What does the future of the Guardians’ middle infield look like?

The list of players who have played shortstop for the Guardians over the past five years reads like a list of generational Immaculate Grid answers. 

Can I interest you in some Mike Freeman? How about a bit of Yu Chang? Maybe a sprinkle of  José Tena?

And while Amed Rosario recorded 349 starts at shortstop in that time frame, it quickly (and disappointedly) became clear that he wasn’t the answer at the position. 

The same thing can be said for Andrés Giménez, who was traded away in the offseason two seasons after inking a seven-year contract with the Guardans. 

And while the Guardians pulled the plug on both those experiments at the right time (okay, maybe they were a little late on Rosario), it doesn't change the fact they still don't seem to have a long-term answer at shortstop or second base.

While that instability hasn’t hasn’t killed the Guardians’ season, it’s a question the team will need to answer sooner rather than later. 

Here’s a look at some of the options.

What does the future of the Guardians’ middle infield look like?

The current MLB options

Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann

Ah yes, just like how we predicted at the beginning of the season. 

Twenty-three of Arias’ last 26 appearances have come at shortstop, though Schneemann is lurking in the background. That time at shortstop hasn’t necessarily resulted in success at the plate, however, as he’s coming off a month where he hit .220 after hitting .264 across March/April. 

Arias is in the 86th percentile in arm strength (90.4 miles per hour) and has committed four errors at shortstop. 

While Arias has the kind of swing that seems to be at its best when he’s in the lineup everyday, he’s likely best suited as a utility player. 

And then there’s Schneemann.

He’s seen time at second base, shortstop, left field, right field center field and third base this year, and is becoming a mainstay of the Guardians lineup. 

He’s in the 79th percentile in range (three Outs Above Average) and has only committed one error this year, but, like Arias, he’s likely best suited as a super utility player. 

Arias and Schneemann are both valuable players in today’s MLB landscape (and the kind of players the Guardians have coveted for years), but neither of them are likely the shortstop of the future.

A category of his own 

Brayan Rocchio

Last October, Roccio broke out in the postseason by going 11-for-33 (.333) with one homer, two doubles and five walks in 10 games. 

He couldn’t carry that over into this season, as he hit just .165 in 35 games before being demoted to Triple-A at the beginning of May. 

Rocchio peaked as the Guardians No. 4 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) in 2022, but he hasn’t been able to translate that prospect pedigree into MLB success.

The Guardians had Rocchio work as their full-time starter in 2024 and ‘25, but his lack of success this year forced them to pull the plug. 

That said, he’s posted a .906 in 18 games at Triple-A (four home runs, 17 RBI), so it seems like he’s been able to find a groove with Columbus. 

He’ll likely get another shot with the Guardians this year — could there be a chance it’s his last one?