Here are the Guardians' 2026 Top 30 prospects
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The Guardians got a taste of the future when they rostered Chase DeLauter for their 2025 Wild Card Series, making him just the sixth player to see his first MLB action in the playoffs.
The 2022 first-rounder delivered a single -- and fellow Top 30 prospect George Valera hit a key homer -- which sets up for an impactful 2026 season that figures to include another playoff push for Cleveland.
More impact hitters from the Top 100 are on their way too. Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in 2024, will be another American League Rookie of the Year heavyweight when he makes his debut, and shortstop Angel Genao and catcher Cooper Ingle aren't far from the Majors either. Lower down the team's Top 30, center fielder Kahlil Watson and Juan Brito have a chance to be contributors.
Although he didn't pitch in the postseason, southpaw Parker Messick figures to be a mainstay of Cleveland's rotation after 39 2/3 strong big league innings last year, and right-hander Khal Stephen, acquired for Shane Bieber, could join him in the second half. Perhaps most intriguing is the return of 2019 first-rounder Daniel Espino, who has missed nearly four consecutive season but retains his electric stuff and is likely to start the season out of the bullpen.
The Guardians' system is full of its standard contact-oriented, switch-hitting middle infielders and has two consecutive deep Draft classes, but the MLB-ready talent will be felt in 2026 like it hasn't in years past.
Here's a look at the Guardians top prospects:
1. Travis Bazzana, 2B (MLB No. 20)
2. Chase DeLauter, OF (MLB No. 46)
3. Angel Genao, SS (MLB No. 66)
4. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B/OF (MLB No. 89)
5. Parker Messick, LHP (MLB No. 95)
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2025 preseason list to the 2026 preseason list:
Jump: Kahlil Watson, OF (2025: NR | 2026: 15)
A prep shortstop from North Carolina, Watson was one of the top prospect in the 2021 Draft. It's taken several years for him to fulfill his power-speed potential, but he turned a corner in 2025 after making the full-time transition to center field, where he's shown great defensive aptitude with little experience. Platoon concerns remain at the plate, but he's got 20-20 potential and is on the brink of his big league debut.
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Fall: Andrew Walters, RHP (2025: 12 | 2026: 26) and Chase Mobley, RHP (2025: 17 | 2026: NR)
Walters looked like an MLB-ready reliever heading into last season, but shoulder soreness and a torn right lat tendon ended his campaign after one game. He still has back-end-of-the-bullpen upside but has more health and command questions. Mobley, who signed for $1.8 million as a 2024 10th-rounder, showed strikeout stuff (13.1 K/9) but walked 24 batters in 20 innings and is a developmental project.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is plus and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Travis Bazzana (Chase DeLauter, Angel Genao)
Power: 60 -- Chase DaLauter (Jace LaViolette, Ralphy Velazquez)
Run: 65 -- Robert Arias
Arm: 70 -- Alfonsin Rosario
Defense: 55 -- Angel Genao (Robert Arias, Jaison Chourio, Jacob Cozart, Chase DeLauter, Kahlil Watson)
Fastball: 70 -- Daniel Espino (Andrew Walters)
Curveball: 60 -- Braylon Doughty
Slider: 65 -- Daniel Espino (Joey Oakie)
Changeup: 65 -- Parker Messick
Control: 60 -- Parker Messick
How they were built
Draft: 16 | International: 9 | Trade: 4 | Rule 5: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2026: 11 | 2027: 6 | 2028: 6 | 2029: 6 | 2031: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 2 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 2 | SS: 6 | OF: 10 | RHP: 7 | LHP: 2