Get to know Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Petey Halpin

Major League Baseball is in the midst of a lockout, but minor-league players not currently on the 40-man roster are free to start training for the season, which means fans are able to actually get a taste of baseball right this very second.

A number of Guardians minor leaguers are starting to appear in Goodyear, Arizona to take advantage of the team’s facilities, including 19-year-old outfield prospect Petey Halpin, who has been facing some live pitching:

Halpin was a third-round pick by Cleveland in the 2020 draft and made his professional debut at Low-A Lynchburg last season, hitting .294/.363/.425 with one home run, 18 RBIs, 14 doubles, six triples, and 11 stolen bases in 221 at-bats.

When drafted, Halpin was considered one of the best high-school hitters in the class, which he certainly showcased last season. He is known to have a “loose, easy left-handed swing and plus speed” with an exceptional arm in center field.

Halpin is expected to start the 2022 season at High-A Lake County, and will likely get a full season of work there considering his age. At 6’0″, 185 pounds, Halpin is expected to grow more into his frame, too, which could bode well for his future power numbers. However, a speedy center fielder who can hit more for average is certainly something the Guardians will take down the road.

Could Halpin Be a Potential Trade Chip for the Guardians?

Given his age and where he is in the farm system, though, Halpin could be a name thrown out there in potential trade talks. Assuming the Guardians think they’re capable of contending sooner rather than later (and they are), Halpin might not fit perfectly in that time frame. He’d be a particularly interesting option in a potential trade with a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates or Oakland Athletics, who are both in full-on rebuilding mode and are looking way ahead into the future.

Halpin might end up being a highly regarded prospect in time, but his true value to the Guardians might come in the form of an established major-league outfielder who can help Cleveland for the next 2-3 seasons guaranteed. If he helps land the team someone like Bryan Reynolds or even Matt Olson, that’s not too shabby at all.

And if he’s not traded, well, the Guardians might just have a potential center fielder of the future waiting in the wings.