Fangraphs tends to be a bit of a headscratcher to me but I always appreciate their write-ups. Pretty much every year they end up with 5 or 6 placements I find incomprehensible. This year it’s Tugboat, Gabriel Rodriguez, Robert Arias and Caden Favors. I also am a Aaron Walton truther and they’re extremely low on him.
> “As was the case last year, Cleveland has an above-average system. There are six top 50 guys in the org and a couple of others who were in contention. Guardians fans should be enthused to see nine hitters among the top 12 here, some of whom are poised to infuse much-needed life into the lineup early in 2026”
that last part is what we like to hear.
Scrolled further than expected to find Juan Brito. Has the shine come off him a bit?
FG typically has a more conservative approach which means they are right more often. Their overall scale has 50-55 as average every day 2ish win players. Guards have 6 of these players, it’s a really solid farm system.
No offense to either middle infielder, but they gotta be smoking some wild shit to put Genao over Bonanza.
Show me a prospect’s ISO and strikeout rates; those are statistically the best predictors of future success.
Cooper Ingle doesn’t strike out, I’m looking forward to him.
Man, really feels like the luster has really worn off of Juan Brito
Bazzana as our 4th guy with a 50 future value already at 23yo. Not great
Tugboat at 13 is interesting. MLB doesn’t even rank the guy. I wonder if he makes the jump to the show in the next year or two.
We saw him last year but I am very high on Parker Messick.
Khal Stephen has too good of a name to be anything but an ace.
Tugboat over Oakie is flabbergasting, IMO. Several other pitching prospects ranked below him I’d also have him below, but Oakie in particular is crazy.
This got me excited to see what the new core can do this season. I’m hoping for at least 400 PA from Chase, late spring callup for Bazzana who proves himself as starter, Parker and Cantillo solidifying themselves as starters 3 and 4, Valera being a legit bat, Brito finally making the majors, Genoa hitting a new level and stealing SS from Rocchio towards the end of the season, Ralphie lighting up the minors and earning a potential September callup, Khal Stephenson forcing his way into the rotation, and an Espino appearance where he becomes the 1B to Cade’s 1A.
If even two or three of those scenarios pan out I would be happy.
It’s bothersome how old the average age is. Cleveland is horrible about promoting anyone.
Trey Yesevage was a 45 in their pre season 2025 ratings. All prospect eval is complete speculation. We’ve got a deep system w a couple guys w super solid high ceiling tools. Just have to see what happens w them.
But it’s exciting to think they give CDL 55 even though I’m sure their calculations take into consideration he prolly is good for 40-80 games a year haha. Wonder what his rating would be as a guy who projected for 140+ a year.
Also nice to see Ralphy ranked high. Seems a solid mix out there on his value. Savant doesn’t even have him top 10, or maybe their list isn’t updated.
14 comments
No Brito?
Fangraphs tends to be a bit of a headscratcher to me but I always appreciate their write-ups. Pretty much every year they end up with 5 or 6 placements I find incomprehensible. This year it’s Tugboat, Gabriel Rodriguez, Robert Arias and Caden Favors. I also am a Aaron Walton truther and they’re extremely low on him.
> “As was the case last year, Cleveland has an above-average system. There are six top 50 guys in the org and a couple of others who were in contention. Guardians fans should be enthused to see nine hitters among the top 12 here, some of whom are poised to infuse much-needed life into the lineup early in 2026”
that last part is what we like to hear.
Scrolled further than expected to find Juan Brito. Has the shine come off him a bit?
FG typically has a more conservative approach which means they are right more often. Their overall scale has 50-55 as average every day 2ish win players. Guards have 6 of these players, it’s a really solid farm system.
No offense to either middle infielder, but they gotta be smoking some wild shit to put Genao over Bonanza.
Show me a prospect’s ISO and strikeout rates; those are statistically the best predictors of future success.
Cooper Ingle doesn’t strike out, I’m looking forward to him.
Man, really feels like the luster has really worn off of Juan Brito
Bazzana as our 4th guy with a 50 future value already at 23yo. Not great
Tugboat at 13 is interesting. MLB doesn’t even rank the guy. I wonder if he makes the jump to the show in the next year or two.
We saw him last year but I am very high on Parker Messick.
Khal Stephen has too good of a name to be anything but an ace.
Tugboat over Oakie is flabbergasting, IMO. Several other pitching prospects ranked below him I’d also have him below, but Oakie in particular is crazy.
This got me excited to see what the new core can do this season. I’m hoping for at least 400 PA from Chase, late spring callup for Bazzana who proves himself as starter, Parker and Cantillo solidifying themselves as starters 3 and 4, Valera being a legit bat, Brito finally making the majors, Genoa hitting a new level and stealing SS from Rocchio towards the end of the season, Ralphie lighting up the minors and earning a potential September callup, Khal Stephenson forcing his way into the rotation, and an Espino appearance where he becomes the 1B to Cade’s 1A.
If even two or three of those scenarios pan out I would be happy.
It’s bothersome how old the average age is. Cleveland is horrible about promoting anyone.
Trey Yesevage was a 45 in their pre season 2025 ratings. All prospect eval is complete speculation. We’ve got a deep system w a couple guys w super solid high ceiling tools. Just have to see what happens w them.
But it’s exciting to think they give CDL 55 even though I’m sure their calculations take into consideration he prolly is good for 40-80 games a year haha. Wonder what his rating would be as a guy who projected for 140+ a year.
Also nice to see Ralphy ranked high. Seems a solid mix out there on his value. Savant doesn’t even have him top 10, or maybe their list isn’t updated.