The Cleveland Guardians had a highly productive Saturday night. They scored 11 runs, beat the Kansas City Royals, and secured their third straight AL Central title with the Chicago White Sox’s loss. Everything worked out as they wanted, for a day at least.
After locking up the division, Cleveland earned a first-round bye as the second seed of the American League. They will start their postseason journey on Saturday.
Contributing to Saturday’s lopsided win was shortstop Brayan Rocchio. The unexpected breakout star of the 2026 season for Cleveland belted not one, but two home runs to help his team.
With the two blasts, he reached 15 on the season, giving the Guardians’ young core a cool achievement, as Guardians Prospective explains.
“The Cleveland Guardians are the only team currently in MLB with at least 4 players 25-year-old or younger to have 15 or more home runs in the 2026 season. Angel Martinez (24) 18, Chase DeLauter (24) 16, Travis Bazzana (24) 15, Brayan Rocchio (25) 15,” he said.
The Cleveland #Guardians are the only team currently in MLB with at 4 players 25-years-old or younger to have 15 or more home runs on the 2026 season.
Angel Martinez (24) 18
Chase DeLauter (24) 16
Travis Bazzana (24) 15
Brayan Rocchio (25) 15#GuardsBall— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 27, 2026
DeLauter, by the way, also went yard on Saturday night and reached 16 in his first full campaign at the MLB level. He leads the Guardians with a 132 wRC+ and has been one of the most impressive rookie hitters in the majors in 2026.
Rocchio, a lousy hitter leading up to the 2026 campaign, is now basically a league-average offensive performer, as his 99 wRC+ suggests, and a phenomenal fielder. That makes him a rock-solid everyday player for the Guardians, one who has hit 15 homers and stolen 20 bases as a bonus.
Martinez and Bazzana, both 24 years old, are going to be fixtures in this lineup for years to come. The former is almost allergic to walks, but has more than enough power and speed to change any game, and the former 2024 No. 1 pick has blossomed into an above-average hitter in his first exposure to MLB pitching, much like DeLauter.
As you can see, this foursome could very well become the Guardians’ version of the Core Four. They are all talented, they have become consistent, and they are very young, enough to make us all believe that their best seasons are ahead of them.
NEXT: 2 Guardians Players Who Will Be Key To October Run
