The Cleveland Guardians roster is full of players who could make an impact in 2026. However, there is a select group that stands out as being the most vital pieces to a successful season for the Guardians.

Here are three players who will define Cleveland’s 2026 season, for better or for worse.

Jose Ramirez

If the Guardians want to win the American League Central for the third straight season and get back to the playoffs, they need Jose Ramirez to play at an MVP level again in 2026. 

Cleveland already has plenty of question marks in its lineup, and even with Ramirez’s .863 OPS last season, the Guardians still had one of the worst offenses in baseball. J-Ram is Cleveland’s best hitter, and the team needs him to play at the superstar level again next year for the Guardians to be a playoff threat. 

If Ramirez finally starts to regress in 2026, it could spell bad news for Cleveland’s overall season ceiling.

Chase DeLauter

Outside of Ramirez, arguably the second most important offensive player heading into 2026 is Chase DeLauter.

The Guardians opted not add any external bats this offseason because of the young core scheduled to make an impact in 2026, being led by DeLauter. Cleveland is counting on the 24-year-old to be the spark and power threat the lineup has been missing for a long time.

DeLauter has the skillset to be just that, owning a minor league career OPS of .888. However, the injury history of the outfielder can’t be ignored, either. 

If DeLauter can stay on the field, he could alone help take Cleveland’s offense to the next level, but another season full of injuries could also leave the Guardians at square one of what to do with their lineup.

Gavin Williams

Every elite team has a clear-cut ace at the top of its rotation. Gavin Williams showed he could be Cleveland’s top arm in 2025, but he still must prove he can do that over a 162-game season.

If Williams picks up right where he left off, he could truly be an All-Star and the pitcher who guarantees the Guardians a chance to win every five days. 

A Williams full-on breakout season could elevate the overall potential of Cleveland’s roster. 

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