// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's CJ Kayfus? A kay-fabulous person?
| C. J. Kayfus | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Kayfus with the Akron RubberDucks in 2025 | |
| Cleveland Guardians – No. 2 | |
| First baseman / Outfielder | |
| Born: October 28, 2001 Boca Raton, Florida, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 2, 2025, for the Cleveland Guardians | |
| MLB statistics (through April 12, 2026) | |
| Batting average | .214 |
| Home runs | 5 |
| Runs batted in | 21 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
Collin Joseph Kayfus (born October 28, 2001) is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
Career
[edit]Kayfus attended Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, Florida and played college baseball at the University of Miami. In summer 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League.[1] In 2022, he played with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[2]
Kayfus was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the third round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.[3][4] He signed with the Guardians and made his professional debut with the Lynchburg Hillcats. He started 2024 with the Lake County Captains before being promoted to the Akron RubberDucks. Kayfus started 2025 with Akron before being promoted to the Columbus Clippers in April.[5][6][7]
On August 2, 2025, Kayfus was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time, debuting the same day against the Twins.[8] On August 9, Kayfus hit his first major league home run against Bryan Hudson of the Chicago White Sox.[9]
Kayfus played in nine games for Cleveland in 2026, going 4-for-22 (.182) with one home run and two RBI. On July 18, 2026, it was announced that Kayfus had sustained a fracture and ligament damage during a game against Triple-A Columbus the week prior, which necessitated season-ending surgery.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Northwoods League Alumni in Major League Baseball" (PDF). Northwoods League. September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ↑ "#8 CJ Kayfus". pointstreak.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ↑ "Hurricanes first baseman C.J. Kayfus picked in MLB draft". July 10, 2023.
- ↑ "Miami's Kayfus, college players lead Guardians' second-day draft picks". July 11, 2023.
- ↑ "No. 8 prospect Kayfus turning heads with Double-A Akron". MLB.com.
- ↑ "How C.J. Kayfus' increased workload in the outfield could have him closing in on debut with Guardians". May 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Guardians Promote Power-Hitting Prospect to Next Level". April 28, 2025.
- ↑ Franco, Anthony (August 2, 2025). "Guardians Promote C.J. Kayfus". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
- ↑ Noga, Joe (August 10, 2025). "Guardians win 5th straight as C.J. Kayfus slugs first big league home run in 3-1 victory against White Sox". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Guardians' CJ Kayfus Undergoes Season-Ending Ankle Surgery". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference · Baseball Reference (Minors)
- 2001 births
- Living people
- Akron RubberDucks players
- Baseball players from Boca Raton, Florida
- Cleveland Guardians players
- Columbus Clippers players
- Cotuit Kettleers players
- Lake County Captains players
- Lynchburg Hillcats players
- Major League Baseball first basemen
- Major League Baseball outfielders
- Miami Hurricanes baseball players
- Wisconsin Woodchucks players
- 21st-century American sportsmen