The Cleveland Guardians are preparing to begin their 2026 spring training following back-to-back American League Central titles and three championships within the last four years. As they aim for a third consecutive division crown, the team’s offseason changes were minimal, yet their roster still features intriguing prospects gearing up to make an impact.
Despite limited roster additions, including the notable non-roster invitee Rhys Hoskins, the Guardians expect continuity to play a key role in their quest for another division win. This steadiness also highlights several young players looking to prove themselves during spring training and beyond.
Competition to Secure Starting Rotation Positions
The Guardians face decisions regarding their starting rotation, where five regular spots remain available. While six-man rotations have gained momentum in MLB, Cleveland did not announce plans to adopt this approach for 2026, though they utilized a six-man rotation with success late in the prior season. Two pitchers, Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee, are regarded as secure fixtures in the rotation, leaving several candidates competing for the remaining openings.
Joey Cantillo, who is out of minor league options, appears strongly positioned to claim a spot. The left-handed pitcher appeared in 34 games last year, including 13 starts, and posted a 3.21 ERA overall with a 2.96 ERA as a starter. His strong strikeout performances during his final outings of the season reinforced his value for the rotation.
Others vying for starting roles include Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, and Parker Messick. Cecconi, a right-hander, made 23 starts with a 4.30 ERA across 132 innings last season. Allen, also a left-hander, brings experience with 73 major league starts but has struggled to maintain consistent effectiveness. Parker Messick, a 25-year-old right-hander and second-round draft pick in 2022, made a promising big league debut with a 2.72 ERA in nearly 40 innings and has impressed with his strikeout ability despite limited time at the major league level.
Most projections suggest Cantillo, Cecconi, and either Allen or Messick will fill out the rotation behind Williams and Bibee. Messick’s rise and recent performances give him a real chance to earn a starting spot on Opening Day.
Emerging Prospects Capturing Attention
The Guardians’ recent success in the AL Central is bolstered by an influx of promising prospects at or near readiness for the majors. Among these, Chase DeLauter stands out. The 24-year-old outfielder, ranked Just Baseball’s 20th top prospect, made brief postseason appearances last year, demonstrating his potential with key hits. DeLauter, a 2022 first-round pick, batted .264 across 42 minor league games last season with standout power and on-base numbers.
DeLauter projects as a strong candidate to secure an outfield spot, likely in center or right field, once the regular season kicks off. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill has the makings of a future star in Cleveland’s outfield.
Another exciting prospect is Travis Bazzana, who was the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. At 23, Bazzana demonstrated impressive offensive abilities last year, hitting nine home runs and successfully stealing 12 bases out of 14 attempts across multiple minor league levels. His .813 OPS underscores his multi-dimensional threat at the plate. Just Baseball ranks Bazzana as the 46th overall prospect, and it would be unsurprising to see him earn a call-up to the majors soon. He is also expected to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic representing Team Australia.
Additionally, Angel Genao, ranked 72nd on Just Baseball’s top prospect list, has quietly built momentum. After a strong 110 wRC+ in 85 minor league games and a .325 average in the 2025 Dominican Winter League, Genao is a contact-focused hitter who might not break camp on the Opening Day roster but could arrive in the majors during the season.
Daniel Espino’s Long-Awaited Return
One of the most uplifting stories for the Guardians last season was the return of Daniel Espino, a first-round pick from 2018, to professional pitching after a nearly three-year absence caused by multiple serious injuries. Two extensive right shoulder surgeries had repeatedly delayed his comeback, but he made his first pro mound appearance in September 2025, an event attended by the Guardians’ entire front office.
Before his injury setbacks, Espino was known as a dominant strikeout pitcher, recording nearly 15 strikeouts per nine innings in 2021 across the minors, including an April 2022 game where he struck out 11 consecutive batters. Though he does not currently rank among the team’s top prospects due to his time away, there’s strong belief in his potential if he remains healthy.
At 25, Espino’s health this spring has generated attention from teammates and coaching staff alike. While he may initially contribute out of the bullpen, his return offers hope for the Guardians to add a dynamic arm to their pitching staff in 2026. His debut will likely be an emotional milestone for the organization and its supporters.
Steven Kwan Explores Center Field Role
Spring training provides a lower-pressure environment for players to test new defensive responsibilities, and Steven Kwan is making the most of this opportunity by trying out center field. Kwan, the team’s primary left fielder for the past four years, has limited experience in center, totaling just 31 innings there in his career. However, his defensive excellence in left field, highlighted by four straight Gold Glove Awards and consistently high Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average numbers, suggests he can handle center adequately.
Center field demands more range and physicality, and while Kwan may face challenges adapting, there is cautious optimism regarding his potential effectiveness. The Guardians’ roster depth explains this experimentation, as most other outfield-capable players—such as C.J. Kayfus, George Valera, Johnathan Rodríguez, and Nolan Jones—are not ready to handle center field duties.
Kwan’s versatility, alongside a backup like Ángel Martínez who also has defensive limitations, enables the Guardians to maximize offensive output by allowing some of the team’s powerful corner hitters more plate appearances while maintaining adequate defense up the middle.
Bo Naylor’s Offensive Development
Bo Naylor, another product of the Guardians’ 2018 first-round draft, has served as the team’s primary catcher over the previous two seasons. Although he has contributed 27 home runs and 86 RBIs in 246 games, his overall batting average of .186 and an OPS of .638 indicate room for improvement. Naylor’s 79 wRC+ suggests his offensive production remains below what the club desires from the position.
After an encouraging rookie-season performance in 2023 where he hit 11 homers over 67 games with a .809 OPS and 123 wRC+, Naylor’s offensive numbers declined, emphasizing his shift toward being more defense-oriented behind the plate. This shift has accentuated the need for additional offensive support from the catching position, particularly considering Austin Hedges, the veteran backup re-signed for 2026, struggles significantly at the plate.
Entering the new season, the Guardians will look for Naylor to build on a strong September showing in 2025, during which he batted .290 with three home runs and 16 RBIs over 19 games, and posted a 136 wRC+ following a swing adjustment. Consistent offensive contributions from him would be a welcome development for the team.
New development: Steven Kwan will play some center field this spring, as the Guardians try to sort out their best outfield alignment. Kwan has won four Gold Glove awards in four seasons in left field.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 19, 2026
