Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The most successful alum from Palm Beach Central High School in Florida is Brad Peacock, who was a 41st-round pick of the Nationals as a draft-and-follow in 2006 and spent 10 years pitching in the big leagues. Kayfus wasn’t much of a prospect coming out of high school, but he’s done nothing but hit since heading a little south to the University of Miami. That includes a strong performance in the Cape Cod League last summer and a bit of an uptick in impact this spring has made him the kind of college performer that gets plenty of attention. 

While Kayfus isn’t the biggest guy in the world, listed at 6-foot even on the Hurricanes’ roster, he has shown an outstanding feel to hit from the left side of the plate since he set foot on campus. That’s been particularly true the last two seasons as a full-time starter at Miami, where he’s shown an advanced approach that has led to more walks than strikeouts and the ability to use all fields. There’s been some question about impact, especially since he hit for average but not power on the Cape, but there’s been more extra-base and over-the-fence pop this spring.

The lack of certainty about his power along with his size makes Kayfus a little tougher to profile as an every day first baseman, though he’s a capable defender there. He has played a little in the outfield corners, both early in his Miami career and on the Cape, and a team taking him on Day 2 of the Draft might want to give that a look at the next level.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

One of the better hitters in Florida's 2020 high school class, Kayfus went undrafted because he didn't have typical first-base pop. That profile persisted at Miami, where he sandwiched two strong seasons around an all-star summer in the Cape Cod League. The Guardians drafted him in the third round in 2023, the first of six consecutive picks they spent on hit-over-power college bats.

A polished left-handed hitter, Kayfus has a disciplined approach and good feel for the barrel. Though he focuses on making all-fields contact rather than swinging for the fences, he's driving the ball more frequently to his pull side in his first full pro season. Now that he's showing that he can get to at least 20 homers per season, he'll provide enough offense to project as a big league regular.

Kayfus is more athletic than most first basemen, displaying average speed with good instincts on the bases. He's a smooth defender around the bag and features average arm strength. He briefly played the outfield corners at Miami and on the Cape and continues to see time in left field, where he has enough quickness to provide adequate range.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40 

Though Kayfus was a gifted high school hitter, he didn't have the power projection of a typical first baseman and went undrafted in 2020. That profile is still true three years later, but after two strong seasons at Miami sandwiched around an all-star summer in the Cape Cod League, the Guardians signed him for $700,000 in the third round in July. He was the first of six straight hit-over-pop collegians selected by Cleveland. 

Kayfus is a polished left-handed hitter with feel for the barrel and a disciplined approach. He uses the entire field and focuses on making contact rather than trying to launch balls out of the ballpark. He did get stronger during his three years in college, but still may top out at 15 homers per year with most of his power going from the right-field line to right-center. 

More athletic than most first basemen, Kayfus is an average runner with good instincts on the bases. He's smooth around the bag at first base and has average arm strength. He played briefly in the outfield at Miami and on the Cape and may have enough quickness to provide adequate defense in left or right field. 

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/03/2024	1B C.J. Kayfus assigned to Akron RubberDucks from Lake County Captains.
	06/03/2024	Akron RubberDucks activated 1B C.J. Kayfus.
	04/02/2024	1B C.J. Kayfus assigned to Lake County Captains.
	03/23/2024	1B C.J. Kayfus roster status changed by Cleveland Guardians.
	03/23/2024	1B C.J. Kayfus assigned to Cleveland Guardians.
	03/07/2024	Cleveland Guardians Prospects activated 1B C.J. Kayfus.
	08/08/2023	OF C.J. Kayfus assigned to Lynchburg Hillcats.
	07/22/2023	Cleveland Guardians signed OF C.J. Kayfus.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated 1B C.J. Kayfus.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated 1B C.J. Kayfus.
	05/20/2023	1B C.J. Kayfus assigned to Miami Hurricanes.
	05/21/2022	1B C.J. Kayfus and assigned to Miami Hurricanes.
	09/18/2019	OF C.J. Kayfus assigned to Florida.
	09/18/2019	OF C.J. Kayfus assigned to Florida.