Cleveland Guardians young outfielder Jace LaViolette was only able to play three games in the Cactus League this year. He underwent hand surgery after being taken in the first round of the draft last year and hasn’t made his official pro debut.
He put on a show in those three games, though, hitting .500 (3-for-6) with a home run, a run, and an RBI. He struck out three times, but that’s part of the package: he is no contact king like Steven Kwan, but the power is real.
And so is the speed, as Guardians analyst Cade Cracas points out. He has repeatedly said he is impressed with LaViolette’s skillset, and it’s hard to blame him: there’s a lot to like.
“I’ve talked about him before, but Jace LaViolette is a freak of nature. He’s 6’6”, 230 pounds and apparently was the second fastest guy in camp behind Stuart Fairchild. Oh by the way, he also crushes the baseball,” Cracas posted on X.
I’ve talked about him before, but Jace LaViolette is a freak of nature.
He’s 6’6”, 230 pounds and apparently was the second fastest guy in camp behind Stuart Fairchild.
Oh by the way, he also crushes the baseball. #GuardsBall
— Cade Cracas (@CracasCade) March 25, 2026
The Texas A&M product resembles a tight end and certainly possesses speed and athleticism. There were plenty of fast guys in the Guardians’ camp, such as Kwan, José Ramírez, Petey Halpin, and Fairchild, so it’s nice to know LaViolette can hang with all of them.
As for the power, Guardians fans are in for a treat. LaViolette belted a total of 68 home runs in his Texas A&M career, in three seasons. He peaked at 29 in 2024, in just 68 games, and he had an amazing .726 slugging percentage that year.
LaViolette’s performance was a bit more modest in 2025, yet he still managed to send 18 balls out of the park with a .576 slugging percentage and a 120 wRC+.
The Guardians haven’t revealed the exact minor league affiliate in which LaViolette will officially kick off his pro career, but the Lake County Captains (High-A) seem like a good bet. That’s where 2024 first-rounder Travis Bazzana started, and he has reached Triple-A already.
LaViolette probably won’t see MLB time this year unless he somehow manages to reach Triple-A and shine there for a few weeks. It seems highly unlikely, but that won’t matter: 2026 is not about reaching the bigs for the talented slugger. It’s about getting his feet wet amongst the big boys and showing he is above the level he is assigned to.
If he manages to stay healthy and do that, the season will be a success for him.
NEXT: Guardians Announce Official 2026 Opening Day Roster
