3 biggest surprises from 2022 Cleveland Guardians Opening Day roster

3. Cleveland Guardians rolling dice on inexperienced bulllpen

Terry Francona loves himself some deep bullpen action, but to start the season, the unit looks like the weakest link on the roster, and that’s saying something considering the dire corner outfield situation.

At least the back end looks stable, with freshly extended Emmanuel Clase (24) ready to close. After that, it’s ageless wonder Bryan Shaw (34) and the only other 30-year-old relief hurler, Anthony Gose (31).

Gose, who converted to pitching after playing in the big leagues as an outfielder, can throw the ball through a wall, he just doesn’t have a ton of experience.

He pitched for Team USA in the Olympics last summer and did some good things before appearing with Cleveland at the end of the season. He fanned nine in 6.2 innings of work to close out the 2021 campaign.

One to watch will be second-year reliever Trevor Stephan (26). This a player the organization liked so much, they took him in the Rule-5 draft from the Yankees and then put him on the roster despite the fact he never pitched higher than Class AA.

There were some growing pains in his rookie campaign–he had a 4.41 ERA, but he did fan 75 in 63.1 innings.

I’m intrigued with Sam Hentges, who the Guards were forced to use as a starter in 12 of his 31 appearances last season. The 25-year-old lefty is 6-foot-6…there’s just something intimidating about him coming out of the pen.