Espino has a good shot at spending his career on the 6000-day IL. Unfortunately.
Billous I was hoping would interest some other team; But I suppose there's a small chance they can work their magic even on him
Re: Minor Matters
12122Roster surprise:
Tanner Bibee opens the season with the Clippers He must really have looked good in Arizona. Gavin Williams starts in Akron
Tanner Bibee opens the season with the Clippers He must really have looked good in Arizona. Gavin Williams starts in Akron
Re: Minor Matters
12123Pilkington with a terrible opening night. 9 runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings. A pair of homers. At least he didn't walk anyone.
Game 2 they started Daniel Norris and he gave them 2 shutout innings. 5 strikeouts.
Toussaint with 2 shutout innings, 4K no walks!
Naylor homered in the opener; Freeman an early 4-9
Mpe; 0-9 7 K
Game 2 they started Daniel Norris and he gave them 2 shutout innings. 5 strikeouts.
Toussaint with 2 shutout innings, 4K no walks!
Naylor homered in the opener; Freeman an early 4-9
Mpe; 0-9 7 K
Re: Minor Matters
12124Adam Scott surprisingly in the Clippers rotation after posting a 6.33 ERA for Columbus last year, with a a game for the ages.
He hit 4 batters in the second inning, 2 with the bases loaded, also a bases loaded walk. Add in a home run, he was lucky to surrender only 6 runs in 1 2/3 since his reliever kept the 2 left on base from scoring.
Clippers fall to 0-3 losing today 12-11. Obviously they had some solid offense:
Homeruns from Freeman, Naylor and Palacio. Bo also doubled and drove in 3. Freeman also with a single and a walk Palacio added a double. The latter 2 also stole a base.
He hit 4 batters in the second inning, 2 with the bases loaded, also a bases loaded walk. Add in a home run, he was lucky to surrender only 6 runs in 1 2/3 since his reliever kept the 2 left on base from scoring.
Clippers fall to 0-3 losing today 12-11. Obviously they had some solid offense:
Homeruns from Freeman, Naylor and Palacio. Bo also doubled and drove in 3. Freeman also with a single and a walk Palacio added a double. The latter 2 also stole a base.
Re: Minor Matters
12125Columbus roster includes Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee and Peyton Battnfield, but none of them have started one of the 3 games the Clippers have played and lost so far.
Re: Minor Matters
12126Early impressive stat line:
Johnkennsy Noe: 15 plate appearances, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts, 3 ground outs, 1 ball hit in the air
Johnkennsy Noe: 15 plate appearances, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts, 3 ground outs, 1 ball hit in the air
Re: Minor Matters
12128
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Move over Daniel Espino, the Guardians have another 100-plus mph pitching prospect
[ RubberDucks starter Gavin Williams can hit 102 miles an hour with his fastball
Gavin Williams is flying through the minor leagues with just one year experience for the Guardians
Gavin Williams will open the season as the ace of the RubberDucks pitching staff ]
Brad Bournival
April 5, 2023
Akron Beacon Journal
What could be better than one starting pitcher in the Guardians organization throwing 100-plus mile per hour fastballs?
How about two right-handers firing three-digit heaters?
That’s the embarrassment of riches Cleveland has with RubberDucks opening day starter Gavin Williams bringing the gas.
The 2021 first round pick should eventually be joined by 2019 first round pick Daniel Espino, who is currently on the injured list, as a great one-two punch for Akron.
“I know the type of pitchers they are,” Ducks manager Rouglas Odor said. “I know the type of personalities. When you have two pitchers like them that go so hard, the profile they have on their pitches are way above average. It’s pretty special to have a future No. 1 and No. 2 in the big leagues.”
Gavin Williams brings more than heat to Guardians organization
Williams, who topped out at 102 mph when he played for East Carolina two seasons ago, has a fastball consistently hitting 97-99 mph, but he can throw a mid-80s slider and an upper 70s curveball with incredible shape and depth.
Toss in a mid-80s changeup and it’s easy to see why Williams is the No. 2 prospect in the organization behind only Espino, according to MLB Pipeline.
“Honestly, my fastball is alright up here,” Williams said, “But it’s more the off-speed pitches that you need to be dialed into. Everybody knows that I have a good fastball, but if you can’t throw the other pitches whenever you want to, then you’re not going to have much success. It’s just dialing in a little bit better, getting my body moving the right way and just being able to be more consistent on the mound.”
2022 was a big year for Guardians pitching prospect Gavin Williams
Williams broke out in a big way in his first minor league season.
