Cleveland Guardians Top 15 Prospects

The Cleveland Guardians are a well-oiled machine. Constantly in contention in the American League, Cleveland has carved out an identity for themselves both offensively and on the mound. That said, the Guardians have clearly adjusted the archetype of bats they pursue, targeting higher variance prospects in recent years compared to the more hit-tool driven profiles in the past.

The 2025 Draft class is a great example of just that, with prospects like Jace Laviolette, Aaron Walton and Nolan Schubart, who provide exciting power and speed potential but with plenty of hit tool concern.

The Guardians seemingly always spawn arms, with the majority of their rotation and bullpen being homegrown pieces. That said, even with the graduation of Chase DeLauter and soon Travis Bazzana, the Guardians system leans hitter-heavy in 2026.

1. Ralphy Velazquez – 1B – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 235 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (23), 2023 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

A big left-handed slugger, Velazquez shook off a rough second half in 2024 with a very impressive 2025 that saw him sprint through the finish line by OPSing nearly 1.000 in the second half, which included a Double-A promotion. He looks like a potential middle-of-the-order masher for the Guardians.

Hitting

Starting crouched with a wide base and the bat rested on his shoulder, Velazquez features a simple load, coiling inwards as he pulls his hands backwards to his slot. The stretch and his powerful lower half help him create plenty of torque, already boasting plus power to the pull side.

Being so rotational can sometimes take Velazquez off of pitches on the outer third, but it appears to be more of a matter of an aggressive intention to pull something hard in the air rather than an inability to stay on such pitches. That said, he looked far more adjustable in 2025 and has continued to develop into a well-rounded hitter.

Velazquez destroys fastballs and was particularly impressive against higher velocity where he boasts contact rates you don’t often see from a hitter of his archetype.

He really gained comfort in getting into his power consistently in 2025, boasting a hard-hit rate of 50% and a groundball rate of 36%. His 90th percentile exit velocity in the second half climbed north of 107 mph as he had little issue adjusting to Double-A pitching.

Between the raw power and angles, it’s easy to dream on 30+ home run potential for Velazquez with the contact skills to get into it. His progress, approach-wise, has only improved, further insulating an already rock-solid power profile.

Defense/Speed

After initially drafting him as a catcher, the Guardians opted to move Velazquez to first base and allow him to focus on his development with the bat. He moves his feet well enough for his size and should grow into an average defender at the position.

Outlook

Velazquez entered the 2025 season with only Low-A success under his belt and finished the year by looking like one of the most well-rounded power-hitters in the Minor Leagues. The leap in Velazquez’s quality of contact, paired with a dwindling strikeout rate, makes it easy to buy stock in the slugger as he enters his age-21 season (he will be 20 years old for the first few months of the 2026 campaign).

Already with dominance at Double-A, Velazquez looks like a player who can debut at before his 22nd birthday. There’s 30+ home run upside for Velazquez, who also boasts the contact skills and approach to provide an extremely sound middle-of-the-order offensive profile if it all comes together.

2. Travis Bazzana – 2B – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (1), 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2026

Bazzana’s bat-to-ball has not proven to be as elite as it was projected to be as an amateur, but he still offers a high-floor offensive profile thanks to his blend of at least average hit and power, seasoned by plus or better swing decisions.

Hitting

Starting crouched with his hands relatively high and close to his slot, Bazzana gets into his back side with a leg kick and a slight pull backwards with his scap. Though it’s a big leg kick, Bazzana’s athleticism and body control allow him to repeat his moves well and consistently be on time. Though more whiff has crept into his game professionally, likely due to his max-effort swing, Bazzana has the feel for the barrel to impact the baseball at all four quadrants of the zone.

He is particularly adept at getting to pitches on the inside part of the plate, turning fastballs around in spots that would blow up a lot of hitters. He creates a great angle for pulling the ball in the air while remaining as efficient as possible to pitches in that location, showcasing comfortably above average to his pull side. He handles left-on-left matchups with ease and comfort as well.

