BAZZANA

Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 170 | B-T: L-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: The Guardians won the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft via the second-ever draft lottery. Cleveland used the pick to take Oregon State second baseman Bazzana and sign him for $8.95 million. He was the face of a massive Guardians draft class that featured more than $19 million in bonus money. An Australia native, Bazzana brought a tremendous track record of high-level hitting ability, but his first full pro season was tarnished by a recurring oblique injury that limited him to 84 games. Splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, with a few post-injury tuneup games in the complex, Bazzana hit .244/.389/.424 with nine home runs and 17 doubles.

Scouting Report: Listed at 6 feet and just under 200 pounds, Bazzana is a physically maxed-out lefthanded hitter with impressive physicality and strength in both his lower and upper halves that he uses to power his swing. He can drive the ball to both gaps with authority, but he’s at his best when he’s pulling the ball in the air—something he did at an excellent clip in college. Bazzana’s oblique injury impacted his hitting mechanics at times in 2025, though the Guardians were happy with the strides he made in the second half of the season to improve the direction of his lower half, which leaked out more frequently than is typical for Bazzana. While his plus bat-to-ball skills and solid understanding of the strike zone give him the potential for on-base value and a chance for a plus hit tool, he is still refining his approach. He can get passive versus lefthanders and against secondaries from southpaws in particular. Being more aggressive and swinging with more intent in those scenarios was a developmental focus. Bazzana remains a plus runner when healthy, but his oblique injuries limited him a bit more than is typical on the bases. He was still an efficient runner and went 12-for-14 on stolen bases and is a good enough runner that the idea of him playing center field remains interesting. For now, that idea is purely theoretical, because all of Bazzana’s defensive innings have come at second base. Despite his plus speed, Bazzana shows just fringy range at second base, and that might be his biggest shortcoming. Scouts were impressed with his reliability at the position and believe he can be a fine defender who makes all the routine plays. Bazzana continues to throw from a low slot much of the time, though he has improved his slot versatility and ranges from a fringy to average arm.

The Future: Bazzana’s profile hasn’t changed significantly since draft day, and his combination of hitting prowess and usable power gives him occasional all-star upside. He’s expected to play for Australia in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. After that, he shouldn’t need much more minor league time before assuming Cleveland’s everyday second base job and adding more length to their lineup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45

DeLauter

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 235 | B-T: L-L

Age: 24

BA Grade/Risk: 60/Average

Adjusted Grade: 50

Track Record: DeLauter fell to the middle of the first round in the 2022 draft because of injury questions, and the Guardians pounced on his upside with the 16th overall pick. DeLauter has been every bit the player advertised when on the field, but he’s continued to battle injuries that have held him to just 138 games in three years as a professional. Foot injuries have plagued him for years, and in 2025 he had bilateral core surgery and right wrist surgery that added to his lengthy medical history. Even with the injuries, DeLauter became the sixth player in MLB history to make his MLB debut in the postseason when he logged two games in the Wild Card Series.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, DeLauter has a special blend of contact skills, impact and strike-zone awareness. He’s a selective hitter with a compact swing and has produced at every level he’s been at, with some of the best batted-ball data in the Guardians’ system. DeLauter’s pure hitting ability and power give him a chance to be a real middle-of-the-order bat who can hit for average with 30-plus home runs. Aside from injuries, DeLauter’s biggest question now is where he fits defensively. He runs enough to play center field, but his game speed is more solid-average or a tick above compared to his 60-grade straight line speed underway. He’s a fringy center field defender but is above-average in a corner, which is where a majority of his playing time has come in the minors—partially as a response to his durability questions. In Cleveland, DeLauter’s future defensive home might depend as much on team construction—where Steven Kwan is an elite defensive left fielder—as his own skill and ability.

The Future: DeLauter will go as far as his durability takes him, but if he’s on the field he looks like an impactful, above-average regular who can play all three outfield positions and help power a lineup.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60.

