3 Guardians’ Draft Picks Who Could Skyrocket Through the Minors

Guardians Need Pitching Depth, and the Draft Could Be the Answer

The Cleveland Guardians have struggled with pitching depth this season. They are the only team in Major League Baseball (MLB) that has relied on just five starters so far. With Khal Stephen set to undergo elbow surgery, the need for additional arms becomes even more urgent. The upcoming MLB draft offers a chance for the Guardians to bring in a potential impact pitcher who could quickly move through their minor league system.

Here are three collegiate pitchers who could be strong candidates for the Guardians’ No. 19 pick.

LHP Cole Carlon, Arizona State

Cole Carlon began his college career as a reliever for the Arizona State Sun Devils before transitioning to the rotation last season. He posted a 3.87 ERA in 16 starts, throwing 83 2/3 innings. His fastball can reach up to 98 miles per hour, and he also has a solid slider, along with a developing curveball and changeup.

While Carlon allowed 14 home runs last season due to some pitches being left over the middle of the plate, he also recorded 113 strikeouts and only walked 31 batters. At 21 years old, he showed maturity on the mound and is considered one of the top “second-tier” pitchers in the draft. If available, the Guardians may seriously consider taking him.

RHP Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee

Tegan Kuhns gained attention as a high school prospect in the 2024 draft but went undrafted and chose to attend the University of Tennessee. After a mixed first season with the Volunteers, he emerged as an ace in his second year, posting a 3.56 ERA in 81 innings. One of his standout performances came in May when he struck out 15 batters in seven innings against Texas.

Kuhns doesn’t have the deep arsenal of some other pitchers, but he has a strong fastball and only walked 16 batters all season. While there are questions about whether he can stick as a starter long-term, the Guardians have shown a willingness to take risks on pitchers with potential.

RHP Taylor Rabe, Mississippi

Taylor Rabe’s rankings vary widely among different evaluators. MLB ranked him as the No. 90 prospect, while Keith Law placed him at No. 29, and Baseball America included him in its top-50. This discrepancy is largely due to Rabe only having one year of college baseball after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024.

Despite this, Rabe performed well in his first season, posting a 3.55 ERA in 76 innings for Ole Miss, which reached the College World Series. He demonstrated great command, walking only 15 batters in 76 innings, and closed the season with a strong performance against North Carolina.

Rabe may not be a complete product yet, but he has the potential to progress quickly through a team’s system.

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