Bazzana has a fantastic feel for the strike zone and stays committed to his approach. His willingness to get into deep counts resulted in more strikeouts at the upper levels, but he leverages his small strike zone well and will draw plenty of free passes. It’s closer to average hit and power, maximized by potentially elite swing decisions, but Bazzana flashes above-average pop to the pull side, and it would be silly to count him out from maximizing that as he gains more comfort at the higher levels.

Defense/Speed

Bazzana exclusively played second base in his draft year, where he is sure-handed with a fringy arm. A plus runner, it could be worth auditioning him in center field or left field, where his elite makeup and instincts could help him catch on quickly. He should provide value on the basepaths, swiping 17 bags on 19 tries through his first 111 pro games between 2024 and 2025.

Outlook

Though he’s maxed out physically, Bazzana leaves little on the table. His ceiling may be a bit more limited than other No. 1 overall picks, and while his first full pro season was slightly checkered due to injury, he showcased a skill set that makes him a high probability big league regular at second base.

If he can lean into the pull side power a bit more, Bazzana could push closer to 25-homer upside, but he currently projects as a high-OBP second baseman who can go 20-20 in his stronger seasons while striking out a bit more than people may expect from a player of his archetype.

3. Angel Genao – SS – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.1M – 2021 (CLE) | ETA: 2026

The prize of the Guardians’ 2021 IFA class, Genao immediately stood out with his polish at the plate and ability to pick it on the left side of the infield. He has tapped into a bit more impact since 2024.

Hitting

A switch-hitter, Genao starts slightly more crouched and open from the left side of the plate with his hands higher. He gets into a sizable leg kick from both sides with a big hand load, but has a good feel for his body and repeats his moves pretty well. As he faces more challenging pitching, he may benefit from toning down the operation, but the contact rates have been consistently strong through the lower levels. He has already flashed the ability to do so, sometimes simplifying to a toe tap with two strikes.

Power is unlikely to be a huge part of his game, but Genao offers a bit more impact than the other switch-hitting middle infield types in the Guardians org with an average exit velocity above 88 mph. He has more pop from the right side, with slightly higher exit velocities and lower groundball rates, while he makes more consistent contact from the left side.

Though he does not walk much, Genao makes good swing decisions overall and sticks to his approach, helping him perform better than most with two strikes. A well-rounded hitter, Genao has the ingredients to climb the minor leagues quickly.

Defense/Speed

Comfortable actions, a good arm and solid instincts give Genao a good chance at sticking on the left side of the infield. His range is fringy for shortstop, though the aforementioned instincts and arm strength help compensate. It took time for Genao to regain his quickness after a meniscus tear during spring training in 2023, but he is now moving like an above-average runner who could steal 20 bags annually.

Outlook

The most intriguing of the Guardians middle-infield prospects, Genao has made a big leap in 2024 thanks to health and simply settling into pro baseball. His feel for the game on both sides of the ball, likelihood of sticking on the left side of the infield and advanced ability to swing it from both sides make Genao a high-probability big leaguer who could grow into an above-average regular.

4. Juneiker Caceres – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 170 | Bat/Throw: L/L | IFA: $300,000, 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2028

A left-handed hitter with the potential for above-average hit and power, Caceres was one of the best hitters in the DSL in 2024 before showcasing more of the same in the ACL, earning a promotion to Low-A prior to his 18th birthday. Caceres possesses standout bat speed for his age and good hand-eye; it’s just a matter of converting it at the higher levels.

Hitting

A somewhat noisy operation, Caceres will start with the bat on his shoulder before getting into a sizable leg kick as he pushes his hands upwards. He gets by on hand-eye coordination and plus bat speed, but if he is able to smooth out his mechanics as he matures, there could be even more in the tank.

His hands can get somewhat wrapped behind him, likely causing his lower half to feel like it needs to leak out early, evident by the toes of his front foot facing the pitcher when he lands from his stride. That can cause him to pull off of stuff away and lose some power, and even then, Caceres ran a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105 mph with a max of 111.4 mph in his age-17 season.

