Cleveland Guardians assign Kyle Manzardo, two others to minor-league camp

It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Cleveland Guardians fans won't be thrilled to hear that first-base prospect Kyle Manzardo was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, along with catcher Bryan Lavastida and outfielder Petey Halpin.

Manzardo has done just about everything you could hope for this spring (and going back to the Arizona Fall League, really), slashing .381/.458/.476 and homering in Sunday's Spring Breakout game against Cincinnati Reds prospects.

Though Manzardo not making the Opening Day roster stings, this was pretty much always his destiny heading into 2024. This is especially true after the Guardians acquired Deyvison De Los Santos in the Rule 5 draft; the Guardians must somehow keep the corner infield prospect on the active roster all season or else they must offer him back to Arizona.

As the season begins, it will become much clearer where Manzardo will ultimately fit, accounting for slow starts and any potential injuries (though it would obviously be nice to avoid those). Both he and fellow top prospect Chase DeLauter have, at the very least, moved up their timelines considerably to make a difference at the major-league level. It seems clear at this point that both will up with the parent club in 2024, helping a young roster potentially compete for an AL Central title.

There is simply no doubt that Manzardo is ready for the majors. His time will be coming very soon, possibly by May.