Cleveland Guardians: Tyler Freeman headlines updated rankings of top prospects

Baseball America has updated its top ten rankings of prospects in the Guardians organization – so who made the cut?

Major League Baseball might be in the midst of a lockout, but the fun hasn’t stopped over at Baseball America. The publication just released its newest top ten prospect rankings for the Cleveland Guardians, with shortstop/second baseman Tyler Freeman headlining the list.

In fact, the Guardians are flush with exceptional middle infield prospects. So much so, one has to figure Cleveland will be active in trade talks once the league starts back up again.

But in the meantime, here’s a look at the potential future for your Cleveland Guardians.

Baseball America’s Top 10 Cleveland Guardians Prospects

10. SS Angel Martinez

Angel Martinez is a name you may not know yet, but the 19-year-old should certainly be on your radar in 2022. Martinez was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, making the jump to Low-A Lynchburg this year despite the lack of a 2020 season. The switch-hitter held his own to the tune of a .241/.319/.382 line with seven home runs, 20 doubles, 13 stolen bases and 46 RBIs in 377 at-bats. Martinez – who can play second, third and shortstop – figures to play next season at High-A Lake County.

8. RHP Gavin Williams 

Williams was Cleveland’s first-round pick in last year’s draft (23rd overall) after posting a 1.88 ERA with 130 strikeouts 81 1/3 innings as a senior at East Carolina. With a fastball that has touched over 100 and a full arsenal of pitches, the 22-year-old should make a quick ascent through the minors and could even flirt with the prospect of the majors in 2022 while looking to find his place in Cleveland’s rotation by 2023 if all goes well.

7. C Bo Naylor

Before last season, Naylor would have no doubt been considered the Guardians’ catcher of the future, but his offensive struggles in 2021 have likely made the organization pause a fast-tracked rise to the majors. The 22-year-old brother of Josh Naylor hit just .188/.280/.332 with ten home runs, 13 doubles, ten stolen bases and a 69 wRC+ at Double-A Akron, though it should be noted he was one of the youngest players at that level. He’ll get plenty more work in Akron next season.

6. 3B Nolan Jones

Jones, once ranked the top prospect in Cleveland’s system, is entering the crossroads of his minor-league career. The former second-round pick struggled at Triple-A Columbus in 2021, hitting just .238 but maintaining a .356 OBP and a pretty solid 113 wRC+. So even while he didn’t put up elite numbers in 2021, there was still plenty to like; the only question is where Jones will eventually fit in Cleveland. Could he be a stopgap answer at first or potentially a long-term solution in the outfield?

5. SS Gabriel Arias

It seems the Guardians are intent on starting 2022 with Amed Rosario as their starting shortstop, so it might be hard for Arias to crack the big-league roster right out of the gate. But the defensive wizard should eventually find his place in Cleveland – unless, of course, he becomes part of a potential trade package sometime this offseason. Don’t rule it out, folks.

4. OF George Valera

Valera could very well be the power-hitting right fielder the Guardians have been looking for for what seems like an eternity. The 21-year-old hit 19 homers between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron last season, even as he missed almost a month with a right oblique strain. Valera could have that rare ability to hit for power while maintaining elite plate discipline and, as long as he stays healthy, could be something special.

3. SS Brayan Rocchio

Welp, here is yet another immensely talented middle infielder prospect for the Guardians. Nicknamed “The Professor” for his high baseball IQ, the 20-year-old switch-hitter reached Double-A in 2021, where he hit .293/.360/.505 in 184 at-bats. Just like Arias, Rocchio is a stud defensively, giving the Guardians plenty of firepower on the trade market. But Rocchio really seems like the Guardians’ true shortstop of the future.

2. RHP Daniel Espino

Espino will pitch in Double-A as a 21-year-old next season, so it will be interesting to see how his stuff translates to another higher level. With four pitches (a fastball that sits at 96 mph, curveball, slider and changeup), he’s got true swing-and-miss stuff; he struck out 152 batters last season in 91 2/3 innings. Right now he’s being developed as a starter, so there will be plenty of time for him to refine his control.

1. SS Tyler Freeman

Simply put, Tyler Freeman appears to be the truth. Before a labrum tear took down his season in August, Freeman was hitting .323/.372/.470 with two home runs, 14 doubles, and a 130 wRC+ at Double-A Akron, and ultimately projects to be high-average, contact machine the Guardians are looking for. Expect to see him in Cleveland sometime in 2022.