The Cleveland Guardians made a clear statement with their picks on the first night of the MLB Draft. Their mission was simple: acquire bats with prodigious power and the athleticism to match. Across five selections, the Guardians focused on physical, high-upside players from the college ranks, adding a significant amount of pop to their farm system.
The headliner of the night was Jace LaViolette, a towering outfielder from Texas A&M selected 27th overall. LaViolette has a frame built for power, and he demonstrated that with a record-setting college career, becoming the Aggies' all-time home run leader.