Cleveland Guardians Top 30 Prospects: #18 Juan Brito

The overarching theme of this series has been how good Cleveland's scouting and development programs have been in recent seasons. We've known for years what the pitching side of the development team could do, but in recent seasons the new regiment has begun the take effect among the position players in the farm system. The organization has been able to sustain itself at a high level, not needing to reinforce depth via trade. In fact, it's largely been the opposite with the organization overdue for a consolidation trade.What's more impeccable about Cleveland's run on promising prospects is through all the years that have built the farm to its current state the club has been very successful. Tanking can be successful, look no further than the Baltimore Orioles, but looking around at the rest of Cleveland's own division there's proof of just how difficult it can be for prospects to pan out. So that makes my 18th-ranked Guardians prospect one of the unique ones, having been a trade acquisition yet to play for a Cleveland affiliate.Juan Brito lands at 18th on my top 30 list, a second baseman from the Colorado Rockies organization acquired in exchange for outfielder Nolan Jones this past winter. Brito, 21, was an international free agent signing of the Rockies from the Dominican Republic in 2018, and he spent all of 2022 in Low-A. The switch hitter has a mixed profile, but let's look at what Brito accomplished for the Rockies organization in 2022.Brito played 107 games in his age-20 season, posting a triple slash of .286/.407/.470 and collecting 29 doubles, 11 home runs, 17 stolen bases, 78 walks (15.7%), 71 strikeouts (14.3%), and a 129 wRC+. Brito displays the patented Guardians discipline and vision skills having drawn more walks than he's struck out and maintaining an on-base percentage of over .400 in his three professional seasons so far. His ability to not beat himself may end up being more valuable than the bat itself in the long run, but early returns are promising.[embed]https://twitter.com/blakestbanter/status/1549490830657863680?s=20&t=2E90Auza7c6LyAC-Q6GfBQ[/embed]Brito doesn't hit the ball particularly hard, but he already demonstrates decent pull-side power from the left-handed batter's box. At 5 foot 11 inches and just 165 pounds Brito likely won't add much more power, but it's certainly not impossible. Brito puts the ball in play a lot, which as we've discussed leads to good things more often than not, but he doesn't have a quick first step out of the box or burner speed.Brito may have swiped 17 bags in 2022, but he was caught nine times in the process and with a below-average arm and limited range, he's likely locked at second base with the hopes he can play at least average defense. This doesn't bode particularly well for Brito given the names above him in the farm system and how many middle infielders the Guardians have already. Other players have begun to move about the diamond trying to find playing time, but Brito will have to truly stand out at second base to make a name for himself.[embed]https://twitter.com/CleGuardPro/status/1616248657648427011?s=20&t=2E90Auza7c6LyAC-Q6GfBQ[/embed]Brito is a fine young player, but I don't see his path to major-league effectiveness with Cleveland. Yes, I'm ranking him 18th on my top 30 list, but it's more my faith in the club's current talent evaluation success that puts him this high for me. With the Guardians facing a roster crunch, they decided to trade Nolan Jones — a former Top 100 prospect and team number one — for a player who was immediately added to the 40-man roster. There's clearly something the development team thinks they've identified with Brito and believe he has more than what's on the surface.I'll reserve judgment for now and monitor how Brito is used when he reports to High-A Lake County for the Minor League season. He'll turn 22 at the end of the season, but since he's already on the 40-man I'd like to see him make it to Double-A halfway through the year. The problem remains that with no positional flexibility and a bat not fit for designated hitter duties Brito will have a hard time finding playing time among the rest of Cleveland's second base and shortstop stable. I'm puzzled but hopeful that there's more than meets the eye.The List so Far:19. Nate Furman20. Petey Halpin21. Will Benson22. Doug Nikhazy23. Tanner Burns24. Joe Lampe25. Isaiah Greene26. Jake Fox27. Jhonkensy Noel28. Jack Leftwich29. Trenton Denholm30. Peyton Battenfield