The Cleveland Guardians have long built their identity around player development, and once again, their farm system is showing signs of delivering the goods. One name that’s quickly rising through the ranks: outfielder Alfonsin Rosario.
At just 21 years old, Rosario made a strong impression across High-A and Double-A in 2025, flashing a combination of tools that scouts love to dream on - and numbers that back up the hype. In 115 games and 499 plate appearances, Rosario posted a .251 batting average with a .345 on-base percentage and a .461 slugging mark, good for an .806 OPS. Add in 21 home runs, 22 doubles, 64 RBIs, and 69 runs scored, and you’ve got a player who was doing damage on a nightly basis.
But it’s not just the power that stands out - Rosario brings speed and athleticism to the table, swiping 14 bags and legging out three triples. His 0.38 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a 129 wRC+ suggest he’s more than just a raw athlete; he’s developing into a well-rounded offensive threat.
Tobey Schulman summed it up well in a recent post: “Some of the most interesting tools in the Guards system. Plus power and speed paired with an elite arm.” That’s the kind of profile that gets front offices excited - and opposing pitchers nervous.
The Guardians’ outfield picture is far from settled. While Steven Kwan has been a steady presence, his long-term future in Cleveland remains uncertain, especially if extension talks don’t materialize.
That opens the door for a wave of young talent, and the Guardians have no shortage of options. Chase DeLauter, George Valera, and C.J.
Kayfus are all vying for bigger roles, and each has already shown flashes of being big-league ready.
Rosario might not be at the front of that line just yet, but he’s gaining ground - fast. The next big test will come at Triple-A Columbus, where he’ll need to prove he can adjust to more advanced pitching and continue refining his approach. But based on what we saw in 2025, the trajectory is pointing up.
If Rosario keeps trending in this direction, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him in a Guardians uniform sometime next season. He’s got the tools, the production, and the momentum - now it’s just a matter of timing. And if Cleveland’s outfield remains in flux, that call-up might come sooner rather than later.