The Guardians’ front office has been aggressive this season. It’s no time to stop now with fifteen games left.
Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff’s group did almost nothing this offseason, betting on their young players and their ability to make needed trades at the deadline. While this was frustrating (likely driven by ownership), they have been admirably aggressive in promotions and demotions this season. From getting Parker Messick and Chase DeLauter on the opening day roster to promoting Juan Brito,
Travis Bazzana, Kahlil Watson, Daniel Espino and Angel Genao at the first opportunities to acquiring Craig Yoho, Jo Adell, Nathaniel Lowe and Foster Griffin at the trade deadline, Guardians’ brass has done what they promised to do.
However, the Guardians are still 2.5 games down in the AL Central and only 1 game ahead in the wildcard race. The job is not done. And, the current roster is starting Jo Adell against right-handed pitching (82 wRC+ for his career) and carrying both Petey Halpin and Daniel Schneemann on the roster. It’s time, folks, to make one last aggressive move to try to give this team a chance to push themselves across the finish line.
Dealer’s choice – Cooper Ingle or Ralphy Velazquez. One of these bats needs to be promoted and given at-bats in left-field and DH (and some first base in Ralphy’s case or catcher in Ingle’s case, as needed).
Ingle has a 155 wRC+ with a 23/19 K/BB% in Columbus. His first taste of the big leagues went incredibly poorly. He still has a chance to really help against RHP if given another shot; he has a 1.018 OPS vs. RHP and an .865 OPS at away games. He is likely to provide far more than Adell can against RHP and needs to be given that chance.
Alternatively, show the fanbase you really mean business and bring up Ralphy Velazquez. Since getting acclimated to Triple-A, starting on August 1st, Velazquez has a 197 wRC+ with an 18.6/13.2 K/BB%. He is breaking down the door to the big leagues, as they say. Ralphy has an .812 OPS in away games and a .983 OPS vs. RHP. He’s destroying fastballs and making steady progress against offspeed and breaking balls. As we have seen with Bazzana and Genoa, you can get an immediate bump from a bat like Ralphy when you bring him up as the league races to adjust to them. I am at the point today where the immediate bump is needed and it’s worth gambling that a lockout might cost him development time next season to try to secure a playoff berth this season GIVEN that Adell has proven incapable of hitting RHP consistently and given Jose’s continued struggles. I understand puting that decision until now, but it’s time, guys. It’s time.
Now, Ralphy didn’t play the past two Clippers’ games. Is he hurt? Is he already on his way to Minnesota? I don’t know, but I do believe the time is now to swing for the fences, both metaphorically and literally. If not, then give Ingle another option. The team has a chance for a playoff berth and a division title. Don’t jump off the aggressive promotion horse that has brought you this far. Ride him through to the end.
