Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
The Guardians’ impossible sprint to the finish line in 2025 was truly incredible. On July 6th, the Detroit Tigers were coasting atop the AL Central, 15.5 games clear of the Guardians. It was a foregone conclusion that the Tigers would be able to rest starters, set up their rotation for the playoffs, and make a big push for a title. Little did they know that the Guardians had other ideas and posted a 48-27 record the rest of the way, passing the Tigers en route to a division title. Incidentally, the Guardians led the division for just 7 days all season (the same amount as the White Sox!). The Tigers got their retribution in the Wild Card round, taking two out of three, ending the furious run for the Guards.
The Cleveland ballclub did what they do best, riding their pitching and defense to their second straight division title and third in four seasons. The second half wasn’t without some bumps in the road, however. Dominican-born right-handers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz were both placed on administrative leave for their roles in a gambling conspiracy and remained that way through the end of the season. Fortunately for the Guardians, their depth stepped up in a big way and plugged the holes left by the two pitchers.
The offensive attack revolves around one man: Jose Ramirez. J-Ram is an underappreciated superstar and embodies the community he plays in; he’s a hard worker who puts his head down and does his job at an incredibly high level. How can you not love this guy and everything he brings to the table, on and off the field. The next-most-impactful offensive talent on this team might just be Kyle Manzardo. Manzardo stepped in for the traded Josh Naylor and slugged a much-needed 27 homers. Aside from Ramirez and Manzardo, no other Guardians hitter provided positive value on offense. Steven Kwan won his fourth straight Gold Glove in 2025, but didn’t quite have the same level of success as he did in 2024. He’s a hit-first bat with little power to speak of, but provides value in the batting average and stolen base departments. Bo Naylor punched a career-high in homers (14), but hit under .200 (.195) and didn’t show any of the speed he had in the minors. Most of the rest of the Guardians' hitting core is made up of players with decent plate skills and below-average impact.
The Guardians' pitching factory just continues to pump out the arms. Young arms such as Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, Parker Messick, and Slade Cecconi surrounded new staff ace Tanner Bibee and churned out solid outing after solid outing. Amazingly, because the team was so far out of the playoffs, the Guardians actually sold at the deadline to salvage some value, trading former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber for breakout pitching prospect Khal Stephen. The bullpen was this team’s most valuable element, and they operated without their All-Star (and Hall of Fame trajectory - no longer) closer Emmanuel Clase. Canadian right-hander Cade Smith stepped into the role and dominated right away.
The Guardians are known for producing pitching from their farm system and acquiring middle infielders with solid hit tools and below-average power. However, Chase DeLauter will look to change the narrative as soon as 2026. DeLauter has loud tools, but questionable health, and many hope he can be healthy for a full season. First overall pick in the 2024 draft, Travis Bazzana reached Triple-A in his first full season, but underwhelmed in his 374 plate appearances. He had a right oblique strain that kept him out of action for a couple of months, but a healthy 2026 will go a long way to cementing his status as a top 25 prospect. There are other intriguing names in this system, like Cooper Ingle, Ralphy Velazquez, Angel Genao, and Jace LaViolette on the hitting side, and Daniel Espino, Stephen, and Braylon Doughty providing dynasty interest on the pitching side.
This team operates under tight fiscal restraints and will need to continue to develop their own players, but what they’ve been doing is working and leading to success. It’s hard to bet against them in the AL Central.
Can I quote Tom Gates? There are no holes in his game. In start-up leagues – even dynasty – the 33-year-old is worthy of a first-round selection no matter the format, but in established leagues, this is the type of player you exchange your prospect chips for: a surefire, can’t miss Hall of Famer whose contributions across the board will be a boon to your fantasy team until his retirement. Don’t overthink the obvious, folks – Ramirez is a winner. Are you?
Daniel Espino
I’m saying this one for the sake of the dynasty team, who have been waving “Espino can make this work flags” for years while I (Drew, by the way, hi) have counted him out based on injuries for a while now. The AFL gave him an opportunity to stay on the mound after returning from nearly three years off it late last year. While I see him as a likely reliever now, he’s always had ignorant stuff well worth investing in. Before the hype swells to ridiculous points again, this could be the time to pounce.
