Cleveland Guardians Must Make Critical Decisions on Three Prospects Before Rule 5 Clock Expires.NL
As the MLB offseason picks up steam, teams are facing a key checkpoint: Tuesday’s deadline to finalize which prospects they’ll protect from the Rule 5 Draft. It’s a pivotal moment-any eligible player not added to a team’s 40-man roster by then becomes fair game for other clubs in next month’s draft. And if selected, that player must stay on the selecting team’s 26-man roster all season or be offered back.
For the Cleveland Guardians, the decision-making is especially tight. They have a deep farm system but only three open spots on the 40-man roster.
That means some tough calls are coming. But a few names stand out-players with the kind of upside and development trajectory that make them too valuable to risk losing for nothing.
Let’s break down three prospects Cleveland should absolutely lock in before the deadline.
SS Angel Genao – A Rising Star Who’s Too Talented to Risk
This one feels like a layup. Angel Genao, ranked No. 59 overall by MLB Pipeline, is knocking on the big-league door and has the tools to be a long-term contributor in Cleveland. Even though his 2025 campaign didn’t quite match the breakout numbers he posted in 2024 (.330 average, 71 RBIs in 110 games), there’s no denying the talent.
He missed the early part of this past season with a shoulder injury but still managed to debut at Double-A before year’s end. That’s no small feat for a 21-year-old. He’s got above-average speed, some real pop in the bat, and the kind of versatility you love to see in a young middle infielder.
Cleveland has shown it’s not afraid to stash talented prospects on the 40-man even if they’re not quite ready for The Show. Look no further than how they handled Jhonkensy Noel and Brayan Rocchio.
Genao fits that mold perfectly. He may not start 2026 in the majors, but protecting him now is a no-brainer.
Especially when you consider the state of the Guardians’ infield. Rocchio, Gabriel Arias, and Juan Brito are all intriguing, but none have firmly locked down a long-term role. Genao’s upside makes him a must-keep.
RHP Austin Peterson – A Reliable Arm in a Thin Rotation
Cleveland has built a reputation for developing pitching talent, and Austin Peterson is another name who could soon join that lineage. At 26, he’s a bit older than your typical Rule 5 protection candidate, but don’t let that fool you-he fills a real need.
Peterson threw 145 innings across Double-A and Triple-A this year, showing durability and consistency. That kind of workload is rare in today’s game, and it’s exactly what the Guardians could use with their rotation in flux.
With Luis Ortiz sidelined due to legal issues and Ben Lively off the roster following injury, Cleveland’s once-deep pitching depth has thinned out. Peterson might not have frontline starter upside, but he’s the kind of innings-eater who could slot into a back-end role if needed. And given how the Rule 5 Draft works, a pitcher like him-mature, capable, and ready-would be scooped up in a heartbeat by another club looking to bolster its staff.
His strikeout stuff is no joke either. Peterson punched out nine in a five-inning outing for Triple-A Columbus this past September, showing he’s more than just a guy who throws strikes-he can miss bats, too.
OF Khalil Watson – High Risk, High Reward
With only one spot left and several worthy candidates, the Guardians could go in a number of directions. But if they’re betting on upside, Khalil Watson is the play.
Acquired from the Marlins in the 2023 deadline deal that sent Josh Bell packing, Watson was always a long-term project. Now, two seasons later, that investment is starting to show signs of paying off.
He’s hit .234 in 221 games in the Guardians’ system-not eye-popping, but the power-speed combo is very real. Watson has 37 homers and 43 steals over that stretch, and he’s made a full-time move to the outfield, adding another layer of value to his game.
Yes, the strikeouts are still there. And yes, the defense is still a work in progress.
But he’s only 22, and the raw tools are undeniable. There’s a reason scouts have been high on him since his high school days.
In a Rule 5 Draft, teams love to take a swing on upside. Watson fits that bill perfectly.
If the Guardians leave him unprotected, he’s as good as gone. Adding him to the 40-man is a bit of a gamble, sure-but it’s the kind of move that could pay off in a big way down the road.
Bottom Line
The Guardians don’t have room to protect everyone, but Genao, Peterson, and Watson check three very different-and very important-boxes: high-upside bat, MLB-ready arm, and long-term outfield project. All three would draw interest if exposed, and all three offer value Cleveland can’t afford to lose.
The Rule 5 Draft is always a tightrope walk for teams with deep systems, and this year is no different in Cleveland. But if they play it right, the Guardians can protect their future without sacrificing their present.
