Miami alum CJ Kayfus gets on-base once in MLB Futures Game appearance

Former Miami first baseman and outfielder C.J. Kayfus had a walk in three plate appearances in the Major League Baseball Futures Game on Saturday. The Cleveland Guardians drafted Kayfus 23rd overall in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft after three seasons at Miami.

Kayfus played the entire game at first base for the American League team with a walk and a strikeout in three plate appearances. The National League beat the American League 4-2 in the Futures Game. Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Josue DePaula was the Futures Game Most Valuable Player with a three-run home run.

Kayfus hit fourth for the American League and finished with four putouts defensively. Kayfus has quickly moved through the minor leagues in two years. Playing for AA Akron and AAA Columbus, Kayfus has a .307/.399/.557/.956 slash line with 13 HRs, 51 runs batted in, 15 doubles and eight triples in 2025.

Infielder Romy Gonzalez with the Boston Red Sox and pitchers Slade Cecconi with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Carson Palmquist with the Colorado Rockies are players drafted from Miami currently on active MLB rosters. Pitcher Andrew Walters is out for the season with Cleveland.

At Miami from 2021 through 2023, Kayfus hit .350 with a .453 on-base percentage and a .548 slugging percentage with 29 doubles, two triples, 24 HRs and 98 RBIs. Miami had NCAA Tournament appearances in all three seasons with Kayfus.

Kayfus is currently the fifth-best Cleveland prospect, third among OFs and second on the Columbus Clippers. Cleveland has promoted Kayfus in each of the past two seasons. Kayfus has played himself into a position to receive a call-up from Cleveland later this season.

Cleveland is deep at 1B but has a light-hitting OF. When Kayfus is called up, it seems more likely he would play in the OF with Cleveland. The versatility Kayfus has playing both corner OF positions should help him get called up later in the 2025 season.