LaViolette Drafted 27th Overall by the Cleveland Guardians
ATLANTA, Ga. – In a moment years in the making, Jace LaViolette’s name echoed across the Coca-Cola Roxy as he was selected 27th overall by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday evening. The Texas A&M slugger, known for his towering home runs and larger-than-life presence at the plate, now begins his professional journey with one of the American League’s most analytically inclined organizations.
LaViolette, 21, finished his collegiate career as Texas A&M’s all-time home run leader, launching 67 homers over three seasons with the Aggies. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, the left-handed outfielder became a feared name across the Southeastern Conference, combining jaw-dropping power with a surprisingly graceful glove in right field. His junior year campaign was nothing short of dominant—batting .331 with 27 home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .453 on-base percentage.
The Guardians, known for targeting high-upside athletes with advanced plate discipline, saw LaViolette as an ideal fit for their evolving lineup. “Jace is a rare blend of raw power and baseball intelligence,” said Cleveland scouting director Justin Toole. “He’s not just a slugger—he understands his swing, works counts, and is a leader in the clubhouse. We’re excited to welcome him to Cleveland.”
LaViolette’s story is one of persistence and passion. A Houston native, he was lightly recruited out of high school due to the pandemic-shortened seasons, but Texas A&M took a chance—and he repaid them by rewriting the program’s offensive record book. His breakout sophomore year put him on the national radar, and he entered the 2025 season as a consensus top-40 draft prospect. His steady development into a complete hitter—refining his approach and cutting his strikeout rate—pushed him up draft boards throughout the spring.
At the draft, LaViolette was joined by family, friends, and his college coach Jim Schlossnagle, who appeared visibly emotional when the pick was announced. “Jace changed the culture at Texas A&M,” Schlossnagle said. “He played with passion, he led by example, and he made everyone around him better. Cleveland’s getting a gem.”
The Guardians are expected to start LaViolette at High-A Lake County, where he’ll likely split time between right field and designated hitter. Scouts believe he has the potential to reach the majors quickly if his bat continues to produce at current levels. With a wide-open corner outfield spot projected in Cleveland’s 2027 lineup, LaViolette could be a central piece of the franchise’s long-term offensive core.
Following the pick, LaViolette donned a Guardians cap and beamed as he met with reporters. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m thankful to Texas A&M, my coaches, my family, and now the Cleveland Guardians. I can’t wait to get started and bring everything I’ve got to the field.”
As fireworks lit the Atlanta sky, one of college baseball’s most electrifying players took his next step into the professional spotlight—bat in hand, eyes on the big leagues.
