The Cleveland Guardians’ MLB season might be over, but next season is just getting started.
With the front office seeming unwilling to spend big bucks to fix the team in free agency, they might keep their eyes on the Arizona Fall League instead.
If that’s the case, then OF prospect Wuilfredo Antunez will certainly be a candidate to make the roster next season.
According to a report by Joe Trezza of MLB.com, Antunez has turned a lot of heads in the Arizona Fall League:
“The 23-year-old Antunez signed all the way back in 2018-19 but has turned himself into one of the best offensive players in Cleveland’s system, and he’s already making his presence felt in Arizona. Antunez was one of two players (along with Valdez) to homer twice in the opening week, after pairing 18 homers with 16 steals and reaching Double-A during the regular season,” Trezza wrote.
Of course, we have to take this with a grain of salt.
While that’s an encouraging sign, and he will certainly be a prospect to keep a close eye on, we have to pump the brakes on all the hype.
The 23-year-old is extremely talented, and the Guardians clearly need some help in the outfield.
Then again, there are still several hurdles he needs to clear before he can even be considered someone to make the roster.
The Guardians will most likely turn to youngsters George Valera, Chase DeLauter, and C.J. Kayfus again next season, like they did to close out this year.
This team has a long and well-documented history of trusting the youngsters and giving them a long leash, especially when that means saving money somewhere else.
That should be the case again in 2026.
Hopefully, it won’t mean they ignore the glaring needs in free agency, as the clock is ticking on some of their veterans, and it’s time to compete now.
NEXT: Guardians Front Office Urged To Make Big Offseason Moves
