Cleveland Guardians: Juan Brito named eighth-best second-base prospect in MLB

Cleveland Guardians prospect Juan Brito has been named as the eighth-ranked second base prospect in Major League Baseball by MLB.com. Brito, whose expected arrival time in the big leagues is potentially this season, was also given the superlative “Humblest beginning.” He was signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Colorado Rockies for just $60,000 in 2018. Brito currently stands as the No. 6 prospect in the Guardians organization.

The 22-year-old switch-hitting middle infielder was acquired by Cleveland in November of 2022 for Nolan Jones, a move that allowed the Guardians to clear a spot on the 40-man roster and give Jones, a former top prospect in the system, a change of scenery. While Jones went on to finish fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting last season, Brito climbed from High-A Lake County to Triple-A Columbus.

Across the three levels in 2023, Brito slashed .271/.377/.811 while hitting 14 home runs, driving in 75 runners and drawing 78 walks. Brito’s scouting profile touts him as a hard-contact hitter with a quick, short stroke from both sides of the plate. Last year was the first season in MiLB that Brito struck out more times than he walked (88 strikeouts to 78 walks). The Guardians also believe that his exit velocities project him to be a 20-home-run hitter each season.

Brito was placed on the Guardians’ 40-man roster this offseason and will likely start in Columbus after spring training. However, he could break through to the major-league roster and play a platoon or utility role at some point this season. Currently, he has to compete alongside a loaded group of middle infielders that also includes Deyvison De Los Santos, Tyler Freeman, Angel Martínez, Brayan Rocchio and Jose Tena.