Patience Starting to Pay Off for Guardians’ Brayan Rocchio

Whatever success the Cleveland Guardians had during the 2026 season was always going to come down to the development of the team’s

By looking simply at Rocchio’s counting stats, it looks like he’s off to a rather slow start to the year. The switch-hitter owns a .200/.344/.340 slash line. What those numbers don’t account for is the quality of at-bats Rocchio is putting together.

One of Rocchio’s biggest criticisms throughout the first two years of big-league action was his swing and miss and decisions to swing at pitches out of the zone. He’s showing much improvement and patience in that category as well.

Through 62 plate appearances this year, Rocchio has been making much more contact, and he's improved at not chasing pitches outside of the zone. That newfound plate discipline has helped Rocchio strike out less and walk more.

is carrying a strikeout rate of 9.7 percent (96th percentile) and a walk rate of 14.5 percent (83rd percentile). If that holds throughout the year - Yes, it’s still early - then it would be a career high in each category for the 25-year-old.

Apr 13, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Plus, Rocchio is seeing more pitches per plate appearances than he did a year ago, too.

Even though some of the advanced numbers may favor Rocchio’s patience and new plate approach, the overall stats and production are still waiting to turn in his favor.

However, we’re starting to see that play out. In Rocchio’s last seven games, he has a .811 OPS, including two home runs. One of those homers came in Cleveland

Manager Stephen Vogt is taking note of all the tweaks, improvements, and patience Rocchio has shown this season, and he’s encouraged about where it could lead from here.

“Rocchio’s had really good at-bats, and not much to show for it, and doing a good job taking walks,” said Cleveland’s skipper. “That's why we like him in the nine-hole. Get on base for the top of the order, and he's been doing a great job with that, and maybe not getting the results.

If Rocchio can maintain this patience throughout the season and force pitchers to pitch to him, the 25-year-old will only become more valuable to the Guardians.

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