RADIO
Kyle Manzardo Packs on Muscle in Offseason
The Athletic's Zack Meisel wrote in December that Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo added 14 pounds of muscle since the end of the 2025 season. The Guardians want him to hold up better physically and be a candidate for more reps at first base in 2026. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Washington State played in 142 regular-season games last year in his first full year in the big leagues, hitting .234/.313/.455 with a .768 OPS, 27 home runs, 70 RBI, 47 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 531 plate appearances. Manzardo appeared in 84 games as the designated hitter while manning first base 55 times. He'll be a legitimate late-round source of power and should start at first base more often with Carlos Santana no longer around. If Manzardo can improve against lefties -- he hit just .186/.253/.419 against them -- he'll have true breakout potential in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
