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Potential breakout candidate for Cleveland Guardians would lessen offensive concerns

ByJames Mastrucci|
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Cleveland Guardians v Los Angeles Angels
Cleveland Guardians v Los Angeles Angels | Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

Throughout the offseason, one question remains unanswered for the Cleveland Guardians and their chances in 2025. Do they have enough offense? Cleveland's main offensive addition was bringing back fan favorite Carlos Santana to take the place of Josh Naylor. If the Guardians are going to be successful this season, they will need contributions from some unexpected sources, one of which was named in a list of possible breakout candidates on CBS Sports.

25-year-old slugging outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez was Cleveland's entry in a list put together by R.J. Anderson. Throughout his time in the minors, Rodriguez has shown the potential of being the power-hitting outfielder the Guardians are looking for. With a .281/.356/.488 slash line with 113 doubles and 98 home runs in seven minor league seasons, Rodriguez, really does not have anything left to prove at the non-major league level and looks like he is ready to make the jump to the next level.

There is one problem, however, the path to playing time in Cleveland is not a clear one. Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel are the main two options for the Guardians in right field, but it is Noel's presence that presents a problem. Rodriguez and Noel have nearly identical hitting profiles, and that makes carrying both at the same time redundant.

The only real way it would make sense for Noel and Rodriguez to be on the roster at the same time is if some unforeseen issue with either Carlos Santana or Kyle Manzardo pops up. This would allow the Guardians to shift Noel to first base/DH duties while giving Rodriguez playing time in right.

Despite their not being an open starting spot for Rodriguez out of spring training and admitting as such, Anderson selected him anyway for the Guardians, "I'm giving him the nod anyway because there's a non-zero chance that he gets a look and emerges as this year's Big Christmas.". If Rodriguez gets his chance and produces at a similar rate as Noel from last season (114 OPS+), it could help bridge the gap between the Guardians and the best offensive teams in the sport.