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7h ago

Guardians Draft Jace LaViolette No. 27 After Hand Injury and Slump

Teams rewarded his resilience with a $3.38 million slot after he returned swiftly from hand surgery near season’s end.

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Overview

  • The Cleveland Guardians selected LaViolette 27th overall in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
  • He signed for the full slot value of $3.38 million, affirming his status as one of the top college position players.
  • LaViolette broke his left hand on May 22 during the SEC Tournament, underwent surgery with a pin placed in his hand and returned as designated hitter the next day.
  • His junior campaign produced a .258 batting average with 61 RBIs and 18 home runs, down from the All-American numbers that made him a pre-season No. 1 overall projection.
  • Mock drafts from MLB Pipeline, USA TODAY and The Athletic had slotted him in the early 20s, highlighting teams’ interest in his raw power despite medical concerns.