CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians aren’t at nametag status yet, but they might be when the season ends.
The organization has never been shy to start a rookie, either out of necessity or because of stellar play at the lower levels, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of those years.
As the club entered Game 2 of a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at home on Tuesday, June 30, there were six rookies on the active roster.
“It’s fun seeing people get to reach the pinnacle of their career and get to the big leagues,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s fun to watch people learn. It’s fun to watch people make new mistakes. It’s fun to watch people have their firsts and it’s been an interesting couple of weeks, but we’ve had a lot of fun along the way.”
The youth movement in Cleveland is real with the Guardians
Outfielders Chase DeLauter and C.J. Kayfus, starting pitcher Parker Messick and reliever Peyton Paulette opened the season on the 26-man roster.
Catcher Cooper Ingle, outfielder Kahlil Watson, second baseman Travis Bazzana and reliever Daniel Espino along with the DeLauter and Messick are on the current roster to make an it an even half dozen.
It’s nothing new for an organization that is always forward thinking with its young talent.
The 2022 Cleveland Guardians used 17 rookies, which is a modern day record, and won the American League Central.
In 1912 and 1914, Cleveland also used 17 first-year players.
Why the rookies have been solid for the Guardians this season
“It’s a combination of a young guys getting a little hungry and then we have the best vets in the world, man,” DeLauter said. “We’ve had guys that are showing us how to do it, how to keep the energy and how to be mentally available every day.
“That’s the hardest part. You have what you have out on the field from a talent standpoint. When you get here, none of that changes. I feel like the best players, the best teams are in the same mindset every day. That’s hard to do for 162 games. I feel like we have a great group of older guys that have led us, that speak up when they need to. They show us how to do it. We’re just here to follow along and help out as we can.”
It’s more than just the core six rookies for the Guardians this season.
Franco Alleman, Will Dion, Juan Brito, Petey Halpin and George Valera have also played for Cleveland this season to bring the number to 13.
Vogt hasn’t been afraid to use any of them in key situations either.
The rookies are becoming veterans really quick in Cleveland
In case you’re wondering, the most rookies to play for a single team on a playoff roster is six when the Oakland A’s did it in 2012.
“Other teammates welcome them,” Vogt said. “I mean, I think that’s the No. 1 thing. As soon as somebody walks through the doors of that clubhouse, they’re embraced and they know they’re here to help us win and our veterans do a great job of welcoming them, making them feel comfortable. So do our coaches and our staff. When you get here, you’re going to play and that’s how we roll.”
What’s more is the Guardians are winning with the rookies.
This isn’t a season of waste where the squad is looking at its future with no concern for its present.
The Guardians entered June 30 with a 44-41 record, a game behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central standings as the season rounds the midway point.
“Everyone’s close,” Messick said. “The older guys are super welcoming to all the young guys and they teach us how to play the game the right way and then the young guys help the young guys out as well. We’re just here to compete and the older guys want to win just as bad as we do. So when you have guys that are always pulling for each other and helping each other out, it tends to be a good environment to play in.”
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians rookies making impact as Cleveland vets embrace them
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
