Ponder the orb with us
It’s that time of year again – the intrepid staff writers of Covering the Corner predict the 2025 baseball season! In last year’s predictions, our staff projected a composite 85-77 record for the Guardians, beating public projections that had the team around 80 wins, but short of the team’s eventual 92-69 record. Our Brian Hemminger also nailed the eventual World Series matchup and outcome. Let’s see how we do this year!
Brendan’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 88-74
MVP: Jose Ramirez
Best rookie: Chase DeLauter (if healthy)
Breakout player: Kyle Manzardo
Key acquisition: Brandon Lowe
What are you looking forward to most in the 2025 Guardians’ season: Seeing Gavin Williams, Bo Naylor, Brayan Rocchio and Kyle Manzardo progress in their development
MLB Predictions:
AL East: Baltimore Orioles
AL Central: Cleveland Guardians
AL West: Texas Rangers
AL WC: Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
AL Cy Young: Logan Gilbert
AL ROTY: Jackson Jobe
NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers
NL West: LA Dodgers
NL WC: Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Dbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates
NL MVP: Francisco Lindor
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes
NL ROTY: Roki Sasaki
World Series matchup and winner: Mets beat the Mariners
Brian Hemminger’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 87-75
MVP: Tanner Bibee
Best Rookie: Andrew Walters
Breakout Player: Gavin Williams
Key Acquisition (if any): David Fry and Shane Bieber when they’re activated
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? I’m looking forward to seeing the young talent Cleveland has accumulated develop into true professionals. I can’t wait to see the crop of high schools arms we just drafted make their pro debuts.
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: Orioles
AL Central Winner: Tigers
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Guardians, Yankees, Astros
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr
AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
AL Rookie of the Year: Christian Moore
NL East Winner: Braves
NL Central Winner: Brewers
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Phillies, Padres, Reds
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
NL Cy Young: Spencer Strider
NL Rookie of the Year: Dylan Crews
World Series Matchup and Winner: Orioles over Dodgers
Tommy Pecoraro’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 86-76
MVP: Jose Ramirez
Best Rookie: Juan Brito
Breakout Player: Kyle Manzardo and Gavin Williams
Key Acquisition (if any): Trent Grisham
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season?
Seeing the change in team hitting philosophy after Grant Fink replaced Valaika.
AL East Winner: Boston
AL Central Winner: Cleveland
AL West Winner: Seattle
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Tampa Bay, New York, Baltimore
AL MVP: Aaron Judge
AL Cy Young: Joe Ryan
AL Rookie of the Year: Will Warren
NL East Winner: Philadelphia
NL Central Winner: Chicago
NL West Winner: Los Angeles
Three NL Wildcard Teams: San Diego,New York, Milwaukee
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
NL Cy Young: Zack Wheeler
NL Rookie of the Year: Jordan Lawler
World Series Matchup and Winner: Dodgers 4-3 over Red Sox
Nicole’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 91-71
MVP: Steven Kwan
Best Rookie: Doug Nikhazy
Breakout Player: Bo Naylor
Key Acquisition (if any): Brandon Lowe
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? Jose and Los together again.
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: Orioles
AL Central Winner: Royals
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Guardians, Tigers, Twins
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
AL Cy Young: Tanner Bibee
AL Rookie of the Year: Jackson Jobe
NL East Winner: Mets
NL Central Winner: Brewers
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Diamondbacks, Padres, Cubs
NL MVP: Freddie Freeman
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes
NL Rookie of the Year: Dylan Crews
World Series Matchup and Winner: Mets vs. Guardians. Guards in 7 (no rain delay)
Madelyn’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 85-77
MVP: Josè Ramírez
Best Rookie: Andrew Walters
Breakout Player: Bo Naylor
Key Acquisition (if any): I think the Guardians will acquire an under-the-radar infielder. While Carlos Santana was a good pickup, there’s no guarantee he’ll be his old self. If they can get a steady second baseman or even a shortstop to replace the often hot-and-cold Brayan Rocchio, they’ll be in a good spot.
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? I’m looking forward to seeing what the new-look starting rotation can accomplish. With veterans like Ben Lively, up-and-comers like Gavin Williams, and the eventual return of Shane Bieber, I think we’re in for a few (good) surprises this summer.
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: New York Yankees
AL Central Winner: Cleveland Guardians
AL West Winner: Houston Astros
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
AL Cy Young: Cole Ragans
AL Rookie of the Year: Jasson Domínguez
NL East Winner: Atlanta Braves
NL Central Winner: Milwaukee Brewers
NL West Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks
NL MVP: Francisco Lindor
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes
NL Rookie of the Year: Dylan Crews
World Series Matchup and Winner: Atlanta Braves beat New York Yankees
Matt Seese’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 88-74
MVP: José Ramirez
Best Rookie: Andrew Walters
Breakout Player: Brayan Rocchio for position players, Gavin Williams for pitchers
Key Acquisition (if any): starting pitcher rental if in contention
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? I’m most looking forward to this incoming Gavin Williams breakout. His stuff has been much better this spring, the walks are down, and he’s been more accurate as he’s not overextending as much. His slider will truly determine where his season goes, but I’m overwhelmingly positive about it.
