The people have spoken and Travis Bazzana is our #2 Guardians prospect. Bazzana won by just one vote at the time we shut the poll down due to suspected spamming.
The number one pick in the 2024 draft had a strong season, overall, in 2025, despite having it cut short by an oblique injury. In 228 plate appearances at Double-A, Bazzana put up a 136 wRC+ with a .256/.364/.426 slashline, and then followed that up with a 138 wRC+ in 120 Triple-A plate appearances, posting a .225/.389/.424 slashline. He
receives mixed reviews as a second baseman defensively, but the general consensus seems to be that he is probably locked in as a second-base-only option but should be above average there.
The primary concern about Bazzana is a high strikeout rate – he struck out 24.3% of the time last year – and a lower power output than what many had hoped (a .424 slugging percentage overall). Certainly, the oblique concern may have affected both numbers, but the primary way for Bazzana to take a big leap in 2026 will be to swing at more strikes (he swung at only 57.4% of pitches thrown in the strike zone last year; in the big leagues, Jose Ramirez swings at 63%, so you’d like to see Bazzana swinging at 65-70% of strikes in the minors). Bazzana has also pulled the ball effectively (close to 50% of the time) but has only got the ball in the air around 35% of the time. To get to more of his raw power, he will need to increase his pulled-fly ball rate to something more commensurate with his strong college pulled-fly-ball rates, in which case his home run and extra base hit counts should skyrocket.
With several other 2024 first round draft picks debuting in 2025, we should expect to see Bazzana hit the ground running in the spring to push to make the Guardians’ major league roster sometime around June 2026. The Guardians seem determined to not add anyone who can block Bazzana’s path to the big leagues, so, if all goes well, hopefully he’ll be playing second base and batting 2nd for the Guardians sometime this summer. Aside from Spring Training, Guardians’ fans will also be able to follow Bazzana in the World Baseball classic as he plans to play for his home country Australia’s national team.
Now, it’s time to determine who is number three in the Guardians’ loaded farm system! Your options are below:
Braylon Doughty, RHP (Age 20)
2025 (A): 22 GS, 85.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 27.3%, 6.4%, 1.25 WHIP
Cleveland’s competitive balance first round pick in 2024, Doughty debuted in full-season ball and put up solid numbers in his age-19 season at Single-A, showcasing elite control.
Angel Genao, SS (Age 21)
2025 (CPX) 32 PA, .308/.438/.654, 3 HR, 0 SB, 18.8 BB%, 12.5 K%, 177 wRC+
2025 (AA): 341 PA, .259/.323/.359, 2 HR, 6 SB, 8.5 BB%, 15.8 K%, 103 wRC+
Had an average regular season in 2025 after missing the first two months with a shoulder sprain, which likely sapped his power after he came back in June.
Parker Messick, LHP (Age 25)
2025 (AAA) 20 GS, 98.2 IP, 3.47 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 29.1 K%, 10.3 BB%, 1.22 WHIP
2025 (MLB): 7 GS, 39.2 IP, 2.72 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 23.0 K%, 3.6 BB%, 1.31 WHIP
Guardians 2022 2nd round pick. Pitched well at Triple-A, then improved his numbers after earning a late-season promotion into Cleveland’s starting rotation.
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B (Age 20)
2025 (A+) 418 PA, .245/.323/.469, 17 HR, 1 SB, 9.6 BB%, 20.3 K%, 120 wRC+
2025 (AA): 126 PA, .330/.405/.589, 5 HR, 0 SB, 9.5 BB%, 15.1 K%, 188 wRC+
Was Cleveland’s most impressive hitter in the minor leagues in the second half of 2025 after getting off to a slow start at Single-A. Dominated after being promoted to Double-A Akron.
Cooper Ingle, C (Age 23)
2025 (AA) 403 PA, .273/.391/.443, 9 HR, 0 SB, 16.1 BB%, 17.4 K%, 148 wRC+
2025 (AAA) 107 PA, .207/.383/.329, 1 HR, 0 SB, 19.6 BB%, 16.7K%, 105 wRC+
Ingle displays some miniscule swinging-strike rates and high contact rates combined with a great eye at the plate for excellent on-base percentages. Now, the questions remain if he can get to enough power and grow enough defensively to project as an above-average major league catching option, perhaps as early as this September.
NOTE ON POLL: This is just a fun exercise so please do not ruin it for people by spamming the vote. Please vote once and let’s see what the wisdom of crowds on CTC says. If we see spamming, we will shut the poll down as we did yesterday. Thanks for keeping it fun and fair for everyone.