He split time between Lake County and Akron last season accumulating a 5-4 record. What stands out most is the 1.96 earned run average in 115 innings with just 40 walks compared to 149 strikeouts.
The 6-foot-6 right-hander showed enough in nine starts with the Captains to get the quick promotion after he posted a 1.40 ERA, struck out 40% of all batters faced and didn’t give up a home run.
In 16 starts with the Ducks, he logged a 2.31 ERA with 82 strikeouts.
Those 16 starts have him ready for 2023 and possible calls up to Columbus, if not Cleveland for a start or two.
“Last year was very important,” Williams said. “I know what to expect now. I know how my body works and how my pitches work. I mean, the hitters are really good up here, so I know what to do.”
<
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller
Re: Minor Matters
12129Clippers are finally get to the top of their prospects at the back of their rotation. Logan Allen was to start yesterday but the game was rained out. He is to be followed by Tanner Bibee who has jumped up to AAA. Manwhile Gavine Williams set to start the Akron opener.
Minor league rosters posted yesterday.
Akron’s roster includes the club’s No. 2 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, right-hander Gavin Williams, who went 3-3 with a 2.31 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 16 starts after arriving with the RubberDucks midway through last season. Left-handers Joey Cantillo (No. 19) and Doug Nikhazy (No. 30) join Williams on the Ducks pitching staff that also includes Tanner Burns, the No. 36 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
No. 10 prospect Angel Martinez and No. 24 Jose Tena should see plenty of time up the middle on the infield for Akron while No. 17 Petey Halpin continues to develop in center field and Jonathan Rodriguez provides some pop in right.
Lake County’s roster features second baseman Juan Brito, Cleveland’s No. 18 prospect who was acquired in an offseason trade with Colorado for Nolan Jones. Brito walked 10 times in 24 plate appearances during spring training exhibition games. Joining Brito on the Captains’ opening day roster is Milan Tolentino, Cleveland’s No. 25 prospect who hit .267 last season between Lynchburg and Lake County.
Lynchburg’s roster includes top prospects LHP Parker Messick (No. 21) and OF Wuilfredo Antunez (No. 27).
Minor league rosters posted yesterday.
Akron’s roster includes the club’s No. 2 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, right-hander Gavin Williams, who went 3-3 with a 2.31 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 16 starts after arriving with the RubberDucks midway through last season. Left-handers Joey Cantillo (No. 19) and Doug Nikhazy (No. 30) join Williams on the Ducks pitching staff that also includes Tanner Burns, the No. 36 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
No. 10 prospect Angel Martinez and No. 24 Jose Tena should see plenty of time up the middle on the infield for Akron while No. 17 Petey Halpin continues to develop in center field and Jonathan Rodriguez provides some pop in right.
Lake County’s roster features second baseman Juan Brito, Cleveland’s No. 18 prospect who was acquired in an offseason trade with Colorado for Nolan Jones. Brito walked 10 times in 24 plate appearances during spring training exhibition games. Joining Brito on the Captains’ opening day roster is Milan Tolentino, Cleveland’s No. 25 prospect who hit .267 last season between Lynchburg and Lake County.
Lynchburg’s roster includes top prospects LHP Parker Messick (No. 21) and OF Wuilfredo Antunez (No. 27).
Re: Minor Matters
12130Not worth copying the rosters from that article which just lists players in alpha order not by position.
A couple of quick notable moves are Jack Leftwich a Keith Law favorite moving up to Akron. So did Petey Halpin, only 20 years old, outfieder. Very young Akron IF wqith Naranjo, Tena, Martinez and Gabriel Rodriguez. Bryan Lavastida who's star has dimmed is back again in Akron, too.
Jake Fox and Juan Brito are a couple solid prospects in Lake County
I don't see last summer's top pitching draft pick Justin Campbell listed anywhere. Not another top prospect injured already?
A couple of quick notable moves are Jack Leftwich a Keith Law favorite moving up to Akron. So did Petey Halpin, only 20 years old, outfieder. Very young Akron IF wqith Naranjo, Tena, Martinez and Gabriel Rodriguez. Bryan Lavastida who's star has dimmed is back again in Akron, too.
Jake Fox and Juan Brito are a couple solid prospects in Lake County
I don't see last summer's top pitching draft pick Justin Campbell listed anywhere. Not another top prospect injured already?
