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5 Akron RubberDucks who could join Cleveland Guardians at MLB level very soon
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- 5 Akron RubberDucks who could join Cleveland Guardians at MLB level very soon
The road from Canal Park to Progressive Field is just a bit over 38 miles and takes 40 minutes to drive.
While the path from Double A baseball to the Cleveland Guardians has an extra step in it, it doesn't take long for a former RubberDucks standout to become a major leaguer.
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Ten of the 13 pitchers on the current roster cut their teeth in Akron and 16 of the 26 players on the active roster were once RubberDucks.
It doesn't take an hour to get to Progressive Field when you're in Akron. For some RubberDucks opening 2024 at Canal Park, the trip to the big leagues may happen this season.
Push that out to the 40-man roster and 27 current major leaguers once laced them up in Akron.
With the 2024 season in its infant stages, here are five current RubberDucks who could hit the big time relatively soon:
Chase DeLauter already had a buzz coming into the 2024 season. After a solid spring training, it seems like the Akron RubberDucks outfielder will be in Cleveland very soon.
Chase DeLauter, corner outfielder
DeLauter is the No. 1 prospect in the Guardians organization and is 30th overall according to MLB Pipeline. DeLauter was taken 16th in the 2022 draft and batted a collective .355 with five home runs and 39 RBIs last season in rookie ball, Lake County and Akron. He hit .299 with a .385 on-base percentage in fall ball. He could be with the Guardians as early as this fall.
Wake Forest's Kahlil Watson came to the Guardians in the Josh Bell trade and could be playing in Progressive Field very soon.
Kahlil Watson, shortstop
Watson was the 16th pick in the 2021 draft by the Miami Marlins and came over in the Josh Bell trade last season. Don't be surprised if the No. 15 prospect in the Guardians organization moves to the outfield in 2024. Watson batted .233 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 23 games for Lake County last season. He has 24 home runs and 92 RBIs in 659 minor league at-bats.
Akron RubberDucks centerfielder Petey Halpin singles on a bunt against the Richmond Flying Squirrels during the first inning of a Minor League Baseball game at Canal Park, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Akron, Ohio.
Petey Halpin, corner outfielder
Akron had a full season of Halpin last season when the No. 16 prospect in the Guardians organization batted .243 with career highs in home runs (nine) and RBIs (38) in 113 games. Halpin had a .372 slugging percentage and .684 OPS last season. He was taken in the third round of the 2020 draft with the 95th pick.
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Andrew Walters, right-handed pitcher
It wouldn't be a top-five roster without a pitcher, and at 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds Walters certainly fits the mold. Oh, he also hit 100 mph this spring. He was a competitive balance round B selection at No. 62 last season and could be in Cleveland by the end of the season. Although he doesn't have any minor league statistics, the Miami standout has a career 4-1 record with 26 saves, a 1.41 ERA and has logged 170 strikeouts. He is the No. 26 prospect in the Guardians organization.
Dayan Frias, third baseman
Frias was the starting second baseman for Columbia last season in the World Baseball Classic and is the No. 30 prospect in the Guardians organization. He batted .260 with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs in 338 at-bats last season for Lake County. Frias has logged 21 home runs and 134 RBIs in four minor league seasons. The 21-year-old was signed as a free agent in 2018.
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Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who are the top 5 Guardians prospects playing for Akron RubberDucks?
