It's just odd to say out loud. In 2019, the Guardians bring up a speedy, contact-hitting right fielder named Oscar. Then he stops hitting. And 3 years later, the Guardians, in his place, bring up a speedy...contact-hitting...right fielder...named Oscar.
Wouldn't be any more diabolical if Rod Serling was writing it.
Part of me feels bad for somebody like Oscar Mercado, who was a big hit in 2019, and seemed so promising and foundational for Cleveland. And then...it just doesn't happen after that season. It's downright tragic, in a sense. And for it to be another hispanic right fielder named Oscar? Oh man. I sincerely hope Oscar Mercado can have a good season again, because he deserves it.
As for Oscar Gonzalez, the second of two Guardians rookies to light up the leagues this year...man, if this doesn't cement how sweet the future is gonna be in Cleveland, I dunno what does. Steven Kwan is still a contact killer and a great outfield piece, and now Oscar Gonzalez is hitting .417, with 25 hits in 15 games, more hits than people like Mercado and Austin Hedges who've played most of the season. You also have backup Richie Palacios, who's hitting .293 with 17 hits and 7 RBIs, and the other burgeoning talent arriving from elsewhere, like Myles Straw, Josh Naylor and Andres Gimenez, and it's no wonder this team has sped its way to 2nd.
This Guardians team is honestly a lot like the 2016 team, where you see a lot of sneaky GM decisions blooming, and the young pieces begin to cement themselves. The difference is that here we have a foundation that's already succeeded in the playoffs, and some pieces, namely Jose Ramirez, who's taken this team to a World Series. And upon this foundation, we can place these young pieces that are all in good shape right now, and then...who knows?
I should also mention that the rotation's in pretty decent shape too. Shane Bieber has taken a bit to get his ERA below 3, but he's back there now. Plesac and Quantrill are still in decent shape as innings-eaters. Triston McKenzie has found his control and is now a truly intimidating flamethrower. And in the absence of Aaron Civale, Konnor Pilkington has been a decent fifth man, bringing his ERA below 4 after 4 starts. It's not a huge, blockbuster rotation, but it gets the job done.
The Guardians are in second place right now, and unless the White Sox fire Tony LaRussa relatively soon, they will probably be there for a little while. And hell, there's even a chance this team could squeeze into a playoff spot later this year. Considering all the wild card hopefuls, it's not an overwhelming possibility, but it could happen. I do see this team competing starting next year, though. Especially if Francona and Ramirez do, in fact, stick around.
Coming Tomorrow-Speaking of teams that shouldn't be as high in the standings as they are, a hard-hitting outfielder for Pittsburgh.
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