Velazquez

1B

Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 220 | B-T: L-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Coming out of high school in Southern California, Velazquez was a bat-first catcher with a strong hitting track record. After signing with the Guardians for $2.5 million as the 23rd overall pick in 2023, he quickly moved to first base. His 2024 season was solid but not loud, and in 2025 he progressed to the upper minors while hitting .265/.342/.497 between High-A and Double-A. Velazquez was one of eight minor league hitters with 20 or more homers at age 20 or younger.

Scouting Report: At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Velazquez is one of the most physical players in Cleveland’s system, though he has done a nice job taking advantage of the Guardians’ strength and conditioning resources to tighten his body composition. He has a powerful lefthanded swing that comes from a wide and crouched setup in the box. He has tremendous raw power that has led to exit velocities upward of 114 mph. While Velazquez is an aggressive hitter in terms of the frequency of his swings, he pairs that with a solid understanding of the strike zone and bat-to-ball skills that have always led to sustainable strikeout numbers. Velazquez has improved his batted-ball angles, which has helped him tap into his raw power more frequently and could also allow him to run higher BABIP numbers than anticipated given his well below-average speed. Velazquez continues to get some opportunities in left field, but he’s best positioned at—and overwhelmingly plays—first base, where he could become a solid defender with a plus arm. His mobility would make him a below-average defender in an outfield corner.

The Future: Velazquez’s pure offensive upside stacks up with Chase DeLauter in Cleveland’s system. He could become a plus hit, plus power everyday first baseman and middle-of-the-order masher. He should get a full season in the upper minors in 2026.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60

Genao

SS

Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 150 | B-T: S-R

Age: 21

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Genao signed as the headliner of Cleveland’s 2021 international class and put together a breakout 2024 season that has been sandwiched between two-injury plagued campaigns in 2023 and 2025. Genao had a right shoulder sprain in spring training in 2025 and didn’t get into official games until late May. After a tuneup in the Arizona Complex League, he spent the rest of the season with Double-A Akron, and then made up for lost time in the Dominican Winter League after the season.

Scouting Report: Genao is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound switch-hitter who features plenty of moving parts with his swing from both sides of the plate, but he’s always shown excellent bat-to-ball skills that allow him to keep his strikeouts in check. While his 2025 performance was subdued, Genao still looks like a contact-oriented hitter who can drive the ball to the gaps and handle both velocity and secondary pitches. He added more strength to his frame in 2025, though his home run power will depend on whether he’s able to elevate the ball more consistently. Genao has been a groundball and low line-drive hitter for multiple years, and that low launch profile is more extreme from the right side of the plate. His best contact might always be middle-of-the-field line drives, and even with above-average raw power he might never hit more than 18-20 home runs a season. Genao is a solid runner with enough range for shortstop and a plus arm that will be an asset on the left side of the infield. His tools for the position are better now than his skills, and he may simply need more refinement to become an average defender at the position.

The Future: Genao has the contact ability and tools to be a solid regular, though his ultimate upside will depend on how his batted-ball profile evolves. He is close to a big league opportunity.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Field; 50 | Arm: 60

Messick

LHP

Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 225 | B-T: L-L

Age: 25

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Messick signed with the Guardians for $1.3 million in the second round of the 2022 draft after a strong career as a starter at Florida State. He logged at least 100 innings in each of his full pro seasons and made his major league debut in 2025. Messick was crucial to Cleveland’s run to the postseason, posting a 2.72 ERA in seven starts in August and September.

