The Guardians are going to need more out of Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Manzardo

This year marks the second straight season where the Guardians are using a platoon at first base. And it’s also been the second straight season where the Guardians haven’t gotten much production from that platoon. 

After Kyle Manzardo spent almost all of last season playing first alongside the husk of Carlos Santana, it seemed like this year would be better given the Guardians gave him a better running mate in Rhys Hoskins. 

But it’s been more of the same through the first month of the season, as Cleveland’s first baseman have combined for a .330 slugging percentage and two home runs. 

That needs to change. 

The Guardians haven’t gotten anything from their first baseman in 2026

Manzardo and Hoskins have both recorded 17 starts at first base this year, so it’s been as even of a split as you could have (David Fry’s recorded the only other start at the spot). 

This year has been a nightmare for Manzardo, who currently boasts a .192/.284/.256 slashline with just three extra-base hits. Although he’s been a better defender (1 Outs Above Average), he’s struck out in 34% of his at-bats and ranks in the 19th percentile in expected batting average (.219). 

Manzardo teased all of Cleveland with his potential last season when he recorded a 27 home run season in spite of some confusing usage, but he hasn’t been able to recapture that form this season despite adding on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. 

Those struggles would be easier to handle if Hoskins was able to live up to his power potential, but that’s been pretty nonexistent as well. Although Hoskins has posted a .358 on-base percentage, he’s hitting just .212 and has only provided six extra-base hits (three of which came in one game). 

He’s also currently in the midst of a 5-for-27 (.185) slump. 

While the Guardians have been able to handle those struggles thanks to an uptick in production from Angel Martínez and Brayan Rocchio, the Guardians are going to eventually need Manzardo and Hoskins to start looking like the power hitters the Guardians need them to be. 

The good news for both players is that the Guardians don’t really have a ready-made replacement. CJ Kayfus has played four games at first since being sent down to Triple-A Columbus, but he seems like more of an insurance option than a true everyday big league option. 

Ralphy Velazquez is the team’s best first base prospect, but he’s just 20-years-old and in his first taste of Double-A action. He may be the first baseman of the future, but he’s still a year or two away from being the first baseman of the present. 

The biggest wild card in this whole situation is how the Guardians navigate the number of external options. Hoskins is obviously the more expendable of the two (he’s on a one-year, $1.5 million contract), but Manzardo still has two more minor league options remaining. 

Sending him down to Triple-A would be a nuclear option, but it’s beginning to become more of a conversation with every empty at-bat he records. 

The Guardians have done a good job staying afloat amidst Manzardo and Hoskins’ struggles, but getting next-to-no production from both of them is an unsustainable way to win. If Cleveland is serious about three-peating in the American League Central, it’s going to need one (or both) of them to find their power stroke soon. 

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