Guardians 2024 Preseason Prospect Rankings
As baseball season quickly approaches here is a preseason ranking of the Guardians top prospects. This ranking utilizes projected future value (PFV) and MLB’s 20-80 scouting scale. Players are grouped by PFV tier.
Overall, it's a deep system filled with middle infielders and relievers with several intriguing outfielders beginning to emerge. The organization lacks starting pitching prospects in the upper half but has several interesting left-handers developing (Cantillo, Messick, Clemmey, Dion, Webb, Humphries).
PFV 55
Chase DeLauter- OF
Notes- Cleveland’s top election in the 2022 draft has five legit tools. Despite the awkward Chase Utley-esque swing, he makes consistent contact displaying plus power potential. While he can handle center field with his above-average speed he seems likely to move to the right field corner where his plus arm strength will play.
Hit: 55 Power: 60 Speed: 55 Arm: 60 Glove: 55
PFV- 55 Potential multi-time All-Star middle of the order bat & Silver Slugger
Kyle Manzardo- 1b
Notes- Expectations are rightfully high after being acquired for Aaron Civale. Manzardo is a quality defender with contact skills and power. He's more contact than power but his power should play for 22-25 hrs per season with doubles power and plenty of walks. He may not get the love he deserves from some prospect sites, but who cares? It's his on-field production and three 55 tools that give him value.
Hit: 55 Power: 55 Speed: 30 Arm: 45 Glove: 55
PFV- 55 potential All-Star first baseman
Brayan Rocchio- SS/2b
Notes- Dubbed “the professor” what seems like eons ago, Rocchio may have his shot at latching on to the shortstop spot. He still rushes his clock and misses plays he should make but overall he's trending toward a plus glove in the future. There is speed to steal 25-30+ bases per season but it's something that hasn't been his focus to this point. To make it and stick as an everyday player he still needs to add strength to his frame and that's disappointing to say at this point. He is a contact-oriented, zone awareness-advanced bat. If he adds strength and everything clicks here, he could be a light version of Andres Gimenez offensively.
Hit: 55 Power: 45 Speed 60 Arm: 50 Glove: 60
PFV- 55 Potential everyday Infielder
PFV 50
Ralphy Velazquez- C/1b
Notes- The California native has an advanced hit tool with zone awareness and contact skills. He has above-average (55) power and could lean into plus (60) raw power. As a defender, he needs work on his framing and blocking but he has a strong plus arm producing sub 1.9 pop times. He's a hard worker with advanced skills and could end up a premium offensive C or slugging 1b. He's an enticing blend of contact and power with the potential to develop into an All-Star caliber performer.
PFV- 50 Everday C/1b with All-Star potential.
Hit: 55 Power 55 Speed 40 Arm: 60 Glove: 45
Jaison Chourio- OF
Notes- Well, apparently he has a brother named Jackson who's good with a stick. The younger of the Chourio brothers is a gifted athlete in his own right. He shows an above-average hit tool or better with both contact skills and zone awareness. There is potential for more power to come, but he isn't his brother in that regard. However, he has added strength to his frame and could start showing power as a result. Defensively, he's better than average with an arm capable of handling right field with ease. He has plenty of speed to handle center field and could shift to right field if he slows as he fills out his frame.
Hit: 55 Power 45 Speed 55 Arm 55 Glove 55
PFV- Potential everyday OF.
Welbyn Francisca- SS
Notes- Larger than his listed 5’8, 148 lbs suggests, Francisca has continued to add strength to his frame. He displays an advanced hit tool (55) with contact skills, and strike zone awareness. The added strength should help him drive the ball more resulting in more doubles and hits over the fence. He posted double-plus run times before he signed but will likely slow to plus or above-average speed as he continues to mature. The young infielder utilizes his speed well on both sides of the ball. Francisca is another in a series of high instinct, high work ethic, high effort players. He's a rangy defender because of his combined speed and baseball acumen giving him a good chance to stick at shortstop long-term. The added strength has resulted in increased arm strength further helping his cause at shortstop.
Hit: 55 Power: 45 Speed: 60 Arm: 55 Glove: 50
PFV- 50 Potential everyday infielder.
Angel Martinez- SS
Notes- contacts skills and zone awareness combine to give him a solid hit tool. He's made swing adjustments this spring and continued to add strength and ability to drive the ball. Martinez is Sandy Martinez’s son, he displays high instincts and understanding as you would expect. He's quick on the bases and defensively. Martinez has experience at all the non-1b positions in the infield and has added reps in the OF this Winter and early Spring.
