The Cleveland Guardians made it to the World Series in 2016, and kept right on moving forward with the same approach that kinda-sorta accidentally got them there in the first place.
Except, it wasn’t an accident.
The Guardians have their own way of scouting and developing talent, and it’s not just an avenue to pitching success. The proof it works is on display in the majors right now.
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 23 | Gavin Williams | RHP | 55 |
Injuries are a factor here, but the right-hander has two plus pitches and two average ones supporting a real shot he’s a No. 3 starter in a matter of months.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 22 | Daniel Espino | RHP | 55 |
Espino’s fastball-slider combo is the best in the minors, and his curveball isn’t far off, but injuries have slowed down the train to the majors.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 24 | Tanner Bibee | RHP | 50 |
Two plus pitches, two average pitches, and plus command syggest an innings-eating mid-rotation type arm.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 24 | Bo Naylor | C | 50 |
Naylor has answered a lot of hit and glove questions, allowing the Guardians to plan on his stick year as early as 2023.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 21 | Chase DeLauter | OF | 50 |
DeLauter possesss plus power and speed, and above-average hit and field tools project an everyday left fielder.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 6 | 22 | Brayan Rocchio | SS | 50 |
Rocchio is a switch-hitting infielder with some shortstop ability, but a plus hit tool provides a path to a regular role.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 25 | Justin Campbell | 25 | 45 |
Plus command and a swing-and-miss changeup stand out for Campbell, but 91-94 mph velocity doesn’t tell the whole story on his above-average fastball.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 22 | George Valera | OF | 50 |
He’ll draw walks, defend well in center, and has a chance to hit 20 homers, but there’s hit tool risk here after Valera ran into a wall in Triple-A last season.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 23 | Joey Cantillo | LHP | 45 |
Cantillo has performed well with average stuff, but held back by below-average control.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 22 | Logan T. Allen | LHP | 45 |
The splitter can be devastating and Allen commands his above-average fastball, projecing a mid-rotation tag on the lefty.
[ninja_tables id=”19912″]
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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