Guardians option Bryan Rocchio, others to Triple-A Columbus

On Mar 15, 2023

Sep 14, 2022; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Clippers shortstop Brayan Rocchio (1) snags a ball behind the diving Columbus Clippers third baseman David Fry (17) during the Minor Leage Baseball game against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

The whittling down of the options for the Guardians 2023 Opening Day roster has already begun.

On Tuesday, the Guardians optioned a group of five infielders to Triple-A Columbus, including Brayan Rocchio, Jose Tena, Angel Martinez, Juan Brito and Jhonkensy Noel (who is also seeing time in the outfield). It is, in itself, a representation of the log jam of highly-thought-of infielder prospects the Guardians have, particularly in the upper levels of the minor leagues.

Breakouts:10 Guardians prospects on 40-man roster (and 4 who aren’t) who could make an impact in ’23

With Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario locked in as starters, plus Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman as utility infielder candidates, Tuesday’s moves were of no surprise. But that is a group to keep an eye on, possibly for 2023 but certainly for 2024. The Guardians’ future at shortstop is one of the few unknowns when looking ahead to next spring, as Rosario is eligible to be a free agent at the end of this season.

Rosario could be signed beyond 2023, which is something for which Ramirez Lobbied last year. Gimenez could slide over to shortstop, thus opening up second base. It could go to Arias or Freeman. Or it could go to Rocchio or one of the other middle infielders sent down on Tuesday.

The Guardians proved last year they won’t hesitate to bring up a prospect if they feel the time is right. Rocchio, for example, is ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the Guardians system according to MLB Pipeline. He’ll surely have a chance to make his mark on the major league roster by 2023. The biggest question is if that time arrives sometime in 2023. Regardless, the Guardians are seeing the progression.

“Very athletic body. Like most young players, he’s maturing,” manager Terry Francona told reporters in Goodyear, Ariz., speaking of Rocchio. “You see him last year and you see him now this year, and he looks a year more mature. He’s got a chance to be a good player. They all do. We don’t know. I’m guessing all five of those guys we sent down, it’s rare that all five guys show up and they’re all really good players. That’s the hope. But we just told them to kind of go and enjoy being young, not getting stressed out over where they are and aren’t and just play, enjoy trying to play the game.”

Guardians transitioning Jason Bilous to a reliever

The Guardians also optioned right-handed pitcher Jason Bilous to Triple-A Columbus. Bilous was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and was a candidate to make the Guardians Opening Day roster as the eighth and final member of the bullpen.

Bilous still having minor league options years remaining afforded the Guardians the chance to claim him while also being able to take some time to work with him in the minors.

Bilous has primarily worked as a starter in the past, but with the Guardians flush with options in Triple-A and Double-A, he’ll be making the transition to a reliever.