With more power and refined mechanics, there could be a lethal combination of hit and power, but if he cannot clean up the mechanics, there could be some challenges against more difficult competition. There’s clearly a great feel for the barrel regardless, as he ran a contact rate of 85% in 2025.

Defense/Speed

The bat is ahead of the glove for Caceres, who will almost surely land in an outfield corner. He is an average runner with at least an average arm, but showcases enough speed to cover ample ground in a corner as his first step and routes improve.

Outlook

It’s a projection game with Caceres, but he is easy to dream on between his plus bat speed and natural feel for the barrel. If he can refine his mechanics, there will be even more in the tank, exit velocities-wise – in addition to simply maturing – and he will likely have much more success getting the ball in the air.

With gains in those two departments, plus power is not out of the question down the line.

Even if he does not reach that ceiling, it’s easy to envision at least average hit and game power for Caceres, with his raw pop aiding both departments. There’s plenty of time for the teenager to push towards the loftier outcome as he gets his second taste of Low-A in his age-18 season in 2026.

5. Braylon Doughty – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round, CB-A (36), 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

An athletic right-hander with a great feel to spin it, Doughty is an intriguing balance of polish and upside for a prep arm.

Arsenal

Doughty flexes his athleticism and balance on the mound by varying his leg kick to throw hitters off, sometimes holding it at the top or hesitating, other times working quicker to home while filling up the zone at a solid clip. Out of the stretch, Doughty works extremely quick to home and holds runners on well.

A three-pitch mix, Doughty’s fastball will sit 92-94 mph, but has pushed to the mid-90s in shorter spurts. The shape is somewhat standard at this point, but Doughty generates high spin rates, providing optimism that he can create more ride as he shores up his spin efficiency.

His best pitch is his 80-82 mph curveball with two-plane break, hovering around 2,900-3,100 rpm. It already has the looks of a plus pitch with a good feel to locate it east and west. Doughty will also throw a slider in the mid-to-upper 80s, also flashing plus, but it can blend with his curveball. The fourth offering for Doughty is a changeup in the mid-80s that flashes average but has been inconsistent for him, given his limited use of it.

Outlook

Doughty’s athleticism and feel to pitch make him the ideal template for an organization like the Guardians to build on and develop. Having flashed velocities as high as 97 mph, it will be interesting to see where Doughty sits in his first pro season, as well as if he can find more spin efficiency on his high-spin heater to push it closer to a plus pitch. With his quality breaking balls and a changeup that has a chance to develop into a viable offering.

6. Cooper Ingle – C – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 195 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 4th Round (125), 2023 (CLE) | ETA: 2026

A contact-oriented backstop with a great feel for the strike zone, Ingle has produced at each stop, putting himself in position for a 2026 call-up. Some added pop has aided his outlook, given the fringy defense.

Hitting

Starting with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his weight stacked on his back side, Ingle holds his back side well through his hovering stride against fastballs, but can drift a bit prematurely against secondaries. While he still gets bat on ball against secondaries at a similar clip, Ingle has historically seen his quality of contact dip against spin. His elite ability to recognize and lay off of breaking balls hedges the issue some.

Ingle’s feel for the barrel and patience stand out, producing plus contact rates and a chase rate that is consistently in the teens, resulting in an on-base percentage comfortably over .400 as a pro.

He is undoubtedly a hit-over-power bat, but there’s at least some feel to pull the ball in the air – especially fastballs – giving him the potential for around 12-15 home runs. If he can improve his quality of contact against secondaries, Ingle has the ingredients to supplement his on-base skills with plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

Ingle is an athletic catcher who moves well behind the dish. He split time between outfield and catcher at Clemson and appeared to have made progress as a catcher in 2024 before looking rougher around the edges in 2025. His arm is fringy, compensating with a quick transfer, but he’s still likely to be fringy at best in the catch and throw department. If he can regain the blocking and receiving progress he had previously made, there’s a path to fringe-average defense behind the dish.

