Amidst a combination of injuries and production woes. the Guardians’ outfield is set to get a boost with Cooper Ingle. Ingle, one of Cleveland’s top prospects, was officially promoted to the Majors on June 26. The move comes during what’s been an impressive overall year for the catcher/outfielder.
A Look at Ingle
It’s been a big year for Cooper Ingle, the Guardians’ fourth-round pick of Clemson University back in 2023. The Clemson program has been well-known for producing pro catchers, and Ingle was at one point one of the latest. Ingle had a strong two-year college career as a starter, highlighted by eight home runs and a .449 on-base percentage in 2022.
His first full pro season in 2024 was good, as Ingle slashed .305/.419/.478 with 11 home runs and 46 extra-base hits over 93 contests between High-A and Double-A. Last season, Ingle worked his way to Triple-A after a very strong year with the Akron Rubberducks. One of the most patient hitters in the Eastern League last season, Ingle walked 65 times over 92 contests.
Ingle didn’t hit particularly well in his first run with Triple-A Columbus this season. But he has in 2026, as the 24-year-old slashed .284/.416/.551 with 12 home runs and 22 extra-base hits over 51 contests.
He stormed out of the gate and hit .440 over 12 games in April. Obviously, the numbers have stabilized since then. Still, a 23% Chase% over the last seven weeks before the end of the first half and slightly lower Take% compared to 2025 (that’s expected, given he moved up a level), were signs that all was well with Ingle’s metrics.
For a 5’8” player, Ingle has some pop. His Barrel% from May through June 21 was over 10%; he’ll stay inside the ball, and the power goes both ways, too. But what’s more, Ingle is one of those players who truly embodies the kind of player that Cleveland has coveted both in their drafts and pickups over the years.
Why? Ingle is a consistent contact hitter and, with his well-above-average eye, makes him the kind of player who profiles well as a future leadoff man at the plate. Very little swing-and-miss on pitches inside the strike zone.
Defensively, Ingle is a natural catcher. However, Ingle saw time both at the DH slot and in left field this season. That makes a lot of sense, given how the Guardians’ current depth chart is structured.
This season with Columbus, Ingle had a CS% of 30%. But in 2025, that was 17.4%.
Analysis
Heading into the year, the Guardians were set up well as far as future assets were concerned. After all, both Travis Bazzana and Ingle showcased advanced approaches at higher levels last season — and now, both are in the Majors.
Ingle has the opportunity to take control of a corner outfield spot. Steven Kwan‘s been moved to center this season. The four-time Gold Glover switched as the Guardians didn’t have a true option at the position. That is likely where Ingle will need to be situated, especially with Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey, the latter of whom was acquired in May, behind the dish.
The ceiling is high, and the floor is high, as well with Ingle. Ingle profiles as a plus on-base man to set up the likes of Travis Bazzana and the currently-injured Chase DeLauter from a long-term perspective.
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