Scouting Report: Messick is a 6-foot, 225-pound southpaw with command and deception who largely resembles the pitcher he was expected to be on draft day, though with a few refinements in the right direction. He throws a four-seam fastball in the 92-93 mph range that touches 95-96 from a low release point and with a flat approach that helps the pitch play up. His mid-80s changeup has long been viewed as a plus offering and his best pitch. That remains the case. It’s a weapon versus righties and helped him generate a 45% miss rate in the minors and a 31% miss rate in his MLB stint. Messick improved both his breaking pitches in 2025, though the improvement of his slider is the most obvious. He added three ticks of velocity to it, and the pitch now sits in the 85-87 mph range. His slider is at least an average pitch that gives him a reliable weapon versus lefties. Messick has also incorporated a two-seam fastball that is thrown more frequently versus lefties. He rounds out his arsenal with an upper-70s curveball that missed far more bats in 2025. While Messick might not have the elite command he showed in his major league run, he’s consistently been an above-average strike-thrower of multiple pitch types.

The Future: Other pitchers in Cleveland’s system have more upside, but Messick is a ready-made and reliable No. 4 or 5 starter. He continues to earn rave reviews for his makeup and work ethic.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55.

6 Doughty

RHP

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 196 | B-T: R-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Doughty was a top-two-rounds talent in the 2024 draft coming out of Chaparral High in California and signed with the Guardians for $2.57 million as the 36th overall pick. He lived up to his billing in his first pro season with Low-A Lynchburg, where he posted a 3.48 ERA across 85.1 innings with a 27.3% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate.

Scouting Report: Doughty is a 6-foot-1, 196-pound righthander who repeats his delivery well with great natural athleticism, a quick arm and a three-quarters slot. He was lauded for his strike-throwing ability as an amateur and backed up that reputation in his first extended look at pro ball. Doughty does an excellent job attacking the zone with a 93 mph four-seam fastball that touches 96-97 and has solid riding life. While the four-seam variant is his primary fastball, Doughty also has a two-seamer that’s a tick lighter on average and could be a useful piece at the bottom of the zone. He threw both fastballs for strikes more than 70% of the time in 2025. Doughty’s curveball is his primary swing-and-miss offering. It was always viewed as a potential wipeout offering and it looks even better in pro ball than it did as an amateur. Doughty now throws the pitch harder, in the low 80s, with the same snappy, hard-biting action that leads to plenty of buckled knees and chases below the zone. His ability to land his curveball in the zone consistently speaks to his advanced command. Doughty has a mid-80s changeup and has thrown a harder slider in the past—both of which could become bigger pieces of his arsenal in the future. He picks up pitch shapes quickly, and that could be a developmental lever that gets pulled down the line.

The Future: Doughty is a high-probability starter with midrotation upside who is ready for High-A competition in 2026. He’s a few years away but is one of the most exciting arms in Cleveland’s system.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 65 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 60.

7 LaViolette

OF

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 230 | B-T: L-L

Age: 22

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: LaViolette entered the 2025 draft cycle as one of the favorites to be selected first overall thanks to his outlier combination of size, speed, power and SEC performance. A down draft year in addition to bat-to-ball questions caused him to slip to the back of the first round, where the Guardians signed him to a $4 million deal as the 27th overall pick. He broke his left hand in college postseason play and didn’t debut in official pro games after signing.

Scouting Report: LaViolette is a towering, physical presence in the lefthanded batter’s box and is listed at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds. That size and strength leads to thunderous, 70-grade raw power that allowed him to boast some of the best overall power in his draft class. LaViolette got to his power often in the SEC and is the all-time home run leader at Texas A&M with 68 in three seasons. He is also the school’s all-time walks leader with 169 and managed a career 19.3% walk rate with strong strike-zone recognition and swing decisions. His contact rate, however, could cap his offensive impact. LaViolette hit just .285 in his college career with a 25.3% strikeout rate and a 71% overall contact rate. He’ll need to find the barrel more frequently against pro pitching—and changeups, sliders and left-on-left spin in particular—and adding a bit more life to his hands in what is currently a stiff operation could help. Despite his size, LaViolette is a real plus runner who moves exceptionally well and pairs his speed with good defensive instincts and routes. He should get every opportunity to stick in center field and would be a plus defender in a corner with an above-average arm if he does need to move.

The Future: LaViolette’s upside and impact potential is undeniable with a scouting card littered with above-average or better tools. His contact ability will determine the sort of player he becomes.

