Final MLB Draft Preparations for Cleveland Guardians After a Day to Forget in Detroit

The Guardians had a day to forget in Detroit. Today's show briefly covers the recent up and down patch the team has hit, if they can respond before the break, if they can right the ship with Logan Allen, and what's next for Gabriel Arias now that he's been sent back to Triple-A.
Most of today's episode discusses what Cleveland may be trying to do with their picks on day 1 of the MLB draft as we look at prep hitter and pitcher targets to know.
We also react to the final mock drafts and give our final thoughts on what might happen with the first overall pick.
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#guardians #ClevelandGuardians #MLB

[@gregorywolfe805]

Its fascinating to me that MLB's draft structure, as you have so eloquently explained, does make hiding your pick at number one have more value than keeping just Vegas happy; unlike the other sports where I routinely wonder why hide who your guy is.

[@LockedonGuardians]

thank you for the kind words

[@dbcollings5739]

#FreeArias Arias goes on the list with Yandy Diaz, Yainer Diaz, Junior Camaniro, Will Benson, and Nolan Jones. Schneemann as SS, Martinez at CF, and Noel in RF. Let's roll!

[@davidweber-wh2ft]

Arias had more ABs in Cleveland than all those guys listed combined.

[@dbcollings5739]

@davidweber-wh2ft And last year with regular at bats stroked a 118 WRC+ against right hand pitchers. We are begging for that this year from the blackhole that Cleveland calls shortstop! The bottom 3 of the 2024 lineup may be worse than the bottom 3 of the 2023 lineup with Hedges and Straw!

[@davidweber-wh2ft]

@@dbcollings5739 That was last year. His strikeouts are up, his walks are down, his hard hit is down, his range is down. He’s not doing anything that was kinda intriguing last year. That’s not to say the offensive production from Rocchio has been there, but there’s nothing to imply that it’ll come from Arias. His ABs are awful.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Arias was solid a year ago hoping he rebounds

[@jffagan]

Can't wait for the live stream! Draft lottery was such a fun night!

[@LockedonGuardians]

hope tonight was fun too

[@Zinter1984]

This is a decent baseball team that's played over its head most of the first half. Water usually finds its level, we'll see what the 2nd half brings.

[@LockedonGuardians]

they will be fine every team has some struggles but I agree

[@DavidLane-so1fk]

Thanks gents, your knowledge of all things draft is simply ridiculous. Have a quality weekend, come on England in the soccer ( Football please 😂 ) Euro final on Sunday 👍

[@scotthauser5341]

I love your theory, Jeff. I hope you are right.

[@LockedonGuardians]

I was wrongish but happier for it

[@davidwindell]

KG is, far and away, my favorite player in this draft. I think he’s both a top 10 prep bat AND a top ten prep arm. If you can get him AND Bazzana/JJ/Condon, then this is an all time great CLE draft outcome.

[@LockedonGuardians]

cant lack hit tool

[@davidwindell]

@@LockedonGuardians and he doesn’t. People THINK he MIGHT lack hit tool because he has a long swing, but he’s never shown a lack of hit tool in game. It’s a showcase circuit knock that may or may not be real. There are plenty of long swings out there that display above average hit.

[@scotthauser5341]

I will definitely try to catch the streams. Hopefully, work won't get in the way😊 Thanks for this.

[@LockedonGuardians]

was glad to see you there

[@RobertGrose-jn3nw]

You were right about Fry being over exposed. Rooker's stats are better than his. Glad Arias is gone. Rocchio and Freeman aren't much better. Hentges and Sandlin aren't reliable either.

[@Nick-jd5ge]

Rocchio and freeman are on shaking ground in my book. Hopefully after Tuesday all star game trades start to happen for the guardians.

[@gonolz]

yea, I might have some satisfaction with Arias being gone if we had a clearly better option at short. I await that future with hope.

[@LockedonGuardians]

Fry has been ice cold, they need to get stronger

[@gonolz]

I like to see them try that Schneemann to SS, Martinez to center scenario.

