The Cleveland Guardians know the quality of hitter Kyle Manzardo is, despite what his Spring Training stats say.
Kyle Manzardo showed at times last season that he had the potential to be one of the top hitters on the Cleveland Guardians.
The team needs him to continue that development and positive progression for the offense to reach its full potential during the 2026 season. With that in mind, should the Guardians be concerned with his slow start to game action in the new year?
Manzardo’s Spring Training stats haven’t been the best, to say the least. In 53 Cactus League plate appearances, he has just .163/.226/.347 slash line, with a strikeout rate of 35.8 percent.
If the Guardians were two months into the season, those numbers would be a major cause for concern, but the reality is they’re not a quarter way through the year, and Manzardo has shown in other ways that he’s ready for the season to begin.
Mar 3, 2026; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians Kyle Manzardo (9) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesStats only mean so much during Spring Training, and Cleveland is well aware of the caliber of hitter that Manzardo is. For example, the slugger has a hard-hit rate of 50.5 percent; at some point, one would hope that that hard contact would turn into some more hits.
“We know he can hit,” explained Vogt. “It's not that's about results in spring. He was working on some things early, but really like where Kyle is right now with his approach and his swing.”
The good news, and something that Vogt even alluded to, is that heading into the season, Manzardo has started to flip the switch. He recorded hits in his final three Cactus League games, two of which were home runs.
Cleveland’s skipper also pointed out that in Manzardo, “checked every box” in the team’s Spring Training closer against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
“He hit the ball to left field, hit the home run to center, and then that was a really good two-strike approach on the line drive up the middle. So, Manzo's peaking at the right time,” continued Vogt.
If Manzardo’s slow start continues through the first weeks of the regular season, the Guardians may need to rethink how high up he's hitting in the order, but as long as a right-handed pitcher is on the mound, Cleveland’s manager said, Manzardo “will be hitting right behind Jose.”
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