Usually, when a team exceeds expectations, it happens because one or several young players break out or dramatically improve. It happened to the Cleveland Guardians this year, who made the postseason and reached the AL Championship Series despite Jose Ramirez not being at his best, because Chase DeLauter, Parker Messick, Gavin Williams, Angel Martinez, and others took a step forward.
For them to take another step toward their first World Series since 1948, they need more breakouts next year, if there’s baseball, of course.
These two players have already helped the Guardians in the last season or two, but their names fell off the map for different reasons. They have a chance to help next year, though:
CJ Kayfus
CJ Kayfus didn’t take advantage of the chance he got to impress this year with the Guardians, slashing a disappointing .182/.280/.364 with an 83 wRC+ in 25 plate appearances. The organization sent him to Triple-A to keep him playing regularly, but he was also below-par there with a .240/.352/.353 (93 wRC+) in 199 trips to the plate.
An ankle injury he suffered in July required surgery and ended his season, but he should be all systems go for 2027 spring training if the lockout doesn’t wipe it out. Will he have a chance to earn a role with the Guardians, though?
Don’t forget that Kayfus was one of the Guardians’ most productive players in that magical 2025 September run, posting a 144 wRC+ with six doubles and two home runs in that final month. Maybe his 2026 was a disaster, but he hasn’t forgotten how to hit, and a good offseason and a solid spring can put him back on the map. He just turned 25, so it’s not too late.
Khalil Watson
The former first-round pick made his MLB debut with the Guardians this summer and, for a brief stint in June, actually carried the team. He ended up struggling and was sent to Triple-A after finishing his MLB campaign with a .239/.264/.341, with a home run and nine steals in 91 plate appearances.
Watson showcased his power-speed potential with 19 round-trippers and 24 thefts in Triple-A, with a solid 116 wRC+. The skills are there for a resurgence campaign in 2027, although he needs to learn to make contact more consistently.
At the MLB level, Watson struck out a whopping 35.2 percent of the time, with a modest 3.3 percent walk rate. If he is healthy, he’ll get his chance.
Watson recently underwent core muscle surgery, but is expected to be ready for the spring.
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