On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Cleveland Guardians had a magical season in 2024, and one of the main reasons for their success were the unsung heroes up and down their roster.
Take outfielder Jhonkensy Noel, for example.
Noel made his big-league debut in June and ultimately played a significant role in the Guardians' journey to an AL Central division title, smashing 13 home runs to go along with a solid .774 OPS over 198 plate appearances.
As a result of Noel's power display, many Cleveland fans feel he should be handed the starting right field job in 2025, but Guardians insider Mandy Bell does not think it will be such a simple decision.
During an appearance on 92.3 The Fan, Bell revealed that Cleveland is most likely to roll with a rotation in right field and that it doesn't fully trust Noel in an everyday role just yet.
"I know that there's a lot of eyes on Jhonkensy Noel just because of the threat that's there with the fact that he can probably hit the ball 750 feet at any moment, but I think that they're going to need to see a lot from him growth-wise and just being able to lay off the bad pitches and prove that he can be a little more selective," Bell said.
While Noel did flash prodigious power in 2024, he clearly was not polished as a hitter, as he slashed .218/.288/.486 with 63 strikeouts and just 13 walks.
The 23-year-old will probably always be a high strikeout guy, but it would definitely be nice to see him develop some more patience at the dish. If he does that, maybe he can carve out a daily role with the Guardians. But until then, Noel still has quite a road ahead of him.
More must-reads:
- Former Yankees, Mariners prospect hospitalized following motorcycle crash
- Yankees make history in Game 3 comeback against Blue Jays
- The 'MLB playoff debut strikeouts leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Pirates Pitching Duo Named Amongst Top Rookies
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had some strong performances from their rookies in 2025, especially from their pitching staff. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report named his top 50 rookies in the MLB in 2025 and placed both Pirates right-handed pitchers in there in Braxton Ashcraft at No. 26 and Isaac Mattson at No. 46. Ashcraft joined the Pirates for the first time on May 26 and made his MLB debut that same day vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, throwing three scoreless innings in the defeat. He started 69 of 71 games in the minor leagues, but began his time with the Pirates out of the bullpen, which saw him have great results. Ashcraft had a 1.54 ERA in his first seven bullpen appearances and got his first MLB start vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 23, where he threw three scoreless innings. He stayed in the bullpen until early August, when he made five straight starts and seven starts in his final nine appearances, as the Pirates coaching staff gave him more opportunities to go longer than he did previously. Much of the planning for Ashcraft dealt with his previous injuries, that forced him out for long periods of time away from baseball, after the Pirates took Ashcraft with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Robinson High School in Waco, Texas. Ashcraft underwent a latarjet procedure on his right shoulder in 2019, which involves a bone graft and tendon transfer, keeping him from pitching only two months with the West Virginia Black Bears in the New York-Penn League. He suffered a torn meniscus after knee problems in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the minor league season. Ashcraft made 10 starts with High-A Greensboro in 2021, before undergoing Tommy John surgery, ending his season in late July and keeping him out through all of 2022. He finally progressed back and made it up through to Triple-A Indianapolis in 2024. He also made 10 starts and threw 48.1 innings pitched before joining the Pirates in late May. Ashcraft finished with a 4-4 record over 26 appearances and eight starts, a 2.71 ERA over 69.2 innings pitched, 71 strikeouts to 24 walks, a .239 opposing batting average and a 1.25 WHIP. He had a 2.16 ERA over 33.1 innings pitched as a starting pitcher and a 3.22 ERA over 36.1 innings pitched as a reliever. Mattson made three appearances in September 2024, before re-signing with the Pirates that offseason on a minor league deal. He joined the Pirates from Indianapolis on May 20, went back down six days later, then returned on June 7 and spent the rest of the season at the MLB level. Mattson had a sensational season with the Pirates, posting a 1.54 ERA in both June and August and became a reliable arm out of the bullpen, especially in tough moments. This included getting five crucial outs in the 5-4 win over the Brewers on June 23, with a strikeout after an 11-pitch battle with Christian Yelich. He also threw two scoreless innings vs. the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 30, including back-to-back strikeouts to win the game, 2-1, securing a series sweep. Mattson moved into a higher-leverage role after the Pirates traded closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees on July 31 ahead of the deadline. He finished his 2025 season with a 3-3 record in 44 outings, a 2.45 ERA over 47.2 innings pitched, 46 strikeouts to 19 walks, .203 opposing batting average and a 1.23 WHIP.