Re: Minor Matters
12131Some adjustments to the BA Top 100 based on spring performances and injuries. Cleveland still with 7 on the list
Gavin Williams No. 18
DanIL Espino 38
Bo Naylor 67
George Valera 71--- dont' expect to much of him until he can figure out how to swing without aggravating his missing hamate bone
Brayan Rocchio 76
Logan Allen 83
Tanner Burns 84
Gavin Williams No. 18
DanIL Espino 38
Bo Naylor 67
George Valera 71--- dont' expect to much of him until he can figure out how to swing without aggravating his missing hamate bone
Brayan Rocchio 76
Logan Allen 83
Tanner Burns 84
Re: Minor Matters
12132Dayan Frias is starting at third base tonight. Tolentino at short and Brito at second.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller
Re: Minor Matters
12133Lake County Captains 2023 season preview
There’s a lot to like about the Lake County Captains roster
By Brian Hemminger Apr 6, 2023, 1:00pm EDT
Lake County is the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, which is three stops away from players making their MLB debuts.
The 2022 Captains finished an impressive 76-53, which was the best record in the Midwest League. The team was hurt by late-season promotions of some of its best pitching talent.
Here’s my best guess at what Lake County’s opening day lineup could look like today.
Juan Brito, 2B
Milan Tolentino, SS
Jake Fox, CF
Joe Lampe, RF
Isaiah Greene, LF
Junior Sanquintin, 1B
Dayan Frias, 3B
Will Bartlett, DH
Joe Donovan, C
That’s a pretty damn impressive lineup, and it doesn’t even include one of the top Cleveland outfield prospects, Chase DeLauter, who is expected to miss at least another month after offseason toe surgery. I’d like to announce in advance that I’m nicknaming this team “Team BOB” due to the ridiculous amount of patience exhibited by the hitters in previous seasons.
Juan Brito walked at a 15.7% clip at Single-A last season, then led all of MLB in walks during spring training this year. Considering he’s already on the 40-man roster, I don’t expect him to stay in High-A for long, especially if he gets off to a hot start.
Milan Tolentino also walked at a 15% clip last season at both Single-A and High-A, although his strikeout rate spiked to above 30% at High-A as well. Jake Fox walked at a 15.7% clip at Lynchburg last year while stealing 21 bases and sporting a 118 wRC+.
Joe Lampe was Cleveland’s third-round pick in 2022 and got to play three games at Lynchburg last season and impressed Cleveland brass during spring training. He is the only 2022 draft pick to begin the season at High-A.
One of the prep returns in the Francisco Lindor trade, Isaiah Greene walked at a whopping 20.4% rate in 2022 at Lynchburg, although he still needs to work on his hit tool. Junior Sanquintin is a former bonus baby international middle infielder who has since converted to mashing first baseman.
Dayan Frias also is a top international middle infield prospect and was just barely below average last season at Lynchburg in his full-season debut.
Here’s my best guess at the team’s starting rotation to begin the year.
Tommy Mace
Rodney Boone
Will Dion
Aaron Davenport
Ryan Webb
Trenton Denholm/Reid Johnston
Cleveland still has high hopes for Tommy Mace, a second-round competitive balance pick, who perhaps was given a bit too high of a push last season by skipping straight to High-A, where he struggled with a 4.55 ERA, failed to miss bats and lost a tick or two on his fastball. Hopefully, the Cleveland pitching factory has patched him up over the offseason.
Rodney Boone absolutely dominated at Lynchburg last season and was one of the first players promoted in the Cleveland system, but he struggled at High-A as his strikeout rate dipped, his walk rate doubled and his ERA nearly tripled over a span of 13 starts.
Will Dion AKA “Baby Kershaw” also was sensational at Lynchburg and earned a late-season promotion to Lake County. He actually pitched even better after being promoted, but it was in a limited sample size of two starts and he could still use some experience at this level before moving on.
Aaron Davenport pitched an entire season at High-A, but he failed to stand out, walking 4.4 batters per nine innings and sporting a 4.21 ERA over 23 starts spanning 107 innings. Cleveland is hoping he can take a leap before moving on to Double-A.
Ryan Webb returned from Tommy John surgery and posted a filthy strikeout rate at Lynchburg last season, but he also struggled with his command, which is common among TJ recoveries. If fully healthy, he could be one of the top arms to keep an eye on this season at any level.
Both Trenton Denholm and Reid Johnston had flashes of brilliance last season and some inconsistent bits. One will start and the other will probably piggyback until someone can stand out from the crowd.
The most intriguing bullpen arms are former top starting pitching prospects Lenny Torres Jr. and Josh Wolf. Sergio Morillo throws wicked heat and Alaska Abney looked terrific out of the pen last season so don’t expect him to stay in Lake County for long.
