The Cleveland Guardians' 2024 draft class is a fascinating one, with a mix of high-upside prospects and some intriguing stories. While the team's top picks have performed well, there are also some players who have struggled to find their footing. Here's a deeper dive into the class, with a focus on the players who have stood out for better or for worse.
The Top Picks
Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick, has been a sensation at the MLB level, already slugging seven home runs and swiping 12 bases while posting an above-average 110 wRC+. His ability to impact the game in a variety of ways has made him a standout, and his performance has earned him a spot on the All-Star Team. Braylon Doughty, the No. 2 pick, has also been impressive, posting a 2.84 FIP over 22 starts spanning 85.1 innings. His advanced feel for his delivery and ability to spin the baseball have made him a top pitching prospect in the system.
The Struggling Prospects
Joey Oakie, the No. 4 pick, has taken a major step backwards this year, ballooning his walks per nine innings to 8.3 while striking out the fewest batters per nine of his career. This is a stark contrast to his performance last season, where he posted a 2.22 ERA over six starts. Similarly, Logan McGuire, the No. 18 pick, has struggled at High-A Lake County, with his FIP more than doubling to 5.64 and his walk rate more than tripling. This is a disappointing turn of events for a player who impressed out of the bullpen in 2025.
The Undrafted Free Agents
Xavier Martinez, an undrafted free agent, impressed with an elite 2.83 FIP spread across two levels in 2025, but has struggled this season while repeating at High-A. His strikeout rate dropped over three per nine innings and his walk rate increased by two per nine, which has seen his FIP balloon to a brutal 8.00 through 17 games. This is a stark contrast to his performance last season, and it remains to be seen if he can turn things around.
The Story of Sean Heppner
Sean Heppner, the No. 13 pick, was given one full season at Single-A in 2025, where he had extremely poor ratios of 7.5 K/9 and 7.5 BB/9 over 33 games spanning 42 innings. This was enough for the team's brass to release him, making him the lone member of this draft class to be cut. This is a stark reminder that not all prospects will pan out, and the team must be prepared to make tough decisions.
The Rising Stars
Izaak Martinez, an undrafted free agent, has been terrific thus far in his pro career. He pitched well at both Single-A and High-A in 2025 and has been even better this year, currently sporting an elite 1.63 ERA with a strong 10.9 K/9 while repeating at Lake County. This is a promising development for a player who was not drafted, and it remains to be seen if he can continue to rise through the ranks.
The Takeaway
The Cleveland Guardians' 2024 draft class is a mixed bag, with some top picks performing well and others struggling to find their footing. The team has a mix of high-upside prospects and some intriguing stories, and it remains to be seen if they can continue to develop and rise through the ranks. In my opinion, the class is a solid one, with some promising players who could make an impact in the future. However, the team must be prepared to make tough decisions and cut players who are not performing well, as seen with Sean Heppner. Overall, the class is a fascinating one, and it will be interesting to see how the players develop in the coming years.
