With the Minor League season opening this week, here's where the Guardians' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:
- Travis Bazzana (MLB Pipeline No. 18), 2B -- Columbus (Triple-A)
- Chase DeLauter (No. 44), OF -- Cleveland (MLB)
- Angel Genao (No. 64), SS -- Akron (Double-A)
- Ralphy Velazquez (No. 86), 1B/OF -- Akron (Double-A)
- Cooper Ingle (No. 95), C -- Columbus (Triple-A)
- Khal Stephen, RHP -- Akron (Double-A)
- Braylon Doughty, RHP -- Lake County (High-A)
- Jace LaViolette, OF -- Lake County (High-A)
- Joey Oakie, RHP -- Hill City (Single-A)
- Juneiker Caceres, OF -- Hill City (Single-A)
- Jaison Chourio, OF -- Lake County (High-A)
- Welbyn Francisca, SS -- Lake County (High-A) -- IL (shoulder)
- Dean Curley, INF -- Lake County (High-A)
- Kahlil Watson, OF -- Columbus (Triple-A)
- Alfonsin Rosario, OF -- Akron (Double-A)
- Juan Brito, 2B -- Columbus (Triple-A)
- Daniel Espino, RHP -- Columbus (Triple-A)
- Aaron Walton, OF -- Lake County (High-A)
- Jacob Cozart, C -- Akron (Double-A)
- Gabriel Rodriguez, SS/3B -- Hill City (Single-A)
- Robert Arias, OF -- Hill City (Single-A)
- Dauri Fernandez, INF -- Hill City (Single-A)
- Will Hynes, RHP -- Extended spring training
- Svert Reinoso, SS -- Extended spring training (Dominican Republic)
- Andrew Walters, RHP -- Cleveland (MLB) -- IL (lat surgery rehab)
- Josh Hartle, LHP -- Akron (Double-A)
- Nolan Schubart, OF/1B -- Lake County (High-A)
- George Valera, OF -- Cleveland (MLB) -- IL (left calf strain)
- Peyton Pallette, RHP -- Cleveland (MLB)
- Luke Hill, 3B/2B -- Lake County (High-A)
Team to watch
The Guardians have distributed their prospect talent pretty evenly between their top three affiliates, but we'll give the nod to Triple-A Columbus. Second baseman Travis Bazzana was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft and has one of the highest offensive ceilings in the Minors. The Clippers' lineup runs deep with catcher Cooper Ingle, outfielder Kahlil Watson and second baseman Juan Brito. Right-hander Daniel Espino, who once owned the most electric arsenal of any pitching prospect, continues his comeback after missing most of four seasons with shoulder problems.
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Bazzana could force his way into Cleveland's lineup in the first month or two of the season. Ingle, Watson and Brito could get their first taste of the big leagues in complementary roles. Espino certainly has the stuff to make an impact as a reliever if he can stay healthy.
New faces
Outfielder Jace LaViolette entered 2025 as a potential No. 1 overall pick and slipped all the way to No. 27, and he didn't make his pro debut last summer after breaking his hand during the Southeastern Conference tournament. He's ready to go at High-A Lake County. The top Canadian high school pitcher in last year's Draft, right-hander Will Hynes will break into pro ball in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in May. Dominican shortstop Svert Reinoso, the best player in Cleveland's 2026 international crop, will play in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in June. Rule 5 Draft pick Peyton Pallette stuck with the Guardians and delivered two scoreless innings in his first appearance.
On the shelf
Shortstop Welbyn Francisca is dealing with a shoulder issue and should join Lake County by late April. Right-hander Andrew Walters (lat surgery rehab) and outfielder George Valera (left calf strain) are on Cleveland's injured list. Valera is on a rehab assignment at Columbus, while Walters could return in May.
How to watch
Fans can watch Minor League Baseball games for free on the Bally Sports Live app or at BallySports.com. Fans may also purchase an MLB+ subscription, which includes access to MiLB games live and on demand, in addition to live MLB audio for all 30 teams, MLBNetwork and MLB Big Inning. Plus -- with or without a subscription -- Minor League games featuring MLB's top prospects are available in the MiLB Free Game of the Day.