Hit: 55 Power: 45 Speed: 55 Arm: 55 Glove: 50
PFV- 50 Potential everyday infielder.
Juan Brito- 2b/3b
Notes- excellent strike zone awareness equates to piling up walks to strikeouts at a near 1-to-1 ratio. He has good contact skills to pair with walking at a high rate. Power-wise there's 50 or better raw power potential. So, seeing 18-20+HRs in 600 ABs wouldn't be surprising. Defensively, he can handle his own and has plenty of arm to handle third base if necessary. He could be an on-base machine at the highest level.
Hit: 60 Power: 45 Speed; 45 Arm: 50 Glove: 50
PFV- 50 Potential everyday infielder.
PFV 45
Joey Cantillo- LHSP
George Valera- OF
Alex Clemmey- LHSP
Deyvison De Los Santos- 1b/3b
Andrew Walters- RHRP
Parker Messick- LHSP
Khalil Watson- SS/2b
Petey Halpin- OF
Jackson Humphries- LHSP
Robert Arias- OF
Angel Genao- SS
Jake Fox- OF
Alex Mooney- SS
Rafael Ramirez Jr.- SS/3b
Cantillo- should get a taste of the big show this year. Command needs to improve but his velo is up and his changeup is as good as ever. He has the frame to log innings and the repertoire to work as a low 3/high 4 if his command improves.
Valera- is set to miss time again. Nothing has changed here or at least we haven't seen it. There is power in the bat but also Ks and BBs.
Clemmey- the big, long, strong frame that produces mid-to-upper 90s heat with a plus CB. The CH and command need work. He's extremely projectable but will need patience and health to reach his high-end potential.
De Los Santos- appears questionable to make the big league roster at this point. He was a power grab (in the Rule 5) by this organization. He's extremely young (20) and displays immense power (60/70 raw).
Walters- utilizes elite FB shape characteristics combined with a near-plus command from a low approach angle. He has an underdeveloped slider (something CLE excels in developing) and a changeup. There's a quick return for the investment potential here with high SU/CL potential.
Messick- displays a solid four-pitch mix with his plus CH the best of the four pitches. It's his advanced pitch mix/use and left-handedness that give him a solid floor as a 4/5th starter.
Watson- well-documented maturity issues aside the young shortstop has made the most of his second chance to this point. There's potential for impact power and speed. His positional flexibility could help create more opportunities down the line.
Halpin- the former Texas commit has yet to add power to his game. That could be a separator for him. It's an average hit tool with fringe power production. He's an excellent defender with a right-field capable arm and speed to handle center. Overall, it's a 4th OF profile but with value bc of his three 55 tools.
Humphries- another four-pitch lefty here, it's a low-to-mid 90s heater (t97) with a CB & SL that show intriguing capabilities followed by his CH. His 40-ish command should improve with more experience. There is 3 or 4 upside here.
Arias- another OF with three 55 tools, Arias has the bat-to-ball, zone awareness skills this org loves. He offers good speed and defense too, giving him a solid floor if there is such a thing for such a young player.
Genao- he's a contact hitter with zone awareness. There's an above-average glove and the ability to stick at shortstop with a strong arm and speed. However, he lacks the physicality to produce more than below-average power right now.
Fox- drafted as a shortstop he's a conversion player to the outfield. There's plenty of speed to handle centerfield but doesn't maximize it on the bases to this point. He makes good contact and takes a fair number of walks. His second half of 2023 was strong at the dish.
Mooney- drafted as a SS Mooney utilizes a strong arm and speed (both 55). He makes solid contact. The RHH infielder added strength to his frame. There are possibilities of an everyday player but he's more likely a UTL infielder at all the non-1b positions.
Ramirez Jr.- MLB bloodlines here, Ramirez Jr is a high-instinct player. He might be able to stick at SS for the time being. He's growing into his frame and shows a strong (55) arm. At the dish, he makes good contact and shows off an advanced approach.
PFV 40
Jose Tena- SS/2b
Jhonkensy Noel- 1b/OF
Franco Aleman- RHRP
CJ Kayfus- 1b/LF
Milan Tolentino- SS
Will Dion- LHSP
Cade Smith- RHRP
Ryan Webb- LHSP
Cooper Ingle- C
Jose Devers- SS
Justin Campbell- RHSP
Johnathan Rodriguez- OF
Dayan Frias- SS
Jacob Zibin- RHSP
Joe Lampe- OF
Wuilfredo Antunez- OF
Ethan Hankins- RHSP
Tanner Burns- RHSP
Gabriel Rodriguez- SS
Davis Sharpe- RHRP
Kody Huff- C
Nate Furman- 2b
Christian Knapczyk- 2b
Justin Boyd- OF
Magnus Ellerts- RHRP
Alexfri Planez- OF
Aaron Bracho- 2b/1b
Jack Leftwich- RHSP
Ross Carver- RHRP
Doug Nikhazy- LHSP
Trenton Denholm- RHSP
Dylan DeLucia- RHSP
Luis Merejo Jr- 3b/1b
Jose Pirela Jr.- OF
Yerlin Luis- OF
Tena- defensive UTL infielder profile with improved BB/K rates. Potential bench piece.