Outlook

A high offensive floor and at least the ability to get by at catcher help solidify what is an overall solid floor. The athleticism to potentially be able to survive in left field, a position he at least played as an amateur, could give Ingle a David Fry type of outlook as well. His feel to hit and approach give him the potential to be a high-OPB, bulk platoon piece, and his slight uptick in power only helps his case.

7. Khal Stephen – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (59), 2024 (TOR) | ETA: 2027

A big right-hander with a low-effort delivery, Stephen fills up the strike zone with a hoppy fastball and intriguing secondaries that have leveled up since he turned pro.

Arsenal

While he mixes in five offerings, Stephen’s fastball sets the tone for his arsenal. He throws it north of 50% of the time, with the impressive characteristics it features setting up his secondaries well. Sitting 92-94 mph, Stephen generates plus carry and above-average extension from a somewhat short arm path, causing his fastball to get on hitters quickly and play well at the top of the zone.

Both Stephen’s slider and splitter are above-average offerings with good vertical action to pair with his heater. The mid-80s gyro slider picks up plenty of chase at the bottom of the zone, along with above-average groundball rates. The same could be said for Stephen’s splitter, which looks a lot like his fastball out of his hand, but averages barely over 1,000 rpm in the mid-80s. With more than 16 inches of vertical separation, Stephen picks up even more in-zone whiff with the pitch and gaudy groundball numbers.

The right-hander will also mix in a cutter that flashes at least average and a taste-breaking curveball. His strong command of the cutter helps it play like an average pitch more frequently.

Outlook

Stephen has quickly looked like a great get for the Guardians at the 2025 trade deadline. The big right-hander has impressed with his ability to pound the strike zone as a pro, particularly with his fastball and splitter, which both generate good whiff numbers within the zone. Stephen has the looks of a quality back-end rotation piece who is built to eat innings. He has the upside of a strong No. 4 option who could climb through the minor leagues quite quickly.

8. Robert Arias – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170 | Bat/Throw: L/L | IFA: $1.9M – 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2029

A speedy, contact-oriented outfielder, Arias earned a big payday ($1.9 million) in 2024, but turned in rather average campaigns at the DSL and CPX. Arias added strength heading into the 2026 season, helping his skill set translate more effectively as he starts at Low-A.

Hitting

In addition to maturing physically heading into 2026, Arias made some adjustments to his setup that have helped him be more balanced with his lower half while bringing his hands a bit higher. As a result, he has been able to move more athletically in the box with more repeatable moves.

Arias still has the tendency to step in the bucket and vacate with his front side, resulting in him leaving the ball at times and getting pull-happy. He hedges that concern with a good feel for the barrel and a solid feel for the strike zone, but Arias will likely need to improve his direction for the hit tool to trend to the above-average territory it ultimately can reach.

An uptick in exit velocities has come with the increase in strength, reaching closer to average, and there is likely more room for strength to tap into. Arias will likely be fringy at best in the raw power department, but his ability to pull the ball in the air could help him tap into a bit more impact.

Defense/Speed

A plus runner, Arias showcases good closing speed in center field with reads that have steadily improved. He has particularly made strides in tracking down balls hit straight over his head, with improved instincts and feel for where he is. The arm is fringy, and the jumps could still improve, but Arias looks the part of a guy who could stick up the middle and provide average defense. Arias has been an efficient and effective base stealer at the lower levels, with the quickness to expect it to continue to be a key part of his game.

Outlook

Arias looks the part of a contact-oriented speedster whose profile would be significantly aided by an ability to stick in center field. Still 19 years old for nearly the entirely of the 2026 season, Arias seems to be an arrow pointed upwards. For now, he projects as a pesky bottom of the order bat, but some added strength or further mechanical improvements could improve the outlook some.

9. Jaison Chourio – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.2M – 2022 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

The younger brother of Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, Jaison is a switch-hitter with good contact skills and athleticism. A shoulder injury capped him at just 87 games in 2025, in which he was inconsistent. Chourio looked healthy and stronger heading into 2026 with a skill set that should help him make up for some of the lost time in 2025.