[@TheKLeifheit13]

Yes. Martinez has looked phenomenal out there and has been a revelation in the 2 hole. If he can hit more consistently than Freeman there's no reason to change it. Schneem isn't bad at short and hits better than Rocchio and Arias combined. Let it fly and see what the kids do

[@LockedonGuardians]

Schneeman slowing down a bit but I am good trying him

[@TheKLeifheit13]

@@LockedonGuardians offense is much better than other options right now. Based on the draft it looks like Gimi is gonna be playing short soon though and that solves a lot

[@RobertGrose-jn3nw]

Hoping Cantillo and Nikhazy can make it here soon

[@LockedonGuardians]

hoping 1 can make it work

[@josephsoneson9943]

love the random star wars reference!

[@LockedonGuardians]

always here for it

[@M0ving7arg37]

I'm loving the genius of vogt getting a lull out of the way going into the break.

[@LockedonGuardians]

every team has it hoping they respond well

[@davidweber-wh2ft]

After the draft, if you’re looking for content, could you deep dive on the Akron SPing. Who are they? What does their pro future look like? Thanks fellas!

[@LockedonGuardians]

we will consider it

[@mikefingerbottom2669]

Bazzana looks like Altuve to me, a short+fast 2B with fantastic hit tool, speed, and some power. Altuve is a hall of famer (despite the cheating). This seems like a simple choice. Either move Gimenez to short, or better yet play Bazzana in CF. If Freeman, Schneeman, Martinez, Fry and Noel can look playable in the OF I'm guessing a workaholic with foot speed can figure it out too. Please don't botch this Cleveland. Don't get too cute about money savings. Take the best player. We are one great bat away from having a terrifying lineup.

[@LockedonGuardians]

they didnt

[@user-nx3bg2sf4x]

Hi Guys. One of things you did not discuss is do you think the Guardians will try to trade for one of the other teams Comp A picks. From what I read on the Athletic, if they trade for the pick, they got the slot value $$$. Thanks

[@LockedonGuardians]

We had discussed it a ton earlier hoped they would it didnt happen

[@RyanDudziak]

I know previously you guys said you would prefer they focus on the #1 pick (ie Bazzana, Condon) vs the spread the money down the board plan. Do you still prefer focusing on the #1 pick vs your potential 2 top 10 players theory?

[@LockedonGuardians]

looks like the focus was always on their dude

[@thomaswilley380]

Will Spencer Howard make another start for the guardians? Seems like Logan Allen is the better option.

[@drastik651]

Yes he will. Except this time taking the pointers that Carl will give him

[@LockedonGuardians]

I hope not, he is bad

[@Nique1057]

They should take Condon/Bazzana. If they take JJ im gonna be pissed.

[@LockedonGuardians]

and they did it

[@user-nx3bg2sf4x]

One more comment on the draft and why I disagree with your Wetherholt choice (and harpens me back to what the both of you had said in the past). The Guardians need a "STAR." This isn't about the chance about saving $1-2m to get a 2-1 later on in a weak draft. This is about potentially drafting the face of your franchise for the next 10-12 years! That's Bazaana or Condon, not Wetherholt. Guys, games will be selling out with fans to see Bazaana or Condon play, not Wetherholt. I think too much has been made about this "cleverness" on the allocation of $$$ upfront. If you spend $9.3m on Bazaana, you still have about $9m for the rest of your picks. That's a lot which point to college bats and arms which could all go underslot unless you can point out a prep player who comps out similar to Gunnar Henderson. If not, then what are we talking about?

[@LockedonGuardians]

they didnt do it thank goodness

[@scotthauser5341]

I would rather see Cantillo than having to see Howard again. We are bringing up hitters from Columbus to see what they can do. I know Cantillo has not been great, but I would rather have him get a chance.

[@LockedonGuardians]

@@scotthauser5341 Cantillo walks too many guys. It would be the same situation

[@TheKLeifheit13]

Nikhazy hasn't allowed a run at AAA yet, I would almost expect to see him first

[@blakebower3369]

jeff likes what??

[@LockedonGuardians]

you heard it

[@jaked6746]

Howard is garbage, thanks Dolans. Please sell the damn team. Another game where we can’t score a single run vs Tampa. I’m starting to get real irritated with this team after it’s been so fun all year. Smh.

[@LockedonGuardians]

they just look tired July has been rough

[@dbcollings5739]

PATHETIC effort in Tampa. It is about time to ask the question, "Do the players on this team have any character to show up and compete?" I would rather watch 6 years old learning to play T-ball than watch these guys go through the motion in another game and cash the check at the end of the week. Just PATHETIC!

[@LockedonGuardians]

they have down swings everyone does