Young talent in spotlight as Guardians eye improved offense

CLEVELAND -- As the Guardians get set to open Spring Training in Goodyear, Ariz., next week, at least one thing is certain: We’re going to find out what Cleveland has within its crop of up-and-coming position players this season.

The Guardians’ offensive shortcomings in 2025 have been well-documented, and the club has acknowledged those struggles all offseason. It has not been a question of whether Cleveland can be better at the plate in '26, but a matter of how and who could help make it happen.

The Guardians ranked 28th in the Majors in runs per game in 2025 (3.97). They ranked 29th in batting average (.226) and on-base percentage (.296), and were tied for 28th in slugging percentage (.373).

“We need to be better offensively,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said last week, after the Guardians announced José Ramírez’s seven-year contract extension. “We were not good enough last year offensively.

“Our belief, though, is that we can get better and will get better through the players that are within the organization.”

• Everything to know for Guardians Spring Training in 2026

Cleveland has expressed on multiple occasions how it wants to provide runway to its young players in 2026, and that has been balanced against the potential for external acquisitions. As we approach the start of camp, Ramírez’s extension has marked the Guardians' most significant transaction within their position-player mix this winter.

The Guardians have added just two new position players: outfielder Stuart Fairchild and infielder Carter Kieboom -- both of whom signed Minor League deals with an invite to big league Spring Training. They pursued potential fits who could complement their current mix, such as reuniting with free-agent outfielder Lane Thomas, according to a source. Thomas, however, signed a one-year deal with the Royals.

“There were some players that we targeted that fit a very defined role on our team, but we weren't able to get them,” Antonetti said. “It wasn't a financial reason. In fact, the players that we made offers to signed elsewhere for very comparable deals. It was more about playing time because we wanted to give those young players opportunities. The players we targeted felt that they could play more somewhere else.”

It means that the Guardians’ returning mix and homegrown talent must take strides this year for their offensive production to improve. To be sure, the club has a bevy of candidates who could step up.

Chase DeLauter (ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 46 prospect), George Valera and C.J. Kayfus each made their MLB debut down the stretch in 2025. Each is set to contribute further this year, and could help bolster an outfield that ranked last in MLB in OPS in 2025 (.629).

Kyle Manzardo is entering his second full big league season, after he ranked second on the Guardians in homers (27) in 2025. Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor (who are entering their third extended campaign in the Majors) showed flashes in the second half of ‘25.

Rocchio logged a .702 OPS in 80 games after being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 1, compared to a .433 OPS in 35 games prior. Naylor slashed .290/.324/.548 with 16 RBIs over 19 games in September.

Gabriel Arias, Nolan Jones, Angel Martínez, Johnathan Rodríguez and Daniel Schneemann are also among the returnees who will have an opportunity to help. And within the farm system, Travis Bazzana (Pipeline’s No. 20 overall prospect in 2026), Juan Brito (the Guardians’ No. 14 prospect in ‘25) and Kahlil Watson (No. 18) are among those who could reach the Majors this year.

Of course, there’s more variance and unpredictability with up-and-coming players. This is a group that struggled last year, and the Guardians had an opportunity to add proven hitters to the mix while still providing the young guys runway. What’s more, guys such as DeLauter, Bazzana and Brito missed extended time due to injuries in 2025, and Valera also has had tough injury luck.

The Guardians were better offensively in September, when they chased down the Tigers to clinch the AL Central title. Cleveland ranked sixth in the Majors in runs (124) and 14th in OPS (.720).

As they get ready to open camp, the Guardians are counting on building upon that performance in 2026.

“We need to get better,” Antonetti said. “We need to be a better offensive team than we were last year. But our belief is that we can do that with the players on our roster. If that proves not to be correct, we've always had the flexibility to address needs during the season.

“If that's the way the season shakes out, then I'm confident we'll have the resources to improve the team at that point.”