The Guardians are known for their pitching development. However, this top prospect list is headlined by hitters at the top. Top picks Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter headline the next wave of Guardians’ hitters who are coming to supplement the current roster. The team has proven savvy at developing prospects making this an organization dynasty managers should pay attention to.
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- NL East: Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Nationals
- NL Central: Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates, Cubs
- NL West: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Giants
- AL East: Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Blue Jays
- AL Central: Tigers
Top Guardians Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Travis Bazzana – 2B, 22 YO
2024 Stats (A+): .238 AVG | .369 OBP | .396 SLG | 3 HR | 5 SB | 25.4 K% | 13.9 BB%
Travis Bazzana made history becoming the first player born in Australia to be taken first overall in the MLB Draft. Cleveland’s first-round pick from this past year put up incredible numbers during his time at Oregon State. After hitting for middling power in his first two seasons with the Beavers, Bazzana exploded for 28 home runs in his final year. The development of his game power caused his draft stock to soar and his dynasty ceiling to increase exponentially. Bazzana uses a small leg kick to help generate more pop into his 6’0″ frame. His batting stance features loud hands but they slow down once the pitch is actually delivered. Bazzana has excellent barrel control and profiles to be a 25-home-run bat in the future.
The development of power added to an already polished profile. Bazzana has plus speed and is a great base stealer. He is not the most aggressive on the bases, but should steal 15-20 bases at the major league level. Where Bazzana really stands out is in his hit tool. His approach at the plate is mature with a great understanding of the strike zone. He pairs plus plate discipline with plus contact skills which helped him to hit .407 in his final collegiate season. He profiles as a .270-.280 hitter with 20/20 potential. Bazzana is an elite dynasty asset, and the trade of Andrés Giménez could accelerate his path to the major leagues.
2) Chase DeLauter – OF, 23 YO
2024 Stats (CPX/AA/AAA): .261 AVG | .341 OBP | .500 SLG | 8 HR | 1 SB | 12.4 K% | 9.5 BB%
Coming out of James Madison University, Chase DeLauter was viewed as a mixed bag. DeLauter had excellent tools and his athleticism was off the charts. However, DeLauter never played in more than 26 games in a season for JMU and his swing is as unorthodox as they come. DeLauter starts with low hands that give the impression of a slap hitter. However, he pulls his body through the ball to generate pop but tends to stop his swing halfway through. While most left-handed swings are pretty, DeLauter’s is certainly not. However, the results are difficult to argue. DeLauter dominated collegiate pitching and that has continued with the Guardians. DeLauter’s owns a professional slash line of .317/.387/.517.
DeLauter still represents a mixed bag for dynasty managers. Injuries delayed DeLauter’s professional debut until 2023, when, once again, the injury bug caught up to him. Through two full professional seasons, DeLauter has amassed fewer than 500 plate appearances. Although stolen bases do not project to be a large part of his game, the rest of his profile is still excellent for dynasty managers. DeLauter has plus power and projects to be a 25-home-run bat at the major league level. His hit tool is also outstanding. DeLauter rarely whiffs and works walks at an extremely high clip. His value is highest in OBP leagues. DeLauter made his way up to Triple-A last season and could make his major league debut in 2025. He is a top-30 dynasty prospect if he can stay healthy.
3) Jaison Chourio – OF, 19 YO
2024 Stats (A): .269 AVG | .414 OBP | .398 SLG | 5 HR | 44 SB | 16.0 K% | 19.9 BB%
Being the younger brother to a rising superstar certainly helps create buzz around Jaison Chourio in dynasty circles. The younger brother to Jackson Chourio, Jaison signed with the Guardians back in 2022. While name value certainly helps, Jaison is putting up the number to back up the hype. Across his first 650 professional plate appearances, the switch-hitting outfielder has put up a 140 wRC+. The most impressive part of his game has been his maturity at the plate. Chourio has walked more than he has struck out since joining the Guardians organization. While his plate discipline has always been fantastic, Chourio showed off much-improved contact skills in 2024. He lowered his strikeout rate from 22.5% to 16% this past season and is still just 19 years old.
His ability to get on base helps fuel his elite stolen base numbers. His 600 PA pace last season was 61 stolen bases. Although his speed is likely to slow down as he continues to add weight, he profiles to be a 30+ base stealer at the major league level. The development of his power will be key to his dynasty value. Currently, Chourio hits too many ground balls to tap into his game power consistently. Notably, he did reduce his ground ball rate from 55% in 2023 to 49.3% in 2024. Chourio projects to hit 10-12 home runs per season but there is room for growth in the coming years. Chourio does not turn 20 until May. He has plenty of time to continue developing but there is already a lot to like here from a dynasty perspective. He could be in for a breakout season in 2025.
