Guardians Opening Day 2024 roster projection 2.0; who will make 26-man roster?

Baseball games that matter are only roughly two weeks away.

The Guardians, along with the other 29 clubs, have crossed the midway point in spring training camp, and rosters will continue to be whittled down until the final 26 have been chosen to break camp with the team and begin the 2024 season.

The Guardians have plenty to sort through as camp draws to a close, including uncertainties at shortstop, in center field and in the bullpen. They'll also try to avoid the type of late-spring injury that altered their Opening Day plans like last year, when Triston McKenzie was lost for a few months to begin 2023.

Here's a Guardians 2024 Opening Day roster projection 2.0, which a few alterations from the first edition, as camp continues in Goodyear, Ariz.

Catchers (3): Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges, David Fry

The Guardians could give the keys to the car to Bo Naylor in 2024, and they've set up him for success with not only a coaching staff chock full of former catchers with decades of experience, but also the return of Austin Hedges to a one-year, $4 million deal.

Hedges likely won't bring much of anything offensively, as his real value might rest with his ability to mentor Naylor, especially on defensive matters. But as Naylor, who only turned 24 last month, gets set for his first full season in the majors, the Guardians have made sure to gave him a couple of parachutes before he takes the leap.

David Fry's standing on the Opening Day roster might not be as secure. He had his own category in the initial roster projection, but if he breaks camp with the team, the depth he can provide at catcher (as well as some additional offense on days Naylor sits) is part of his meal ticket to the majors instead of to Triple-A Columbus. Fry came up with a few clutch hits in big situations last year, and his versatility to play a couple of infield and outfield positions doesn't hurt, either.

Infielders (5): Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Tyler Freeman

The shortstop position is one of the most intriguing in Guardians camp this spring. Gabriel Arias might be a front runner to get the first crack at the job (at least as a primary option, if not full time yet), but he hasn't shown much to force the team's hand.

Brayan Rocchio, ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect in baseball by Keith Law, could take over the job from Day 1, but he hasn't had the type of spring to really build any momentum toward that possibility, as he's just 3-for-23 in Cactus League play. The MLB rule change that rewards teams for promoting certain prospects if they reach certain goals would help Rocchio's case, but he's not swinging the bat well, the Guardians won't force it, and he can begin the year in Triple-A.

Tyler Freeman looks like he'll have at least a semi-regular role, it just remains to be seen how he might bounce around. He's one of three Guardians players turning heads this spring, hitting .320 with an .873 OPS. He could factor into the shortstop picture, but the Guardians have made sure to get him plenty of time in the outfield this spring, so he could also be a big contributor in center field, or a bit of both.

Only five infielders included here means the Guardians have a tough decision coming up with Devison De Los Santos. He was a Rule 5 pick, meaning in order to avoid being offered back to his original team, De Los Santos wouldn't just have to make the Opening Day roster, he'd have to remain with the major league club for the duration of the 2024 season. The Rule 5 Draft is a great way for teams to poach some talented, controllable players, but it does limit roster flexibility.

De Los Santos has been given the most at-bats in camp to prove himself, but the results have been a mixed bag. In 28 at-bats (still a small sample), he's hitting .250 with a .607 OPS, one home run, no walks and five strikeouts. While spring numbers cannot always be trusted, had De Los Santos torched Cactus League pitching all spring, he'd be a sure-fire roster addition for Opening Day. At present, it could go either way.

Kyle Manzardo should play a key role in the 2024 lineup, but the Guardians might opt to allow him to receive everyday at-bats in Triple-A for a bit first.

Outfielders (5): Steven Kwan, Ramon Laureano, Myles Straw, Estevan Florial, Will Brennan

Myles Straw will need to prove at some point that he can provide at least some offensive value at the plate. If he continues to struggle as he did for most of 2023, the Guardians could use him in more of a defensive/pinch-running bench role.

Hitting coach Chris Valaika and the Guardians have been working with him on swinging with more 'intent' and Straw spent the offseason trying to put on some muscle with the thought being that a few more swings-and-misses is an affordable cost for harder contact.

Estevan Florial, one of the five most interesting Guardians players in camp this spring, is out of options and is a bit of a project, but he carries with him the pedigree for a former, highly-ranked prospect. He could provide a bit of pop, and if can improve his swing-and-miss rate (with the New York Yankees, he crushed Triple-A pitching but couldn't make enough contact), he could earn plenty of at-bats.

Will Brennan also left some questions on the table after a slower 2023, though he seems to be swinging the bat with some authority this spring (5-for-19, one home run, one double, one triple, four RBIs, two walks, .912 OPS).

Brennan and Ramon Laureano would also make a natural platoon in right field with Steven Kwan in left.

Starting pitchers (5): Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen

Shane Bieber's velocity is reportedly back up a few notches, thanks to his work at Driveline, and Triston McKenzie is still healthy, which is a win for the Guardians in itself.

The main question now rests with Gavin Williams' elbow. He's being shut down for a few days after experiencing some discomfort after a weighted ball session. If he's good to go for Opening Day, the starting five is set.

If not, that would open the door for a group that includes Carlos Carrasco, Ben Lively, Hunter Gaddis, Joey Cantillo, Xzavion Curry and Tyler Beede.

Relievers (8): Emmanuel Clase, Scott Barlow, Sam Hentges, Eli Morgan, Nick Sandlin, Tim Herrin, Ben Lively, Hunter Gaddis

James Karinchak hasn't even really had a chance to show he deserves one of the spots in the bullpen, as his camp has been delayed by shoulder fatigue. Trevor Stephan then went down with an elbow injury and likely won't be ready by Opening Day.

That leaves three spots up for grabs in the Guardians bullpen. Ben Lively is a frontrunner for one of them, as he's out of options, and the Guardians signed him to a one-year deal this winter.

If so, that leaves the last two spots down to the likes of Carrasco (who also worked with Bieber at Driveline but needs to prove he deserves that spot at the age of 36), Gaddis, Tim Herrin, Cade Smith and Curry, among perhaps a few other fringe candidates.

Herrin would give new Guardians manager Stephen Vogt a second lefty in the bullpen. Smith (1.63 ERA, 8:0 K:B ratio) and Gaddis (2.70 ERA, 7:1 K:B ratio) have both pitched well this spring. Both are already on the 40-man roster, and while Smith has pitched exceptionally well, Gaddis would offer a little extra multi-inning insurance.

If Smith keeps striking out hitters at such a high rate dating back to last year, he'll be in the majors in 2024 at some point, and might force his way onto the Opening Day roster.

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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Projecting the Guardians 2024 Opening Day roster midway through camp