For Major League Baseball teams, prospects are the lifeblood of an organization.
That’s proven to be true for the Cleveland Guardians this season with young hitting stars Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter reinvigorating the team this season.
For instance, Bazzana played his first game for the Guardians on April 29. Since then Cleveland has been 14-7 going into its game on Thursday, May 21 against the Detroit Tigers. During that streak the team has seen an uptick in its offense.
For his effort, Bazzana has moved up in ESPN’s top baseball prospect rankings. In a fresh top prospects update, Bazzana is No. 11 in baseball — up from No. 23 overall. He’s bound to graduate simply from prospect status this season, like DeLauter has as well.
“The former No. 1 pick has improved his contact rates this season, which was one of the main questions about his profile, and he’s currently raking in the big leagues,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel wrote of Bazzana.
The Guardians have two other players in McDaniels’ top 50, and both have also seen their prospect arrow move upward.
First baseman Ralphy Velaquez, who recently was moved up to Triple-A Columbus, has gone from No. 33 to 31. Shortstop Angel Genao, who is also in Columbus, moved from No. 80 to No. 39.
McDaniel’s top prospect is Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made followed by shortstop Leo De Vries of the Athletics. Seven of the top 10 players are shortstops.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians top prospects are moving up in new ESPN ranking
