The Cleveland Guardians are known for their incredible pitching development resources, their grit, and their passionate fans, among other things. They aren’t really known for their power hitting, though.
They rank 26th in the league, among 30 teams, in home runs with 84 as of Monday. Evidently, if this team could add some more thump, they could find some easier avenues to win more ballgames and move closer to their goal, which is winning the World Series.
Impactful, consistent power, of course, isn’t easy to find. If the Guardians go to the trade market, which they should if they want to take advantage of their opportunity to really compete for the trophy, it will cost them some of their best prospects.
However, Cleveland also has some prospects in their system who could provide power either late in 2026 or starting next year, depending on when they’re ready.
After all, the Guardians also have to think about the future of the franchise, and not just 2026. It’s part of the challenge of running a baseball team.
Former Guardians pitcher and current analyst Jensen Lewis discussed two specific power-hitting prospects who could make a difference once they are ready. He is talking about Ralphy Velazquez and Jace LaViolette.
Lewis focused on LaViolette, the Guardians’ first-round pick in 2025.
“Guys, we have been screaming for years. Can we produce position players? Can we develop them? When you pick at the top of the draft, you should be able to get a few of those right. And I would say that the cavalry is coming as far as the big physical, middle-of-the-order bats. The kid Jace LaViolette, listen, I watched him at Texas A&M. Get ready. We’re going to have some homegrown thump here pretty soon, and that’s really exciting for this fan base moving forward,” he explained.
Between Ralphy Velazquez & Jace Laviolette, Cleveland has POWER on the way. #GuardsBall
"Get ready for some homegrown thump."
– @JLEWFifty pic.twitter.com/kaGJ470xtN
— BIGPLAY Cleveland (@BIGPLAYcle) July 6, 2026
LaViolette is probably not going to be ready in 2026. There is a big chance he won’t be fully developed next year, either. However, when he comes up, he will put on a show with his loud contact.
He already has 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 63 games in High-A Lake County, albeit with a 37.7 percent strikeout rate. That’s the reason why it will probably take him some time to reach the majors.
Of course, there’s also a chance he is used as trade bait to reel in an established star. In any case, he is already making noise in the low minors and is one to watch.
Velazquez may get to the majors in 2026, but looks more likely to be a 2027 play. As his 105 wRC+ in Triple-A indicates, he is still adjusting to the level after posting a 160 mark in Double-A Akron.
He is slashing a robust .350/.443/.467 in his last 16 games in Columbus, though, so he is actually making strides. Who knows, he might actually boost the lineup in a few weeks.
In a year or two, these two young and powerful sluggers could be anchoring the offense, and we might not even be talking about a slap-hitting or weak lineup after all.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Hints At Team's Trade Deadline Plans
