• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

3 Standout Guardians Players So Far In 2022

By Spencer Richardson May 23, 2022

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of the game at Target Field on May 14, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

 

It’s been a so-so season thus far for the Cleveland Guardians.

After a nice start, the team remains solidly in third place in the AL Central, behind Minnesota and Chicago.

And things didn’t improve on Sunday when the team dropped a game to the Detroit Tigers 4-2.

It should also be noted that the Tigers, well, stink.

The team has now lost three of its last four, including two games to historically bad Cincinnati Reds.

The offense, once a staple of this team, has been silent of late.

The pitching, on the other hand, hasn’t been awful, but the lack of anything from the plate is squandering otherwise solid performances.

Franmil Reyes, who looked to have emerged from an early slump, is back to his old ways, putting up straight zeros across four at-bats Sunday.

At the same time, this team has amazed fans in fits and spurts, including an incredible ninth inning (and then extra inning) comeback thanks to a Josh Naylor grand slam.

But to consistently find success, the team needs both the offense and pitching in sync.

So far, it hasn’t been.

Despite that, here are three Guardians players deserving of some love so far into the 2022 season:

 

1. José Ramirez

You had to know this was coming.

Ramirez is an obvious addition to this list.

For most of the season, his name has been in the discussion for AL MVP (he currently has the sixth-best odds, per FanDuel).

May hasn’t been quite as kind as April to Ramirez, who batted .342 to open the season before cooling off lately.

He’s tied with Mets slugger Pete Alonso for RBIs at 37 and tied for 12th on homers with nine (for reference, last year’s MVPs Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani are also at nine long balls on the season).

And even his average, which, as mentioned has cooled off, is still good enough for top-35.

Ramirez’s bat is vital for anything the Guardians want to do offensively, and for the early part of this season, he’s been a major bright spot.

 

2. Shane Bieber

The Guardians’ pitching hasn’t been terrible.

But it also hasn’t been spectacular, either.

It’s been just…plain…average.

Except for Shane Bieber, that is.

On Sunday, Bieber had yet another strong outing.

He struck out 10 batters and only gave up two runs.

In some ways, Bieber is a microcosm of the entire team’s pitching.

He got out to a rough start–last month, Bieber was on the hook for a 4.83 ERA.

Shane Bieber, Wicked 85mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/zAN1Nml4Ri

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 22, 2022

But those April showers seem to have brought May flowers for Bieber, who calmed that number down to a strong 2.13.

And Sunday’s 10 Ks were quite a few, but not by Bieber’s standards this season.

So far, he’s averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Unfortunately, the lack of much offense lately has meant Bieber’s win/loss numbers haven’t told the full story.

If Bieber can continue this form into the summer, his numbers will be back to where fans (and he himself) have grown accustomed.

 

3. Josh Naylor

While maybe Naylor hasn’t had an incredible season so far, he did provide one of the greatest nights of baseball for Cleveland fans earlier this season.

Through 21 games this season, Naylor has slashed a .351/.649/1.044.

Trading Mike Clevinger for Cal Quantrill was a good deal for Cleveland. Add in a solid defensive catcher like Austin Hedges and it becomes better. Add in Owen Miller and Josh Naylor and it becomes mind-blowing.

And we don’t even know what Arias and Cantillo can become.

— Al Pawlowski (@AlPawlowski) May 23, 2022

It’s an excellent showing, but again, a small-ish sample size.

Naylor is certainly capable of extending that run into the summer, and he should be provided ample opportunity.

His swagger and bluster are precisely what the Guardians need right now, a time when hope, like gas, will come at a premium.

But if anyone hasn’t given up on this team, it’s Naylor, whose ninth and eleventh inning fireworks display against the White Sox should be long remembered.

For that alone, Naylor deserves a spot here.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

7 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

8 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

8 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

8 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

8 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

8 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

8 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

8 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

8 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

8 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

8 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

8 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

8 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

8 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

8 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

8 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.