North Carolina reportedly considering nuclear option with Bill Belichick, and that's justified
LeBron James & Steve Nash Send Strong Message to Adam Silver Over Long-Standing Kawhi Leonard Issue
The NBA is facing a growing injury crisis, and many believe it’s tied to the demanding 82-game schedule. While some, like Steve Kerr, have long advocated for change, he even emailed Commissioner Adam Silver before last season, urging a reduction to 65 games! On the other hand, some do feel 82 is a sweet spot. The debate continues to divide the league, as concerns over player health and performance intensify. Now, LeBron James and Steve Nash have stepped in to share their perspectives. While discussing the sheer amount of superstars injured for the upcoming season on their ‘Mind The Game‘ podcast, Nash asked James about how much of it has to do with the number of games today’s players have to play each year. The Los Angeles Lakers forward gave a very balanced reply: “I mean, I don’t know, I can’t sit here and say that I have the direct answer to that. But we are at this point in the era that we’re playing in, it’s a lot more running.” While LeBron played it safe, Nash did not hold back. The former Suns star sent a strong message to the NBA, especially to commissioner Adam Silver. “When the acceling-deceling in space, there’s no getting around the wear and tear that causes. Like, we were talking about elite athletes covering elite athletes in bigger spaces, longer rotations, more closeouts, more possessions. Unfortunately, it just is a factor,” Nash pointed out. If you take an ideal scenario, a team can play around 110 games. 82 and then if you take 7 games (ideal situation) in each of the 4 rounds of the playoffs. “And then, so I hate load management. But it’s a part of the equation. We have to be smart. We don’t want guys to miss when LeBron James goes to Atlanta, we don’t want some kid to be sad ’cause he’s got to sit up. But sometimes that’s the reality. It’s that we have to be smart about it. So I don’t know, I feel like it’s an important part of the puzzle is managing the rigors of the game.” Well, Steve Nash does present a fair argument, because we have seen the Clippers star dealing with this issue. Although many fans criticize players like Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid for sitting out a significant number of games each season, it might be the result of the immense amount of stress their bodies have taken over time. After all, there’s a huge difference in playing 82 games back in the day compared to today. Then, players did not have to run 20-30 feet to cover a shooter, which might not seem much during one game, but takes a toll on an athlete’s muscles over the season. Teams will have to lean on load management because they do not have any other way of protecting their players. It’s not like the franchise and players like to disappoint the fans, the former Nets head coach revealed, but they don’t want to risk losing their stars for key games. Nonetheless, while LeBron James and Steve Nash have sent strong messages through their statements, what can be the solution? Is there a way to solve the NBA’s load management crisis? Well, in the past few years, load management has become a massive issue for the league, with fans frustrated with the situation. Although the NBA did come up with a way to combat the issue, as they issued a minimum threshold of 65 games for them to become eligible to be considered for the end-of-the-season honors, that doesn’t solve the root cause. You see, while this might prompt players to not sit out every game, the real problem, as Lakers superstar LeBron James and former NBA guard Steve Nash pointed out, is the wear and tear of muscles. The only, or rather an immediate solution, is to reduce the number of regular-season games unless there’s a solid alternative. That’s because any other solution than that will not help the players’ health, which should be a priority for the association. In fact, as mentioned, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has already raised this concern before. “I’m concerned about the product because I think we are asking way too much of our players,” Kerr said back in November last year. “The game has never been more difficult to play at a high level night after night after night. We should account for that. We all need to be thinking about that, for sure.” The Dubs boss pointed out that, given how difficult the game has become for players daily, teams have no choice but to sit out their players for certain games. As disappointing as it might be for the fans, it’s something the franchises have to do to avoid risking their players suffering a serious injury. Now, with more players and coaches joining Kerr, such as James and Nash, the league might finally be forced to look into this issue. However, reducing the number of games is easier said than done. So, will Adam Silver and Co. finally take some action to solve the NBA’s load management issue, or not? That’s something we can only wait and watch as the new season approaches.
