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Jace LaViolette's Cleveland Guardians Contract Details Revealed

The former Texas A&M standout has inked his rookie deal.
DJ Burton|
Jun 8, 2024; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette (17) reacts after hitting a triple during the fourth inning against the Oregon at Olsen Field, Blue Bell Park Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Jun 8, 2024; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette (17) reacts after hitting a triple during the fourth inning against the Oregon at Olsen Field, Blue Bell Park Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Cleveland Guardians

Former Texas A&M baseball star Jace LaViolette’s MLB dreams came true when he was selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. 

LaViolette’s college achievements were cultivated in a No. 1 overall pick prediction but slowly fell from his top spot as the Aggies’ nightmare of a season unfolded. 

With LaViolette’s contract details with the Cleveland Guardians emerging, it is clear they still see him as a player worthy of top-pick money. 

Inside Jace LaViolette’s deal with the Guardians

LaViolette was selected with the 27th pick, which has a slot value of $3,382,600. He signed for $4 million over one year. His preseason hype combined with his proven track record over the past three seasons likely played a role in the Guardians’ decision to value him higher than market price. LaViolette’s contract is the biggest of three over-slot deals tendered to first-round picks, according to MLB Pipeline senior writer Jim Callis on X. 

The deal shows that the Guardians believe in LaViolette and want him to be a contributing part of the team, especially after it was revealed that the southpaw slugger would not suit up for a minor league affiliate for the rest of the season due to complications with the hand injury he sustained in the SEC Tournament. 

“He ended up having a follow-up procedure at the end of the season once it concluded,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said in a recent press conference. “It’ll just depend upon his timeframe and how his rehab goes. We’ll hopefully have a little bit more information. He’s actually going to be out in Arizona at some point. We have to do his entrance physical first. That’ll give us a better indication of what the expected timeline would be.”

In his three seasons with the Maroon and White, LaViolette recorded 194 hits on a .285 batting average, 202 RBI, 68 home runs and even set the record for most homers all-time by a Texas A&M player in 2025.

Despite his off-year in his last season in Aggieland, LaViolette is expected to be a major addition through his impressive power and web abilities. If LaViolette can get back to his sophomore season form, he could easily make a case for steal of the draft. 

LaViolette’s contract situation was a stark contrast to the other first-round Texas A&M pick from this year’s draft cycle. Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick Shemar Stewart signed his rookie contract this week after a holdout that spanned months. 

Texas A&M fans will get a chance to see LaViolette’s new squad August 22-25 when the Guardians travel to Arlington to play the Texas Rangers.

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DJ Burton
DJ BURTON

DJ Burton is a journalist from Kingwood, Texas. He is a credentialed writer for Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He graduated from Texas A&M with a journalism major and a sport management minor. Before attending A&M, Burton played offensive line for two seasons at Hiram College in northeast Ohio, where he studied sport management. Burton brings experience covering football, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. He also served as a senior sports writer for A&M’s student newspaper, The Battalion.

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