Will 2026 finally be the year that the Guardians get some power from their outfield? 

Eleven years ago, Michael Brantley put together one of the best seasons ever by a Cleveland Guardian when he slashed .327/.385/.506 with 200 hits, 20 home runs, 97 RBI, 23 steals and 45 doubles en route to a third-place finish in the American League MVP voting. 

And while that season would stand the test of time regardless thanks to his accomplishments, it also serves as a stark reminder of the Guardians’ outfield futility in the years since, as that campaign marks the last time that a Guardians outfielder hit 20 home runs in a season. 

In the time since Brantley’s 2014 season, 57 players have played at least one game in the outfield for the Guardians. It’s a list that’s featured All-Stars (Brantley and Steven Kwan), hyped prospects that never panned out (Oscar Mercado and Bradley Zimmer) veterans on their last legs (Carlos González and Marlon Byrd) and guys with tenures you barely remember (Ben Gamel and Zach Walters, to name a few). 

But it’s yet to feature a guy who has hit 20 home runs. Could next season be the year where that curse gets broken? Let’s take a look. 

The Cleveland Guardians will need more power out of their outfield in 2026

The All-Star
Steven Kwan

Not only has Kwan played in 583 games in the outfield for the Guardians in his major league career, which is far and away the most of any Guardian since 2015. He’s also hit 36 home runs over that span, which is the second-most of any Guardians outfielder over the past 10 years behind Brantley’s 41. 

While Kwan’s recorded double-digit home runs in each of the past two seasons, his single-season high is 14, so he still has a ways to go before he can eclipse Brantley’s total. 

While Kwan’s slugging numbers always take a dip in the second half (.400 slugging percentage in the first half in his career compared to .377 in the second), he's hit 18 home runs in the first half in his career and 18 home runs in the second half of his career.

Brantley had only hit 25 career home runs through three-and-a-half seasons before his magical 2014; could Kwan follow that same path next season (so long as he's not traded)? 

The young guns
Chase DeLauter and George Valera

Despite having just 62 combined at-bats between them, DeLauter and  Valera are all set to be key contributors for 2026 after joining the Guardians down the stretch in 2025. 

And they all have the power to threaten Brantley’s record. While injuries derailed the early part of Valera’s career, he hit 24 home runs across 132 games in Double-A and Triple-A in 2021 and had a .550 slugging rate in the minors this year prior to getting called up. 

While DeLauter only had 20 career minor league home runs, he’s also struggled with injuries throughout his career, so he hasn’t had as many chances to send balls over the fence. 

If they’re both able to stay healthy, they should threaten the 20 home run plateau so long as they get everyday playing time. 

Halpin is also a young outfielder who could be poised for a big 2026, but he hit 14 home runs in 126 games at Triple-A and provides more value with his glove and legs. 

They have the power… and nothing else
Johnathan Rodríguez and Jhonkensy Noel 

Rodríguez and Noel both have tons of power from the right side of the plate, but they come with clear red flags. Neither of them are great fielders, they both have career batting averages under .200 and can swing and miss with the best of them… but they both have prestigious minor league numbers. 

Both players could be expendable this offseason after disappointing seasons, but they have the kind of power that the Guardians have struggled to develop in their outfielders for years. 

They both have the kind of power needed to hit 20 home runs in a season, but neither of them have the kind of approach needed to get everyday playing time. 

The utility options
Daniel Schneemann, Angel Martínez and C.J. Kayfus 

While all three of these guys played in the outfield last year, calling them “outfielders” is a bit of a stretch.

Schneemann spent a lot of time in the outfield before shifting to the infield in the second half, Martínez led the team in center field appearances but is an infielder by trade and was one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball and Kayfus is a first baseman who moonlighted in right field because it could get him up to the bigs quicker. 

Kayfus hit 18 home runs last year between the majors and minors so it seems like he has a legitimate shot at hitting 20 home runs, but it won’t be as a full-time outfielder. 

Martínez may end up becoming a quality outfielder, but he’s also never hit more than 14 home runs in a single season at any professional level. 

Schneemann was fourth on the Guardians last season with 12 home runs, but, like Kayfus, a 20 home run season from him would likely come in a season where he wasn’t a primary outfielder. 

Outside options

Kyle Tucker, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger are all hitting free agency after 20 home run seasons, but they’re all going to be out of the Guardians’ price range. 

If the Guardians do end up diving into the free agency outfielder pool, it’ll likely be for second tier free agents like Cedric Mullins, Harrison Bader, Max Kepler, Austin Hays or Ryan O’Hearn. 

All of them finished with at least 15 home runs in 2025 and would provide a new look at the Guardians' offense, but they’d also take playing time away from guys like DeLauter and Valera.