Updated Guardians Top 50 Prospects

 As we have had some movement in the roster it feels like time to do an updated list.  So here goes:

1. Gavin Williams

2. George Valera

3. Bo Naylor

4. Tyler Freeman

5. Daniel Espino

6. Tanner Bibee

7. Brayan Rocchio

8. Gabriel Arias

9. Cody Morris

10. Chase DeLauter

Comments: The only change in this group is that DeLauter moves up one rung with the trade of Nolan Jones.

11. Jose Tena

12. Angel Martinez

13. Jhonkensy Noel

14. Xzavion Curry

15. Logan T. Allen

16. Joey Cantillo

17. Jake Fox

18. Will Brennan

19. Justin Campbell

20. Jonathon Rodriguez

Comments: Some movement here due to both Jones and Vargas being traded.Also, Jonathon Rodriguez moving up into the top 20 (from 43).  I like this guy more and more and can see him continue his upward trend, turning it into a true breakout season this year.  Brennan also jumps a couple of rungs.  I still think Curry returns to the majors this year as a leverage reliever.

21. Juan Brito

22. Hunter Gaddis

23. Peyton Battenfield

24. Jaison Chourio

25. Petey Halpin

26. Ross Carver

27. Parker Messick

28. Will Benson

29. Bryan Lavastida

30. Doug Nikhazy

Comments: Lots of movement in this group with both Brito and Carver, our returns on Jones and Vargas, respectively, making this list.  I still hate the Jones trade (our #10 for our now #20) and the Carver trade is questionable (our #15 for our now #26).  Lots of question marks here both at the lower level of the minors and guys at the AAA/ML bench role who are at the tipping point of their career relative to being AAAA players or solid major leaguers.  From this group will come some of the strength and, we hope, the true depth of our farm system.  all 10 of these guys break out this year and we can make August trades without impacting the real strength of our farm system. Put another way, our second tier of prospects would play vs most team's middle first tier.  This would give us incredible leverage to pull off a trade to fill a hole in our roster that makes itself apparant during the first half of the season.

31. Milan Tolentino

32. Angel Genao

33. Tanner Burns

34. Tim Herrin

35. Jacob Zibin

35. Ethan Hankins

36. Alexfri Planez

37. Isaiah Greene

38. Joe Lampe

39. Mason Hickman

40. Ryan Webb

Comments: Here is where it gets interesting.  Guys could break out here and I am crossing my fingers that some of them do that or at least put in solid prospect seasons that move them up the ranks as we graduate more guys to Cleveland this year.

41. Tommy Mace

42. Jack Leftwich

43. Gabriel Rodriguez

44. Nate Furman

45. Lenny Torres Jr.

46. Cade Smith

47. Luis Durango Jr.

48. Carson Tucker

49. Hunter Stanley

50. Will Dion

51. Jackson Humphries

Comments: Furman and Humphries break into this list.   There are probably lots of other 2022 and 2021 draftees who can step up this year and break into this last 10 or even higher up this list.  Again, if we get solid production from this 10 and some of our recent draftees take a step forward we could truly be in the golden age of Cleveland prospects.   One can dream, can't one.

Final comment:  You know, this list may not be done changing yet.  There is still the possibility that Amed Rosario is traded which might bring young talent back, causing this list to shift once again before spring training.  If everything stays the same on the large scale (or if we get a real, breathing prospect out of the Owen Miller trade, I will update accordingly. 

Have a wonderful holiday season!