Noel- massive power here. There are K issues that could be toned down, but that seems unlikely. He's a potential bench piece with power. These two (Tena too) are unfortunately down to their last option year.
Aleman- made a massive leap forward last year. His FB is now smoking in at 101 and touching upper-90s frequently. There's an above-average (55) SL and useful CH too. It's a potential HSU profile that may handle some closing duties if it comes together.
Kayfus- like Noel is a 1b/cOF. He has good contact skills, decent power, and speed. That's a nice bench profile.
Tolentino- has put in work to improve his game. He's a good defender at SS and has contact skills and speed. He's more than likely a solid bench piece with infield versatility.
Dion- if he were 4/6 inches taller would get more prospect love. He's worked hard to add velo this offseason. He pairs a 55 CB with a solid CH. It's his above-average (55) command and deception that causes it all to play up.
Smith- signed as a draft-worthy NDFA in the shortened 2020 Draft, Smith touches 97 now. He pairs it with a SL and CH.
Webb- he's low 90s nowadays touching 94 and pairs together his CB, SL, and CH with good command. He has a knack for getting punchouts and experience as both a SP and CL.
Ingle- has contact skills and zone awareness. He's a good athlete with experience in multiple positions. Ingle has an above-average (55) arm and an average (50) glove. It's a solid backup C profile.
Devers- bloodlines and talent here, he's an ascending prospect. He's a high-caliber defender with the arm (55) and ability to stick at SS.
Campbell- once a potential middle-of-the-rotation innings eater it's wait-and-see after a second arm injury (ulnar nerve decompression & now possible TJS) shelved him. It's 2+ years of lost development for the righty. He looked bigger/stronger than his listed 6’7/220 this spring. Mechanically, he was more centered/upright with better balance through his delivery. Campbell ranked 14th overall before news of his injury broke.
Rodriguez- massive power here, with a strong RF arm defensively. He has benchpiece potential but K concerns limit his bat.
Frias- another high-caliber defender with an above-average (55) glove and arm. He should develop into a useful UTL infielder who flashes a timely defensive play/and hit too.
Zibin- still ramping back up from TJS, he could rank much higher this time next year. Low-to-mid-90s heat that touched 97-98 mph in the past. His CH is a nasty sinking mid-80s fiend that shows plus (60) projection at times. His SL was a useful developing pitch. He's shown improving below-average command. It's a potential middle-of-the-rotation type of arm if it all comes together.
Lampe- needed to add strength to his frame. He went out and added 23 lbs of muscle to his frame. Lampe displays contact skills and should have more power. He was a plus runner before the weight gain. It's wait and see how he plays with the new more powerful body type. He could develop into a solid bench-type piece.
Antunez- is a player who has good contact skills, a solid arm, and decent speed. While he's not tooled up he has a solid floor as a developing bench-type OF.
Hankins- there's still big potential here. He's put in a lot of work to develop physically and it's paid off with a strong, long frame. Hankins sits low-to-mid 90s with four pitch blend and punch-out ability. Durability issues and inning limits may be a thing of the past…we shall see. There's an outside shot at a mid-rotation arm with a better chance he contributes as a BP arm if at all at the highest level.
Burns- converted to a bullpen arm last season. He's back into the mid-90s this spring touching 96 at times. He looks like a potential mid-innings arm that could go multiple innings.
Rodriguez- not to be confused with the other younger player at the same position by the same name displayed contact skills before signing with the club. There's a strong arm and good glove with the hope he can develop into at least a UTL infielder.
Sharpe- four pitches with a low-to-mid 90s heater, his cutter/slider helps him get outs. It's a middle-innings type profile.
Huff- acquired for Cal Quantrill is a defense-first backstop with a solid arm and good glove/framing skills. He's limited at the dish but could develop into a solid backup C.
Furman- the speedy 2b uses advanced contact skills and zone awareness to get on base. There's plus or better speed but he lacks pop. It's possibly a 2b/OF UTL profile.