Scouting Grades Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55.

8 Stephen
RHP

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 215 | B-T: R-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Stephen was a well-rounded pitching prospect coming out of Mississippi State and signed with the Blue Jays for $1.12 million in the second round of the 2024 draft. The Guardians acquired him in a 2025 deadline trade that sent Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays. Stephen pitched well across three levels in his pro debut season and topped out at Double-A. In total, he posted a 2.53 ERA in 21 starts and 103 innings with a 27.1% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate. He missed a few weeks with a right shoulder impingement in the middle of the summer.

Scouting Report: Stephen has a prototype starter’s frame at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and fills up the zone with a deep mix of pitches that includes a four-seam fastball, slider, splitter, curveball and cutter. Stephen sits around 93 mph with his fastball and will reach back for 96, but the pitch is amplified by his excellent spin efficiency, riding life and above-average extension. The performance of his fastball backed up a bit after he returned from his shoulder injury, but at its best it is a swing-and-miss pitch that he can use to miss barrels and execute for strikes at a high level. Developing a secondary with above-average potential to complement his fastball will unlock more upside, and he has a number of candidates. He throws a mid-80s slider, a mid-80s splitter, an 88-91 mph cutter and an upper-70s curveball. The slider, splitter and cutter are all solid-average pitches—and he generated a 37% miss rate with both the slider and cutter in 2025—but none is a no-doubt above-average offering.

The Future: Stephen has likely back-end starter potential as an athletic strike-thrower with above-average control and a deep pitch mix. With a strong offseason and continued performance, he could be in line to make his major league debut in the second half of 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Cutter: 50 | Split: 50 | Control: 55

Chourio

OF

Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 162 | B-T: S-R

Age: 20

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Chourio signed for $1.2 million out of Venezuela as the Guardians’ top international prospect in 2022 and is the younger brother of the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio. Jaison put together a tremendous 2024 season as a 19-year-old in Low-A but regressed in 2025 with High-A Lake County, where he failed to hit for much power and also dealt with a shoulder injury that limited him to just 87 games. He played in the Venezuelan League after the season.

Scouting Report: Despite Chourio’s down year, there’s still plenty to like with the savvy-eyed switch-hitting outfielder. He still possesses one of the better batting eyes in a Cleveland system filled with high-OBP hitters. Chourio owns a .414 on-base percentage and 19.7% walk rate in a four-year career. While his proponents might point to a strong 18% chase rate, his detractors might say that he’s often too passive, and simply lets hittable pitches go by. Chourio is still looking to find a happy balance with his approach, and both his bat speed and 90th percentile exit velocity regressed in 2025. His shoulder injury definitely played a role, but the questions about his power upside from a year ago are only amplified. Chourio is a plus runner with the speed for center, but his missed playing time hampered his defensive development. His reads and route-running didn’t improve, and, barring a significant step forward in this department, he is more likely to profile as an average defender in an outfield corner than a regular center fielder. He has a strong arm that could fit in right.

The Future: Chourio is looking for a fully healthy, bounceback season in 2026 and will need to answer questions about his power and defense to create confidence that he’s a future regular. If that doesn’t happen, his pure hitting ability and on-base skills could still carry him to a more limited big league role.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55

Ingle

Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 185 | B-T: L-R

Age: 23

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Mild

Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: Ingle signed with the Guardians for $400,000 as a fourth-rounder in the 2023 draft after showing impressive plate and contact skills at Clemson. Those skills have translated to pro ball, and among minor league catchers with at least 600 plate appearances since 2023, Ingle’s .407 on-base percentage trails only the Reds’ Alfredo Duno at .425.