Dynasty Sells
Cade Smith
Hold up – this needs to be quantified. Am I saying Cade Smith is some sort of ticking time bomb? No! Am I saying he’s not worth holding onto? Far from it! Am I saying he’s a monster? No, friend; the only monster here is the gambling monster that has enslaved Emmanuel Clase! I call him Gamblor, and it's time to snatch Clase from his neon claws! What I mean is Cade Smith will surely draw a nice return, especially in deeper or save-starved leagues, and by selling him, you might find yourself with a potential contributor or two in other positions or a valuable starting pitcher. If you have other set-in-stone closers, entertain selling Cade Smith to the highest buyer.
Angel Genao / Brayan Rocchio / Gabriel Arias / et al
I do not want any part of the same-old, same-old. If your league values defense, any of these guys could be a credible option for fantasy. Maybe your league also likes middling, do a bit of everything type guys. If not, I’d be willing to take even DEEP upside shots in the middle infield before I played in one of the jammiest log-jams in professional baseball. On the plus side, Genao is seen as a favorable prospect by many outlets (including our own) so you might find a nice return for moving him, too!
Top Fantasy Prospects
Players are in order of their fantasy prospect ranking from our September end of season list.
First overall draft picks always inherit a high level of expectations, and Bazzana had his work cut out for him more than most, given that he shared a draft year with the likes of Nick Kurtz, Trey Yesavage, and Chase Burns. While he did not sprint to the majors in the same fashion as these other names, Bazzana did put together a respectable first full season as a professional. Injuries limited the former Oregon State standout to just 77 games played between Double-A and Triple-A, but he performed well above average at both levels (combined 136 wRC+). His full-season slash line of .245/.389/.424 also sells short just how polished and mature Bazzana looked at the plate; upon reaching Triple-A, the Aussie infielder walked at a remarkable 24.2% rate, and hardly strayed outside the strike zone (13.2% chase rate). Fantasy skeptics will point to his nine homers and twelve steals as mediocre output, but these seem like a reasonable return against such advanced competition and in an injury-shortened season. Bazzana heads into 2026 as a top-25 prospect in baseball and someone who could potentially break camp with the big league team. - Lucas Morel
Remember the game Operation? That’s pretty much been DeLauter’s career so far. Over the last two years, he’s dealt with a laundry list of injuries — wrist and hand issues, core surgery, and multiple foot setbacks. When he’s actually been on the field, though, he’s proven he can hit. He’s walking at a strong clip, hitting for average, and showing good power. The problem is simply being available. His absences have accumulated, and his games played have been limited: 42 games in 2025, 39 in 2024, and 57 in 2023. At some point, you have to think he’ll finally get a healthy season… right? The odds seem to decline each year as various injuries continue to mount. Still, the Guardians showed faith by including him on their playoff roster, so if he’s healthy heading into spring 2026, he should have every opportunity to win a starting job. If you roster DeLauter, now’s the time to hold—while also holding your breath. He’s healthy for now, and that’s half the battle. In a full season, he has 30-homer potential with a strong OBP and batting average. That’s the dream. The nightmare? The red nose buzzing again. - Tom Gates
Angel Genao broke out in 2024 by running into some power and posting a .330/.379/.499 slash line (151 wRC+) as a 20-year-old across Single-A and High-A. He received the bump to Double-A for his age-21 season in 2025, and he hasn’t been able to replicate that power output, slashing just .259/.323/.359 (103 wRC+) in 77 games. Genao hit 10 home runs and stole 25 bases in 110 games in 2024, but both numbers regressed dramatically in 2025 (2 HR and 6 SB at Double-A). If Genao can tap back into the power he lost, he could be one of the best all-around hitting prospects in the game. Even without it, he’s still a solid prospect with contact rates above 80% and good defense at shortstop, though his ceiling would be limited to a utility infielder role unless he can regain that power. PLIVE+ thinks he can, and gives him a peak projection of a .267/.321/.406 slash line (105 wRC+) and 13 HR per 600 PA. - Raj Mehta
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