[ Lampe, Greene, and Frias all walked their first trip through the lineup 4-0 middle of 3, Captains on top of Dayton. Burgos with a 1st inning grand slam ]
<
There’s a lot to like about the Lake County Captains roster
By Brian Hemminger Apr 6, 2023, 1:00pm EDT
Lake County is the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, which is three stops away from players making their MLB debuts.
The 2022 Captains finished an impressive 76-53, which was the best record in the Midwest League. The team was hurt by late-season promotions of some of its best pitching talent.
Here’s my best guess at what Lake County’s opening day lineup could look like today.
Juan Brito, 2B
Milan Tolentino, SS
Jake Fox, CF
Joe Lampe, RF
Isaiah Greene, LF
Junior Sanquintin, 1B
Dayan Frias, 3B
Will Bartlett, DH
Joe Donovan, C
That’s a pretty damn impressive lineup, and it doesn’t even include one of the top Cleveland outfield prospects, Chase DeLauter, who is expected to miss at least another month after offseason toe surgery. I’d like to announce in advance that I’m nicknaming this team “Team BOB” due to the ridiculous amount of patience exhibited by the hitters in previous seasons.
Juan Brito walked at a 15.7% clip at Single-A last season, then led all of MLB in walks during spring training this year. Considering he’s already on the 40-man roster, I don’t expect him to stay in High-A for long, especially if he gets off to a hot start.
Milan Tolentino also walked at a 15% clip last season at both Single-A and High-A, although his strikeout rate spiked to above 30% at High-A as well. Jake Fox walked at a 15.7% clip at Lynchburg last year while stealing 21 bases and sporting a 118 wRC+.
Joe Lampe was Cleveland’s third-round pick in 2022 and got to play three games at Lynchburg last season and impressed Cleveland brass during spring training. He is the only 2022 draft pick to begin the season at High-A.
One of the prep returns in the Francisco Lindor trade, Isaiah Greene walked at a whopping 20.4% rate in 2022 at Lynchburg, although he still needs to work on his hit tool. Junior Sanquintin is a former bonus baby international middle infielder who has since converted to mashing first baseman.
Dayan Frias also is a top international middle infield prospect and was just barely below average last season at Lynchburg in his full-season debut.
Here’s my best guess at the team’s starting rotation to begin the year.
Tommy Mace
Rodney Boone
Will Dion
Aaron Davenport
Ryan Webb
Trenton Denholm/Reid Johnston
Cleveland still has high hopes for Tommy Mace, a second-round competitive balance pick, who perhaps was given a bit too high of a push last season by skipping straight to High-A, where he struggled with a 4.55 ERA, failed to miss bats and lost a tick or two on his fastball. Hopefully, the Cleveland pitching factory has patched him up over the offseason.
Rodney Boone absolutely dominated at Lynchburg last season and was one of the first players promoted in the Cleveland system, but he struggled at High-A as his strikeout rate dipped, his walk rate doubled and his ERA nearly tripled over a span of 13 starts.
Will Dion AKA “Baby Kershaw” also was sensational at Lynchburg and earned a late-season promotion to Lake County. He actually pitched even better after being promoted, but it was in a limited sample size of two starts and he could still use some experience at this level before moving on.
Aaron Davenport pitched an entire season at High-A, but he failed to stand out, walking 4.4 batters per nine innings and sporting a 4.21 ERA over 23 starts spanning 107 innings. Cleveland is hoping he can take a leap before moving on to Double-A.
Ryan Webb returned from Tommy John surgery and posted a filthy strikeout rate at Lynchburg last season, but he also struggled with his command, which is common among TJ recoveries. If fully healthy, he could be one of the top arms to keep an eye on this season at any level.
Both Trenton Denholm and Reid Johnston had flashes of brilliance last season and some inconsistent bits. One will start and the other will probably piggyback until someone can stand out from the crowd.
The most intriguing bullpen arms are former top starting pitching prospects Lenny Torres Jr. and Josh Wolf. Sergio Morillo throws wicked heat and Alaska Abney looked terrific out of the pen last season so don’t expect him to stay in Lake County for long.
[ Lampe, Greene, and Frias all walked their first trip through the lineup 4-0 middle of 3, Captains on top of Dayton. Burgos with a 1st inning grand slam ]
<
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller
Re: Minor Matters
12134Watching Columbus today - MilB tv is now included with the major league package.
Saw Rocchio steal his 3rd base of the season, then get picked of 2B. So much for the professor!
Logan Allen with 4 and 2/3 scoreless then Touki came on and struck out the guy for the 3rd out. Allen had reached his pitch limit - he was not in trouble.