Scouting Report: At 5-foot-8, 190 pounds, Ingle is an undersized catcher and lefthanded hitter who will drive his value through on-base skills and contact. He has a low-maintenance swing that’s direct to the ball with a level path that leads to lots of line drives to his pull side. In a system deep with hitters who understand the strike zone and make plenty of contact, Ingle’s chase rate (18.1%) and miss rate (18.8%) are among the best. He’s a selective hitter who doesn’t expand the zone frequently, though he can border on too passive at times. Ingle’s upside is dependent on the strength and power he’s able to gain, which has been a question mark that he has not answered for multiple years. His max exit velocities are below-average for his age, and the limited power that he does tap into in games comes exclusively to his pull side. Cleveland is still hopeful that he can push his frame closer to 200 pounds, which might translate to a bit more pop and better durability behind the plate. Ingle regressed as a defender in 2025 and was a more skittish blocker. He’s a fringy but playable defender, with below-average pure arm strength that plays up because he gets rid of the ball quickly with solid accuracy.

The Future: Entering his age-24 season, Ingle is running out of time to dream of more power coming, but his lengthy track record as a high-on base hitter still gives him big league value as a workable defensive catcher.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 50 | Field: 45 | Arm: 45.

Projected 2029 Guardians Lineup
Catcher: Bo Naylor (29)
First Base: Ralphy Velazquez (24)
Second Base: Travis Bazzana (26)
Third Base: Dean Curley (25)
Shortstop: Angel Genao (25)
Left Field: Steven Kwan (31)
Center Field: Jace LaViolette (25)
Right Field: Jaison Chourio (24)
Designated Hitter: Chase DeLauter (27)
I'm surprised to see no place in this lineup for Manzardo or Kayfus.

No. 1 Starter: Tanner Bibee (30)
No. 2 Starter: Gavin Williams (29)
No. 3 Starter: Parker Messick (28)
No. 4 Starter: Braylon Doughty (24)
No. 5 Starter: Khal Stephen (26)
Closer: Cade Smith (30)

Guardians Best Tools
Best Hitter: Travis Bazzana
Best Power Hitter: Ralphy Velazquez
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Chase DeLauter
Fastest Baserunner: Petey Halpin
Best Athlete: Jace LaViolette
Best Fastball: Andrew Walters
Best Curveball: Braylon Doughty
Best Slider: Joey Oakie
Best Changeup: Parker Messick
Best Control: Braylon Doughty
Best Defensive Catcher: Jacob Cozart
Best Defensive Infielder: Jose Devers
Best Infield Arm: Angel Genao
Best Defensive Outfielder: Petey Halpin
Best Outfield Arm: Alfonsin Rosario

Here is the whole couple hours of questions and answers from the BA Prospects Chat

Cal Ripken
3 weeks ago
Do you view any Guardian players that won't be in the Top 100 in Jan but could be promoted during the year with your expected results, Jace, Joey Oakie, Espino?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
They all have the talent to be there with clear flaws in their game that needs to be addressed.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
What is your opinion about the outcome of Clase's MLB future? Is he done?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I would bet on it.

Kenny Loftin
3 weeks ago
I love Joey Oakie & looking for big things from him especially how he ended the year with double digit K’s in some great outings. How close was he to Top 10?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He had a really strong season. It was encouraging to see the stuff play against pro hitters. He got stronger throughout the season. He held his velocity and added more in the second half. I think he has some of the biggest pure upside of any pitcher in this system given his release traits, FB/SL power and movement, physicality and athleticism. He needs to improve as a pitcher and dial in the release point and delivery. I seriously considered placing him on the top 10. He's in that next group that just missed.

Kenny Loftin
3 weeks ago
Jace was preseason favorite for #1, where will he start 2026 & can he fix the swing & miss issues? Were 25 results attributed to health at all?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He was hitting worse than he previously did without a significant injury at the start of the season. I'm not sure contact questions like he has ever go away entirely. It's a matter of does he get get on base and hit for enough power to make the S/M tolerable.