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: Boston
AL Central Winner: Cleveland
AL West Winner: Texas
Three AL Wildcard Teams: KC/Tampa Bay/Seattle
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr
AL Cy Young: Logan Gilbert
AL Rookie of the Year: Roman Anthony
NL East Winner: Philadelphia
NL Central Winner: Milwaukee
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Arizona/Atlanta/Cincinnati
NL MVP: Ohtani
NL Cy Young: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
NL Rookie of the Year: Roki Sasaki
World Series Matchup and Winner: Dodgers over Rangers in 6
Zach F.’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 88-74
MVP: José Ramírez
Best Rookie: Chase DeLauter
Breakout Player: Kyle Manzardo
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? I am most excited to see the development of the young players, such as: Rocchio, Naylor, Manzardo, Williams, Bibee, Noel and DeLauter
MLB Predictions:
AL East Winner: Red Sox
AL Central Winner: Guardians
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Mariners, Astros, Tigers
AL MVP: Bobby Witt Jr
AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet
AL Rookie of the Year: Jacob Wilson
NL East Winner: Phillies
NL Central Winner: Cubs
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Padres, Mets, Braves
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes
NL Rookie of the Year: Matt Shaw
World Series Matchup and Winner: Dodgers over Guardians in 5 games
westbrook’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 84-78
MVP: Jose Ramirez
Best Rookie: Andrew Walters
Breakout Player: Gavin Williams
Key Acquisition (if any): Shane Bieber
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? No blackouts; a couple hours of normalcy in our lives every day
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: Red Sox
AL Central Winner: Guardians
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays
AL MVP: Gunnar Henderson
AL Cy Young: Garrett Crochet
AL Rookie of the Year: a Red Sock
NL East Winner: Braves
NL Central Winner: Cubs
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Phillies, Mets, DBacks
NL MVP: Francisco Lindor
NL Cy Young: Shota Imanaga
NL Rookie of the Year: Roki Sasaki
World Series Matchup and Winner: Dodgers over Dodgers Injured List
Quincy Wheeler’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 85-77
MVP: Jose Ramirez
Best Rookie: Juan Brito
Breakout Player: Kyle Manzardo
Key Acquisition (if any): Cedric Mullins
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? The Nolan Jones trade enables me to feel satisfied, not thrilled, with this offseason. I’m optimistic the team will be aggressive as needed in July. But, logic tells me that our bullpen will take a significant step back from their otherworldly 2024 numbers, even with needed reinforcements. I think they’ll still find a way to JUST sneak into the playoffs (I’ve got them +7 wins from the FanGraphs projection), but I look forward to them surprising me by doing more and winning a Central title. With that said, I’m most excited to see Jose Ramirez adding another chapter to his Hall of Fame story and Shane Bieber finishing out his time with the Guardians with some special moments.
MLB Predictions:
AL East Winner: Blue Jays
AL Central Winner: Tigers
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Red Sox, Astros and Guardians
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
AL Cy Young: Jacob DeGrom, Rangers
AL Rookie of the Year: Kumar Rocker, Rangers.
NL East Winner: Braves
NL Central Winner: Cubs
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Padres, Braves, Mets
NL MVP: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes, Pirates
NL Rookie of the Year: Dylan Crews, Nationals
World Series Matchup and Winner: San Diego Padres over Blue Jays
Zachary Martin’s Predictions:
Guardians Predictions – Record: 93-69
MVP: Steven Kwan
Best Rookie: Travis Bazzana
Breakout Player: Kyle Manzardo
Key Acquisition (if any): Brandon Lowe from the Rays
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? Seeing Kyle Manzardo & Tyler Freeman have significant impacts on the Guards, hopefully claiming full-time everyday starts.
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner: Red Sox
AL Central Winner: Guardians
AL West Winner: Rangers
Three AL Wildcard Teams: O’s, Tigers, Royals
AL MVP: José Ramirez, Guardians
AL Cy Young: Cole Ragans, Royals
AL Rookie of the Year: Kristian Campbell, Red Sox
NL East Winner: Phillies
NL Central Winner: Reds
NL West Winner: Dodgers
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks
NL MVP: Ronald Acuna Jr, Braves
NL Cy Young: Isoroku Yamamoto, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Matt Shaw, Cubs
World Series Matchup and Winner: Phillies Over Red Sox in 7
Matt Schlichting’s Predictions:
Guardians’ Predictions – Record: 91-70 (rainout)
MVP: Josey
Best Rookie: Andrew Walters
Breakout Player: Lane Thomas
Key Acquisition (if any): Nolan Jones I guess?
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season? This season is even more of a test for Vogt than last. There is some energy and excitement when a new manager has a great first season but like a hitter who is hot when he first makes the Show the league can adjust. The things that worked last year and are still the right decision might not break the right way. There is a kind of stubbornness that is a really good quality in a manager; If you know it’s the right call you should make it every time even when things suck.
MLB Predictions:
AL East Winner: New York
AL Central Winner: Detroit
AL West Winner: Seattle
Three AL Wildcard Teams: Baltimore, Cleveland, Texas (of Anaheim, of Rangerdom)
AL MVP: Josey
AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
AL Rookie of the Year: Jackson Jobe
NL East Winner: New York
NL Central Winner: Chicago
NL West Winner: Los Angeles
Three NL Wildcard Teams: Atlanta, Arizona, Philadelphia
NL MVP: Shohei
NL Cy Young: David Peterson
NL Rookie of the Year: Matt Shaw
World Series Matchup and Winner: Tigers vs. Diamondbacks. Diamondbacks in six, a rabbit delays game six while hopping across the field and Detroit suffers 127 years without a playoff appearance due to the Playoff Hare Curse
Composite CTC Staff Guardians 2025 Record Prediction: 88-74
Now it’s your turn! Copy and paste the following prompt and put your answer in the comments!
Guardians Predictions:
Record:
MVP:
Best Rookie:
Breakout Player:
Key Acquisition (if any):
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Cleveland Guardians season?
MLB predictions:
AL East Winner:
AL Central Winner:
AL West Winner:
Three AL Wildcard Teams:
AL MVP:
AL Cy Young:
AL Rookie of the Year:
NL East Winner:
NL Central Winner:
NL West Winner:
Three NL Wildcard Teams:
NL MVP:
NL Cy Young:
NL Rookie of the Year:
World Series Matchup and Winner: