2025 MLB Draft: Jace LaViolette contract details revealed for Cleveland Guardians first-round pick

Just over a week after being selected 27th overall in the first round by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 MLB Draft, outfielder Jace LaViolette has agreed to terms on his pro contract. He’ll receive $4 million, which is well above the value of the pick ($3.3 million), per Spotrac.

LaViolette spent three seasons playing in the outfield for Texas A&M. In 118 starts for the Aggies, he hit for a .285 at the plate while slugging at .651 with an on-base percentage of .432. He finished with 194 hits and 202 RBI, including a program record 68 home runs. “Lord Tubbington” also had 402 putouts with a .995 fielding percentage.

The Pensacola, FL native would have a career-best season as a sophomore, as he was selected to the All-SEC First Team and was tabbed as a First Team All-American. That was with a .305 batting average (.726 SLG%, .449 OB%) and 29 home runs. LaViolette was vital in one of A&M’s all-time best seasons at 53-15 and playing in the championship at the 2024 Men’s College World Series.

However, LaViolette, much like the program, disappointed this spring. That’s mainly with essentially all his batting numbers going down as he posted a batting average of .258 (.576 SLG%, .427 OB%) with 18 homers and 61 RBI. He also broke his hand toward the end of the season during the SEC Tournament.

LaViolette was one of eight Aggies selected in MLB Draft

LaViolette came into the season as one of the top overall prospects in this draft. After that slide in production, though, he projected more as just a first-rounder rather than being among the first in the class, including in mocks and projections at ESPN, MLB Pipeline, and being rated at No. 20 for MiLB.com. He was ultimately selected with the No. 27 pick.

“Possessing as much raw power as anyone in the Draft, LaViolette is built to crush balls with a quick left-handed stroke, the strength and leverage in his impressive 6-foot-6 frame and a focus on launching pitches to his pull side,” MLB.com’s scouting report said. “He also makes quality swing decisions but the lone flaw in his offensive game does scare some teams. LaViolette frequently swings and misses within the strike zone, even on fastballs, leading to a .258 average with a 25 percent strikeout rate as a junior.”

He now heads to a Cleveland Guardians organization that is one of the most consistent in all of Major League Baseball. LaViolette was one of a few notable college names selected by the Guardians, joining Tennessee shortstop Dean Curley, former teammate Texas A&M left-handed pitcher Ryan Prager and Arizona outfielder Aaron Walton.

“Remarkably athletic for his size, LaViolette posts solid run times out of the batter’s box and is even quicker once he gets going,” his scouting report continued. “He played the outfield corners as a freshman before moving to center field last spring, with most evaluators projecting him to spend the bulk of his big league career in right. His power and solid arm strength fit the right-field profile to a tee.”