Brayan Rocchio's Bizarre, Brief Big League Call Up

The Cleveland Guardians called up top-ranked prospect Brayan Rocchio, only to send him back to Triple-A a day later.

Fans erupted on social media when the Cleveland Guardians announced on Wednesday morning that they had promoted their 22-year-old, sixth-ranked prospect, Brayan Rocchio. However, the events that would follow would leave fans confused about what just happened.

There were some rumors about Rocchio possibly getting the call-up to the Big League Club on Tuesday night, however, nothing had been confirmed by the organization. Then the team announced on Wednesday that the shortstop was in fact in Detroit and available to play.

We even got the social media post with Rocchio's name and debut patch on it and everything!

Fresh threads.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/oHmjDht0Qj

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 19, 2023

However, Cleveland's game came and went and Rocchio never saw the field or appeared at the plate.

Shortly after the game was over, reports said that Rocchio would be optioned back down to Triple-A and his short-lived time with the Big League Club was over. Rocchio was given the lineup card as a souvenir from his time with the team. 

It was disappointing that there was so much hype and build-up around Rocchio being promoted and he never got in the game. But, there is a decent explanation for why the prospect was with the team.

Both Amed Rosario and Tyler Freeman are banged up at the moment, but neither of them has officially been put on the injured list. That left Gabriel Arias as the team's only true shortstop on the Big League roster. If something happened to him then the Guardians would've been in trouble. 

Rocchio was with the team purely as a precaution. The roster spot was available because Enyel De Los Santos was on the paternity list and Hunter Gaddis was optioned back to Triple-A.

This was definitely not the "debut" that Rocchio and Cleveland's fans envisioned, but there's no doubt in my mind that Rocchio will get his shot soon. Plus, I'm sure Terry Francona and the organization were very clear with Rocchio about their intentions with having him with the team.

Rocchio doesn't just have All-Star potential, but Superstar material. Once he gets his chance he's going to put on a show!

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Photo Credit © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports