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PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 11, 2026: Jace LaViolette #17 of the Cleveland Guardians prepares to bat during a minor league spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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The Cleveland Guardians need an infusion of power on their big league roster.
This old scout didn’t miss many Cleveland Guardians games in spring training, and there were some tremendous young, developing Cleveland power bats on display.
This observer was bullish on three aggressive young players in particular, who made this guy sit up in his seat.
They may not be ready just yet, but their futures are extremely bright.
Those three players included:
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Texas A&M outfielder Jace Laviolette (17) walks to first during an NCAA baseball game against Florida on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Jace LaViolette- 6-6, 228 pounds-OF-Bats Left-Age 22
LaViolette comes to the Guardians with a huge, 6-6, 228 pound frame.
A 2025 Guardians 1st round pick out of Texas A&M, LaViolette made six plate appearances in spring training. This old scout saw them all.
As the No. 27 selection in the draft, LaViolette was given a $4M signing bonus by Cleveland.
calltothepen.com said this about LaViolette before the draft, “LaViolette was one of the better players in the country last year.” That’s saying something.
In his six at-bats in spring training, LaViolette struck out three times.
However, he blasted a huge home run to right field. It was a flash of power, showing LaViolette’s impactful potential.
In all, LaViolette had three hits. And three strikeouts.
“I would first talk about my defense before anything else.” LaViolette told MLB.com. That’s fine, but the Guardians are interested in his power. His offensive potential.
The sound the ball makes coming off LaViolette’s bat makes a lasting impression. That “special sound” is reserved for a perfect barrel on the ball, with excellent swing mechanics, and extension.
LaViolette has a very bright future as a consequential slugger.
It wouldn’t surprise if LaViolette was part of the 2028 Cleveland outfield.
Nolan Schubart-6-4, 227 pounds, OF/1B-Bats Left-Age 21
Nolan Schubart may be the least known of this group.
Schubart was a 3rd round pick in 2025, out of Oklahoma State. He received a $750,000 signing bonus.
While Shubart may take some time learning to hit for average, he has tremendous, Grade 65 power.
He hit 59 homers in college, and finished with a 1.169 OPS.
Schubart has size, strength, and bat speed that projects some prodigious home runs in his future.
Among other glowing comments, soonerstatebaseballreport.com, said this about Schubart: “Schubart…hits the hardest ball in college baseball, with exit velos over 110 mph.”
Schubart will be challenged to improve his contact rate, and his defense, as he progresses through the Guardians development program. However, he has game-changing power.
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AKRON, OHIO - AUGUST 24, 2025: Ralphy Velazquez #30 of the Akron RubberDucks runs to third base on a single hit by Jacob Cozart during the fourth inning against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Canal Park on August 24, 2025 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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Ralphy Velazquez- 6-1, 240 pounds-1B/OF-Bats Left-Age 20
This old scout has mentioned Velazquez in other articles.
The man can flat out hit. And he’s improved since last spring training.
Velazquez was a high school player when the Guardians chose him in the 1st round of the 2023 MLB draft.
The Guardians gave Velazquez a $2.5M signing bonus, which may become a bargain.
The ball screams off Velazquez’ bat. He can barrel pitches, and hangs in well against left-handed pitching, which is a bit surprising for such a young player.
At 6-1, 240 pounds, Velazquez knows the strike zone well, and has the ability to punish pitches that get too much of the plate.
Velazquez has a tremendous future, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him in the Cleveland clubhouse as soon as 2027.
Ralphy had five hits in 17 plate appearances this spring.
Cleveland.com was effusive in praising Velazuez: “This is a really exciting player. Hopefully he just keeps progressing because he opened a lot of eyes this spring with that coaching staff,” according to Guardians beat writer, Paul Hoynes.
Velazquez’ defense has also improved markedly at first base.
Unfortunately, each of the three players hit left-handed, which is an issue that Cleveland’s front office must address.
LaViolette, Schubart, and Velazquez may become a huge part of the future Cleveland Guardians.
Each is on a path to delivering big league power.
You can read my previous comments about Ralphy Velazquez at this Forbes.com article here:
MORE FROM FORBES4 Guardians’ Prospects Send A Message To Baseball Operations StaffBy Bernie Pleskoff
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This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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