Cleveland Guardians spring training 2023 top storylines to watch
CLEVELAND — Baseball is back.
While the temperatures take a nose dive into the 30s (and hopefully only the 30s) in Northeast Ohio, the Guardians are set to begin their 2023 spring camp in Goodyear, Arizona.
It’ll be more difficult for the Guardians to sneak up on anybody this year after a 92-win season and an American League Central Division crown in 2022 while deploying the youngest roster in baseball.
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The Guardians had a straightforward postseason, addressing their two biggest needs on the roster — first base and catcher — with Josh Bell and Mike Zunino. And after 17 MLB debuts in 2022, which tied a franchise record that has stood for roughly a century, the 40-man roster is brimming with players who could make an impact in 2023 and get their first taste of the big leagues.
As things get underway in Arizona and Florida, here’s a look at the top storylines to follow in Guardians camp this spring.
Where does Bo Naylor begin the season, and how healthy is Mike Zunino?
Questions still remain about the Guardians’ catcher situation. Zunino was brought in to maintain a certain level of defensive value — Austin Hedges was elite, but Zunino can hold his own — while also adding some potential pop to the lineup. Zunino has a 30-homer season in the majors under his belt, but he also had his 2022 cut short due to shoulder surgery.
Guardians manager Terry Francona noted this winter the team is comfortable with his defensive abilities, even if that 30-homer power isn’t there. If it is, it’s a major bonus for a lineup that relied heavily on contact in 2022, albeit in a successful way.
The starting catcher job is Naylor’s to have at some point down the road — the question is when? Naylor is the club’s top catching prospect who last year put together a 20-homer, 20-steals season in the minor leagues, a rare feat for his position. But with Zunino in the fold, it’s entirely possible Naylor spends the first several weeks in Triple-A before being called up and potentially taking over a large role in Cleveland.
Naylor brings a different skillset to the table and could have a presence once called up. He’ll also be representing Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, so he’ll be away from camp for a few weeks.
If Naylor does open the season in Columbus, the Guardians have several options in camp who could serve as Zunino’s backup, provided he’s healthy. Bryan Lavastida, who made his debut a year ago, is the lone option already on the 40-man roster, so he likely has the inside track.