A lot of the Cleveland Guardians’ top prospects are having very good seasons in the minor leagues. Some of them were impressive enough to get promoted to make their major league debut.
But other players are having a tough time. One of them is outfielder Jace LaViolette, who was Cleveland’s first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
In his first professional season, LaViolette is struggling with his strikeout rate, which is not uncommon for a young power hitter. However, it could delay his arrival in the major leagues if it is not corrected.
Fortunately, LaViolette has shown some improvement lately, and he has been red hot recently, with two home runs in his past three games.
“LaViolette over his last 3 games: 4-11 4R 1(2B) 2HR 4RBI 2BB 1SB. AVG .364; OBP .462,” Guardians Prospective posted.
LaViolette over his last 3 games:
4-11 4R 1(2B) 2HR 4RBI 2BB 1SB
AVG .364
OBP .462 https://t.co/zn840cUkWe— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 22, 2026
LaViolette’s power was on display in the clip that was shared. The left-handed hitter launched a long home run to the opposite field to give Akron a late lead.
But he has struck out three times in those three games. That gives him a total of 161 this season, mostly with High-A Lake County before his recent promotion to Double-A Akron.
What’s encouraging is that LaViolette has made a mechanical adjustment in his batting stance that seems to be paying off. He has just six hits in nine games with Akron, but they include two doubles and two home runs.
The Guardians could have some key decisions coming up that will have an effect on LaViolette’s path to the major leagues. With Chase DeLauter expected to be a fixture in the outfield for years, Steven Kwan could continue to man a second spot, depending on what the organization decides to do with him as a potential free agent after next season.
Trade deadline acquisition Jo Adell also could have a role in the outfield if the Guardians choose to offer him a contract extension before or after next year, when he will be arbitration-eligible. The Guardians also promoted Cooper Ingle this season and tried to see what he can do in the outfield instead of his normal position of catcher, and Khalil Watson showed flashes in his brief stint.
Yet, based on his draft status, LaViolette can force his way into that conversation with more weeks like this one.
NEXT: Jo Adell Is Red Hot For The Guardians
