6 Cleveland Guardians not on the Active Roster that can crack the Postseason Roster

Sam Hentges, LHP

Taking the 28-year-old southpaw is obvious since he has been a mainstay of the bullpen for the better part of three seasons, but if Hentges can return at the right time, watch out. Hentges and fellow lefty Tim Herrin could make the best 1-2 LHP punch out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Though injury issues have plagued Hentges at times, and it is unclear whether he is to return, he has been productive when healthy in 2024. Hentges’ WHIP, H/9, BB/9, and K/9 in 2024 all sit near or above his career-high 2022 totals. While the Guardians’ deadline didn’t improve the league’s best bullpen, getting back Hentges would be a sigh of relief for Stephen Vogt. Hentges has allowed 1 ER in 25 IP in the month of September over the past two seasons. 

Kyle Manzardo, 1B 

While test drive #1 in the majors wasn’t exactly what Manzardo and the Guardians hoped for, test drive #2 cannot be far away. Manzardo ripped 10 doubles in just 82 ABs his first time around in the majors, and his AAA BB:K ratio (50:51) is promising enough to think that his MLB BB:K ratio (3:23) can be attributed to the nerves of a first MLB trip. Manzardo has showcased his potential in Columbus, as he’s slashing .269/.399/.550 with 16 roundtrippers.

The caveat for Manzardo making the postseason roster is that a spot will need to come open in the lineup for the slugger to see everyday playing time. Josh Naylor will command a majority of 1B reps, so a possible solution to finding Manzardo playing time would be to bump the Will Brennan/Lane Thomas platoon to CF, work Tyler Freeman/Daniel Schneeman in at SS, and leave the RF and DH ABs to Manzardo, David Fry, and Jhonkensey Noel. 

Andrew Walters, RHP

Taken 62nd overall as a competitive balance pick in last year’s draft, the 23-year-old pen arm started his career like MLB The Show 24 “Road to the Show,” as he was fast-tracked to AA Akron to begin his pro career. The former Miami Hurricane gave up 3 runs in 20 innings before earning a late May promotion to Columbus.

After a bit of a rocky start, Walters has recovered to make 6 saves and 5 holds in just 23 AAA appearances. Walters may get a look with the team in September if he continues to produce strong appearances for the Clippers. Walters’ only barrier is the surplus of RHP in the Guards’ bullpen, but with minor cracks showing over the last few weeks, it wouldn’t be fair to Walters to say the pen is set in stone. 

Juan Brito & Angel Martinez, SS/UTIL

I grouped these two together because, given their similarities, it is unlikely that both will make an impact in October. Martinez hit the ball really well and flashed his speed early in his MLB stint, even earning the Guardians’ two-hole spot for a few days. Martinez showed plate discipline and earned 12 walks in his month in the majors, but a slump dropped his slash line to .236/.306/.373 by the time he was optioned for the returning Brennan. Brito, another highly touted prospect, has seen some peaks and valleys at AAA, but the return is much more promising than not.

Brito, a versatile defender who has been tried practically everywhere in the field, is a true modern-day baseball player, as he walked and struck out at least 70 times each MiLB season from 2022-24. Brito’s power has also taken off; after hitting only 17 home runs through three minor league seasons, he hit 14 home runs last season and has 15 to date this year. For now, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneeman, and Tyler Freeman occupy the shortstop spot that these two may be looking to steal, but all three of them are hitting below .220. I would not be shocked if Martinez and/or Brito got a look these final two months, and I’d fully expect a fight between those two for the starter’s job next March. 

George Valera, OF

Well, if we are ever going to do it, now is the time. Valera is out of options after this season. We have to find out about this guy, don’t we? In 88 games between Lake County and Akron in 2021, Valera bopped 19 bombs, had an OBP% north of .400, and his OPS was .910. In 132 games between Akron and Columbus in 2022, Valera hit 24 home runs and had a .816 OPS. 2023 was a drop-off year for Valera, but overall, he’s been a decent hitter with some pop (20 homers in 140 AAA games since the start of 2023). However, Valera has not done enough in the front office’s eyes to take OF ABs from other LHHs such as Steven Kwan and Will Brennan.

Given the past hype surrounding Valera, it would still be worthwhile to call him up in September to see what the team has in him. At worst, Valera can give Kwan a few days off his feet in September; at best, if Brennan (.688 OPS) cools down from his hot stretch since returning from the injured list, Valera could find his way into a funky playoff role (I bet you forgot about 2022 ALDS 1B Gabriel Arias, didn’t you?).

Stephen Vogt, Chris Antonetti, and Mike Chernoff will be tasked with many tough choices as they select the 26 best players to try to break baseball’s longest active World Series drought. Keep your eyes peeled on the performances of the six mentioned players over the next two months, as they may decide many critical position races.