Insider Exposes Alarming Red Flag for Guardians' Top Draft Pick

An insider has revealed a major concern for the Cleveland Guardians' top pick in the MLB Draft.

Auburn Tigers' Cooper McMurray (26) encourages Texas A&M Aggies' Jace LaViolette (17) after LaViolette got hit in the hands by a pitch as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC baseball tournament at Hoover Met in Birmingham, Ala., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. | Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cleveland Guardians mostly received glowing reviews for their decision in the first round of the MLB Draft, selecting Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette with the 27th overall pick.

However, some concerning details have surfaced about LaViolette.

Guardians Prospective has revealed that LaViolette just underwent a second surgery to repair the hand injury he suffered during the SEC Tournament this past year.

While the procedure is said to have been "minor" and "just a cleanup," it obviously does raise some concerns, and Guardians Prospective went as far to say that Cleveland could potentially prevent LaViolette from making his minor-league debut in 2025.

There is no doubt that LaViolette has tantalizing talent, as evidenced by the fact that he slashed .285/.432/.651 throughout his collegiate career. His best campaign came in 2024, when he registered a .305/.449/.726 slash line, totaling 29 home runs and 78 RBI over 334 plate appearances.

On top of that, the 6-foot-6, 230-pound phenom can play all three outfield positions and do so at a pretty high level. Some even consider LaViolette a five-tool player, as evidenced by the fact that he stole 32 bases across his NCAA tenure.

But if LaViolette is unable to consistently stay healthy, none of that will matter.

Of course, you can understand why the Guardians decided to take the risk. LaViolette is an incredible talent, and hand injuries typically aren't cause for major concern. In this case, though, the fact that he just underwent a second surgery is a bit alarming. We'll see how Cleveland decides to handle it.

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