The Cleveland Guardians will enter spring training on the lookout for offense from anywhere they can get it. It is unlikely to come from outside the organization, based on a very quiet offseason to date and a history of avoiding big moves.
However, as usual, the Guardians have some interesting prospects they can turn to. Rookie outfielders George Valera and Chase DeLauter are expected to have bigger roles this season, but another surprising name could enter the mix.
Guardians outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez recently earned a major winter ball award, being named MVP of the Puerto Rican league.
“Congratulations to Cleveland Guardians OF Johnathan Rodríguez who was named the MVP of the 2025-26 LBPRC (Puerto Rican Winter League) today playing for his club Gigantes de Carolina,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
Congratulations to Cleveland #Guardians OF Johnathan Rodríguez who was named the MVP of the 2025-26 LBPRC (Puerto Rican Winter League) today playing for his club Gigantes de Carolina.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/Jzr4H7RC8s
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) January 9, 2026
At 26 years old, Rodriguez is a more experienced prospect compared to some of the others. A third-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he has played almost 700 minor league games.
Last season at Triple-A Columbus, he had 16 home runs in just 87 games with a .912 OPS. In his minor league career, he has 114 home runs, 426 RBIs and 30 stolen bases with an OPS of .853.
The Guardians could use that kind of power in their lineup. Rodriguez has played in 44 games for Cleveland over the past two seasons, and in 2025, he hit his first two major league home runs while batting .197 in 77 plate appearances.
Jhonkensy Noel was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, which perhaps will open up some room for Rodriguez. However, with Valera and DeLauter expected to be in the Opening Day lineup after late-season callups last year, and C.J. Kayfus also available, at-bats from the outfield could be limited.
But there is a lingering possibility that Steven Kwan will be traded before the season begins. The All-Star outfielder remains a rumored target for other teams because he has yet to agree to a contract extension with Cleveland.
With an offense that ranked among the worst in the majors last season, the Guardians need to do whatever they can to give it a boost so they can defend their back-to-back AL Central titles and win a third straight division crown.
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