​As we continue our look ahead to the 2026 MLB draft, which starts at 1 p.m. today, I’ll review the Guardians’ last four drafts and how they have significantly bolstered the depth of Cleveland’s minor league system. For clarity, the ages listed below reflect how old the players were when drafted about two years ago; please add two years to determine their current ages.
1 (1). Travis Bazzana, 2B/LHH, Age 21, $8.95 million bonus. Bazzana stood out as a second baseman from Oregon State. After Cleveland made him the No. 1 overall pick, President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti offered high praise: “We view Travis as a dynamic player. He’s a guy who makes very good swing decisions, controls the strike zone exceptionally well, rarely swings and misses, and can really impact the baseball. We believe he can influence the game in a variety of ways. As impressive as he is as an athlete and as a player, he’s just as impressive—or more impressive—as a person.” Bazzana wasted no time adjusting to professional baseball, debuting with High-A Lake County in 2024 and helping the team win the Midwest League Championship. He started 2025 at Double-A, where he posted a 136 wRC+ and earned a promotion to Triple-A before an oblique injury cut his season short. He opened 2026 at Triple-A, where he dominated, posting a .287/.422/.511 slash line and earning a Cleveland call-up within a month. At the major league level, Bazzana has become a sensation, tallying seven homers and 12 stolen bases while delivering an above-average 110 wRC+ and earning All-Star recognition from his peers as he assumed the leadoff role in the Guardians’ lineup. The potential for this young infielder seems boundless.
2 (36). Braylon Doughty, RHP, Age 18, $2.57 million bonus. Doughty is a well-regarded prep pitcher who benefited from Cleveland’s substantial bonus pool to secure one of the country’s top high school pitching talents. Guardians’ vice president of scouting Paul Gillespie offered perspective: “He’s shown a truly advanced feel for his delivery. He can spin the ball and throw to both sides of the plate. We assess delivery and arm action as a solid starting point for young pitchers. He already possesses a natural sense for his motion and arm mechanics.” Doughty began the 2025 season as the lone prep arm in full-season ball and posted a 2.84 FIP across 22 starts totaling 85.1 innings. He started this year at High-A Lake County, where all metrics advanced—strikeouts, walks, and ERA improved. He has since moved to Double-A and is widely regarded as perhaps the premier pitching prospect in Cleveland’s system at present.
3 (48). Jacob Cozart, C/LHH, Age 21, $2.05 million bonus. Cleveland opted for a catcher with a strong defensive profile and a contact-oriented bat, valuing his glove work and upside behind the plate. Cozart’s offense has shown more promise than initially anticipated, combining defensive acumen with enough offensive punch to warrant attention as he progresses through the minors. The Guardians recognize that a catcher with solid receiving skills and the ability to contribute at the plate can become a cornerstone of a resilient catching corps in the organization.
In sum, these drafted players illustrate Cleveland’s strategy of blending top-tier talent with high-floor contributors who can add depth to the organization’ s minor league system. Bazzana’s rapid ascent and early major league production indicate a potential cornerstone for the future at the top of the lineup. Doughty’s advanced feel for delivery and early success at multiple levels position him to be a central piece of the rotation in the coming years. Cozart’s development as a catcher with a balanced offensive profile provides the Guardians with an athletic defensive backbone behind the dish. As the 2026 draft unfolds, Cleveland’s continued emphasis on blending advanced development with raw potential should help maintain a robust pipeline to the big leagues.