DETROIT — A couple of hours before first pitch in Detroit, a well-regarded shortstop prospect dragged a designer suitcase down a crowded hallway and into the visitors clubhouse at Comerica Park ahead of his major-league debut.
A few hours later on that June afternoon eight years ago, Francisco Lindor notched his first career hit after coming off the bench. He slapped a single to right field, tripped while rounding first base and then attempted to pin the blame on Miguel Cabrera.
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On Wednesday morning, shortstop Brayan Rocchio, who has drawn comparisons to Lindor during his ascent through the Guardians system, completed that same walk to the visitors clubhouse in Detroit. He paid manager Terry Francona a quick visit in his office and then proceeded to his locker, where a navy No. 6 uniform was hanging.
Fresh threads.pic.twitter.com/oHmjDht0Qj
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 19, 2023
Lindor never returned to the minors after that day. Rocchio’s initial stay might be short-lived. The club summoned him from Triple-A Columbus because Amed Rosario and Tyler Freeman are dealing with injuries. This arrangement won’t be permanent. Cleveland is carrying 15 position players and 11 pitchers.
Rocchio, Rosario and Freeman all took infield practice on Wednesday morning. The team expects Rosario and Freeman will avoid trips to the injured list, but there’s a lot to sort out before Friday’s series opener against the Marlins at Progressive Field — and even more to configure after that.
Rocchio could return to Columbus by the weekend. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos will return from the paternity list on Friday and claim the spot of one of the stockpiled shortstops on the roster. At a minimum, though, the club feels this is a chance for Rocchio to get a brief taste of the majors, similar to how Gabriel Arias made a cameo in Cleveland for a doubleheader and his debut last April. It could also serve as an opportunity to motivate Rocchio as he bides his time behind Rosario, Arias and Freeman.
“He’s off to a good offensive and defensive start,” said general manager Mike Chernoff, “but I think we’re really looking for him to build in the consistency that we need to see in the major leagues in terms of effort on every single play and making those routine plays every single time.”
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Rocchio learned Tuesday night he was being promoted. He thought Triple-A manager Andy Tracy was pulling a prank on him, a fair assumption given Tracy’s history of toying with call-ups. Rocchio called his mom, who bawled on the beach, which Rocchio suggested was probably an odd scene for anyone basking in the sun who didn’t realize his mom was shedding tears of joy.
Rocchio has logged a .344/.414/.459 slash line for Columbus this season, with four stolen bases in as many attempts, and walk and strikeout rates that are of particular interest to an organization that emphasizes contact and plate discipline. He has totaled eight walks and nine strikeouts in 15 games.
He reached Triple A last season as a 21-year-old, which helps to explain why The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked him as the organization’s top prospect and the No. 22 prospect in the sport. Chernoff, though, cautioned “there’s still a lot of development he has to work on.” And, not sure if you’ve heard, but there’s a logjam in the middle infield.
Andrés Giménez will occupy one of the Guardians’ middle-infield spots for the duration of the decade. That leaves one starting job, which Rosario claims for now, with Arias and Freeman and, now, Rocchio all clawing for any leftover scraps. Presuming Rosario departs in free agency this winter, that could spark a healthy competition next spring.
Brayan Rocchio walked out of the manager’s office yesterday with the lineup card as a souvenir, having been told he was heading back to Triple-A. Enyel De Los Santos will return tomorrow. And the Guardians will need a starting pitcher in a few days.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) April 20, 2023
The other side of this transaction equation might be more fascinating to follow. The Guardians optioned Hunter Gaddis to Triple A, which leaves them with a vacancy in the rotation.
That prompts two questions: Who will fill that spot, and when will they fill it? The answer to the second question might dictate the answer to the first.
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An off day Thursday allows the Guardians, if they so choose, to pitch Peyton Battenfield on Sunday and Cal Quantrill on Monday on regular rest. So, they wouldn’t need a starter until Tuesday. And that so happens to be Tanner Bibee’s day to pitch.
There are a bunch of variables in play, though. Don’t go customize a Bibee Guardians jersey just yet.
First, Xzavion Curry could receive some consideration, given how he’s fared as the team’s long reliever. He’s stretched out enough to give the Guardians five or six innings. Second, they might opt not to wait until Tuesday. If they prefer to tab Logan Allen for his debut, for instance, they could scratch him from his scheduled start for Columbus on Saturday and instead pitch him Sunday or Monday in Cleveland. Konnor Pilkington, who served as the team’s 27th man for its doubleheader Wednesday but did not pitch, is another option, though he’s had a wretched April in Columbus.
Finally, the weather could interrupt this weekend’s series with the Marlins, which would add another wrinkle. The Guardians need to at least be prepared for the possibility of a postponement and a subsequent doubleheader.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces,” Chernoff said.
Battenfield has certainly earned further evaluation after a sterling start against Detroit on Wednesday. But it’s time for the club to turn to one of its heralded prospects, Allen or Bibee, for the open spot, whenever the opportunity arises.
“You have to make decisions on their readiness,” Chernoff said, “combined with the opportunity we have, and hope they continue developing while they’re up here.”
(Top photo of Brayan Rocchio: Ric Tapia / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)