There’s no secret that the Cleveland Guardians need offense after getting shut out 11 times in the first half, leaving the season teetering on the edge as the team is at .500 despite the lackluster production at the plate.
There are a number of exciting offensive prospects on the way in the minors, but that crop of talent got even deeper in recent weeks when the team drafted Texas A&M slugger Jace LaViolette with the 27th overall pick.
Details have now emerged about LaViolette’s contract with the Guardians, and Cleveland ponied up a $4 million deal, which was the largest over-slot deal in the entire first round.
Jace LaViolette signs with the @CleGuardians for $4 million, per @JimCallisMLB — the largest over-slot deal in the 1st round.
The 6-foot-6 slugger brings huge raw power and athleticism to Cleveland’s system.
Draft signings, bonuses and more: https://t.co/x74lxmLXKW pic.twitter.com/tvyU001Lsm
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 26, 2025
The pick value for the 27th pick was $3,382,600, but LaViolette got an impressive $4 million, likely because he was the projected No. 1 overall pick at one point.
He was in the running for the first overall pick prior to this season, but his stock took a slight dip after hitting .258 with 18 homers and a 1.003 OPS in 2025, which was a bit of a step back after hitting .305 with 29 homers and a 1.175 OPS in 2024.
It’s exciting to add a high-upside power bat like this to the system because the Guardians haven’t had a giant power-hitting outfielder in quite some time.
MLB.com’s prospect rankings graded LaViolette’s power at a 65 on their 20-80 scale, and with the 27th pick, Cleveland may have hit a home run.
It’s exciting for Guardians fans to think about adding LaViolette and Chase DeLauter to this outfield over the next year or two, because this lineup desperately needs two young power-hitting outfielders to come put this team over the top.
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