When Will Kyle Manzardo Be Called Up? 2024 MLB Prospect Outlook

Kyle Manzardo is one of baseball's top 1B prospects, but his MLB call-up has been delayed by a tumultuous 2023 season. Before it, Manzardo was 21 years old in Double-A slashing .323/.402/.576 during 2022 with a call-up in 2023 virtually guaranteed. He did not make the Tampa Bay Rays' Opening Day roster but expectations were of an abbreviated stint in Triple-A and a call by mid-summer at the latest.

Unfortunately, Manzardo struggled in the Rays farm last season and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Guardians for SP Aaron Civale. On the bright side, Manzardo turned his season around with a 123 wRC+ in the Guardians farm. A decreased strikeout rate, increased batting average, and six HRs in just 92 plate appearances made it likely we would see him early in 2024 with similar output but he remains in Triple-A as we head into May. 

So, how long will Manzardo remain in the minors? Will he even get called up this season? Let's dive in and find out.

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Kyle Manzardo Minor League Update

#Guardians 23yr old (1B) prospect Kyle Manzardo with a 414 foot rocket 108.5 mph off his bat for his 7th HR of the season for Columbus in the 5th inning tonight! The HR is his 6th in just his last 9 games. His OPS is now up over 1.000 at 1.011.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/0eMyaJdlFD

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 30, 2024

Through 25 games in Triple-A this season, Manzardo's now hit seven HRs with a batting average just over .300. He is walking nearly as much as he strikes out (as he has throughout the minors) with a wRC+ over 140. This is a player ready for MLB but is MLB ready for him?

Manzardo is strictly a 1B/DH. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians have their 1B (and occasional DH) locked in with the red-hot Josh Naylor. DH is typically occupied by Estevan Florial against RHP, then one of their three bench righties against LHP. With another HR today, we can assume Manzardo's call is soon given that the team essentially has an open roster slot for him (even though Florial just homered as well).

Kyle Manzardo Fantasy Baseball Outlook

If Manzardo is called up, the expectation would be playing every day as he would immediately slot in as one of the Guardians' four best hitters. Between him, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and Steven Kwan, this Cleveland offense could pack a punch it hasn't possessed since Francisco Lindor departed.

#Guardians 23yr old (1B) prospect Kyle Manzardo doubles in the 3rd inning for Columbus 106.7 mph off the bat. Manzardo is currently hitting .303 with a .967 OPS on the season. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/cNg9FtP51B

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 30, 2024

Manzardo will not steal any bases but can hit over .280 as soon as this season while providing 20+ HRs throughout the rest of the year. The Guardians offense ranks 10th best in wRC+ and 14th in wOBA. Manzardo will have his fair share of RBI opportunities hitting from the middle of the order and can be knocked in by solid enough back-end bats like Bo Naylor, Will Brennan, and Tyler Freeman.

Manzardo is a savvy stash ASAP for any fantasy managers in desperate need of power in any format.

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