We are all hankering for some Guardians baseball, so let’s rank the ten prospects most likely to make their debut and help the 2026 Cleveland Guardians team.
10 will be least likely of the bunch to debut
and help, and 1 will be most likely. Chase DeLauter has technically yet to make his MLB debut in the regular season but for the purposes of this exercise, we will consider him as having had his debut
10. Angel Genao, SH SS – Genao had an uneven 2025, but is still a promising young shortstop on a team desperately in need of a franchise shortstop. Should Rocchio struggle and Genao take a leap, it is possible for the (by that point) 22-year old to debut late in the year.
9. Jacob Cozart, LHH C – Cozart had a really good second half and gets rave reviews as a defensive catcher. Should Bo falter and Ingle’s defense not progress, Cozart debuting in his age 23 season could become a possibility.
8. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B/OF/DH – Ralphy had a very slow start and an incredibly torrid finish, ending with a 135 wRC+ in his two stops in the minors. Would the Guardians really call him up as a 21 year-old? If he puts up his stats from mid-June-September last year again – 166 wRC+, 16.9/10.1 K/BB – he will force the issue. And he looks viable in the outfield and good at first on defense.
7. Franco Aleman, RHP – Aleman struck out 14 guys per 9 in Columbus last year but walked a ton and gave up a bunch of bombs. With some tweaks, that kind of swing-and-miss stuff will always play. And he’s still only 25.
6. Daniel Espino, RHP – I suspect Espino, if he can remain healthy, will spend a good portion of the year in the bullpen. Let me be clear: if Espino is healthy, the 24 year-old will pitch for Cleveland in 2026. Let’s just hope he can stay healthy.
5. Kahlil Watson, CF – I have Watson lower on this list because I am unsure if the team will keep him or trade him this offseason. If he stays, he will definitely debut in 2026. He has the potential to be a good defensive centerfielder with a major league average bat – something never before seen in Cleveland (ok, since Grady Sizemore).
4. Khal Stephen, RHP – The soon to be 23-years-old pitcher acquired in the Bieber trade will absolutely get starts in Cleveland if he can stay healthy. And he’ll be there to stay.
3. Austin Peterson, RHP – At 26 years old with clear major league back of the rotation potential, if not traded, Peterson will make his debut at some point in 2026, whether as a reliever, spot starter or injury replacement.
2. Cooper Ingle, C – No doubt in my mind that Ingle’s advanced hitting approach will get him to the majors in 2026. Whether as a September addition to the roster or to supplant Bo Naylor or to replace an injured catcher – it’s just a matter of time.
1.Travis Bazzana, LHH 2B – I know he had injuries and some uneven production. Folks, Bazzana, if healthy, will debut in 2026. And it’ll be a day to mark on your calendar and make sure that you can go to the game.
There’s your list! Tell me who I missed! Tell me who I misranked! All in the comments below
