Fans of the Cleveland Guardians know the organization is filled with young talent. Watching those players develop and eventually arrive in the major leagues is one of the best things about rooting for the team.
Not only do fans form attachments to those players, but they also know they are essential to the team’s success, given the way the Guardians operate with regard to their payroll. Yet it may be hard to figure out how they compare to other MLB franchises.
Fortunately, Yahoo Sports has ranked each MLB team based on players 26-and-under, and it has the Guardians at No. 13 entering the 2026 season.
“Cleveland Guardians (total score: 16/30) | 2025 rank: 9,” Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman wrote.
This list is not limited to minor leaguers or rookies, as it takes into account all players who fit the age threshold. It puts a greater emphasis on those who have already produced in the major leagues.
The Guardians received their best score for their young MLB pitchers, a group that consists of Gavin Williams, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick, Andrew Walters, and Peyton Pallette. The prospect hitters were also highly rated, with that group made up of Chase DeLauter, Travis Bazzana, Juan Brito, Ralphy Velazquez, Angel Genao, Kahlil Watson, Cooper Ingle, and Jace LaViolette.
What is highly encouraging about that prospect hitting group is that it has a player at every position. DeLauter is about to make his regular-season MLB debut, and Bazzana will perhaps earn a promotion during the season. So, going forward, the Guardians may one day field a lineup with DeLauter, Watson, and LaViolette in the outfield; Bazzana, Brito, Velazquez, and Genao in the infield; with Ingle behind the plate.
The Guardians are ranked right in the middle of their AL Central rivals. They are ahead of the Chicago White Sox at No. 18, and the Minnesota Twins at No. 23, and they are close behind the Detroit Tigers at No. 10 and the Kansas City Royals at No. 9.
The Milwaukee Brewers are No. 1 on the list, followed by the Seattle Mariners at No. 2.
NEXT: Stephen Vogt Raves About Guardians Veteran's Versatility
