In this latest edition of our 2024 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Busts series, we will focus on the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians have fairly low expectations for the upcoming season. Although this is the case, they still have some notable sleepers worth targeting. Thus, let’s discuss the Guardians’ top sleepers and also look at their biggest bust candidate.
Cleveland Guardians Sleepers and Busts for 2024 Fantasy Baseball
Draft Day Sleepers
Steven Kwan, LF
Steven Kwan is one Guardians sleeper who fantasy baseball managers should consider. The 26-year-old appeared in 158 games last season for Cleveland, posting five home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .268 batting average. It was a decent season for him, but it also was a step back from his rookie campaign in 2022. In 147 games in 2022, he had a much better .298 batting average. His goal in 2024 is to regain that form.
Kwan has the tools to be an excellent contact hitter in the majors. When noting that he is heading into just his third MLB season, there’s a real chance that he will show signs of progress in 2024. The potential to be a .300-hitter is there, and it will be intriguing to see if he can do that this season. With that, fantasy managers should also consider the Guardians outfielder because he is an elite fielder, as evidenced by his back-to-back Gold Gloves. With that, he’s always a threat on the base paths.
Bo Naylor, C
Bo Naylor is another Guardians sleeper worth considering this season in fantasy baseball. The 23-year-old has a ton of potential and is a big-time candidate to have a breakout season in 2024. The 2018 first-round pick showed great promise this past season when in the majors. In 67 games, he had 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .237 batting average. While he struggled a bit hitting for contact, he made an impact with his power. Now, his goal is to build off it in 2024.
Once you start to see the notable catchers coming off the board, Naylor is a player to consider. The potential for him to be a big contributor for the Guardians this season is there, and he will be a steal if he takes another step forward in his development this campaign.
Draft Day Bust
Andres Gimenez, 2B
Andres Gimenez is one Guardians player who raises some red flags for the upcoming season. After hitting 17 home runs and .297 in 2022, his production at the plate dropped off in 2023. In 153 games last season, he had 15 home runs, but his average dropped to .251. That is a sizeable drop that naturally warrants attention
While Gimenez certainly carries value with his base stealing, other players in the league provide that with more consistency at the plate. Due to this, unless you scoop him up in the later rounds, he is a player who has the potential to be a real bust in 2024.
Nevertheless, the Guardians have some interesting players to keep an eye on this season. Kwan and Naylor are looking to take steps forward, while Gimenez’s goal will be to make a bigger impact at the plate.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.