Knapczyk- drives the bath with some authority and gets on base showing plus speed on the bases. He's a middle infielder with potential as a UTL type. He can raise his stock if he shows he can stick at shortstop.
Boyd- struggled with lower leg injuries in 2023. Boyd showed good contact skills and a little bit of pop. He was acquired as part of the return for OF Will Benson.
Ellerts- he has a nice pairing of a low-to-mid 90s heater with a nice curve and change-up. He could easily rank higher but gets caught in the depth of the org in this tier. There's middle reliever potential with the possibility of helping out as a low set-up arm.
Planez- injuries have derailed him as a prospect. There's above-average (55) power or better with moderate strikeouts paired with a handful of walks. He has an above-average arm and decent speed.
Bracho- he stopped switch-hitting and was healthy showing above-average (55( power potential. There are plenty of strikeouts but he does take a fair number of walks. He looks like a possible LHH bench piece.
Leftwich- low-to-mid 90s heat touching 96-98 at times. It's his slider that makes him interesting. He has sP and RP experience. There's potential for things to come together, he likely emerges as a middle RP with an outside chance of L SU potential.
Carver- sits low-to-mid 90s, with an above-average CB, rounding out his mix with an SL and CH. The command is fringe-average (45). There's SP and RP experience. He projects as an MR/LR-type arm.
Nikhazy- sits upper 80s-to-low 90s, touching 94. It's an above-average CB that makes him interesting. However, his lack of command is limiting his upside. He's experienced as an RP and SP. His profile leans toward an MR/LR role if he can harness his command.
Denholm- low-90s up to 94, there's an above-average CB, a useful CH, and above-average command. The ceiling is low but the profile is safe. He's an MR/LR-type arm due to the smaller frame.
DeLucia- the hero of Mississippi’s national title run, DeLucia has a low-to-mid 90s heater, with a high spin 55 slider and change of pace. There's potential for 50 command. DeLucia is returning from 2023 TJS and will be limited in 2024. He could make a jump in rankings if healthy.
Merejo Jr- an RHH with a solid arm and emerging 55 raw power. He is selective at the dish. There's potential he should climb the rankings.
Pirela Jr- the young OF has a good frame and could add strength. He has good speed a solid arm and 55 raw power potential. He's another player that could ascend the rankings.
Luis- abundantly selective at the dish, Luis has an extremely advanced approach, perhaps to his detriment. He's another name to know as the 2024 season nears.
PFV 35+ (In no particular order)
-Daniel Espino- RHRP
-Raynel Delgado- 2b
-Guy Lipscomb- OF
-Tyler Thornton- RHRP
-Bryan Lavastida- C
-Jose Cedeno- C
-Tommy Hawke- OF
-Nic Enright- RHRP
-Juan Benjamin- 2b
-Jay Driver- RHRP
-Steven Hajjar- LHSP
-Tommy Mace- RHSP
-Isaiah Greene- OF
-Hunter Stanley- RHRP
-Kyle Morehouse- RHRP
-Shawn Rapp- LHRP
-Bradley Hanner- RHRP
-Erik Sabrowski- LHRP
-Tyler Brown- RHRP
-Lenny Torres Jr.- RHRP
-Jonathan Martinez- SS
-Miguel Flores- LHSP
-Jonah Advincula- OF
-Conner Cokx- OF
-Yordys Valdes- SS
-Christian Cairo- SS
-Maick Collado- 1b/3b
-Gabriel Rodriguez- SS ‘24
RHSP
Espino- The right-hander’s future is in jeopardy. He is a one-time 60 PFV arm and frontline arm with a 100 mph+ FB and strikeout SL and CB paired with a serviceable CH. It's been a long time since he's been on the mound and physically 100%. He is an impressively put-together pitcher/athlete. Now requiring a second rotator cuff surgery with capsule repair pitching again may not make sense…that said, he seems determined to make it. If he can get healthy and back on the mound he's likely limited to a bullpen role. Before injury news broke he was ranked 9th overall.
This player grouping includes several relievers (a few with low approach angles) with the potential to help a major league bullpen in a low middle relief role: Thornton, Enright, Hajjar, Morehouse, Rapp, and Torres among them. Arms like Thornton, Driver, and Rapp utilize unique arm paths that create deception. While arms like Enright, Sabrowski (TJS x2!), Brown, and Hanner offer little upside; they are more polished and could contribute quickly. There are several versatile middle infielders with capable gloves that could help a big-league club including Delgado, Cairo, and Valdes. While recent acquisitions such as Hawke, Martinez, Rodriguez ‘24, Advincula, and Flores have yet to debut.