Four Burning Questions for the Guardians as Spring Training Heats Up in the Desert

Spring Training is always an exciting time for baseball fans, especially those watching the Cleveland Guardians’ young talent. This year, several prospects are looking to make their mark and potentially break into the Major League roster. Here are four burning questions that will keep fans and dynasty owners watching closely.

Question #1: Who will step up and fill out the starting rotation?

The Guardians have added significant pitching depth this offseason, acquiring a wave of MLB arms including Luis Ortiz, Slade Cecconi, Jakob Junis, Vince Velasquez, Kolby Allard, and John Means. This influx of pitchers creates a crowded and competitive situation, with every arm having significant questions.

Tanner Bibee stands out as the only sure thing from last year’s rotation, establishing himself as a reliable cornerstone for the pitching staff. Amid this uncertainty, Joey Cantillo has emerged as the prospect most likely to challenge for a rotation spot. His impressive MLB debut last season positions him as a frontrunner to break camp with the big league club. The 25-year-old lefty posted a 4.31 ERA in 39.2 innings, but his 13.5% swinging strike rate, along with a 27% strikeout rate suggests an ability to miss bats consistently.

Other promising rotation candidates include Parker Messick, another left-handed pitcher who posted a 2.83 ERA with an impressive 30.2% strikeout rate across High-A and Double-A last season. Doug Nikhazy, who was added to the Guardians’ 40-man roster following last season, is coming off a strong year with a 2.87 ERA in 75.1 innings at Triple-A. He is also having a very strong spring.

Question #2: Who will slot in at second base until the Guardians #1 prospect, Travis Bazzana, is ready?

The offseason trade of Andrés Giménez has created an opening at second base, sparking competition until Bazzana is ready. Juan Brito stands out as the only true prospect with a real opportunity. While other infielders like Gabriel Arias, Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneemann, and Tyler Freeman could potentially get opportunities, Brito represents the most promising option due to his offensive upside.

Brito is a switch-hitter who had a .256/.365/.443 slash line at Triple-A in 2024. He crushed a career-high 21 home runs, had 40 doubles, and added 13 steals. Brito also showed impressive plate discipline with a 13.5% walk rate and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, he’s shown versatility, having played multiple positions, which only increases his value. His mature approach at the plate suggests he could be more than just a stopgap solution until Bazzana arrives. Though Brito’s spring performance is still finding its rhythm, his track record suggests better days are ahead.

Drafted first overall in 2024, Bazzana is viewed as a generational talent who could quickly rise through the system. His advanced approach at the plate makes him a critical piece of the Guardians’ future, with many expecting him to be a mainstay in the team’s infield for years to come – perhaps as early as 2025.

Question #3: Will Chase DeLauter, the Guardians #2 prospect, be able to get on the field this year?

DeLauter entered spring training with a fairly legitimate shot at breaking camp with the Guardians, but another injury has him out at least 8-12 weeks. He had surgery to repair a sports hernia on March 4, which adds another layer to his significant injury history and further stalls his development. He’s shown impressive offensive skills when on the field, hitting .340 in 47 at-bats in the Arizona Fall League this past year, but his ability to stay healthy long-term remains a big question mark.

As manager Stephen Vogt noted before this latest injury, “As Chase continues to develop, it’s about understanding what it takes for that body to be able to play every day.” With the right support system in place, DeLauter is on track to figure it out.

Johnathan Rodriguez is another prospect that’s a legitimate right field option. He claimed International League MVP honors with a standout season at Triple-A Columbus, batting .301 with 29 home runs and 94 RBI. George Valera, a long-standing Guardians prospect, has also been mentioned this spring to be in the mix. However, it’s likely that right field will once again be a platoon situation to start the season between Jhonkensy Noel and Will Brennan.

Question #4: What prospect arms will be added to the bullpen to continue its dominance?

The Guardians boasted the best bullpen in Major League Baseball last season, posting a league-leading 2.57 ERA and setting a new standard for relief pitching. Led by Emmanuel Clase, widely considered the best closer in the game, and featuring standout performers like Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis, the bullpen was a dominant force.

Andrew Walters is the prospect arm most likely to contribute to this elite unit in 2025. Since being drafted, he’s quickly moved through the minor league system, reaching Triple-A last season and also making his MLB debut, pitching 8.2 innings with zero earned runs.

Franco Aleman represents another intriguing prospect option. He provides additional depth with his power arm. However, Aleman is already nursing an injury this spring, so he’ll need to stay healthy.

Bonus: Who are the potential risers in the Guardians system in 2025?

Dynasty owners should keep an eye on these under-the-radar prospects:

• Austin Peterson turned heads in 2024 with a remarkable season across Single and Double-A. The 6-foot-6 right-hander uses his towering frame to create deception and extension, making him one of the system’s fastest risers. He features pinpoint control – issuing only 21 walks in 160 innings.
• Luis Merejo brings something different to the Guardians’ system – raw power that sets him apart from the organization’s typical contact-first prospects. The young slugger made waves at Single-A last year, showing the kind of pop that could make him an impact bat.
• Josh Hartle, acquired this offseason from Pittsburgh, was once lauded as a potential mid-rotation arm, but he regressed significantly in his 2024 season at Wake Forest. He represents a classic Cleveland reclamation project, which makes the 6-foot-5 lefty an intriguing prospect for an organization known for its pitching development.

Wrap Up
The Guardians’ 2025 prospect class offers serious potential value. Cantillo could emerge as a rotation piece, Brito as middle infield insurance, DeLauter as a breakout in the outfield, and Walters as an immediate bullpen piece for those in holds leagues. With the Guardians’ track record of developing young talent, these prospects aren’t just depth – they are players to watch. Smart owners will keep an eye on the Guardians spring training camp as the next wave of talent prepares to contribute.

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