The Cleveland Guardians are set to take on the Los Angeles Angels in MLB’s third annual Spring Breakout Series of games.
As the Guardians top prospects get ready to take the field together, here are four players to keep an eye on, not just during the game, but as they ascend their way through Cleveland’s farm system.
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Josh Hartle was arguably the best pitcher in Cleveland’s farm system in 2025. Across two levels, the left-hander logged a 2.54 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP in 24 starts. Hartle’s command continues to be his biggest strength, and his ability to generate ground balls is an advantage, too.
If Hartle gets into Thursday’s game, he should definitely be a pitcher to keep an eye on. It may not be too much longer until he’s establishing himself as the ace of Cleveland’s rotation.
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Ralphy Velazquez is fresh off having one of the best training camps of anyone in Cleveland’s organization. He appeared in nine games and had a .967 OPS, including a pair of extra-base hits. Those stats don’t even account for how hard Ralphy was hitting the ball.
Velazquez had a slow start to his Minor League career, but broke out during the second half of the 2025 season. He immediately got even better after his promotion to Triple-A, which not many players can say.
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The Spring Breakout Game is meant to showcase the next wave of young stars, and Ralphy is the definition of a rising star in Cleveland’s organization.
The Guardians selected Jace LaViolette with their first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, but even the organization hasn’t had a great look at him since then due to hand surgery.
Even though LaViolette hasn’t played in many games since being drafted, it’s clear that he has the potential to be a power threat for the Guardians down the road. In 56 games at Texas A&M last season, LaViolette hit 18 home runs and nine doubles to a 1.003 OPS.
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If Cleveland’s No. 9 prospect gets any appearances in the Spring Breakout Game, he could certainly demonstrate his ability to impact the ball.
Braylon Dought is currently considered Cleveland’s third-best pitching prospect and No. 8 prospect overall. Doughty has tremendous punchout potential and is primed to make a big jump during the 2026 season.
The Guardians drafted Doughty out of high school with their second pick in the 2024 Draft. He still has a long way to go before reaching the big-league level, but there’s a lot to like about his ceiling.
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Doughty is certainly a player to mentor not just in the Spring Breakout Game, but throughout the next few years, too.
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