Figuring Out a Playoff Bench This Week
A few things to watch in the last five days of the Guardians' season
The Guardians have some decisions to make regarding their bench for the playoffs, some of which may be influenced by games played this week.
The Guardians have 11 of 13 spots on their roster that are very clear for their expected appearance in the ALDS. Catchers: Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges, First Basemen/DH's: Josh Naylor, David Fry and Kyle Manzardo, Second Baseman: Andres Giménez, Third Baseman: José Ramírez, Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio, Left-Fielder: Steven Kwan, Center-fielder: Lane Thomas, Right-Fielder: Will Brennan (he's their most trusted right-field defender, 6-12 as a pinch-hitter and he is a clubhouse cog - he will make it).
This leaves Angel Martinez, Jhonkensy Noel, Myles Straw and Daniel Schneemann vying for two spots. I would be surprised if Noel doesn't secure one of those spots. I think the Guardians are content with a Brennan/Noel platoon in RF, whether we all think that's the correct idea or not. So, if we pencil Noel in, we now have one spot for either Martinez, Straw or Schneemann.
The good news, here, is that if my logic holds true, Straw is not making the playoff roster. I am not opposed to the idea of having a pinch-runner/defensive replacement on the roster but it's not possible to carry both Hedges and Straw on your bench unless you're going to go with 12 pitchers. If the Guardians go with 12 pitchers, then I fully expect Straw to make the roster. And I'll be fine with it. If they carry 13 pitchers, Straw can't be on this team.
This spot will go to someone who can play shortstop, second base and third base, if needed. Given that the Guardians have been extremely reluctant to play Martinez at short, Schneemann has the clear edge to be the 13th man. Schnee has a 93 wRC+ and Angel has an 89 wRC+. So, this appears to be a non-controversial pick. However, since his first 14 games, Schneemann has a 70 wRC+ and notably a 34% K-rate as compared to Angel's 18% K-rate. That's why while reading the difference between their overall wRC+'s, you might have been surprised to find Angel below Schnee. Schnee has been bad for a while, and Angel hasn't been great, but he's shown more signs of life.
I would like to see Angel play some shortstop this week and give him a chance to show he can be trusted there in a pinch. If you can include a switch-hitter in that last bench spot, it's worth a little risk in terms of defense. However, Schneemann does have 4 DRS and 1 OAA in the outfield as compared to 0 DRS and -2 OAA for Martinez. As much as it doesn't necessarily FEEL that way, Schneemann has been a better defender and (overall) hitter in the bigs than Martinez. Martinez is only 22 years old, while Schnee is 27, so the easy money is ok Angel as the better future value. But, for this run, I can see the team preferring Schneemann.
Unless something unexpected happens, I would expect Schneemann and Noel to fill the 12th and 13th spots on the hitting side of the 26-man roster. My own preference would be to get Angel on the roster over Schneemann because I believe there is more upside in the bat, but the main thing is to make sure the team does not punt hitting ability in two bench spots by carrying Straw and Hedges.