The Guardians made a notable move this week, designating outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment after a rocky 2025 campaign. It’s a decision that signals a shift in direction - one that clears the runway for the next wave of Cleveland’s outfield talent, and puts a surprising amount of pressure on a player still trying to find his footing in the majors.
Noel’s raw power has never been in question. We saw flashes of it during the 2024 postseason - the kind of bat speed and exit velocity that makes scouts sit up in their chairs. But when the power doesn’t come with consistent contact or defensive reliability, it becomes tough to justify a roster spot, especially on a team trying to build a sustainable contender.
Enter Chase DeLauter and George Valera - two of the most intriguing young outfielders in the Guardians’ system, both of whom made their MLB debuts late in 2025. Valera’s debut was long-awaited, delayed by a string of injuries throughout his minor league journey. He hit just .220 over 16 games, but his go-ahead homer in the postseason was a reminder of the upside that made him a top prospect in the first place.
DeLauter’s arrival was even more dramatic. He became just the sixth player in MLB history to make his debut in the postseason, and while that’s a tough stage to step onto, the Guardians clearly believe he’s ready to compete for everyday at-bats in 2026.
Noel, who had been seen as a potential right-handed complement to the lefty bats of DeLauter and Valera, suddenly found himself without a clear path to playing time. The Guardians made the call - and now that right-handed role falls squarely on the shoulders of Johnathan Rodríguez.
And make no mistake: Rodríguez just became one of the most important players on this roster.
That might sound like a stretch for a player with a .176 career average in 44 big league games. But context matters.
Rodríguez is now the only right-handed hitting outfielder on Cleveland’s 40-man roster. That’s not quite a crisis, but it’s close - especially for a team that leaned heavily into platoon advantages last season and saw real results from it.
Rodríguez has shown he can hit - in the minors, at least. He was the International League MVP in 2024 and owns a .301 average across 252 Triple-A games.
But that success hasn’t translated yet at the major league level. And the last impression he left wasn’t great: an 0-for-3 performance in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, capped off by a defensive miscue in the outfield that led to a Tigers run.
Under normal circumstances, that kind of outing might land a player on the bench for a while. But these aren’t normal circumstances. With DeLauter, Valera, Steven Kwan, and Nolan Jones all hitting from the left side, Cleveland needs a right-handed bat to balance things out - and Rodríguez is, for now, the only real option.
There are a few other names in the mix. Daniel Schneemann, another lefty, could see time in a utility role.
Angel Martínez, a switch-hitter, might get a look in center field - though that’s not his natural spot. Gabriel Arias could move around the diamond, but again, we’re talking about infielders being asked to fill outfield roles.
This isn’t exactly a deep bench of natural fits.
That’s why Rodríguez matters. The Guardians are banking on the idea that his minor league success - and his track record of hitting left-handed pitching - will eventually translate.
We’ve seen glimpses. Late last season, he delivered a go-ahead two-run homer against the Rangers to help Cleveland clinch a postseason berth.
The next day, he followed it up with a two-run single - both hits coming off lefties.
Those moments are why the Guardians haven’t closed the book on him. But they also highlight the risk. If Rodríguez doesn’t take a step forward in 2026, Cleveland’s outfield depth - particularly from the right side - could become a real issue.
The good news? With Valera and DeLauter in the mix, the Guardians’ outfield is trending in the right direction.
There’s more talent, more upside, and more long-term potential than there was a year ago. But for now, it’s hard to ignore the gap on the right side of the plate.
Rodríguez has the tools. He’s shown he can hit lefties.
But if Cleveland wants to keep its platoon-heavy approach rolling, they’ll need more than just potential. They’ll need production - and soon.