5 Cleveland Guardians prospects who will make a difference in 2024

Brayan Rocchio

Maybe it's not entirely fair to call Brayan Rocchio a true "prospect," but that's still technically what he is. He should finally get regular playing time at the major-league level in 2024, and there's a good chance he could run away with the starting shortstop job, possibly right out of spring training.

Rocchio is coming off a productive season in the Venezuelan Winter League, slashing .377/.457/.541 with a home run, seven doubles, eight RBI, and two stolen bases in 71 plate appearances while routinely making highlight-reel plays at shortstop. Oh yeah, and he helped lead his team to the LVBP championship. Rocchio is going to be a difference-maker in Cleveland.

Johnathan Rodriguez

The Guardians' outfield situation remains a nightmare any self-respecting baseball fan should avert their eyes from, for fear of vomiting. But if you look hard enough, you can at least see some light at the end of the tunnel. One possibility is Johnathan Rodriguez, 24, who has a ton of pop, hitting 29 home runs across Double-A and Triple-A last season. His impressive run in Columbus - a .280/.376/.560 line with 11 home runs in 202 plate appearances - and getting added to the 40-man roster suggests the Guardians feel Rodriguez's power might just translate to the majors. Some comparisons liken him to Oscar Gonzalez, just with much better swing decisions. If that's the case, the team will certainly take it.

Deyvison De Los Santos

There's no guarantee De Los Santos breaks camp with the Guardians, which would send the Rule 5 pick back to the Arizona Diamondbacks. But if he does, De Los Santos, who would have to stay on the 26-man roster, could very well be a difference-maker for the sheer fact that he's just already there. The 20-year-old has tantalizing power, hitting 20 home runs in Double-A ball last season. He strikes out plenty and making the leap to the majors will be massive, but clearly the Guardians see something in him, at least enough to bring him into spring training. Why not, right?