First Impressions From CJ Kayfus' Guardians, MLB Debut

CJ Kayfus can finally say that he’s played in an MLB game. The Cleveland Guardians’ No. 5-ranked prospect made his big-league debut on Saturday afternoon during the team’s win over the Minnesota Twins.

There’s been a lot of hype surrounding Kayfus for the last few seasons because of the potential he has to be a high-impact bat in Cleveland’s lineup. 

One of the biggest first impressions that manager Stephen Vogt noticed throughout the game was his ability to work a pitch count. “He can manage an at-bat, I can tell you that,” proclaimed Cleveland’s skipper.

Kayfus is still looking for his big-league hit, or walk, but he stood in the box and made Minnesota’s pitcher throw him stuff in the zone.

The 24-year-old saw a total of 16 pitches during his first four at-bats. Vogt also noted, “He saw some really good changeups from two pitchers with really good changeups. He can hit.”

The left-handed hitter has garnered plenty of attention in the minors for how hard he hits the ball, and that was apparent in his first MLB game. In Kayfus’ first at-bat, he ripped a ball with an exit velocity of 97.7 mph to shortstop, which brought in a run.