Cleveland Guardians make clear statement on Night 1 of 2025 MLB Draft

The Cleveland Guardians made a clear statement with their picks on the first night of the MLB Draft. Their mission was simple: acquire bats with prodigious power and the athleticism to match. Across five selections, the Guardians focused on physical, high-upside players from the college ranks, adding a significant amount of pop to their farm system.

The headliner of the night was Jace LaViolette, a towering outfielder from Texas A&M selected 27th overall. LaViolette has a frame built for power, and he demonstrated that with a record-setting college career, becoming the Aggies' all-time home run leader. While he's a true slugger with a powerful left-handed swing, he does come with some swing-and-miss concerns. However, the Guardians clearly view that as a manageable trade-off for a player with his combination of elite raw power and surprising athleticism. Despite his 6-foot-6 size, he moves well and is projected to be a long-term fixture in a corner outfield spot.

The team continued its theme by selecting shortstop Dean Curley from Tennessee with the 64th pick. Curley is a physical presence on the field, a key contributor to the Volunteers' national championship run with a knack for hitting the ball hard in clutch moments. He has natural, plus power and a strong arm, though his future defensive position is a point of discussion. The Guardians are betting on his offensive potential as a physical hitter who came through against top competition.

Cleveland made an intriguing detour at pick 70, taking high school right-handed pitcher Will Hynes from Canada. While the night was defined by college bats, the Guardians took a shot on a promising arm. Hynes has a solid fastball that can touch the mid-90s and a nasty slider that generates plenty of swings and misses. His feel for pitching is advanced for his age, and he's the kind of player whose stuff could get even better as he physically matures. His signing will be a key step, as he is currently committed to Wake Forest.

Guardians focus on power and athleticism to kick off 2025 MLB Draft

The power-focused night resumed with the selection of outfielder Aaron Walton from Arizona. Walton has a strong, athletic build reminiscent of some of the game's best power hitters. He's a powerful right-handed hitter the Guardians are betting on to translate his strength into consistent production. Walton's journey from a smaller school to the bigger stage at Arizona has only highlighted his intriguing tools, and the team is confident they can help him refine his approach at the plate.

The night concluded with perhaps the most pure power bat of them all: outfielder Nolan Schubart from Oklahoma State. Schubart is, in many ways, the ultimate one-tool player, but that one tool is an absolute hammer of a swing. He has massive left-handed power that allows him to drive the ball out of any part of any park. While his running and fielding are well below average, likely leading him to first base or designated hitter, the Guardians believe his prodigious ability to hit for power is a premium skill worth building around.

In all, the Guardians used their picks on Day 1 to send a clear message. They weren't just drafting players; they were drafting a philosophy, one built on physical tools, raw power, and the kind of high-upside potential that can change the trajectory of an offense.