Cal Ripken
3 weeks ago
JJ had an interesting way to talk about the Tigers yesterday when he said they have 2 elite, 1 near elite & 1 Top 100 type player. How would you evaluate Clev?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Two no-doubt top 100 types (Bazzana and DeLauter), followed by four players I think deserve to be on 100 but might have more variance among the staff, followed by six more players who could easily get into that range in the near future with strong 2026s or steps forward with their development. The system remains deep.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Y’all are pretty high on Dean Curley at 3b for the Guardians in 2029. Does he have the defense for manning 3B and could be in the top 100 prospect next year?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he has the tools for the position, yes. I am not sure he was put the best position to succeed as a defender last spring. If he comes out and looks solid at third and is hitting like I expect him to hit then I think he would belong in a top 100 convo, yes. Though I might be higher on his overall offensive ability than my peers at BA. Not sure.

Fitz Magic
3 weeks ago
With Jace's swing & miss concerns I'm surprised his risk isn't considered Extreme in the ratings. Is Jace healthy & any guesses where he starts 2026?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I'm not sure that his SEC track record warrants the extreme risk penalty (-20) that we have on the new scale. His current High risk is the same penalty that comes from our old Extreme risk (-15). He does so many other things at a high level that he could be a valuable player without average contact ability.

Fitz Magic
3 weeks ago
Travis preparation skills (skill?) is phenomenal, are you surprised he hasn't been more successful first 2 yrs? I expected more early from him, how about you?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think I would be more concerned if his batted ball data or his process had gotten significantly worse, but that's not the case. He still has great hitting traits and I think he made some nice adjustments in the season. He also had an injury that limited him, so give him a fully healthy year and I haven't really changed my thoughts on who he can become as a player.

Bill B (Glen Allen, VA)
3 weeks ago
What should CLE do with Daniel espino? High leverage reliever role is open after Clase is gone! Thanks
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think they should keep him in a starter role until he shows that he can't do it. Then move him to the pen if necessary. I would also be as aggressive as possible with promoting him to the bigs.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Hi Carlos, Juneiker Caceres was able to put together quality ABs as an 18 YO in Lynchburg. Yet it is hard to see this profile working in LF. What say you?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he has enough offensive punch to profile in either corner.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Shocked not to see Brito in top 10. What’s his future? Have injuries dimmed his star entirely?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Really? The top 10 here is pretty good. Brito had a bad, injury-plagued year. Who are you taking him over? I have three other players who couldn't land on this top 10 that I would definitely take over Brito at this stage, and then I think he's in the next tier with about 8-9 other players.

DH
3 weeks ago
Ralphy is projected at 1B. When he's ready do you suppose he wins the job over guys like Kayfus or Manzardo?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he has a higher offensive ceiling than both those guys, so potentially yes.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Are you concerned about Bazzana considering the progress of Kurtz, Weherolt & others drafted after him?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Nope. I think the Nick Kurtz season is more of the outlier than what we've seen from Bazzana. If that's the expectation for every high-end first rounder in their first full season we're going to be disappointed an awful lot.

Elliot
3 weeks ago
Does Josh Hartle project as big league starter?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
If he doesn't then he's not much of a prospect. I don't think he has the sort of stuff that would fare well in a bullpen role, frankly. He doesn't have much margin for error.

Johnny Hopkins ESQ.
3 weeks ago
Do you think Juneiker Caceres can play his way onto the top 10 by midseason? Does he have a worse 70% outcome than Cooper Ingle?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He will do that by virtue of graduations alone I would think. I have him at 11 right now. His upside is better than Ingle's.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
What are your thoughts on Alfonsin Rosario and Wuifredo Antunez? Were either in the top 20 and do either have a shot to be a big league starter? Thanks.
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Check the other Rosario question for my answer to this one.

Karl of Delaware
3 weeks ago
What are the strengths and weaknesses of former 1st round pick braylon doughty?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Spin capacity, athleticism, command and the ability to manipulate and create different shapes are his strengths. Weaknesses are size and I guess you'd want some more power on the heater. He's pretty advanced and well-rounded.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
If Juneiker Caceres was 6'2", would he be on this list?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
No. If he were 6-2 would that guarantee more power? And if so, would that come at the cost of his current hitting ability?