Packers could see breakout star emerge on defense in weeks ahead
The Green Bay Packers’ secondary got lit up by Dak Prescott in a 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys before heading off to the bye week, but help could be on the way. Through the season’s first five weeks, the Packers rank 11th against the pass, but they allowed 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to Prescott in their final game before the bye week. Help, though, could be on the way. Could Nate Hobbs elevate Packers’ secondary? With a showdown against the likes of wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday afternoon, a breakout star could be about to emerge. Mike Spofford of the Packers’ official website suggests that cornerback Nate Hobbs getting healthier could be a major asset for coordinator Jeff Hafley and Green Bay’s defense moving forward. “Nate Hobbs,” Spofford writes, when asked the player he’s most looking forward to see the rest of the season. “He’s getting further removed from his knee procedure during training camp, and he’s also back on the practice field after leaving the Dallas game to be evaluated for a concussion. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Hobbs yet in this defense.” Hobbs has appeared in three games for the Packers this season, posting 10 total tackles, one pass breakup and one tackle for loss. Given that the 26-year-old had the added time during the bye week to get further away from the injury he suffered during the summer, he could be a player whose best football this season is still in front of him. That would be huge for a defense looking for consistent playmakers to step up.
Steelers Announce Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Warren Updates Before Browns Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't won the AFC North since future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger was their quarterback in 2020, but things are breaking the right way for Aaron Rodgers and company so far this year. The team's stats don't jump off the page, as it ranks second-to-last with 80 rushing yards per game while Rodgers is 25th with a 44.5 ESPN QBR. However, they're second-best with a plus-seven turnover differential, partially thanks to interceptions by cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebacker T.J. Watt, safety Deshon Elliott, cornerback Brandin Echols, and linebacker Nate Herbig. That's one of the main reasons why Pittsburgh is leading the division at 3-1. The Steelers revealed injury updates about Ramsey, running back Jaylen Warren, and others after Wednesday's practice via their website. Ramsey (hamstring) and wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) didn't practice while Warren (knee) fully practiced. The latter player missed Pittsburgh's 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. Ramsey and Austin could each miss their first game of the year on Sunday if they don't return to practice on Thursday or Friday. Backup tailback Kenneth Gainwell had his best performance of the season in Warren's absence, totaling 99 rushing yards and two scores on 19 carries along with six catches for 35 receiving yards. Gainwell (4.4 yards per carry this season) is rushing more efficiently than Warren (3.1 yards per carry), but Warren is second on the team with 142 receiving yards. Dillon Gabriel Presents New Challenge for Steelers Pittsburgh will host the 1-4 Cleveland Browns on Sunday, who are tied for last in football with 14.6 points per game. However, rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel replaced Joe Flacco as the Browns' starter in Week 5, an opponent that the Steelers are less familiar with. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin coached against Flacco when the veteran quarterback was on the division-rival Baltimore Ravens from 2008-2018. Furthermore, the 40-year-old signal-caller ranks 31st with a 27.6 ESPN QBR, so he wouldn't have been the most challenging player for Tomlin's defense to handle. But the Browns traded Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday (via the Bengals' social media), so there's no chance that the Steelers will face him in Week 6. Gabriel completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland's 21-17 loss to Minnesota in Week 5. The former Oregon Duck was aided by rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who had 110 rushing yards on 23 carries. Tomlin is 26-6 all-time against rookie quarterbacks, but stopping Gabriel and Judkins won't be a walk in the park for the Steelers.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
