George Valera can still be a major leaguer for the Cleveland Guardians

At one point in time, George Valera was a name that every Cleveland Guardians fan knew.

He was one of the brightest stars in the farm system both in Cleveland and nationally. Not only was Valera once viewed as the No. 1 prospect in Cleveland's organization in 2022, but he also ranked as a top 50 prospect in the entire sport. Valera was widely praised for his swing, strength and power potential to be elite in the major league.

But that's not the case now, as the 24-year-old is fighting for relevance in a Cleveland farm system filled with MLB-ready position player prospects.

Valera signed with Cleveland as an international free agent in 2017 and quickly gained a name for himself throughout the organization by rising through the minor league ranks.

He broke out in 2021 when he posted .260 batting average with a .405 on-base percentage over the course of 86 games across High-A and Double-A.

He also showcased his power with 19 home runs and 65 RBI and also drew 66 walks to go along with 88 strikeouts.

That early career grown helped him earn a call-up to Triple-A Columbus in 2022, which put him just a step away from MLB.

His overnight rise made him one of the most exciting prospects within the organization, with many viewing him as a cornerstone in the outfield. However, that growth has made his sudden decline stand out so much.

The biggest reason why his career has halted as been due to injuries, as his 2023 season was halted due to a hand injury before Valera only managed to play in 90 games last year due to a ruptured patellar tendon.

These bumps in the road saw his game suffer quite a bit; he slashed just .211/.343/.375 in 73 games in 2023 before hitting .248 last year with 17 home runs.

That lack of production led to Cleveland removing him from the 40-man roster and non-tendering him, through he ended up re-signing with the Guardians on a minor league deal.

He got a late start to his season while he was recovering from offseason surgery, but he's looked solid since coming back. He played in 10 games in the Arizona Complex League on a rehab assignment and managed to go 15-for-38 with two doubles and three home runs.

He still has elite bat speed and can pepper the ball all over the field when he's on, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field long enough for the Guardians to seriously consider him for a call-up.

While he is still mustering his way back from injury, he could still earn a big league opportunity so long as he's able to stay healthy.

Cleveland's major league outfield has been plagued with various inconsistencies and injuries and they still haven't found a long-term answer in right field.

Valera's age and familiarity with Cleveland's organization could make him a logical selection to be called up eventually if the team wants to look for an in-house solutions to their right field problems.

Valera may no longer be the star he once was, but he can still carve out a career in the major leagues if he is given a shot to show what his bat can do.