Inbox: Who will Guards take with No. 1 pick? Who could debut next?

This story was excerpted from Mandy Bell’s Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- It’s May 29 and the Guardians are 19 games above .500 (37-18) -- something very few people would have predicted coming into the season. What’s gone right? What could be going better? What’s in store for the future?

Let’s try to answer some of those questions in this edition of the Guardians Inbox.

What have you heard about how the Guardians will approach the [No. 1 overall] pick? Is there a favorite? Also, who do you think will be the next position player to make their Major League debut? -- @FranmilsEyebrow

Unsurprisingly, the Guardians are keeping their cards close to their chest. But in MLB Pipeline expert Jim Callis’ latest mock draft, he cites other clubs believing Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana is higher on Cleveland’s list than Georgia outfielder/third baseman Charlie Condon. If the Guardians are solely trying to fill their lack of power, Condon may end up being the guy. But it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s one of these two players.

My best guess for the next position player debut is Daniel Schneemann. He’s more than earned a callup at this point as a 27-year-old raking with Triple-A Columbus. Plus, his defensive versatility is attractive, too. The Guardians just need to find room for him on the Major League roster.

Is Kyle Manzardo ever going to play in the field? He's a first baseman and Josh Naylor could probably use a day off. -- @MImblum

The Guardians were very clear that the plan will be for Manzardo (Cleveland's No. 2 prospect and No. 38 overall in MLB) to mostly stick to DH. He’s practicing in the outfield, but he’s never really played there before, so it might take time before that’s an option. On the days that Naylor gets to rest (which are very few), Manzardo will play first. But for now, expect the bulk of his reps to come as a DH.

Do you think Tyler Freeman stays in the lineup full-time when Steven Kwan gets back? -- @DaveyGoBucks

Freeman was in the lineup when Kwan was in the lineup before, so I don’t see that changing when Kwan gets back. Freeman has locked up center field for now, and since he’s been hitting the ball well, there’s no reason to take him out of the lineup. He’ll surely move out of the leadoff spot, but he won’t be out of the lineup altogether.

Is there a realistic chance we see Chase DeLauter in the big leagues this season? -- @Vogt_Enjoyer

For a brief moment, this answer was no. But because DeLauter (Cleveland's No. 1 prospect and No. 21 overall in MLB) was able to avoid surgery and was activated from the injured list in Akron on Tuesday, there is still a chance. However, missing a month of development time will significantly impact his timetable and he’ll need to show improvements from the way he started the season before he moves up the chain. It’s not a guarantee, but there’s a chance.

Do you think that they will be in on the starting pitching market at the Deadline (at this point)? -- @mlbfeeeli

At this point, yes. If the Guardians are in contention like they are now, they’ll need some starting depth, even if Gavin Williams is back and healthy.

Any chance Guardians can sign Shane Bieber to a one-year deal, and keep him for another season? -- @kevingillman9

The Guardians have a much better chance of pulling this off now than they did coming into the season. In January, it was all but certain that Bieber would no longer be in Cleveland beyond 2024. But after he learned he’d need right elbow surgery following his second start of the season, his value plummeted.

Maybe Bieber could’ve been traded at the Deadline this year. Maybe he would’ve walked into free agency. Regardless, the Guardians weren’t going to be the big spenders he was looking for, especially if he had a huge year this year. But with the risk that comes with a pitcher coming back from elbow surgery, teams may not be willing to scratch the biggest check. That puts Cleveland back in contention to re-sign its ace.

Bieber will certainly still try to test the market, but a reunion with the Guardians is no longer off the table.

What would you say is the biggest difference about this year’s team at this point of the season vs. last year? -- @Munited_ali

Two things: Power and Austin Hedges. The Guardians changed their hitting philosophy over the winter, making sure they’re impacting the ball rather than simply making contact to put the ball in play. And Hedges brings a veteran leadership and unmatched energy/positivity that was missing last year.