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
What is the opinion on Juneiker Caceres? what's the prognosis?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He's very good and also very young and far away. Bat-first corner outfield type but a guy who can hit for enough average and power to profile as a regular.

DH
3 weeks ago
Is Genao seen as someone who could bat in the front half of a lineup, or is he unlikely to ever have enough pop to bat anywhere but the back end?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
The front of Cleveland's lineup isn't exactly a wellspring of power, so I don't think a lack of thump would preclude Genao from that sort of role.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Where does CLE rank in terms of strength of their minor league system & how do you feel about their 2025 draft as far as adding prospects to their top 30?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I would ballpark them in the 6-13 range probably. Perhaps a little higher. They are deep and full of hitters. I appreciated that they took some big swings on power-oriented bats because that's not something I associate with the Cleveland model. It adds some diversity and impact potential to their collection of hitting prospects. LaViolette and Curley could both turn out to be steals. I wouldn't be surprised if they create something exciting with Will McCausland either.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
I am irrationally excited that Juneiker Caceres will be the next big Guardians prospect. Do you agree that he has the potential George Valera once did?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Tons of Caceres questions in the chat. He's super exciting. His combination of pure hitting ability, power, performance and youth make him one of the more fun bats in a deep system for hitters. Valera is probably a good example of why we should still be cautious with players who still have a long way to go.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Is Juneiker Caceres in the #11-15 range? He looked great in the DSL and looks to have legitimate 5 tool potential. Do you see him as a big breakout guy?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I have Caceres slotted in at No. 11 right now. He's in the same adjusted tier as players 8-10 on the Guardians list. If you wanted to push him to the top of that group I think that is defensible. Proximity and likely corner profile are the reasons I did not. I had him as a breakout pick a year ago—is double-dipping allowed? I could see him doing it.

John
3 weeks ago
Has the ship sailed on Juan Brito?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I don't think so, but he also lost a real opportunity to claim the 2B job this year. Both with a bad showing in spring training and also because it was nearly a lost season with the injuries. Travis Bazzana is coming. So now he either fits better with a different org or needs to show he can do enough with the glove at other positions to get his bat into the lineup.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Can Daniel Espino stick as a starter?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
It sounds like he wants to continue starting, and the Guardians would happily let him do it if he shows he can... I also think they should be and might be quick to move him into the bullpen if the command doesn't warrant a starting role. There's very little consensus on whether or not he will fit as a starter or reliever I'd say. Ultimately reliever feels more likely but he's too good to not at least see if starting can work.

Elliot
3 weeks ago
Any reliever candidates we can look forward to like Smith and Gaddis developed into?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I still like Andrew Walters a decent bit. Joey Oakie has the stuff if he can't stick as a starter. Same with Yorman Gómez. Espino.

Elliot
3 weeks ago
Is Curley your projected 3B by default of other options? What are his strengths? What is his offensive projection?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he's the most likely infielder to profile of an everyday third baseman of the top-15 infielders in the system. I do think some of the defensive issues we saw from him at Tennessee are just because he's playing out of position. He has a strong arm. I wouldn't be surprised if he developed into a solid defender at the hot corner. He has a well-rounded offensive profile with solid contact, power and swing decisions. Solid everyday type upside IMO.

Elliot
3 weeks ago
Will Cozart hit well enough to be a big league backup?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he has enough power and will defend well enough to be a big league backup. The improvement of his hit tool and his contact skills are going to determine if he pushes himself into an everyday starter role. The defense sounds really, really good.

Elliot
3 weeks ago
You rate Devers the best IF defender. He also showed plenty of power in 2025. Other offensive stats don’t impress. Does he have big league bench upside?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I think he's in the phylum of player who is an exceptional defender but might not never become a big leaguer because the bat is so light. More org type for me than potential 40 role. I don't expect him to rank on the 30.

