CLEVELAND — Kyle Manzardo had been dreaming about the moment since the neighborhood wiffle ball days of his childhood.
“To kind of see it all come to fruition has been a very unique feeling,” he said.
The 23-year-old Manzardo made his highly anticipated Major League Baseball debut Monday night for the Guardians (12-23). Serving as the designated hitter, he batted seventh in the lineup in a 2-1 win over the American League Central foe Detroit Tigers (18-17) at Progressive Field.
The only problem with Manzardo’s big night? He struck out swinging in each of his three at-bats.
“Welcome to the big leagues,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s hard to hit here, and it’s Day One. He’s here. He’s earned it. Be yourself. Everybody’s going to have a three-strikeout game, and if you haven’t, you haven’t been here long enough.
“So it was fun to have him. He’s smiling ear to ear after the game because winning matters here. And, yeah, your personal stats are important, obviously, but winning is what matters here.”
The Guardians promoted Manzardo from Triple-A Columbus on Monday afternoon, when they also placed standout left fielder and leadoff hitter Steven Kwan on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury the club expects to sideline Kwan for four weeks.
Here’s what to know about the Guardians calling up Manzardo:
How Kyle Manzardo found out he would make MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians
Manzardo expected to play his usual position of first base for the Columbus Clippers on Sunday against the visiting Toledo Mud Hens, but when he showed up to the ballpark club officials told him he would be idle. After the Clippers prevailed 5-3, manager Andy Tracy attempted to prank Manzardo.
“Trace called me in and told me that they were going to go in a different direction, kind of told me a little bit and then let me know that I was going up,” Manzardo said with a laugh.
More on Guardians’ win vs. Tigers: Jose Ramirez sets a franchise home run record, passing into Hall of Famer
After learning the news, Manzardo’s first phone call went to his parents, Paul and Windy, so they could scramble to book flights. Manzardo told the Beacon Journal his parents had to fly from Spokane, Washington, to Denver to Cleveland to arrive around 3 pm Monday. First pitch was 6:10 pm
“I was super excited, but it hadn’t really quite set in yet when I talked to my parents initially,” Manzardo said. “But they were both thrilled.”
Steven Kwan out with injury: Cleveland Guardians reveal how much time they expect outfielder to miss
What Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told Kyle Manzardo ahead of his MLB debut
Manzardo is the No. 2 prospect in the Guardians organization and No. 52 overall, according to MLB Pipeline. The Guardians acquired him last summer when they traded starting pitcher Aaron Civale to the Tampa Bay Rays. At the time, Manzardo said he was recovering from a subluxation of his left, non-throwing shoulder.
Which areas of Manzardo’s game have he focused on improving lately?
“I’ve really been kind of honing in this season on trying to hit the left-handed pitchers I was facing in Triple-A, and I have been hitting them a lot better this year than last,” said Manzardo, who bats left -handed. “And then just continuing to get better defensively.”
In 29 games at Triple-A Columbus this season, Manzardo hit .303 with a 1.017 OPS, nine home runs, 10 doubles and 20 RBIs in 109 at-bats. In 13 spring training games, he hit .381 with a .934 OPS, two doubles and two RBIs in 21 at-bats. A Washington State product, Manzardo was a second-round draft pick of the Rays in 2021.
“Very good hitter with power,” Vogt said. “He manages the bat well, and he can hit the ball out of the yard if the pitcher makes a mistake. He didn’t get big one time during spring training. That was my biggest takeaway with him. “It was just he took his at-bat, and it’s going to be fun to watch him play.”
Vogt congratulated Manzardo when he reported to the Guardians.
“Anytime a player makes their major league debut, it’s a great day for them and for their family,” Vogt said. “I just told him, ‘Hey, man, you’ve earned this. Go be yourself. What got you here is what’s going to keep you here. And it’s going to take a lot of work, and I know you’re ready for that, but excited for you and for your family.’”
What is the Guardians’ plan for Kyle Manzardo?
Manzardo will primarily DH for the Guardians, Vogt said.
“They told me I’d be doing a lot of DHing short term and then mixing in at first,” Manzardo said.
It’s not a surprise because the Guardians have stood out Josh Naylor at first base. Manzardo noted he tried to observe and follow the lead of Naylor and five-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez during spring training.
Vogt said Manzardo will moonlight in the outfield, too.
“We just want to create as much versatility as we can with our roster,” Vogt said. “But, as of right now, I would say he’s going to get the majority of his reps at DH.”
Guardians vs Tigers: More on Kyle Manzardo’s MLB debut
Kyle Manzardo is aware of Guardians fans being giddy about his promotion
If social media is any indication, Guardians fans are more than eager to see what Manzardo can accomplish in the big leagues. He is aware of the excitement.
“I get tagged on stuff on Twitter and stuff,” he said. “I try to stay off it, but it means a lot to have that kind of support when you’re first starting out.”
Vogt spoke as if he doesn’t want to add to the hype.
“I just want to watch him, let him be himself,” Vogt said. “I think too many times we have expectations of what people are going to be or what we think they should be. Kyle earned his way here. “I only saw him for six weeks of spring training, so I’m excited just to get to know him as a person and him as a ballplayer and see where it goes.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
