In 2025, the Guardians’ outfield was led by a left fielder Steven Kwanwho hit .272/.330/.374 with a 99 wRC+ with exceptional defense, including 22 runs saved on defense. That was good for 3.2 WAR according to FanGraphs, but unfortunately for Cleveland, Kwan was the only solid performer among the team’s outfielders, while the rest posted replacement-level numbers on offense. Nolan Jones And Angel Martinez made 384 and 371 plate appearances respectively, but both posted just a 73 wRC+ and were on base less than 30% of the time. Meanwhile, Kwan and Jones are both left-handed hitters, while Martinez is a switch-hitter who does better from the right side. He posted a 123 wRC+ in 169 PA this year when facing lefties, compared to just a 48 wRC+ in 315 PA as a left-handed right-handed pitcher.
Currently, nearly every outfielder on the club’s 40-man roster hits from the left side. Aside from the switch-hitting Martinez, he is the only right-hander in the group Johnathan Rodriguezwho hit .197/.260/.366 this year with a 74 wRC+ in a limited sample of 77 PA. He was ranked at MLB.com as the organization’s No. 18 prospect entering 2024 and has the edge as a power hitter. He has one year of option left, so the club could keep him around to see if he can fill a bigger role (or move him to the minors if that doesn’t work out).
Yet the club got virtually no production from right-handed outfielders in 2025. From Martinez, Rodriguez, Thomas and Jhonkensy Noelonly Martinez’s 123 wRC+ from the right side was above average. Thomas posted a 48 wRC+ in 142 PA this year and missed significant time with three trips to the injured list. He now plays for the Royals. Noel was even worse with a 28 wRC+ in 153 PA. He struck out 34.0% of the time and walked just 2.6% while spending most of the second half in the minors. Cleveland designated him for assignment last week.
As Rosenthal noted, the club may want to spend time on their younger outfielders. Chase DeLauter is the organization’s top outfield prospect and the league’s No. 58 prospect overall MLB.com. He made his debut during the Wild Card Series against the Tigers and will have a bigger role in 2026. However, DeLauter is a left-handed hitter, so while he could boost the team’s overall production, he wouldn’t help with the team’s pitfalls from the right side. Three outfield prospects on the Guardian’s Top 30 list: Jason Chorio, Alphonsin RosarioAnd Aaron Walton – are righty or switch hitters, but they won’t be ready for a few years. The Guardians may simply be re-pitching with their current light fielders, but barring a turnaround from Rodriguez (or more time at right hitter for Martinez), that doesn’t leave much room for optimism.
Unsurprisingly, the club may be limited in its options due to wage considerations. RosterResource estimates their 2026 salary at $79 million, up from $102 million in 2025. After winning the AL Central but falling in the first round of the playoffs, the club is certainly looking to make improvements, although it won’t be a player at the top end of the market. Harrison Bader is the rightmost option, although he is expected to get a two-year, $26 million deal, which could be out of Cleveland’s price range. Other options for free agents include Miguel Andujarwho had a 125 wRC+ in 341 PA in 2025, and Austin Hays And Rob Refsnyder.
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