CLEVELAND -- C.J. Kayfus’ father, David, was on the road on Friday, driving from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Jacksonville, where his son was slated to play this weekend for Triple-A Columbus. But halfway through his drive, David’s phone rang, and his son was on the other end.
C.J. Kayfus called bearing news -- and an updated travel itinerary. He told David to turn around and catch a flight to Cleveland, because he was headed to the big leagues.
“I think he had to pull over and let my stepmom [Karen] start driving,” C.J. said on Saturday. “He was really excited.”
The Guardians promoted Kayfus (ranked as their No. 4 prospect and No. 66 overall by MLB Pipeline) from Columbus on Saturday. He batted eighth and started in right field against the Twins, going 0-for-4 and logging his first career RBI on a groundout in Cleveland's 5-4 win at Progressive Field.
Outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez was optioned to Columbus in a corresponding move. The Guardians also added Carlos Hernández (whom the club claimed off waivers from Detroit on Thursday) to its roster and optioned lefty Tim Herrin to Columbus.
After Kayfus called his dad, he phoned his mom, Haika, who is a nighttime nurse and sleeps during the day.
“So I had to call her a couple times to wake her up,” Kayfus said. “I think she probably sprung out of bed the fastest she ever has.”
Kayfus was the Guardians’ third-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Miami. A left-handed hitter, he has split the ‘25 season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, and he has had as impressive of a season as any hitter in Cleveland's farm system.
Kayfus entered Saturday with a .300/.390/.539 slash line with 18 doubles, eight triples, 14 homers and 54 RBIs, with 44 walks and 93 strikeouts over 86 games between Akron and Columbus this season. He earned a promotion from Akron to Columbus on April 28.
Over 68 games with the Clippers, Kayfus has slashed .283/.367/.526 with 14 doubles, four triples, 13 homers and 43 RBIs, with 33 walks and 79 strikeouts. He also represented the Guardians in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game in July.
While the possibility of a big league callup has loomed this summer, Kayfus tried to stay grounded.
“It was definitely in the back of my mind,” he said. “But I tried not to think about it. Just think about the things that I can control and where I was at the time, when I was in Akron and later in Columbus.”
Kayfus stepped to the plate in the second inning on Saturday with runners on first and third and none out. He swung and missed at two Bailey Ober changeups to fall behind, 0-2, but then Kayfus drove in Bo Naylor from third on a groundout to shortstop Brooks Lee.
Kayfus got a loud ovation from the announced crowd of 35,116 as he jogged back to the dugout. He later received the lineup card and baseball from his groundout, which will be a gift for his parents.
“Hearing the fans and the crowd behind me was honestly [like] nothing I've ever felt before,” Kayfus said.
A first baseman by trade, Kayfus has seen the majority of his playing time there this season (387 2/3 innings over 47 games), but he has also received a steady dose of playing time in the outfield. Kayfus has made 24 appearances in right field (193 innings) and 13 in left (106 1/3).
“I’m just really excited for him,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “He’s had a great start to his season in the Minor Leagues. We know he can help us offensively, and he's versatile on defense -- [playing] outfield, first base, and he can DH a little bit. We just feel like it gives us another option. I’m just really excited for C.J. and his family.”
The Guardians value versatility, and Kayfus’ ability to play the outfield likely helped make his pathway to the Majors this season clearer, given Carlos Santana and Kyle Manzardo are currently on the first base depth chart.
Along with Santana and Manzardo at first base, the corner outfield picture includes All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner Steven Kwan in left, and Nolan Jones and Daniel Schneemann as options in right. But given how Kayfus has hit, he has earned a shot to help in Cleveland. And if his bat travels to the big leagues, the Guardians will have no issue getting him into the lineup.
Kayfus got to Cleveland around 3 a.m. on Saturday, after he experienced some flight delays due to weather issues. But it could not spoil his big day.
“An early morning, late night,” Kayfus said. “It took me a little while to fall asleep. I was rolling around, too excited. It felt like Christmas.”