The switch-hitter is poised to make his MLB debut this year, can he filled the Andres Gimenez void?
Middle infielder Juan Brito is our No. 5 prospect, earning 59% of the vote on Friday and absolutely crushing the competition by over 160 votes. Surprisingly, he also was CTC’s No. 5 prospect in 2024.
Brito was acquired in a trade, a rare prospect-for-prospect trade with the Colorado Rockies, which cost the Guardians Nolan Jones. Before coming to Cleveland, Brito slashed .328/.403/.491 over 35 games in the DSL in 2019. After missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic, he put up a 126 wRC+ in the Arizona Complex League before slashing .286/.407/.470 in his first taste of full-season ball at Single-A in 2022 at age 20.
After arriving in Cleveland, Brito made quite an impression. Having never played beyond the Single-A level, he opened the year by continuing to showcase his tremendous patience at the plate, slashing .265/.379/.424 at High-A Lake County over 35 games, good enough for a 129 wRC+ and earning him a quick promotion to Double-A Akron.
Brito did not slow down after his promotion, improving his power at the Double-A level with 10 home runs in 87 games while slashing .276/.373/.444 and maintaining a solid 125 wRC+ with the RubberDucks, even earning a cup of coffee with Triple-A Columbus at the end of the season.
Brito spent his entire 2024 season with the Clippers at Triple-A, slashing .256/.365/.443 while posting a career-best .187 ISO and belting a career-high 21 home runs and a whopping 40 doubles over 144 games played. Standing 6 feet tall, 202 pounds, he could continue to grow into his power at just 23 years old
This is a nice oppo pop last night for Juan Brito. 92.6 off the bat and 340 against a 94 heater from an interesting Royals SP prospect. Got himself into a 3-1 count.
Brito has 8 HRs now, 6 in May. And 6 away from Huntington Park too. pic.twitter.com/Ppn66NMd3u
— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) May 24, 2024
The Dominican Republic native played all four infield positions in 2024 plus 19 games in right field as Cleveland has looked for opportunities to get his bat in the lineup, although he’s seen the most time at second base.
Look for Brito to contend for the vacant starting second base job in Cleveland in what will be one of the most compelling position battles of Guardians’ 2025 Spring Training, although he may just be keeping the seat warm for Travis Bazzana.
Joey Cantillo, LHP (Age 25)
2024 (AAA): 9 GS, 38.1 IP, 3.29 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 29.8 K%, 14.6 BB%
2024 (MLB): 8 GS, 38.2 IP, 4.89 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 27.0 K%, 9.2 BB%
The final piece of the Mike Clevinger trade made his pro debut in 2024 and showcased flashes of brilliance while still needed work in some areas. Possible 2025 rotation member.
Daniel Espino, RHP (Age 24)
2024: ——
Cleveland’s 2019 first round pick, once compared to Jacob DeGrom and Gerrit Cole, has struggled to stay healthy and has not pitched since 2022 due to shoulder surgeries.
Welbyn Francisca, SS (Age 18)
2024 (AZL): 201 PA, .328/.418/.523, 6 HR, 11 SB, 12.4 BB%, 12.4 K%, 139 wRC+
2024 (A): 132 PA, .325/.402/.402, 1 HR, 8 SB, 10.6 BB%, 20.5 K%, 141 wRC+
A top international signing, Francisca dominated the Arizona Complex League last year in his stateside debut, then didn’t miss a beat in a late season promotion to Lynchburg at age 18.
Cooper Ingle, C (Age 22)
2024 (A+): 305 PA, .313/.433/.500, 9 HR, 3 SB, 16.7 BB%, 13.1 K%, 170 wRC+
2024 (AA): 103 PA, .281/.379/.416, 2 HR, 4 SB, 13.6 BB%, 15.5 K%, 132 wRC+
Absolutely dominated High-A before impressing at Double-A following a midseason promotion. Walked more than he struck out while developing defensively.
C.J. Kayfus, 1B/OF (Age 23)
2024 (A+): 183 PA, .338/.437/.578, 7 HR, 4 SB, 12.6 BB%, 18.3 K%, 188 wRC+
2024 (AA): 298 PA, .263/.366/.470, 10 HR, 1 SB, 12.1 BB%, 28.3 K%, 139 wRC+
Has consistently destroyed baseballs at every level he’s played thus far in Cleveland’s system, showcasing improved power and a decent eye at the plate as well. The rise in K’s at Double-A gives some room for pause but he is still young and developing.
Austin Peterson, RHP (Age 25)
2024 (A+): 14 GS, 85 IP, 2.44 ERA, 2.17 FIP, 27.1 K%, 1.9 BB%
2024 (AA): 13 GS, 75 IP, 2.88 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 25.1 K%, 5.2 BB%
Peterson broke out as one of the top performing pitchers in the Guardians MiLB organization in 2024 with consistent and elite dominance at both High-A and Double-A.
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B (Age 19)
2024 (A) 373 PA, .243/.362/.414, 10 HR, 8 SB, 15.0 BB%, 20.1 K%, 131 wRC+
2024 (A+): 80 PA, .176/.275/.250, 1 HR, 0 SB, 12.5 BB%, 25.0 K%, 54 wRC+
Guardians 2023 1st round pick. Impressed as one of the youngest players at Single-A and represented Cleveland in the 2024 Futures Game, showcasing prodigious power.