4) Juan Brito – 1B/2B, 23 YO
2024 Stats (AAA): .256 AVG | .365 OBP | .443 SLG | 21 HR | 13 SB | 16.1 K% | 13.5 BB%
Juan Brtio has spent the last two seasons in Cleveland’s organization after being acquired from Colorado. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Brito has done nothing but hit since coming over to the States. The biggest question has been: Where will Brito land defensively? Originally signed as a shortstop, Brito has played every position on the infield. He spent the majority of 2024 splitting time between first and second base. First base or DH could be his long-term home although his defensive versatility could help him break through at the major league level.
The dilemma for dynasty managers is figuring out if Brito will put up the offensive numbers required to survive a shift to first base. Brito’s hit tool is certainly a plus. He pairs great plate discipline with plus contact skills. He is also great at hitting line drives and should hit between .260 and .270 at the major league level. Without much speed, Brito will need to recoup fantasy value in the power department. This is the biggest area of concern. Brito’s batted ball data is underwhelming although he generates more home runs than expected thanks to a natural feel for pulling the ball. He hit a career-high 21 home runs in 2024 although the expectation should be in the 15-18 range for him moving forward. Brito is a high-floor, low-ceiling option who is especially valuable in OBP leagues.
5) CJ Kayfus – 1B, 23 YO
2024 Stats (A+/AA: .291 AVG | .393 OBP | .511 SLG | 17 HR | 5 SB | 24.3 K% | 12.3 BB%
Concerns over how CJ Kayfus‘ power would play at the professional level led to his slide into the third round of the 2023 draft. Cleveland snatched him up there selecting him 93rd overall. Kayfus hit .366 and .348 in his final two collegiate seasons and was viewed to have a plus hit tool. His batting stance and swing are as quiet and sound as they come. Quick hands that explode through the zone with very little movement elsewhere. This polished approach has translated well to professional baseball. Kayfus hits a ton of line drives driving the ball to all fields. His contact numbers this past season were better than average and his walk rate is another plus.
Kayfus has a great hit tool but what has his dynasty value rising quickly is the development of his power. In three seasons at Miami, Kayfus hit just 24 home runs total. His power came to life last season as Kayfus hit 17 between High-A and Double-A. Kayfus increased his pull rate significantly leading to this power outburst and could push him into the 20-25 range. He still profiles to be a doubles-over-homers type of player, but the increased power significantly improves his dynasty outlook. His numbers took a hit following a midseason promotion to Double-A so seeing how Kayfus fares against advanced competition in 2025 is something to keep a close eye on.
6) Angel Genao – SS/2B, 20 YO
2024 Stats (A/A+): .330 AVG | .379 OBP | .499 SLG | 10 HR | 25 SB | 15.5 K% | 7.7 BB%
The Guardians signed Angel Genao out of the Dominican Republic back in 2021. The 5’9″ middle infielder was not on many radars prior to 2024 but put together a breakout season. In his third stint in Low-A, Genao looked like a different hitter batting .341 with six homers before a promotion to High-A. His success did not end following his promotion. Genao was nearly as good in High-A hitting .322 with another four home runs. After his strong season, many in the dynasty community are excited to see how Genao continues developing.
Genao has excellent contact skills from both sides of the plate. Genao controls the bat well and sprays the ball to all fields. His ability to handle both righties and lefties makes him an especially tough out. Genao also has plus speed and profiles to steal 20-25 bases at the major league level. The biggest concern with his dynasty value is power. His size and lack of physical projection make it difficult to envision Genao developing much more power. His outburst in Low-A this season was followed up by a sharp decline in his HR/FB% in High-A. Genao also hits the ball on the ground too frequently to tap into much power. Currently, Genao projects for eight to 10 homers lowering his fantasy ceiling. Still just 20, Genao has a lot of qualities to like but he projects as a better real-life player than a fantasy asset.
7) Ralphy Velazquez – 1B, 19 YO
2024 Stats (A/A+): .232 AVG| .347 OBP | .385 SLG | 11 HR | 8 SB | 21.0 K% | 14.6 BB%
In high school, Ralphy Velazquez was primarily a catcher. This lasted all of one start in professional ball as the Guardians quickly shifted him over to first base. Velazquez put together solid numbers in his first full professional season last year. He finished with 11 home runs between Low and High-A although his numbers dipped significantly following his promotion. Velazquez currently grades out as below average. He struggles with off-speed pitches away leading to high strikeout rates in his first season. The more concerning issue is his struggles to handle left-handed pitching leading to platoon risk in his future profile.
