Projecting the Guardians’ ALDS Roster

If Hoskins is healthy, I suspect he will make the roster to provide an additional right-handed hitter against Hagen Smith, Anthony Kay, Bryan Hudson and Sean Newcombe. Is he healthy? Supposedly, he is scrimmaging. Is he going to actually help vs. LHP? The jury is definitely out there. But, I have a feeling he will make it.

So, who gets the last three spots? Who SHOULD get them? With the depressing news that Colin Holderman is out, I think one answer should be Foster Griffin. Griffin has a 3.08 FIP against LHH. He should be a weapon to be deployed against left-handed hitters and seen as more reliable in that spot than Tim Herrin for the ALDS, given that the team will not need his services as a starter. He is the perfect pitcher to deploy with 1 or 2 runners on and 1 or 2 outs, given his penchant for getting groundballs, if a lefty is at the plate.

Ok, so two spots left. I think you can make a strong argument for Slade Cecconi, Tanner Bibee and for Daniel Schneemann. Is 14 positions players and 12 pitchers the right mix, or would it be helpful to have an additional left-handed bat on the bench? It is not going to be Kyle Manzardo as there have been zero signs that the team wants him back, at least yet. Would the team pull a 2025 Chase DeLauter and bring Ralphy Velazquez up as a bench bat? I WOULD BE SO HAPPY IF THEY DI… but, I don't think that's likely.