3 Guardians prospects who shouldn't be included in trade deadline discussions in 2026

Although the Guardians have struggled as of late, they still enter play today in control of their own playoff destiny thanks to the American League’s watered-down postseason picture.But even if that’s the case, it’s clear the Guardians have a roster that’s in need of upgrades. 

Their offense has the third-worst batting average in baseball (.229), the bullpen needs another arm or two and the starting rotation could use one more depth arm behind the five options they’re currently using.

As such, the Guardians stand out as a logical fit for pretty much every impact player who is rumored to be available at the trade deadline — especially since they have such a deep farm system. 

But that doesn’t mean that everyone in that farm system should be available in trade talks. Here are three Guardians prospects who should be untouchable at this year’s trade deadline. 

Note: All prospect rankings are from MLB Pipeline.

The Guardians have some untouchable prospects in their farm system 

1: 1B/OF Ralphy Velazquez (CLE No. 1, MLB No. 39) 

Velazquez just took the top spot among Guardians prospects in the newest MLB Pipeline re-rank, which is a tangible example of how much his profile has risen over the past 12 months. 

He started the season red-hot at Double-A Akron before being promoted to Triple-A Columbus mid-way through the season, and largely been able to hold his own despite being more than five years younger than the league’s average age. 

The 21-year-old has cleared every hurdle that’s been put in his way so far, and seems to be on the fast track for the big leagues. While there’s an argument to be made for the Guardians to capitalize on his value now, he fits into their timeline perfectly and has a clear-cut path to success on the big league roster. 

2: RHP Braylon Doughty (CLE No. 4, MLB No. 100)

Although the Guardians’ pitching factory has long been the envy of teams throughout baseball, their pitching pipeline is pretty thin right now thanks to Khal Stephen’s injury. Even if the 20-year-old Doughty may still be a couple years away helping the Guardians big league club, removing him from the equation would make that unit even thinner. 

The Guardians clearly liked what they saw out of him when they drafted him in the first round in 2024 out of high school, and it looks like he’s starting to put it all together this season at High-A Lake County. 

He’s recorded a 3.02 ERA through 59 2/3 innings so far this season at High-A, and just cleared the six inning plateau for the first time in a professional start. 

We just got a tangible example of how much teams are willing to pay for Guardians pitching when they were able to use Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson to acquire Patrick Bailey, but Doughty holds more value to Clevleand than he does as a trade piece. 

3: OF Jace LaViolette (CLE No. 6) 

While LaViolette has struggled a bit since the Guardians drafted him last summer, this would be the wrong time to cut bait with him. 

A year ago, the Guardians were overjoyed when LaViolette fell into their laps at the No. 27 pick, though the buzz around him took a bit of a hit when he didn’t play last year before getting off to a sluggish start in April.

He’s rebounded from that sluggish month and posted an OPS over .800 in May and June, and could end up making his way to Double-A Akron by the end of the season if he keeps it up. 

He’s another depth piece who could help the Guardians in the long-term. 

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