Hitting

A switch-hitter with a similar setup from both sides, Chourio starts slightly open with a hovering leg kick that gathers him into his backside. His athleticism is evident in the box, showcasing impressive adjustability and a good feel for the barrel. The exit velocities have climbed some as he has matured, but Chourio is more likely to hover around 10 homers unless he adds a fair amount of strength to a frame that could accommodate it.

Chourio is patient and sticks to his approach, helping him walk more than he has struck out at the lower levels. He is still working on recognizing breaking balls more consistently, but hedges that with the aforementioned adjustability, getting to tough pitches with B swings.

While his left-handed swing is a little more natural, the splits have been pretty consistent from both sides of the plate in Chourio’s professional career. It’s hit-over-power, but his ability to draw walks and tap into sneaky pop could make him a steady bat at the bottom third of the order.

Defense/Speed

Despite being a plus runner, Chourio is a bit shaky in center field, both from a reads and actions perspective. He likely projects best in a corner where his above-average arm would play fine. Chourio has improved as a base stealer each season, looking like a potential 20-30 bag threat.

Outlook

Chourio’s feel to hit, approach and athleticism make him a higher-floor prospect, but the ceiling is likely somewhat capped, especially if he slides over to a corner. The lost reps in 2025 and closing speed encourage more patience for Chourio to develop as a center fielder, which would aid his outlook, given the archetype of hitter he is. He most likely lands as a hit-over-power left fielder who will really need to lean on his bat-to-ball skills and speed to be a big league regular.

10. Joey Oakie – RHP – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (84), 2024 (CLE) | ETA: 2027

The Guardians snagged Oakie in the third round but signed him to a $2 million bonus (roughly the 46th overall slot value) to forego his commitment to Iowa. He has loud stuff from a unique release, giving him the potential to miss a lot of bats, but he needs to find the zone.

Arsenal

Oakie features a long arm action from a low three-quarters angle that is difficult for hitters to pick up but also for him to repeat. His mid-90s four-seamer generates plenty of in-zone whiff with the run and ride he generates from his low release, especially at the top.

His slider has the potential to be a wipeout pitch, but the feel for it has been very touch-and-go. The sharp, late break it features in the mid-80s makes it devastating to righties while still effectively buried on the back of lefties. Oakie’s command of the pitch is very sporadic, likely due to his long arm action and inconsistent release point.

His changeup has progressed, looking less firm with nearly 15 inches of vertical separation, helping it flash above average at 86-88 mph. While the slider feel backed up a bit on Oakie, he has made some progress with his feel for the cambio. He will mix in a bridge cutter at 89-91 mph, which looks like it can be a quality fourth offering with improved command.

Outlook

Oakie has the kind of stuff that could fit into the middle of a rotation, but his below-average command makes it difficult to envision him reaching that plateau. The fastball and slider combination makes a potential late relief outcome a reasonable fallback, but still just 19 years old for the front end of the 2026 season, Oakie will have plenty of time to try to convert his athleticism on the mound into more repeatable mechanics.

He will likely need to shorten/clean up his arm action some in order to minimize the variance in his release point and arm timing. Acknowledging the upside, there’s a wide range of outcomes for Oakie, but until he throws more strikes, the most likely outcome will skew towards the bullpen.

11. Kahlil Watson – OF – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 5’9”, 180 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 1st Round (16), 2021 (MIA) | ETA: 2026

A great athlete who is somewhat of a late bloomer, Watson was a first-round pick by the Marlins, but he struggled with whiff before being acquired by the Guardians for Josh Bell. Watson improved across the board, cutting his strikeout rate to a palatable figure, improving his approach and moving to the outfield, where he looks like he could get by in center or play a solid corner.

Despite his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame, Watson packs a punch with above-average bat speed and batted ball angles that have steadily improved. He has above-average power upside with plus speed to pair.

It will be a matter of whether Watson can hit enough to get into it consistently, but the improved swing decisions and added defensive utility make it much easier to at least envision him filling a fourth outfield role. That’s why the Guardians added him to the 40-man roster following the 2025 season. Watson has the upside of a bulk platoon bat capable of playing all three outfield spots.

