in the outfield has become a trend for Noel as he has progressed through the minor league system.

As the season progresses, the Guardians could rely on Noel as a call-up due to injury, inconsistency at the plate, or to add some much needed power to their lineup.