Brayan Rocchio’s Winter Ball Experience Bolsters Cleveland’s Playoff Hopes

DETROIT — Brayan Rocchio credits his experience from winter ball in Venezuela as a pivotal factor in his performance during the Major League Baseball playoffs. His contributions were instrumental in guiding his team, the Cleveland Guardians, to success in the American League Division Series (ALDS) against Detroit. Earlier this year, Rocchio played in the 2024 Venezuelan Winter League and emerged as a key player, helping his club secure the Caribbean Series championship in February.

Rocchio, a switch-hitting shortstop, showcased his skills during his stint in Venezuela, appearing in 20 games with an impressive batting average of .377, complemented by seven doubles, one home run, eight RBIs, and a remarkable .998 OPS. His performance included a critical go-ahead hit during the finals’ seventh inning of Game 2, a play that provided him valuable playoff experience.

“Being there I felt the pressure was real,” Rocchio stated through Guardians translator Agustin Rivero. “Playing there allowed me to know what it was like and what to expect in games like this.” Rocchio carried this experience into the playoffs, where he is currently hitting .333 with a .956 OPS over 10 at-bats through the first three ALDS games.

Rocchio has received support and advice from former teammates like Dodgers veteran infielder Miguel Rojas and ex-Royals infielder Alcides Escobar. They advised him to “keep the nerves down” and “enjoy the game,” emphasizing that these moments are rare.

Part of the Cleveland Guardians’ confidence stems from their trust in manager Stephen Vogt. Rocchio remarked, “What he’s done throughout the whole season has led us to where we are right now. We rely on him and believe that we’re always going to have a chance to win.” Vogt, alongside catcher Austin Hedges, has instilled a philosophy of maintaining a “cadence” and approaching every game with the intensity of a playoff match.

As Cleveland faces an elimination game, Rocchio expressed the team’s unwavering determination: “It’s nothing new for us. This is the same thing we’ve been doing all season, which is fighting, trying to win series.” Vogt reinforced this sentiment in his pregame remarks, stating, “We’ve been at our best when we have nothing to lose. For us it’s go out, have some fun tonight, enjoy playing playoff baseball, play carefree, play loose, go be yourself.”