The Guardians recalled first base/corner outfield prospect Jhonkensy Noel from Triple-A Columbus before this evening’s game with the Orioles. Cleveland optioned outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez in a corresponding move. Noel is starting at first base tonight against Grayson Rodriguez in what’ll be his major league debut.
Noel, who turns 23 next month, has occupied a spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster dating back to 2021. The Guardians kept him out of that winter’s Rule 5 draft even though he had yet to play above High-A. They’ve patiently allowed him to progress through the minor league ranks. Noel spent almost all of 2022 between High-A and Double-A. He played the entire 2023 season with Columbus, hitting .220/.303/.420 over 138 games.
The Guardians kept Noel on the 40-man roster through some pedestrian offensive performances. They’ve clearly anticipated a breakthrough from the 6’3″, 250-pound slugger. That indeed has come to pass this season. Noel has blasted 18 home runs across 284 trips to the plate, tying for second among International League hitters in longballs. The native of the Dominican Republic owns a robust .295/.359/.578 batting line on the year. After striking out 24.8% of the time during his first look at Triple-A pitching, he has trimmed that to a 21.1% clip this year.
Noel ranked 27th among Cleveland prospects at Baseball America entering the season. Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs ranked him 35th in the system in April. As one would expect for a player of his size, Noel draws praise for massive raw power potential. Both scouting reports question his plate discipline and note the high offensive bar to clear for a player with limited mobility who fits best at first base.
This is Noel’s final option year, so the clock is ticking for him to establish himself as a key piece of Cleveland’s roster. He’ll get that opportunity after his massive start to the season in Columbus. Top first base prospect Kyle Manzardo struggled in his first crack at MLB pitching earlier in the year and was optioned back to Triple-A last week. That leaves an opening at designated hitter alongside first baseman Josh Naylor if Noel hits his way to regular playing time on a Cleveland team that leads the American League with a 51-26 record.
Consecutive games with no Josh Naylor. Undisclosed injury?
Naylor hasnt hit lefties well so hopefully they are just getting him an extra day of rest
Guy pitching tonight for O’s is a righty though.
Yeah maybe just the extra day of rest, dunno why i thought Grayson was a lefty
If you look at his bbref link he bats lefty, that almost threw me off too. Hopefully it’s just an extra day off.
Noel has been on the radar for a while now. It will be interesting to see him in the bigs.
Congrats, young man!
Same here. I have been rooting on other teams more so than often due to the Reds playing as limp as a wet noodle.
I follow, if not root for, several teams due to a previous life and people I know.
Hit a home run in his first at bat.
Great debut!
His first name alone makes him an interesting prospect.
It’s pronounced jh-AAN-ken-zee for those wondering
I hear you pronouncing that “h”
Yeah that’s how I’m doing it with the “h” lol even tho they said on the air last night John-Kenzee
Hits one out of the park in his first MLB at bat!
That first AB was awesome. Noel will be a great addition to the clubhouse too!
If you hear any noise, it’s just me and j honkin’
Boom or bust bat. Lots of swing and miss and lots of thunder as he demonstrated his first time up
They showed the Columbus clippers clubhouse going crazy for him on the Guardians broadcast
I know another poster explained it recently but it still sounds stupid to refer to a player making his MLB debut as being recalled. I guess it could apply to a player who was on the MLB roster before but didn’t play. Outside of that, a player making an MLB roster for the first time, to me is being “called up” not “recalled”.
Saw Naylor favour left arm or hand after last AB vs Jays on Sunday.
Was clearly in silent pain.
Looks like a Yasiel Puig clone.
Hopefully doesnt burn out like franmil
Guy had had less than 5 games…let’s hold on before cloning him someone 2.0