Guardians Land Two Prospects On Baseball America's 2024 Top 100 List
The Cleveland Guardians will start the 2024 season with one of the youngest rosters in baseball yet again. Their youth is one of the strongest parts of their organization and this was recognized in Baseball America's newest top 100 prospects list for the 2024 season.
Two Guardians appeared on their list and should be recognized as some of baseball's best young talent.
29. Chase DeLauter
The first prospect to make this list is outfielder Chase DeLauter. Cleveland drafted him 16th overall in the 2022 draft out of the James Madison University. The outfield is one of the prime areas of need for the Guardians and DeLauter has the potential to be a cornerstone for years to come.
The 22-year-old is ranked as Baseball America's 29th best prospect heading in 2024.
DeLauter really made a name for himself in the 2023 Fall League. He slashed .299/.385/.529 with an OPS of .914 while also being voted to the Fall Stars roster. DeLauter will start the 2024 season at the Double-A level as of now, but could quickly be promoted if he recreates these stats in the minors.
80. Brayan Rocchio
The next prospect to appear on Baseball America's list is one who already has Major League experience under his belt. That's Brayan Rocchio who BA has ranked as their 80th best prospect.
Jun 2, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (6) fields a ball hit by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Rocchio appeared in 23 games for the Guardians in 2023. He did put together a two week stretch from August 7 to August 21 where Rocchio had a batting average of .294 on a wOBA of .305 while playing stellar defense.
The Guardians still have questions that need to be answered at the shortstop position and Rocchio could emerge as the leading candidate with a strong Spring Training showing.
