It really is as simple as this. After many of their power prospects didn't work out, the Cleveland Guardians brought up a 6'3, 250 lb Dominican guy named Jhonkensy Noel, whose entire thing is hitting home runs. And it's worked out pretty well for them.
I think that since Franmil Reyes fell apart, the Guardians have needed that surefire power bat in the lineup. I wouldn't put Jose Ramirez in that category, he's much more multifaceted. Just a pure hitter who can be relied upon to do just that...whenever. Somebody who fills the same role as Yordan Alvarez in Houston. And so far, Noel has just been that kind of power bat. Through 50 games, Noel is hitting .254 with 27 RBIs and 13 home runs. Already, fans adore this guy. A schtarker who can rake, what's not to love. And so he's already been given the name Big Christmas, because when the Cleveland massive figures out a great nickname, that thing's never going away.
And all this as the previous utility/DH the Guardians have relied upon this season, David Fry, has cooled down significantly since his June rise to glory. Now he's only hitting .261. That's really the problem with some of this Guardians team, that a lot of what was really working midyear has cooled down. Steven Kwan is now hitting under .300, and his OPS has calmed down significantly. Josh Naylor, despite having an 100-RBI year, has his OPS under .800 as well. And Lane Thomas still hasn't been able to stay above .200 in Cleveland, owing to his decidedly down year. But...this is still a team with peak Jose Ramirez on it, and he's making this team remain a contender despite some slowing progress.
Additionally, this rotation, of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Ben Lively, Alex Cobb and Matt Boyd, has been even stronger than anyone would have thought. Because with all those injuries you think it's gonna collapse on itself, but Cobb and Boyd, despite looking like replacement level choices, have been really strong so far. And Bibee, without being too flashy, has been a worthy ace in Bieber's absence. It's definitely a DIY type rotation, but the thing works. And don't get me started on the bullpen. No one could even dream of being able to hit most of those guys.
The Guardians are very close to bringing home the division this year. If they stay afloat through matches against the Dodgers, Twins, Cardinals and Astros, it'll be theirs. And then it'll be time to see if there's a conversation to be had about the Guardians going long. I think they're not completely there yet, but they could surprise people, including me.
Coming Tonight: Last August he was called up to a lot of fanfare, and made some quick fans right off the bat. A year later he's helping his team make yet another postseason push.
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