The Cleveland Guardians have built their success on a strong foundation of young prospects who are able to make their way to the majors and contribute to a winning team. Without a desire to spend big on free agents or commit to a payroll that matches most other playoff contenders, that strategy has worked out for them surprisingly well.
The Guardians regularly have multiple players on various lists of the top prospects in the sport. It is a point of pride for the organization, and they can boast another stellar class this year.
Two Guardians players are debuting on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect list: pitcher Parker Messick at No. 95 and catcher Cooper Ingle at No. 99.
“Get to know the fresh faces on the Top 100 Prospect list! 95. Parker Messick, 99. Cooper Ingle,” MLB Pipeline posted on X.
Get to know the fresh faces on the Top 100 Prospect list!
Nine players are new additions to the rankings: https://t.co/FbRBGuu2AH pic.twitter.com/6h3xE2yBSF
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) January 25, 2026
They are among nine new players in the Top 100, with the highest being Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Connelly Early at No. 56. All of the others are ranked 85 or lower, so Messick and Ingle fit right into that group.
Overall, the Guardians have six players on the list, which is second only to the Seattle Mariners (seven). Cleveland’s group is topped by infielder Travis Bazzana at No. 20 and followed by outfielder Chase DeLauter at No. 46, shortstop Angel Genao at No. 66, and first baseman/outfielder Ralphy Velazquez at No. 89.
Messick made his MLB debut last August and was very impressive in helping the Guardians rally for their second consecutive AL Central title. In seven starts, he was 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. A second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, he advanced to the majors more quickly than some other Guardians prospects, with the franchise usually erring on the side of patience.
Ingle was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and is progressing at a similar pace. Last season, after impressing at Double-A with a .273 batting average and an .832 OPS, he was promoted to Triple-A. Though he struggled with a .207 batting average, he maintained a consistent .383 on-base percentage.
Based on these rankings, it looks like Messick and Ingle can be a successful battery for the Guardians for years to come.
NEXT: Chris Antonetti Speaks Out About Guardians' Lack Of Moves This Offseason
