Get To Know Guardians 2023 First Round Draft Pick, Ralphy Velazquez

The Cleveland Guardians select C Ralphy Velazquez with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

The Cleveland Guardians wasted no time in the 2023 MLB Draft by selecting Ralphy Velazquez, one of the best power-hitting prospects on the board. 

Who is the newest member of the Guardians' farm system?

The Guardians select catcher Ralphy Velazquez with the 23rd pick in the First Round of the 2023 MLB Draft.#Guardians | #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/U8iWPMdhKG

— Cleveland Guardians On SI (@GuardiansOnSI) July 10, 2023

Velazquez is a catcher out of Huntington Beach High School in California. He was the number one ranked prospect in the state and the 10th overall in the country. 

The Guardians aren't concerned about the defense right now. Ralphy has the potential to be one of the best power-hitters in his position group.  He comes in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, and the pure power is apparent.

He played in eight games for Huntington Beach in 2020-21 and hit .593 with an OBOP of .636. Even though he played in just a handful of games, he had 15 RBI and hit three home runs. 

This move may come as a headscratcher to some fans. The last time the Guardians selected a catcher this high in the draft was Bo Naylor in 2018. How will this pick work with Cleveland just handing Naylor the keys to being their future backstop for their rotation?

This is a fair question, but we must remember that it's not uncommon for prospects to switch positions as they make their way through the system. Ralphy also has experience playing first base as well which could easily become his primary position.

It'll take time for Raplhy to reach the Big Leagues, but it'll be fun to watch him develop through the farm system!

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