Cleveland Baseball Insider

Overreactions To Guardians First Spring Training Game

This is what stood out after the Cleveland Guardians first Spring Training game of 2023.

Tommy Wild

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The first Spring Training game is officially in the books for the Cleveland Guardians. They lost on a walk-off home run to the Cincinnati Reds with a final score of 3-4. 

Even though Cleveland didn't come away with the win, these games are all about improvements and seeing what you have as a team and there's a lot to talk about. With the game one over with, let's overreact to some of the plays and players we saw.

David Fry Forcing His Way Onto Big League Roster

The first home run of 2023 went to minor leaguer David Fry. In the top of the second inning, he blasted one to deep left-center and the ball sailed right over former Cleveland Guardian Will Benson and the wall.

Saying that Fry is forcing his way onto the Big League roster may be an overreaction but it's closer to fact than fiction. He had a tremendous 2022 season in the minors which included 17 home runs.

It wouldn't be too surprising to see Fry make his Big League debut in 2023. However, the complication is that he isn't currently on the 40-man roster.

Gabriel Arias Is Ready To Hit .300 This Season

Gabriel Arias put together one of the more impressive stat lines from the first Spring Training game. He ended the day going two-for-three at the plate including a pair of hits and a strikeout.

His first hit was an opposite-field knock that put Steven Kwan in position to score and take the early lead during the next at-bat.

Arias had a difficult time finding his rhythm in the few call-ups he had during the 2022 regular season, but he provided a spark for the Guardians in the playoffs. It seems he's ready to take the next step in 2023, even if that's a reliable utility man on the bench.

Oct 18, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Cleveland Guardians first baseman Gabriel Arias (8) reacts after striking out against the New York Yankees during the second inning in game five of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Herrin - Guardians Secret Bullpen Weapon

The Guardians had a lot of great showing out of the bullpen today. The most impressive one though went to Tim Herrin who pitched one inning and recorded a strikeout during that time.

Herrin was throwing some nasty pitches to the opposition and there was a lot to like about the possibility of seeing him out of the bullpen in the Majors. He's a lefty which is something that is lacking in Cleveland's pitching staff.

Herrin has a long way to go to reach the Big League team, but the potential is definitely there. 

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Read More:

Cal Quantrill Shares His Thoughts On MLB's New Pitch Clock

WATCH: David Fry Hits First Home Run For The Guardians In 2023

What To Watch For In First Guardians Spring Training Game

Guardians Reveal Lineup For First Spring Training Game

Guardians 2023 Top 50 Prospects, No. 46 INF Dayan Frias

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Tommy Wild
TOMMY WILD

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