The Cleveland Guardians could continue a recent trend in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
There's been so much focus on the Cleveland Guardians' big-league team and on which prospects the organization might call up to supplement that group that the MLB Draft may have been slightly forgotten about.
However, the Guardians have just over a month to determine who they'll select in the first round of the draft.
MLB Pipeline released their latest mock draft early in the week, and are predicting Cleveland to select TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider with the 19th overall pick.
"After spending their 2025 first-rounder on a tooled-up Lone Star State college outfielder who slumped in his Draft year in Jace LaViolette, the Guardians could do so again with Strosnider. They might not pass on Reese and could be intrigued by Grindlinger," wrote analyst Jim Callis.
Strosnider played two seasons of collegiate ball with the Horn Frogs and logged a .315/.417/.623 slash line, including 24 doubles, 14 triples, and 24 home runs over that stretch.
Standing at six feet two inches and 200 pounds, Strosnider had an abundance of natural power. MLB Pipeline even graded his power tool at a 60.
That said, whoever drafts Strosnider would need to help him develop some more skills to make more contact, because the swing and miss rate could become a concern as he progresses through the Minor Leagues.
As of right now, Strosnider is considered MLB Pipeline's No. 16-ranked prospect heading into the draft. So, if the Guardians were able to select him at No. 19, then they could be getting a slightly better value at this pick.
Cleveland going after someone of Strosnider's skill set shouldn't come as a surprise, either. The front office has targeted the player for his potential in the recent draft.
Last year in the first round, the Guardians took Jace Laviolette. Right before him, the organization took Travis Bazzana. Ralphy Velazquez was the team's first pick in 2023. Chase DeLauter really set the tone for the
Clearly, the Guardians have shifted their focus to the type of player they're targeting high in the draft, and Strosnider fits that mold.
If the Guardians don't end up taking the power-hitting outfielder, it wouldn't be shocking to see them select someone of a similar makeup at No. 19.
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