Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter
Cleveland Guardians
AL Central
2025 record: 88-74 (1st)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Columbus Clippers
Double-A: Akron RubberDucks
High-A: Lake County Captains
Single-A: Lynchburg Hillcats
2025 End-Of-Season farm system rank: #7
Jeremy Mahy’s organization take from our 2025 End-Of-Season Farm System Rankings:
The injury bug was unkind to several of the Guardians top prospects in 2025. Jaison Chourio saw his production decline significantly after wrist and shoulder ailments, Juan Brito lost significant time to thumb surgery and Andrew Walters went down to injury as well two appearances after his call-up. All was not lost as Ralphy Velazquez, Angel Genao and Braylon Doughty all took significant steps forward.
Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame),, J.W. Mulpas (@CLEBoxscoreBeat), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2025
Tier 1
1. Travis Bazzana, 2B, 23, Triple-A
Despite a season of ups and downs, Bazzana remains the top prospect in the Guardians system. He dealt with two oblique/flank injuries last year that slowed his momentum, but still managed a near-elite 137 wRC+ across Double-A and Triple-A. His patient approach at the plate is well-suited for OBP leagues. He may not have massive raw power, but he can drive the ball out of the yard. In 2025, he hit .245/.389/.424 with 9 homers, 12 steals, and a 17.6% walk rate. Those numbers look even better considering he never fully hit his stride. The real question is whether his glove will play at second base long-term. He’s unlikely to match Brayan Rocchio defensively and could shift elsewhere if things don’t click. Regardless, Bazzana has the makeup to win over a lot of believers this year and his stint with Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic could be just the spark he needs. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)
Tier 2
2. Chase DeLauter, OF, 24, MLB
There’s no doubt DeLauter has the ability to be a solid MLB and dynasty contributor. The main concern is his durability. He’s never played more than 57 games in a season — college or pro. When he does play, he produces. Last year at Triple-A, he hit .278 with an .859 OPS, showing solid on-base skills and power. He made contact nearly 85% of the time, which is an elite rate. Across 138 minor league games, he owns a .302/.384/.504 slash line. The rumor is he’ll start 2026 back in the minors after making his MLB debut in the postseason last year. If he does, he should be up with Cleveland in short order and get plenty of at-bats—if he can stay healthy (and that’s a big if). (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)
3. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, 20, Double-A
Velazquez looks like the power bat the Guardians have been waiting for. He showed a mix of pop, patience, and contact skills in 2025. After hitting 17 home runs and driving in 63 runs at High-A, Velazquez earned a promotion to Double-A where he exploded for a .330/.405/.589 slash line and a 188 wRC+ over 28 games. His contact rate held steady, his strikeouts dropped, and he kept hitting against both lefties and righties. That’s impressive for a 20-year-old in just his second full pro season. He’s likely limited to first base on defense, but if the bat keeps developing, he could fill the middle-of-the-order hole in Cleveland as soon as 2027. Even if his average settles closer to .250 in the majors, his power and patience will play. Could Ralphy be the next Kyle Schwarber? Dynasty owners can only hope. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)
4. Angel Genao, SS, 21, Double-A
Genao battled through a right shoulder sprain that delayed his 2025 debut, but the switch-hitting infielder still turned in a steady Double-A season, slashing .259/.323/.359 with five home runs and 17 doubles. The bat-to-ball skills and contact-oriented approach remain his calling card, even if the overall production wasn’t as loud as some expected coming into the year. He’s added to the 40-man roster and should open 2026 in Triple-A, with a realistic chance to factor into Cleveland’s infield mix at some point if the strength and extra-base impact continue to tick up. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
5. Khal Stephen, RHP, 23, Double-A
Stephen continued his upward trajectory in 2025, carving through A-ball hitters with a sub-2.10 ERA and eye-opening strikeout-to-walk numbers that had prospect evaluators taking notice. The right-hander pounds the zone with a low-to-mid 90s fastball and mixes in well-tunneled secondaries, flashing the polish of a potential back-end starter. If he carries that command into the upper minors, there’s a good chance he opens 2026 in Double-A with a path to move quickly in a Guardians organization that develops arms as well as anyone. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 3
6. Parker Messick, LHP, 25, MLB
7. Braylon Doughty, RHP, 20, Single-A
8. Cooper Ingle, C, 23, Triple-A
9. Juneiker Caceres, OF, 18, Single-A
10. Jace LaViolette, OF, 22, College
11. Jaison Chourio, OF, 20, High-A
12. Welbyn Francisca, SS, 19, Single-A
13. Joey Oakie, RHP, 19, Single-A
