The excitement around the Cleveland Guardians is palpable due to some of the young prospects that have emerged in 2026 and established themselves as pillars for this team’s future. Parker Messick, Chase DeLauter, and Travis Bazzana all look as good, if not better than advertised, and in many ways these rookies have carried the team through nearly the first two months of the season.
The early success of these young talents is a testament to how strong Cleveland’s developmental system has been. The tough part now is that the more guys like this come up, the fewer spots there are for future young stars, which is why some of the remaining high-upside prospects could see themselves getting traded at some point.
Josh Norris of Baseball America recently wrote an article about the top prospect trade chips among AL contenders, and he labeled first baseman Ralphy Velazquez as Cleveland’s best chip.
“The team’s top chip might be slugging first baseman Ralphy Velazquez, who is performing at the upper levels. Beyond him, Hill City has a host of intriguing position players, including infielder Dauri Fernandez and outfielders Juneiker Caceres and Robert Arias, who would be of interest to other clubs. Right-hander Justin Campbell, who made his pro debut four years after being drafted, looks to have some value, as well,” Norris wrote.
Velazquez is currently ranked as Cleveland’s No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, and will soon move up to No. 2 once Bazzana’s prospect status is officially removed. He currently has a .923 OPS in Double-A Akron and is swiftly moving through Cleveland’s system despite being just 20 years old.
A power-hitting first baseman is something this team could still use, though Velazquez does play outfield as well. There is a glut of outfielders in the system overall, so if he stays in the system, his best path to the Guardians is probably at first base.
As good as the prospects have been for the Guardians, Kyle Manzardo has taken a step back this year and hasn’t done nearly enough to convince everyone that he is the long-term answer at first base. This team still needs power, and Velazquez has plenty of it.
Trading him shouldn’t be at the top of the priority list. Cooper Ingle could be pushing his way up as a long-term catcher solution as well with how well he has been performing at Triple-A. There is a lot to love about this minor league system even after the graduations, and unless the Guardians see a potential star available, it would be wise to keep trusting the process and let these young guys keep developing.
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