3 days agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo carried the offense on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with a homer, a triple, and a double. This was an extremely encouraging start for the former top prospect, who possesses massive raw power but looked overpowered by his first taste of major league pitching in 2024. He did hit all five of his home runs last season in September, and it certainly looks like he's carrying that momentum straight into 2025. He is in line for everyday playing time at DH in the heart of the Guardians' lineup and has the potential to be a must-start fantasy player if everything breaks right.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo (shoulder) was scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants due to left-shoulder inflammation. For now, we'll consider Manzardo to be day-to-day, but with Opening Day less than a week away, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should prepare for the possibility that the 24-year-old left-handed hitter may be forced to open the 2025 season on the injured list. We should have a better idea about his availability for the start of the regular season by the end of the weekend. The former second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Washington State made his big-league debut in Cleveland last year and hit .234 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 41 K's in 53 games, but he looked better to close out the year and in the playoffs, and he should be a lineup regular as the DH in 2025. Manzardo has 20-25-homer upside.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Guardians Prospective
2 weeks agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo has been performing very well in spring training. Through 14 contests, Manzardo has posted an impressive .368/.415/.658 slash line with two doubles and three home runs. He has held a 2:10 BB:K and added seven RBI. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last summer but posted a modest .234/.282/.421 line across 53 contests. He only went deep five times during this stretch and added 12 doubles. The Guardians typically deployed Manzardo on the strong side of a platoon. Earlier in the campaign, Manzardo held a .267/.393/.548 line with 20 doubles and 20 home runs through 83 contests at the Triple-A level. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but given his play in camp, he will likely open the season as the primary designated hitter against right-handed bats. Fantasy managers looking for a late-round power target should take a flier on Manzardo as he could eventually earn a full-time if he continues to develop.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 month agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo went 1-for-1 with a two-run shot during Monday's spring training contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manzardo hit the home run against right-handed pitcher
Josh Winder in the fourth inning. Last season, the 24-year-old made his MLB debut and spent 53 games with the Guardians. He posted a .242/.282/.421 slash line with 12 doubles and five home runs and was typically held out of the lineup when facing left-handed pitchers. He began to find his footing in September when he held a .270/.333/.540 slash line. The former second-round selection was viewed as one of the top first base prospects in the sport when progressing through the minor leagues. Manzardo held a strong .254/.369/.509 line across 177 career games at Triple-A. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development, as he should have a good opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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