12. Welbyn Francisca – SS – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 5’9″, 170 | Bat/Throw: S/R | IFA: $1.3M – 2023 (CLE) | ETA: 2028

A prototypical Guardians prospect, Francisca is a switch-hitting middle-infielder with good bat-to-ball skills. He jumped out to a spectacular start to his pro career, turning in a 144 wRC+ at the DSL before following that up with a 143 wRC+ between the Arizona Complex League and Low-A in 2024. Francisca regressed in his second taste of Low-A, struggling to an 88 wRC+ and saw the start of his 2026 season delayed due to a shoulder issue.

Francisca is small, standing at 5-foot-8, 155 pounds, but flashed enough impact to complement his standout bat-to-ball skills in his strong 2024 season. He snuck in seven homers in 74 games while turning in a contact rate north of 80% from both sides of the plate. If Francisca can regain that form in 2026, there’s an everyday second base profile to dream on as he is likely to slide over to the right side of the diamond long-term.

A plus runner, Francisca should provide value on the basepaths as well. For now, he projects as a bench infield piece, but Francisca has time to regain his prior form and put himself back on a big league regular trajectory as he reaches High-A for his age-20 season.

13. Jace Laviolette – OF – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’6”, 230 | Bat/Throw: L/L | 1st Round (27), 2025 (CLE) | ETA: 2028

Big-time power and speed with the ability to stick in center is the draw, but there’s real concern that Laviolette won’t make enough contact for it to matter. His 71% contact rate in his collegiate career is about as low as you’ll ever see from a first-round pick. He hedges with a great feel for the strike zone and a solid ability to lay off of spin.

His lower half tends to take him out of his swing, collapsing onto his front side prematurely, causing him to miss under velocity and taking him off of spin. If Laviolette is able to stay taller through his swing, there’s standout bat speed and even more power to dream on.

Laviolette’s reads and routes are already solid in the outfield with an above-average arm to pair. If he moves to a corner, it’s easy to envision plus defense. Laviolette will need to improve his swing mechanics to project as a regular, but there’s a Matt Wallner-type outcome to dream on with more defensive utility.

14. Aaron Walton – OF – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | CB-B (66), 2025 (CLE) | ETA: 2028

A big-bodied outfielder with an impressive combination of power and speed, Walton offers intriguing upside. He hammers fastballs and is still working to close the quality of contact gap against secondaries, as his big leg kick can be difficult for him to manage at times.

Walton has long levers that allow him to hammer pitches to the pull side that are over the heart and even on the outer half. He consistently hits the ball in the air with a solid quality of contact floor that gives him above-average power upside.

A plus runner, Walton will get looks in center field, where his closing speed helps compensate for the shaky jumps he gets in the outfield in the early going of his pro career. The routes could be cleaner as well, making it more likely that Walton slides over to a corner where, with a bit more refinement, he can be an above-average defender.

The hit tool is likely to be fringy, but with above-average power, plus speed and solid defense in a corner, Walton has a chance to be an average regular in a corner with the fallback of a quality bulk platoon option.

15. Jacob Cozart – C – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2”, 215 | Bat/Throw: L/R | 2nd Round (16), 2021 (MIA) | ETA: 2026

A big-bodied catcher with defense as his calling card, Cozart turned in a relatively encouraging season offensively in 2025 after a slow start. He hit the pause button, not seeing any action between June 5-17, before turning in a 129 wRC+ the rest of the way between High-A and Double-A.

Cozart is likely to be light-hitting, but he doesn’t need to offer much with the bat to carve out a decent big league role, given his plus receiving skills and strong arm. He also earns high marks for his work ethic and the way he works with his pitching staff.

If Cozart can tap into above-average power, there’s a chance he can develop into a glove-first starting catcher given his patience in the box to complement. He most likely lands as a solid backup option or second division regular.

