3 potential Guardians call-ups who are tearing it up at Triple-A in 2026

While the Cleveland Guardians entered play on Wednesday leading the American League Central, they also still have a roster that’s a bit in flux largely due to roster constraints and sacrifices that have needed to be made because of their grueling schedule. 

Luckily for them, they have some strong performers in the minors who seem ready to take advantage of any opportunity that may open up as they navigate that roster variation. 

The Guardians have plenty of minor leaguers who seem ready for MLB 

OF Stuart Fairchild 

In 2021, Fairchild and Stephen Vogt briefly shared a clubhouse as teammates with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Now Vogt’s on the top step for the Guardians while Fairchild is trying to restart his career in Triple-A Columbus. 

Fairchild’s done a good job working to make that restart happen, as he entered play today leading all qualified Clippers hitters with a .418 on-base percentage to go along with five home runs and 15 RBI. 

Although he hasn’t been able to turn that production into a big league opportunity, it seems like it’s just a matter of time until he gets a call-up to the big leagues, especially since he has the speed and gap-to-gap power needed to make an immediate impact

RHP Austin Peterson 

The Guardians have been cycling through pitcher after pitcher of late as they work through their bullpen restructuring, and it stands to reason that Peterson could eventually wiggle his way into that equation. 

The 26-year-old got a late start to the season thanks to a right triceps strain, but he’s appeared in five games for the Guardians since and has posted a 3.98 ERA. 

While Peterson would likely be one of the Guardians’ top options to fill in if there’s ever an injury in the starting rotation, he could also slot into the bullpen as a longman similar to what Cleveland did with Logan Allen earlier this week. 

The past month has all hands on deck for Cleveland’s pitching staff, and there are worse options to turn to than Peterson. 

OF Kahlil Watson

It may be hard to believe considering he’s in his fourth season in Cleveland’s minor league system, but Watson is just 23. Is this the year he finally breaks through for the Guardians?

Watson has always brought a unique blend of pop and speed to the table, and that’s been on full display this year, as he has a .257/.373/.497 slashline with 10 home runs, 31 RBI and 30 walks. 

Watson’s in the same boat as Fairchild in that he’s stuck waiting for some kind of move or injury in Cleveland’s suddenly productive outfield, but it’s clear that he would be a better option for the Guardians’ fourth outfielder spot than Petey Halpin. 

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