SEATTLE — The Cleveland Guardians have a reputation, it seems.
In a poll of league executives published by MLB.com in January, the Guardians received the most votes as the team that hoards prospects. The voting wasn’t close, either. The Guardians received 34.1% of the tallies, more than the next five teams combined.
“When I see that other executives believe we’re hoarding prospects, we have to hoard prospects,” Guardians GM Mike Chernoff told The Athletic. “That’s who we are. We’re not gonna do it in any other way. I totally understand the dynamic. I know we are very strategic and probably overvalue our guys at times. But that’s because we have a true belief in these guys and we know they have to be a lifeblood of the team going forward.”
At least the Guardians are hoarding prospects that evaluators seem to like. The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked Cleveland’s farm system No. 5 in the league. MLB.com and Baseball America ranked it No. 6. ESPN placed the Guardians at No. 2.
The Guardians’ big-league roster is full of rookies: Chase DeLauter started in right field on Opening Day. Parker Messick is slated to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. CJ Kayfus and Peyton Pallette will contribute as well, as will George Valera and Andrew Walters when they return from the injured list.
With the minor-league schedule getting underway Friday, however, let’s take a look at some prospects down below who could enter the mix this summer.
The No. 1 pick: Travis Bazzana
Bazzana’s timeline is one every Guardians fan is monitoring. If he hadn’t missed two months with an oblique strain last summer, he might already be a big-leaguer. He spent part of spring training with Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic, but the glimpse the Guardians got of him in Arizona was appointment viewing (1.292 OPS). He can dictate his path forward. Five of the top eight picks from the 2024 draft have debuted. If Bazzana hits for a bit, the Guardians’ second base gig should be his.
The outfielder with the remade swing: Petey Halpin
Halpin impressed Cleveland’s brass this spring with his usual speed and defense, plus a reworked swing that better equips him to attack fastballs. He debuted for the Guardians last September, and whenever they need another body in the outfield — especially since he can handle all three spots — he’ll probably be their first call.
The switch-hitter without a clear position: Juan Brito
Where Brito winds up is a mystery. Bazzana has the inside track on second base. Some guy named José Ramírez is standing in the way at third. Cleveland has plenty of options at first in Kyle Manzardo, Rhys Hoskins, CJ Kayfus and David Fry. Brito’s best bet might be to break in at a corner outfield spot or bounce around the diamond. If he hits, the Guardians will find a role for him. He missed most of last season with an injury and had a sluggish spring. He’s 24 years old, and this feels like an important year for him to showcase his ability at the plate.
The slugger who has everyone salivating: Ralphy Velazquez
Watch Velazquez’s easy, smooth swing, and you might think of Victor Martinez or some other hitter who made inflicting damage on a pitcher look effortless. Velazquez torched pitchers for the final few months last season, and Cleveland’s decision-makers haven’t been shy in admitting he could find his way to the big leagues later this year. Granted, he’s blocked at first base by a bunch of dudes, and he won’t turn 21 until late May, but his bat might force the Guardians’ hand.
The outfielder who people forget was a top prospect: Kahlil Watson
Watson’s stock tumbled because of character concerns and struggles at the low levels with the Miami Marlins, but there are reasons he was a first-round pick and consensus top-60 prospect. He had a strong showing at Triple-A Columbus in the second half last season, and the Guardians raved about him this spring. If he can continue to make more contact, there’s plenty of power and speed to make him an intriguing outfield candidate.
The next middle infielders in the pipeline: Milan Tolentino, Angel Genao
Law ranked Genao the organization’s top prospect this spring, even though he didn’t hit at the elite clip he had the year prior. He’s only 21, and he might just be the team’s shortstop of the future. That is, unless Tolentino has something to say about it. The 24-year-old totaled 21 homers, 20 doubles and 20 stolen bases last season at Triple A. Contact can be an issue, but if the Guardians need an extra infielder, he could get a look.
The catcher waiting for a chance: Cooper Ingle
The Guardians employ three catchers on the major-league roster, and if they needed someone in a pinch, they’d probably summon veteran Dom Nuñez from Triple A. But Ingle, another prospect who is no stranger to Top 100 lists, is on the doorstep of the majors after spending part of last season in Columbus. He profiles as a bat-first backstop with great contact ability and plate discipline.
The eventual starting pitching depth: Austin Peterson, Yorman Gómez, Khal Stephen
It gets a bit murky beyond the five options in Cleveland’s rotation. Logan Allen will start the year at Columbus. Kolby Allard will stretch out in case the Guardians need him. Pedro Avila might do the same. This summer, though, if the Guardians need an arm, they could have a deeper pool to choose from. Peterson missed spring training because of a triceps injury. Gómez is starting the year in the Columbus rotation after ending last season in Double A. Stephen also ended last season, his first full year as a pro, at Akron.
The phenom with the comeback story: Daniel Espino
The Guardians are hesitant to place any concrete expectations on Espino, the former top prospect with devastating stuff who has barely pitched the last four years because of a pair of shoulder surgeries. But they’re hopeful he’ll pitch in Cleveland at some point — and in some yet-to-be-defined role — this season. He passed every test this spring. Now, it’s about creating a road map for the season that has him throwing hard and, just as important, recovering well in between outings.