Other Names to Consider

Juan Brito – INF – (MLB): A switch-hitting utility infielder, Brito’s 2025 campaign was limited to 31 games due to injuries. The season prior, he really enjoyed a power breakout, launching 21 homers at Triple-A while walking nearly as much as he struck out. Brito is capable at second base and can fill in at third base, but he ultimately projects best at first base, limiting the value of his versatility some. There’s a solid blend of hit and improved power that gives Brito a second-division regular’s outlook. Given his lack of value with the glove, Brito will have to really hit to keep himself in the lineup.

Dean Curley – SS – (High-A): A second-round pick by the Guardians in 2025, Curley offers a very patient approach, average power and a good chance of sticking on the left side of the infield, though there’s a decent chance he slides to third base. Nothing jumps off of the page, but it’s a decently well-rounded profile that has Curley projecting like a potential infield utility piece unless he can convert his decent raw power into more slug.

Daniel Espino – RHP – (Triple-A): Once one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Espino missed more than three years of action due to multiple shoulder surgeries, remarkably returning to the mound in 2025, when his fastball touched 100 mph in the Arizona Fall League. Espino has since made the move to the bullpen, where his upper-90s fastball and low-90s slider give him the stuff to be a quality late-inning reliever if he can regain his command. As to be expected, the strike throwing is still a work in progress after multiple serious surgeries and such a long layoff, but Espino is knocking on the door of a long-awaited big league debut.

Dauri Fernandez – SS – (Low-A): Signed for a little over $200K in the 2024 IFA class, Fernandez turned in a decent pro debut in the DSL and followed it up with a fantastic showing in the Arizona Complex League in 2025, posting a 147 wRC+. Nothing jumps off of the page with Fernandez, but he looks like he can stick at shortstop with a solid feel to hit, above-average wheels and at least gap-to-gap power. He’ll be 19 years old for the entirety of the 2026 season, which he has started at Low-A.

Yorman Gomez – RHP – (Double-A): Gomez enjoyed the best year of his career in 2025, pitching to a 2.96 ERA between High-A and Double-A in 121 2/3 innings. It was a bit of a swingman role for Gomez, who made 15 starts and 12 appearances out of the bullpen, including three saves. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with decent carry, along with both a slider and sweeper that flash above average. He will mix in a changeup and slower curveball, but Gomez’s arsenal is more geared to keep righties in check. He will get a late start to his 2026 season due to a shoulder strain, but Gomez looks the part of a swingman with a chance to land as a back-end starter.

Josh Hartle – LHP – (Double-A): The third-round pick of the Pirates in 2024, Hartle was part of the Spencer Horwitz deal this offseason after underwhelming mightily in his draft year at Wake Forest. He looked like a clear-cut first-round talent after logging a 2.81 ERA and a 140/21 K/BB ratio in over 100 innings as a Sophomore in 2024, but a 5.79 ERA and diminished stuff catalyzed the slide down draft boards as a Junior.

Hartle’s stuff improved in his first pro season, as did his command, as he pitched to a 2.54 ERA in 113 1/3 innings, 103 1/3 of which came at High-A before he finished the season at Double-A. Hartle has some built-in deception from a low three-quarters slot. While he lacks a plus pitch, he generates more whiff than the stuff may imply with the aforementioned deception, and he has a knack for picking up groundballs. For now, Hartle projects more like a depth starter.

Alfonsin Rosario – OF – (Double-A): Acquired from the Cubs for Eli Morgan ahead of the 2024 season, Rosario was viewed as a toolsy project with exciting power potential. The contact skills are below average, but it’s comfortably plus bat speed that generated a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107 mph in 2025. He boasts a 70 arm in a corner outfield spot with decent speed, giving him the potential for above-average defense in a corner. The whiff issues and somewhat aggressive approach make Rosario more likely a flashy short platoon option.

Andrew Walters – RHP – (MLB): Walters boasts a standout heater and plus slider to pair, giving him a high-leverage reliever’s outlook if he can find a bit more consistency with his command. His season was cut short at the end of May in 2025 due to lat surgery, but Walters is healthy for the start of 2026. He will mix in a splitter as well that looks like a solid taste-breaker and helps his high-leverage case. Regardless, Walters is a big league reliever who should play a solid role in the Guardians bullpen for years to come.