The Cleveland Guardians will play their first 2024 Cactus League spring training game on Saturday, February 24.
After a 76-86 season last year, in which the team finished bottom-three in MLB in home runs (124, fewest), average exit velocity (87.5 mph, lowest), slugging percentage (.381, second-lowest), and RBI (622, third-fewest) one offensive area the team is addressing during spring training is power hitting.
This past Friday, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made an appearance on 92.3 The Fan’s radio show “Afternoon Drive.”
During his appearance, he discussed Cleveland's offensive potential, and what the team is doing to improve its power.
“I don’t think there is a ceiling. You’re talking about a core that’s very young, and power typically comes with age. These guys are working really hard, and Chris Vailaika and the hitting group have been messaging, ‘Hey, we want to impact the ball more. We want you to take some chances in those counts where this might be where you get that pitch to drive. We want you to drive it.’”
Vogt also explained that this early work has translated into plenty of hard-hit baseballs at the Guardians’ Player Development Complex in Arizona.
“The ball’s flying around the fields right now in Goodyear. Guys are crushing baseballs in BP and off machines, and we feel really good about our group.”
Cleveland did perform well in multiple offensive aspects last season, finishing top-10 in MLB in stolen bases (151, fifth), doubles (294, sixth), triples (29, tied for seventh), and fewest strikeouts (1,142, fewest).
Overall, Vogt has been pleased with the team’s effort early on in spring training so far.
“Our guys are hungry, they look good, and we feel really good about where our offense has a chance to go this year.”
More must-reads: