RADIO
The Cleveland Guardians continue to be among the best teams in baseball as we approach the All-Star break.
What's been most impressive about their season so far is that they've been so successful without bringing in big-name free agents or spending a lot of money. Most of the players on their team are homegrown from their farm system and they have one of the smallest team salaries in all of baseball.
However, one prospect who has not panned out so far for Cleveland is first baseman Kyle Manzardo. After a brief audition with the Guardians, Manzardo was sent back to Triple-A Columbus. Can we expect him to come back with the major league club in the second half of the season?
Kyle Manzardo Prospect Update for Fantasy Baseball
Manzardo's first cup of coffee with Cleveland didn't quite go as planned. He hit just .207 with zero home runs while walking just three times and striking out 23 times - OOF.
He did manage to hit 10 doubles and he can play some pretty solid defense at first base. After just 82 at-bats over 30 games, Manzardo was sent back to Columbus in mid-June.
His numbers at Triple-A are much more indicative of the player that Cleveland hopes he can become. He's hit 13 long balls and driven in 31 runs while slashing .296/.397/.609 in 169 at-bats.
Most rookies struggle to adjust to major league pitching for some time and it's quite common for players to go back down to the minors to make adjustments to their approach.
Kyle Manzardo Outlook for Fantasy Baseball
Manzardo doesn't project to be a 30 or even 40-home-run hitter over a full season, but he has shown solid patience at the plate and the ability to drive the ball to both gaps and rack up doubles.
Kyle Manzardo will lose Super Two eligibility if he stays in Columbus until close to the end of this month so look for him to get promoted back to the MLB level in the last few days of July.
— Always the Jake (@JacobsFieldRBW) July 6, 2024
It's pretty likely that Manzardo will be reactivated by Cleveland before the end of the month, as they could use him as a strong-side platoon player at first base or designated hitter.
He's rostered in just 3% of Yahoo! leagues currently, and managers in all but the deepest formats can leave him there for now. While Manzardo will likely have the chance to contribute to Cleveland's on-field success in the second half, it's going to be very difficult for him to carve out any consistent fantasy value as a part-time player.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Jacob deGrom - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 75% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is on the verge of returning to the major leagues and should be rostered in all formats. The former two-time Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery last summer and began a rehab assignment in late August. Through […]
Kumar Rocker - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 25)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 15% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is set to make his major league debut on Thursday and should be added in all standard leagues. Rocker has had a rocky start to his professional career. He was originally drafted by the New […]
Jasson Dominguez: Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 25 (2024)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 35% of Leagues ANALYSIS: The New York Yankees called up their top prospect, Jasson Dominguez, before Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Dominguez hit sixth and played left field in his second major league start of the season. In that contest, he went 1-for-4 with […]
Will Wagner - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 23)
BALLER MOVE: Use as Streamer for Rest of Season / Stash in Dynasty Leagues CALL-UP ETA: In Majors ANALYSIS: Will Wagner, the son of legendary closer Billy Wagner, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at this year’s trade deadline from the Houston Astros as part of the Yusei Kikuchi return. The 26-year-old currently ranks […]
Connor Norby - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 22)
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: August 19 ANALYSIS: Connor Norby is finally making his much-anticipated debut for the Miami Marlins. Norby, who was acquired at the trade deadline in the deal that sent Trevor Rogers to Baltimore, was playing with Miami's Triple-A team in Jacksonville since being traded but was activated by Miami […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
