Barring some last-minute additions and a complete reversal in spending habits, the Cleveland Guardians will lean into youth and continuity heading into the 2026 season.
Coming off of an 88-win season and their second consecutive American League Central crown, the Guardians followed it up with a quiet offseason on the player acquisition front, as they ran into an issue of either being priced out of the top free agents or passed over by others who wanted more assurances with playing time.
Prospects knocking on the door were the reason those mid-tier free agents took deals elsewhere, and they’ll now be counted on as the Guardians go for three consecutive divisional titles.
And, to note, outfielder George Valera and starting pitcher Parker Messick figure to be major factors for the Guardians in 2026, but neither really qualifies as a prospect anymore. Petey Halpin could see some playing time, but it’ll likely be as a bench outfielder. Doug Nikhazy is in a similar position as someone who already made his MLB debut, but might be in danger of being passed in the pitching pecking order in Triple-A.
First baseman Ralphy Velazquez, outfielders Jace LaViolette and Jaison Chourio and infielder Angel Genao are all among the Guardians’ top prospects, and all four are major reasons why Cleveland owns one of the top-ranked systems in baseball.
However, all four are also likely a few years away from the majors, so they don’t quite qualify for this list — yet.
Here are the top 11 prospects who could make an impact for the Guardians in 2026.
Chase DeLauter, outfielder
Chase DeLauter kinda-sorta already made his major league debut, as the Guardians called him up in the playoffs, proving how valuable he can be — when he’s on the field, at least.
Injuries have followed DeLauter his entire career. If he’s healthy, he’ll likely be a fixture in the Guardians outfield in 2026 and beyond. He’ll have a chance to break camp with the major league club, though he could make his second debut a few weeks into the regular season.
Travis Bazzana, second baseman
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Travis Bazzana figures to become the Guardians’ everyday second baseman at some point this season.
His path to the majors was delayed last season by an oblique injury, and he’s had to watch several of the other top-10 picks from his draft class already make the jump to the big leagues. Now healthy, it shouldn’t be long until he’s a regular in the Cleveland lineup.
Both DeLauter and Bazzana are left-handed, which doesn’t help the lineup’s balance, but they add a talent ceiling that is badly needed to be infused into the batting order.
Juan Brito, infielder
Juan Brito, a switch-hitting infielder, would have made his MLB debut in 2025 if not for thumb and hamstring injuries that required surgery. He was in a group of prospects expected to help bolster the 2025 lineup, but he simply was never really available.
With Bazzana on the way at second base, the Guardians might have to get creative with where Brito actually plays at the major league level, but if he can move around, there’s a path to at-bats in such a left-handed-heavy lineup.
Angel Genao is another switch-hitting infielder who is also on the 40-man roster, but Brito is three years older and would likely get the first look.
Peyton Pallette, relief pitcher
Peyton Pallette doesn’t have the same level of prospect pedigree as others on this list, but he does have perhaps the clearest path to immediate playing time at the major league level after the Guardians selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. Pallette has to remain on the major league roster. Otherwise, the Guardians will have to offer him back to the Chicago White Sox.
The Guardians’ pitching development has become so elite that anytime they bring in a young pitcher, his stock is likely to rise. Pallette could round out the Opening Day bullpen.
Daniel Espino, right-handed pitcher
Daniel Espino’s prospect profile is relatively simple: he has elite, off-the-charts-level stuff, but also one of the worst injury track records in the minors.
Despite knee and significant shoulder issues, Espino has one of the highest ceilings of any pitching prospect in the game, but also one of the lowest floors. There’s a chance he could break onto the scene and instantly lift the Guardians pitching staff to new heights. He very well could also never pitch in the majors, if the injuries prove to be too much.
Whether as a starter or a reliever, if Espino can remain healthy, he’ll be a major name to watch.
Cooper Ingle, catcher
Bo Naylor has had every chance to take full control of the playing time at catcher in Cleveland, but to date hasn’t quite found the needed consistency. The Guardians are hoping a swing change that led to a productive September carries over into 2026.
If not, Cooper Ingle could begin to push Naylor a bit. At the same time, the Guardians also have Austin Hedges signed to a one-year deal, and David Fry is again available for catching duties, so there’s no rush.
Yorman Gomez and Austin Peterson, right-handed pitchers
The Guardians added two right-handed pitching prospects to the 40-man roster last November, giving Yorman Gomez and Austin Peterson the inside track to making their debuts in 2026.
Gomez has some momentum as a prospect after adding some velocity to his fastball in 2025 while throwing a five-pitch mix that includes three plus-pitches (fastball, sweeper, cutter). Peterson already has 90⅔ innings at Triple-A and could be a front-runner for some spot starts behind Messick (assuming he’s the odd man out from the Opening Day rotation).
Khal Stephen, right-handed pitcher
Khal Stephen isn’t yet on the Guardians’ 40-man roster, but he was the return for Shane Bieber in last year’s deadline trade, so Cleveland already has plenty of investment in him.
Stephen owns great command with a five-pitch mix that makes him a candidate to be another Guardians pitching prospect who quickly climbs the ladder to the majors. Although a few pitchers are ahead of him in the current pecking order, Stephen could be a candidate for the majors in the second half of the 2026 season.
Kahlil Watson, outfielder
Kahlil Watson is yet another left-handed-hitting outfielder, but the Guardians need all the help they can get, and there’s a reason they added him to the 40-man roster this winter.
Watson was drafted as a shortstop but has been converted to a full-time outfielder who can play all three spots, and he has the bat to be an intriguing candidate for a call-up to the majors at some point in 2026.
Franco Aleman, relief pitcher
Franco Aleman had a great deal of momentum as a pitching prospect until he hit a wall in 2025, when he posted a nightmarish 7.85 ERA in 36⅔ innings with Triple-A Columbus. He’s had some great stretches in the past, and he’s already on the 40-man roster, so if he can find it again he could be a candidate to help the Guardians bullpen.
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: The top 11 Guardians prospects who could make an impact in 2026
Reporting by Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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