3 potential breakout prospects we can't wait to watch at Guardians spring training

Guardians' pitchers and catchers have officially reported to spring training, which means the start of the 2026 MLB season is almost here.

And while the Guardians' "quiet" offseason has some fans feeling upset, there's still plenty of intrigue on the backfields of the team's spring training complex in Goodyear, Arizona.

This is the time of year when future becomes now.

While guys like Steven Kwan and José Ramírez are the heartbeat of the big club, the real electricity in camp is coming from the next wave. We know the Guardians' front office loves to slow-play their prospects, but talent has a way of forcing the hand of destiny.

Here are the three names worth watching every single day in spring training.

These three Guardians prospects are worth paying attention to all spring

Travis Bazzana: The "No. 1" attraction

Let’s be real, every eye in the stadium is going to be on Bazzana. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft has officially landed in big league camp, and the excitement is palpable.

Nobody is realistically expecting Bazzana to break camp and start at second base on Opening Day. He’s only 23, and he spent 2025 finding his footing between Double-A and Triple-A while dealing with some annoying oblique issues.

But here’s the thing: Bazzana has been a polished hitter dating back to his time in college, and his above-average eye at the plate has translated over to the majors.

He slashed .245/.389/.424 last year with an incredible walk rate, and his power numbers are beginning to grow. It's going to be a lot tougher for the front office to keep him in Triple-A this season if he comes out as mashes the ball in the spring.

But regardless of whether or not he starts the year in Cleveland, he's likely going to be one of the first players called up from Columbus.

Ralphy Velazquez: The middle-of-the-order heir

If you like loud contact and towering home runs, Velazquez is your guy. He might only be 20, but his bat is already decades ahead of his age. Last season, he exploded across High-A and Double-A with 22 home runs while also proving he’s one of the best young left-handed hitters in the Guardians' system.

Velazquez is another project who isn't on the Guardians' 26-man roster yet, but he’s fighting to accelerate that timeline.

He hit .330 at Double-A last season and could become the heir apparant at first base should that continue. A loud spring from Velazquez means he’s on the fast track to Triple-A and perhaps a late-2026 debut.

Daniel Espino: The resurrection

This is the one we're most locked in for. For years, Espino was a "what if" that haunted Guardians fans. After multiple shoulder surgeries and missing more than three years, the former top pitching prospect in the game is finally healthy.

We caught a glimpse of the old Espino in the Arizona Fall League , where he was named an All-Star after tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings and touching 100 mph on the radar gun. The stuff is clearly still there.

The Guardians are planning to let him pitch every fifth day this spring to see how the arm holds up. If Espino shoves like he did in the fall, we aren't just talking about a prospect, we're talking about a mid-season weapon that could completely change the ceiling of the Guardians' rotation or bullpen.

It’s finally time to see if the hype can become a reality.