Counting Down the Cleveland Guardians' Top 100 Prospects: 15-11

Cleveland Guardians' Prospects: 15 to 11

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

April 1, 2023

SportRelay.com continues to count down our list of the Cleveland Guardians’ top 100 prospects for 2023. This quintet features two players who were among 17 rookies in 2022 that contributed to Cleveland capturing the American League Central championship.

Those two players are not on Cleveland’s current major-league roster, though they remain very much in the team’s plans for 2023 and beyond. So do the other three in this grouping. Two of them are switch-hitting infielders, one who just tries to make contact and get on base. The other is potentially sharper in the field and takes a much healthier cut at the plate. There’s also a very promising left-handed pitcher. Lefties have been a vanishing breed in Cleveland and perhaps he can help reverse that trend.

Here are the previous listings: 16-20|21-25|26-30|31-35|36-40|41-45|46-50|51-60|61 – 70|71 – 80|81 – 90|91 – 100

The Professor

15. Brayan Rocchio, SS-2B International signing (Venezuela) 2017 5’10” 170 B: S T: R 1/13/2001

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Cleveland scouts may have seen a bit of Carlos Baerga in Rocchio when he signed at age 17 for $125,000. For a few years, that comparison was valid. Baerga in the early 90s was a short, squat switch-hitting machine loaded with energetic leadership. That was Rocchio, dubbed “The Professor” for his advanced baseball instincts. He showed good batting skills, quick hands and fine fielding at all levels up to Double-A Akron in 2021. Last year between Akron and Triple-A Columbus he had his moments (18 homers, 83 runs, 14 steals) but seemed to regress in the field. His formerly fluid style seemed stiff and errors doubled to a career-worst 23 due to poor throws and footwork. He lost range and all-in-all looked lackadaisical. Perhaps it was just his body filling out and unexpectedly slowing down just a tad. Still, there was a difference.

“Something’s wrong,” one scout from an opposing team said during spring training. “I used to love this guy. Now, I’m not sure. He seems to have an attitude like he is a great player. Well, Cleveland has five or six middle infielders a lot better than him.” This is an important year. Rocchio, once listed as the Guardians’ No. 3 prospect by some, must summon the fire within to adjust and rebound. He’s 22. At that age, Baerga batted .288 in Cleveland on the way to four consecutive seasons of hitting over .300. Rocchio must realize it is not going to be as easy as it seemed. The Professor needs a remedial course. At his age, he has plenty of time to kick it back into gear instead of just kicking back.

When He’s Healthy …

14. Cody Morris, RHP 7th-round pick (223 overall) in 2018 6’4” 204 B: R T: R 11/4/1996

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In 23 innings down the stretch (2.28 ERA) and two scoreless frames in the playoffs, Morris showed in his big-league debut last year that he has electric stuff when healthy. This spring, he has not pitched due to a right lat muscle issue. That same injury cut short a spectacular 2021 season. Being on the shelf is nothing new to the 26-year-old still considered a prospect since he has missed so much playing time. Considered a possible high pick in 2015 from high school, he had Tommy John surgery before the draft, then red-shirted his first year at South Carolina to rehab. He worked 89 innings of A ball in 2019, then missed all of 2020 as all minor-leaguers did due to COVID.

In 2021 across three levels, he fanned 93 in 61 innings with a microscopic 1.62 ERA. Last year, a sprained shoulder in spring training set him back again. Then in 21 1/3 innings, he fanned 39 with a 1.69 ERA and got the call to Cleveland. His fastball still hits 96 MPH and a modified delivery has helped his upper-80s cutter and slider improve. His fading changeup has always been a fine complement. Morris is ready right now. Except once again he is not ready and currently on Cleveland’s 60-day injured list. All the Guardians can do is hope he can get ready and more importantly stay that way.

Walk This Way

13. Juan Brito, 2B-SS Trade from Rockies, 11/15/2022 5’11” 162 B: S T: R 9/24/2001

Juan Brito rounds the bases. Photo by @MoreForYou_CLE Twitter

In 23 plate appearances this spring, Brito did what he does best. He walked 10 times and fanned once. He needed a few hits added to a .154 average. Acquired for once-shining prospect Nolan Jones, Brito is a baby taking his first few professional steps. He looks like he should be running in no time. In three years in the Rockies’ farm system, Brito batted .295 with more walks than Ks (109-107), 17 homers and 34 steals. The kid can make contact. He hit .285 from the right side and .283 left-handed last year at High-A Fresno.

His compact stroke and quick hands help him handle a high fastball. He has a slight uppercut, so if he does add some muscle, may launch a few homers. Brito’s bat will have to carry him to the majors. He has just enough agility to handle second base but not great range.

Adding Some Zoom

12. Joey Cantillo, LHP Trade from San Diego, 8/31/2020 6’4” 225 B: L T: L 12/18/1999

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He was sensational in High-A ball in 2019, then pitched only 73 2/3 innings over three seasons due to the COVID shutdown in 2020, an oblique injury in 2021, and a sore shoulder to end 2022. Acquired as part of the Mike Clevinger deal, he came back last year with increased velocity and command. Utilizing a newfound 95-MPH fastball (up 5 MPH) and his always reliable changeup, Cantillo struck out 87 and allowed a measly 38 hits over 60 2/3 innings at Double-A Akron. That was his heaviest workload since going 9-3 with a 1.93 ERA and 128 Ks in 98 innings in 2019. It may have been too much. He missed a month, worked three innings on July 30, and was shut down for good. Cantillo projects as a much-needed southpaw starter in Cleveland, If his breaking stuff does not improve, his electric two-pitch mix may play well in relief.

Hitting His Stride

11. Richie Palacios, OF-2B 3rd-round pick (103 overall), 2018 5’10” 180 B: L T: R 5/16/1997

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He’s still a prospect, though no longer a rookie after 54 games in Cleveland last year. Sent to the minors last week, Palacios has hit everywhere, except for a .232 mark for the Guardians. He batted .324 at Towson (Md.) University and .309 in three years in the minors. Not quite as quick with his hands as Steven Kwan, who surpassed him in 2022 on Cleveland’s list of smallish bat-to-ball talents, Palacios projects as an extra outfielder. That’s due to not having much pop at the plate and limited range. He may still play a role for the Guardians in 2023 as a pinch hitter or pinch runner. They like his fine .400 career on-base percentage and 41 steals in 47 attempts. He must stay ready to answer another call.

Palacios is the 10th player listed with Towson ties to make it to the majors but only a few played for the Tigers. Several Baltimore Orioles players are listed though they attended the suburban Baltimore school after making it to the majors. Hall of Famer Jim Palmer is listed but the right-hander went there for some classes after he was an established star (1965-84). Curt Blefary, the 1965 AL Rookie of the Year with Baltimore never played for the school, either. Nor did pitcher Lou Sleater, who finished his journeyman career with the Orioles in 1958, eight years before the school started its baseball program.

Fantastic Stuff For Fans

The Guardians have announced several Special Ticket Packages for 2023 that include a limited-edition promotional item with the purchase of a select ticket. Special Ticket Package items are ONLY available to fans who purchase a Special Ticket Package for that game. Announced for 2023: