Luck Starting To Turn For Will Brennan, Guardians News

Cleveland Guardians: Will Brennan has had an unlucky start to the season.

Will Brennan put in a lot of work over the offseason and spring training to rework his swing. That grind hasn’t quite translated to production on the field early on for the Cleveland Guardians outfielder.

However, it’s not all his fault. 

Brennan entered Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners with a .167 batting average. One would think that means he’s in a slump to start the season. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Will is barreling balls, but defenders are making tremendous plays to rob hits from him.

Julio Rodriguez robbed two hits from Brennan in the series opener, one that look like it was going to be a home run.

He currently has an xBA (a stat that uses exit velocity and launch angle to determine if that batted ball will become a hit) of .286. Brennan has been one of the most unlucky players through MLB’s first handful of games in the 2024 season and this advanced stat proves it. 

Luck may be starting to turn for him though. Brennan put together a tremendous at-bat against one of baseball’s best pitchers Luis Castillo. He took pitches he didn’t like and fouled off ones that were close until he took his chance and smoked a ball to right field.

Apr 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Will Brennan (17) reacts after reaching second base on a fielding error by Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17, not pictured) during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Cleveland scored a run on the play. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

This play got even better for Brennan as Mitch Haniger misplayed the ball and allowed it to get past him allowing Jose Ramirez to score and Will to advance to second. Finally, Brennan gets back a little bit for what was taken from him.

After Cleveland’s victory on Tuesday, Brennan joked “I need to just stop hitting it to people.”

It’s unfortunate that Will hasn’t been on the wrong end of a few highlight plays to start the season. However, it’s important that he keeps his head down and sticks with his approach and adjustments because the potential for him to have a big season for the Guardians is there.