Saw Rocchio steal his 3rd base of the season, then get picked of 2B. So much for the professor!
Logan Allen with 4 and 2/3 scoreless then Touki came on and struck out the guy for the 3rd out. Allen had reached his pitch limit - he was not in trouble.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
12135Guardians announce minor league rosters for Akron, Lake County and Lynchburg
Updated: Apr. 05, 2023, 3:51 p.m.
DOUBLE-A AKRON
Mike Amditis
Michael Berglund
Aaron Bracho
Tanner Burns
Joey Cantillo
Ross Carver
Brett Daniels
Raynel Delgado
Julian Escobedo
Petey Halpin
Bradley Hanner
Mason Hickman
Jordan Jones
Connor Kokx
Randy Labaut
Bryan Lavastida
Jack Leftwich
Angel Martinez
Shane McCarthy
Joe Naranjo
Doug Nikhazy
Gabriel Rodriguez
Johnathan Rodriguez
Davis Sharpe
Cade Smith
Hunter Stanley
Jose Tena
Gavin Williams
HIGH-A LAKE COUNTY
Alaska Abney
Franco Aleman
Jaime Arias
Will Bartlett
Rodney Boone
Juan Brito
Jorge Burgos
Christian Cairo
Aaron Davenport
Trenton Denholm
Will Dion
Joe Donovan
Jake Fox
Dayan Frias
Isaiah Greene
Cesar Idrogo
Elvis Jerez
Reid Johnston
Joe Lampe
Tommy Mace
Sergio Morillo
Victor Planchart
Micael Ramirez
Junior Sanquintin
Tyler Thornton
Milan Tolentino
Lenny Torres
Yordys Valdes
Ryan Webb
LOW-A LYNCHBURG
Wuilfredo Antunez
Reny Artiles
Juan Benjamin
Pres Cavenaugh
Maick Collado
Jose Devers
Magnus Ellerts
Zachary Fascia
Marc Filia
Nathan Furman
Yeury Gervacio
Yorman Gomez
Zachary Jacobs
Jack Jasiak
Guy Lipscomb
Manuel Mejias
Parker Messick
Braunny Munoz
Jose Pastrano
Austin Peterson
Shawn Rapp
Alonzo Richardson
Lexer Saduy
Adam Tulloch
Tyresse Turner
Samuel Vasquez
Wardquelin Vasquez
Miguel Vinicio
Juan Zapata
Angel Zarate
<
Updated: Apr. 05, 2023, 3:51 p.m.
DOUBLE-A AKRON
Mike Amditis
Michael Berglund
Aaron Bracho
Tanner Burns
Joey Cantillo
Ross Carver
Brett Daniels
Raynel Delgado
Julian Escobedo
Petey Halpin
Bradley Hanner
Mason Hickman
Jordan Jones
Connor Kokx
Randy Labaut
Bryan Lavastida
Jack Leftwich
Angel Martinez
Shane McCarthy
Joe Naranjo
Doug Nikhazy
Gabriel Rodriguez
Johnathan Rodriguez
Davis Sharpe
Cade Smith
Hunter Stanley
Jose Tena
Gavin Williams
HIGH-A LAKE COUNTY
Alaska Abney
Franco Aleman
Jaime Arias
Will Bartlett
Rodney Boone
Juan Brito
Jorge Burgos
Christian Cairo
Aaron Davenport
Trenton Denholm
Will Dion
Joe Donovan
Jake Fox
Dayan Frias
Isaiah Greene
Cesar Idrogo
Elvis Jerez
Reid Johnston
Joe Lampe
Tommy Mace
Sergio Morillo
Victor Planchart
Micael Ramirez
Junior Sanquintin
Tyler Thornton
Milan Tolentino
Lenny Torres
Yordys Valdes
Ryan Webb
LOW-A LYNCHBURG
Wuilfredo Antunez
Reny Artiles
Juan Benjamin
Pres Cavenaugh
Maick Collado
Jose Devers
Magnus Ellerts
Zachary Fascia
Marc Filia
Nathan Furman
Yeury Gervacio
Yorman Gomez
Zachary Jacobs
Jack Jasiak
Guy Lipscomb
Manuel Mejias
Parker Messick
Braunny Munoz
Jose Pastrano
Austin Peterson
Shawn Rapp
Alonzo Richardson
Lexer Saduy
Adam Tulloch
Tyresse Turner
Samuel Vasquez
Wardquelin Vasquez
Miguel Vinicio
Juan Zapata
Angel Zarate
<
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller
-- Bob Feller