With the Cleveland Guardians sitting behind the Detroit Tigers for the American League Central lead and struggling to gain ground, major changes could be coming for the Guardians’ roster.
With question marks in the right field and with the overall offensive firepower of the team, the Guardians could dip into the trade market to fix that issue. Or, the Guardians could promote from within, and add a top prospect to the Major League roster to give a boost offensively and potentially defensively.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicted that the Guardians would promote top prospect C.J. Kayfus to the Major Leagues during the 2025 season. With the Guardians’ issues offensively, his promotion could come sooner rather than later.
“The 23-year-old has started games at first base and both corner outfield spots,” Reuter writes. “And he would provide an immediate upgrade in right field, where the team has lacked a consistent everyday option for more than a decade.”
One of the main reasons why a call-up of Kafus would work is that he’d immediately slide into the right-field spot, as an upgrade over the current crop of outfielders being sent out there every day. Nolan Jones has been a disappointment, and Johnathan Rodriguez, Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneemann, and any other option sent out there haven’t been great either.
Taking a chance on Kafus, especially considering the right-field landscape in the trade market doesn’t look great, could be the difference for the Guardians in the 2025 season.
While not the Guardians’ top prospect, Kafus is ranked fifth within the organization and could make an immediate impact if called up. Based on his 2025 production in Triple-A, he’d be a huge addition to the offense for Cleveland.
In Triple-A in 2025, Kafus is batting .327 with eight home runs, 31 RBIs, and a ridiculous .983 OPS across 205 at-bats. His offensive production has been incredible, and with the lack of offense in right field for the Guardians, his call-up would be sorely needed.
Reuters’ prediction has the Guardians making the switch in right, by calling up Kafus to take over for Jones, who’s disappointed in 2025. Kafus could be the missing piece for the Guardians, as they look to get back into the postseason hunt and stop their regression from their 2024 season.
