The Cleveland Guardians’ farm system lost a familiar name this week. Infielder Jose Devers, who spent the last six seasons working his way through the organization, is now on the open market. Devers reached Double-A for the first time in 2026 and was putting together the best offensive season of his career before an injury ended his year in late July. Cleveland chose not to add him to the 40-man roster, which made him eligible for minor league free agency once the World Series ended.
“Cleveland #Guardians 23yr old INF prospect Jose Devers has elected free agency,” Guardians Prospective wrote.
Cleveland #Guardians 23yr old INF prospect Jose Devers has elected free agency.
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) November 3, 2026
Devers, a native of Samaná, Dominican Republic, began his professional career in the Arizona Complex League in 2021 as an eighteen year old. He struggled at the plate early on, hitting .212 that season and .200 in a shorter stint the following year. His breakout came in 2023 at Single A Lynchburg, where he hit .252 with a .743 OPS, 11 home runs, 66 RBIs and 34 stolen bases in 111 games.
The next two seasons were a grind at High A Lake County. Devers hit just .216 with a .609 OPS in 2024, then bounced back in 2025 with 36 doubles, 13 home runs and 67 RBIs. Strikeouts were a constant problem, though, with 107 in 2024 and 142 in 2025.
The 2026 season looked like a turning point. Promoted to Double-A Akron, Devers hit .270 with a .348 on-base percentage in 83 games, both career highs. He drew 33 walks and stole 10 bases while handling shortstop, third base and second base. The power dipped to just two home runs, but the improved approach was a good sign. Akron placed him on the injured list on July 29, and he was moved to the 60-day injured list a few days later, which ended his season.
Over six minor league seasons, Devers hit .239 with 37 home runs, 233 RBIs and 82 stolen bases. At 5-foot-10, he projected as a versatile utility infielder with speed rather than an everyday starter.
Cleveland’s decision likely came down to depth. The Guardians are loaded with middle infielders, including Brayan Rocchio, Travis Bazzana, Ángel Genao and Welbyn Francisca, and they just added Milan Tolentino to the 40-man roster. With so many players ahead of him, Devers did not have a clear path to the majors in Cleveland.
That does not mean his career is over. Players like Devers often find new opportunities on minor league deals, and his versatility and speed should draw interest. A team with less infield depth could offer him a bigger role and an invitation to big league camp. He is still only twenty three, and his strong start at Double A shows he could keep developing.
For the Guardians, it is one of many offseason decisions that come with having one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. For Devers, it is a fresh start.
NEXT: Insider Says The Guardians’ Success Won’t Change Baseball