E-Dub
3 weeks ago
I went back and watched 2025 Doughty video and the delivery is even better than I renembered. How fast does CLE think he’ll move?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Yeah, he has excellent athleticism, body control and proprioception. Cleveland doesn't seem like the org to rush guys even like this so I imagine he will still progress level by level. I think he's a few years away still. He's not yet faced High-A competition.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Tools are loud, but hit is a major ? for A. Rosario. What are the chances his 25 was a step forward/he can be an impact (3ish WAR?) OF for a contending team?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Rosario is going to rank on the top 30, but I'm not sure he's going to slot into the 11-20 range. I've got some other hitters in front of him right now. Not sure he'll make enough contact to profile as an everyday regular. I would take the under on that 3 WAR figure. It was a good season, but his contact ability remains extremely dicey. The jump to Double-A exposed that even more.

Adam
3 weeks ago
What are your thoughts on Robert Arias? Does his bat have enough to be a potential future table setter?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Unlikely to be a table-setter. Maybe he can do enough to get into the back of the lineup or be a nice bench piece. He's really aggressive with some mechanical oddities but does have contact skills and hand-eye coordination.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Is there hope that Jasion Chourio will still grow into more power? He looked primed to be a top 20 overall prospect in '24. Was '25 mostly due to injuries?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Significantly fewer Chourio questions than a year ago in this chat, which I guess speaks to his season and where his stock is trending. Yeah... it was a disappointing year for a player I thought could jump into that range you mentioned. The injury certainly didn't help, both on the hitting side and defensive side. Physical development is still going to be important for him to get those power numbers up. I'm more skeptical now that he'll grow into more power, which is why that grade is down year-over-year.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Any non-top 10 pitchers looking interesting? Austin Peterson (recently added to 40 man) and Josh Hartle are a couple I have had my eye on.
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Oakie, Espino, Walters and Gómez are the other names I'm excited about who are not in the top 10.

Jared S
3 weeks ago
Is there a decent chance that Genao is a top 10 breakout prospect this year? With a legit All-Star ceiling? He seemed to be heading that way IMO. Thank you
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by to chat Guardians prospects. We'll start with one about an actual top 10 prospect on the list: If Genao can find a way to tap into the raw power he has with more frequency I can see that sort of outcome. He's a really good hitter. I just wonder about the impact he's going to get to.

David
3 weeks ago
What's the prognosis on Cooper Ingle? Stats are very promising, maybe took a step back last year? Still high upside and will he get a chance to start?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He doesn't have the sort of power to be a high upside player. He's more of a safe bat at a premium profile to me. I wish he had taken a step forward defensively. He's just a really good hitter with excellent swing decisions and batted ball angles.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Has the ship sailed on Welbyn Francisca, given that he is a bat first prospect who had issues with the bat? Or at least is the high upside gone?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
The upside looks far less exciting today than it did a year ago. The fact that he regressed on both sides of the ball is discouraging. He doesn't have much impact.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Is Chase Mobley someone who could be a breakout prospect? Even though the stats were mediocre, he seems to have good stuff. Relief risk?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
He throws hard. Everything else is a huge question mark at the moment. He had a 22.2% walk rate and didn't throw any individual pitch for strikes at a 57% rate. I will let you do with that information what you will regarding his relief risk.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Will Dauri Fernandez be on the top 30? Could he break out next year?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
I haven't locked in where he's going to rank, but I do think he'll be on the back of the 30.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
What is Cleveland's problem developing power hitters? Thome, Manny Ramirez, Belle are just a few I remember they developed back in the 90's.
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
You can't materialize power out of thin air and Cleveland spent a lot of drafts really targeting contact skills and up the middle players.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
What type of feedback did you get on Gabriel Rodriguez? What kind of upside does he have?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Good defender and instinctual player, but there are a lot of questions about the swing and overall offensive upside.

Anonymous
3 weeks ago
Will anyone from the DSL team make the top 30?
Carlos Collazo
3 weeks ago
Not sure yet.