Cleveland's Newcomer Debuts
Cleveland Calls Up Top Prospect Cooper Ingle for MLB Debut Amid Injury Struggles
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Cooper Ingle made his major league debut for the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night, batting fifth as designated hitter against the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old becomes the ninth player to debut for Cleveland this season, according to Associated Press.
Ingle was called up from Triple-A Columbus after a wave of injuries gutted Cleveland's lineup. He hit .284 with a .416 on-base percentage and 12 home runs in 51 games this season, per NBC Sports.
Three Key Injuries Opened the Door for Ingle
Cleveland's roster fell apart during a mid-June series against Detroit. All-Star third baseman José Ramírez fractured his left hamate bone. Outfielder Angel Martínez broke his foot. Outfielder Chase DeLauter cracked ribs. All three went down within the same weekend, according to MLB.com.
The offense collapsed after those losses. Cleveland batted just .178 with runners in scoring position over their next nine games, per Associated Press. Manager Stephen Vogt needed a spark. Ingle was the answer.
A Fast Rise Through the Minors on Contact and Walks
Ingle was drafted in the fourth round out of Clemson in 2023. He won the High-A Midwest League MVP award in 2024, posting a .419 on-base percentage with Lake County, according to MLB Pipeline. He walked more than he struck out for three straight minor league seasons.
On June 18, just eight days before his call-up, Ingle hit three home runs in a single game against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, per NBC Sports. He carried a 17.3% walk rate and a 16.5% strikeout rate across 1,208 minor league plate appearances — a rare balance of discipline and contact.
Ingle Moves to Outfield to Keep His Bat in Lineup
Ingle is a natural catcher. But Cleveland already has elite defensive catchers on the roster. So the team started moving him to left field in late May to create a path to the big leagues, according to Baseball America. He made 29 starts at catcher, 12 in left field, and 12 at designated hitter this season.
Vogt said during Spring Training that he sees "a bright future" for Ingle. By batting him fifth on debut night, the Guardians made clear he is not a fringe call-up. He is a middle-of-the-order piece, per Associated Press.
Cleveland's Youth Movement Carries a Playoff Push
Ingle joins a growing list of young players making their mark in Cleveland this season. The Guardians entered Friday at 42-39, fighting for first place in the AL Central. Their farm system has produced nine big-league debutants this year, including 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana, according to Associated Press.
To make roster room for Ingle, Cleveland designated outfielder Stuart Fairchild for assignment, per MLB Trade Rumors. Ingle said before his debut, "I'm sure there's going to be nerves... hopefully get some reps under my belt and get comfortable." The Guardians are counting on those reps coming fast.
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