If Velazquez is going to become a significant dynasty asset, it will be due to his power. Standing at 6’3″, Velazquez has the frame to hit bombs. His swing is sweet and simple, as he uses his legs to generate significant pop. He is a fly-ball hitter with significant raw pop, which could result in 30+ home runs. Velazquez currently uses the opposite field too much for a pure power hitter, but Cleveland could help adjust his approach in the coming years. Velazquez’s profiles as a power-hitting first baseman in the future. His hit tool is raw but at only 19 years old, there is plenty of time for that to develop.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
8) Braylon Doughty – SP, 19 YO
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): DNP
The Guardians selected Doughty 36th overall in last year’s draft. Doughty is widely considered to be one of the best high school arms to come out of the draft and has immense potential. He features a high 90s fastball and a 3,000 RPM breaking ball. Dynasty managers could not have picked a better landing spot than Cleveland who will hope to develop Doughty into yet another top-tier pitching prospect.
9) Welbyn Francisca – SS, 18 YO
2024 Stats (CPX/A): .326 AVG | .411 OBP | .474 SLG | 7 HR | 19 SB | 15.6 K% | 11.7 BB%
The young shortstop split time between the Complex League and Low-A this season, continuing to show off an impressive hit tool. Francisca has a mature understanding of the strike zone and is a plus runner. His physical projection and batted ball distribution make it unlikely he will ever hit for much power, capping his dynasty value.
10) Joey Cantillo – SP, 25 YO
2024 MiLB Stats (CPX/AAA): 39.2 IP | 4.31 ERA | 29.4 K% | 15.0 BB%
2024 MLB Stats: 38.2 IP | 4.89 ERA | 27.0 K% | 9.2 BB%
Joey Cantillo made his MLB debut this past season and posted a 2.08 ERA across his final 21.2 innings. Cantillo’s fastball is a below-average offering, sitting at just 92 mph. His changeup, however, generated a whiff rate of over 43%. Cantillo’s ceiling is likely as a back-end starter, although a 3.46 xFIP in his first taste of the majors makes him an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on in 2025.
11) Robert Arias – OF, 18 YO
2024 Stats (DSL): .247 AVG | .367 OBP | .347 SLG | 0 HR | 29 SB | 8.3 K% | 13.9 BB%
The Guardians signed Robert Arias in last year’s international signing period and he is already making headlines. Standing at 6’2″ with plenty of physical projection, what makes Arias stand out is his hit tool. He has an excellent eye, excellent bat control, and plus speed. If the power catches up, he will fly up dynasty rankings.
12) Matt Wilkinson – SP, 22 YO
2024 Stats(A/A+): 118.2 IP | 1.90 ERA | 37.6 K% | 8.0 BB%
Matt Wilkinson, or “Tugboat” as his teammates call him, dominated two levels of baseball this season. While his performance on the mound was exciting, his arsenal lacks any difference-making offerings. His fastball sits in the low-90s while his changeup profiles closer to average. Fastball/changeup pitchers do not have a strong track record of success as starters making it difficult to rank Wilkinson any higher.
13) George Valera – OF, 24 YO
2024 Stats (AAA): .248 AVG | .337 OBP | .452 SLG | 17 HR | 6 SB | 27.0 K% | 12.0 BB%
George Valera has been a part of Guardians’ top prospect lists for years now dating back to his signing in 2017. Valera hit 17 home runs in just 90 games at Triple-A this season before a torn patella cost him the end of the season. Injuries and low batting averages have become too consistent of a theme for Valera throughout his professional career making it difficult to envision him becoming a reliable dynasty asset. The patella injury will likely force him to miss significant time next season as well.
14) Parker Messick – SP, 24 YO
2023 Stats (A+/AA): 133.2 IP | 2.83 ERA | 30.2 K% | 8.0 BB%
Parker Messick put together an incredible 2024 season and has yet to see any decline in his numbers despite a promotion to Double-A. Messick is a crafty lefty with a deep arsenal but the stuff continues to look average at best, making many scouts skeptical that his success can continue at the major league level.
15) Cooper Ingle – C, 22 YO
2024 Stats (A+/AA): .305 AVG | .419 OBP | .478 SLG | 11 HR | 7 SB | 13.7 K% | 15.9 BB%
After the Guardians took Cooper Ingle in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, Ingle excelled in his first full season of professional baseball. Ingle showed off an incredible hit tool posting a swinging strike rate below 5.5% while also walking over 14% of the time. His power profiles as below average, but he should post high on-base percentages and move quickly through Cleveland’s system. He is a low-variance, low-upside prospect to know.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
Daniel Espino – 24 YO – Espino was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball before injuries cost him nearly three straight seasons. He now projects at best as a high-leverage reliever.
Kahlil Waston – 21 YO – A former first-round pick who has plus power and speed but has struggled to hit throughout his professional career.
Jacob Cozart – 22 YO – A big and powerful catcher who put up strong numbers at NC State.
Will Dion – 24 YO – Mediocre stuff has caught up to Dion since he reached Double-A in 2023, and his control is spotty at best.
Johnathan Rodriguez – 25 YO – Impressive power numbers throughout his professional career, but serious hit tool issues evidenced by a .129 batting average in 40 MLB plate appearances.