Messick made his MLB debut in August, pitching 39.2 innings and posting a 2.72 ERA. He’s working on a new cutter this spring, which is the pitch that sparked Gavin Williams’ surge last year. Doughty is a strike-throwing righty with swing-and-miss stuff. He posted a 2.86 xFIP, 27.3% K-rate, and nearly 50% ground ball rate over 85.1 innings at Single-A. Ingle boasts an elite .407 OBP across three minor league seasons, but his ability to control the run game as a catcher remains a concern. Caceres turned heads in 2025 with a 123 wRC+ while flashing both above average power and advanced bat-to-ball skills. The upside is quite high. LaViolette is a 6’6, 235-pound slugger who hit 68 homers over three years at Texas A&M. He doesn’t fit the usual profile for a Guardians prospect, but there’s power to dream on as he makes his pro debut in 2026. Chourio, best known as Jackson’s brother, is a switch-hitter with an advanced eye at the plate. He got on base at a .379 clip last season, but nothing else really stood out, which was likely due to a lingering shoulder issue. Francisca fits the classic Guardians mold as an infielder with strong contact skills and speed. He set a career high with 45 steals in 2025, but he’ll need to lift the ball more to take his next step. Oakie is a name to watch in 2026 after finishing last season with back-to-back 11-strikeout games. He has mid-rotation upside with a lively fastball and filthy slider. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)
Tier 4
14. Juan Brito, 2B, 24, Triple-A
15. Daniel Espino, RHP, 25, Triple-A
16. Dauri Fernandez, SS/2B, 18, Single-A
17. Dean Curley, SS, 21, Single-A
18. Kahlil Watson, OF, 22, Triple-A
19. Josh Hartle, LHP, 22, Double-A
20. Alfonsin Rosario, OF, 21, Double-A
21. George Valera, OF, 25, MLB
22. Andrew Walters, RHP, 25, MLB
23. Robert Arias, OF, 19, Rookie (ACL)
Brito lost most of 2025 to injuries, he underwent thumb surgery in April then suffered a significant hamstring injury after returning. He fits the typical “Cleveland mold”, he manages the strike zone well, makes solid contact, and can provide positional versatility. Speaking of injuries, Espino has only pitched 20 innings over the last four seasons. His stuff can be absolutely electric and this season will be an important one for him. Fernandez is a switch-hitter with impressive contact skills and enough bat speed to suggest average power. Curley, the 64th overall pick out of the University of Tennessee last season, displayed great control of the strike zone with gap-to-gap power in college. Watson has the tools to be a full-time regular, but his overly aggressive approach and resulting strikeouts are a cause for concern. Hartle pitched most of 2025 in High-A (two starts at Double-A) and pitched tremendously well. In 22 starts, he posted an elite 2.35 ERA (1.05 WHIP) while striking out 24% of batters faced in route to being named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Year. Rosario is a toolsy corner outfielder with above-average speed and power, but there are questions about how much he’ll hit. Much like DeLauter above, Valera held his own in his late season big league debut hitting his first career home run off Joe Ryan and crushing a first inning home run off Casey Mize in the playoffs. Walters‘s fastball-slider combo can be lethal when he is locating them, he will likely figure into the Guardians bullpen plans right out of Spring. Arias is another “Guardian mold” guy, well-above-average speed and excellent bat-to-ball skills but minimal current power. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 5
24. Yorman Gómez, RHP, 23, Double-A
25. Peyton Pallette, RHP, 24, Triple-A
26. Jacob Cozart, C, 23, Double-A
27. Gabriel Rodriguez, SS, 18, Rookie (ACL)
28. Franklin Gomez, LHP, 20, High-A
29. Aaron Walton, OF, 21, Single-A
30. Matt Wilkinson, LHP, 23, High-A
31. Nolan Schubart, OF, 21, Single-A
32. Austin Peterson RHP, 26, Triple-A
33. Jogly Garcia, RHP, 22, High-A
34. Petey Halpin, OF, 23, MLB
35. Caden Favors, LHP, 24, High-A
36. Will Hynes, RHP, 18, High school
37. Doug Nikhazy, LHP, 26, MLB
38. Chase Mobley, RHP, 19, Single-A
39. Franco Aleman, RHP, 25, Triple-A
40. Luis Merejo, 1B, 19, Single-A
41. Rafe Schlesinger, LHP, 23, High-A
42. Wuilfredo Antunez, OF, 23, Double-A
43. Luke Hill, 3B, 21, Single-A
44. Nick Mitchell, OF, 22, High-A
45. Jose Devers, SS, 22, High-A
46. Dylan DeLucia, RHP, 25, Double-A
47. Jackson Humphries, LHP, 21, High-A
48. Michael Kennedy, LHP, 21, High-A
49. Kendeglys Virguez, RHP, 21, Rookie (ACL)
50. Justin Campbell, RHP, 25, Injured (College in 2022)
Yorman Gómez remains an intriguing young arm with projection, but 2026 will be about translating his raw stuff into more consistent results as he climbs the ladder. Pallette has flashed swing-and-miss ability when healthy, and if he can finally string together a full season, he could quickly re-enter the upper-level pitching conversation. Cozart brings offensive upside from the catching position, though the hit tool will ultimately determine how fast he moves through full-season ball. Rodriguez and Franklin Gomez are still more projection than production at this stage, each needing a jump in approach and consistency to separate from the pack. Walton offers athleticism and defensive versatility, profiling as organizational depth unless the bat takes a noticeable step forward. “Tugboat” Wilkinson continues to attack hitters with a power arsenal on the mound, and if the command holds, he could carve out a steady role as he reaches the upper minors. Schubart’s calling card is his left-handed power, but trimming the strikeouts will be key. Garcia and Schlesinger fit the mold of developmental arms who could settle into bullpen roles if the strike-throwing sharpens. Antunez and Virguez remain longer-term plays in the lower minors, while Campbell — the former first-rounder who hasn’t pitched since 2022 — is the ultimate wild card, as Cleveland will hope he can finally get back on the mound and reestablish some of the value that made him a Day 1 pick out of college. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Author
Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.
Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” -Yogi Berra
J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.