The Cleveland Guardians may be a small market team, but they have been able to churn out some solid young players over the years that have turned into superstars.
There are several examples of this on the pitching front, and it’s one of the main reasons why the Guardians find themselves in the ALDS this year and have been in postseason contention for several years, excluding 2021.
MLB insider Danny Vietti listed several pitchers who have risen through the Guardians’ farm system to replace departed veterans such as Corey Kluber, Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, and Carlos Carrasco.
Since those pitchers left, guys like Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Emmanuel Clase, and James Karinchak have emerged.
Corey Kluber traded, here is Shane Bieber.
Out goes Trevor Bauer, in comes Zach Plesac.
Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco are out, Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie are in.
Cody Allen and Andrew Miller gone. Enter Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak.
Cleveland is a factory.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) October 8, 2022
How The Guardians Sustain Success
This is how you build a winner if you’re a small market team.
It’s very similar to how the Tampa Bay Rays have operated over the past decade.
When certain stars go, spots are cleared for young players to make their impact on the team.
Such has been the case for the Guardians.
Cal Quantrill and Zach Plesac are a few other examples of this.
No, the Guardians won’t go out and make a huge splash in free agency most of the time, or even make an earth-shattering move at the trade deadline, but the farm system is deep, and they have built what appears to be a pretty sustainable model.
It’s worked for them this year and in years past, and it’s led them to become one of the most entertaining, yet overlooked teams in all of baseball.
What they have been able to do has paid major dividends, and it’s why they have a chance to make a deep run into October this year.
NEXT: The Guardians Accomplished A Rare Feat Over The Weekend