fun photos; all Espino needs to do now is get back to throwing his 99 MPH fastball past hitters. I wonder if he'll be ready for the Arizona Fall League? More likely the instructional league

JRod was limited to a double and his second walk in 2 days. His Columbus OPS is 1137
Valera single double 184 with 605 ops
Lavastida who may be needed if Gallagher goes on concussion list has dropped back to 262 and 765
Cantillo 5 5 2 1 2 5
Karinchak 1 0 2 2 2 1 and a wild pitch

for Akron:
Juan Brito double single 305 855
red hot Aaron Bracho single homer14 walk 253 810
Franco Aleman 2 more scoreless innings with no hits no walks 5 strikeouts now 17 1/3 scoreless for Akron with 26 strikeouts and 7 baserunners total

Slightly more positive, Baseball America rates Cleveland farm system No. 13, but they also still include Naylor among the prospects.

13. Cleveland Guardians
Top 100 Prospects: SS Brayan Rocchio (39), C Bo Naylor (44), 1B Kyle Manzardo (65), RHP Daniel Espino (75), OF Chase DeLauter (98)

The Skinny: Cleveland is this high even after the graduations of three rotation pieces in Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee. Even without that trio, the Guardians have plenty of intriguing upper-level pieces, including shortstop Brayan Rocchio, who sits at the top of their Everest-like heap of talented middle infielders, and Kyle Manzardo, whom they added from the Rays at the trade deadline. Chase DeLauter has bounced back from multiple foot injuries to show everyone why he was a 2022 first-round pick.

I think they are selling the Guardians farm system way short. Espino alone is supposed to be better than any of the 3 that have been fantastic ! There are all kinds of good players everywhere except RH power hitting OFs. Even though there are some players that may develop.

lines on Thursday for guys on the current BA Top 30

Brito, Juan Akron RubberDucks Guardians AA 5 0 2 1 0 2 2B
Halpin, Petey Akron RubberDucks Guardians AA 5 1 1 1 0 2 HR
Martinez, Angel Columbus Clippers Guardians AAA 4 0 0 0 0 1
Noel, Jhonkensy Columbus Clippers Guardians AAA 4 0 0 0 0 1
Tena, Jose Columbus Clippers Guardians AAA 4 0 0 0 0 3
Valera, George Columbus Clippers Guardians AAA 4 1 2 1 0 0 2B
DeLauter, Chase Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 4 1 2 0 0 0
DeLauter, Chase Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 2 0 1 1 0 0
Fox, Jake Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 4 0 1 1 0 0 3B
Fox, Jake Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 2 0 0 0 1 0
Ingle, Cooper Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 3 0 1 0 0 1
Watson, Kahlil Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 3 1 1 0 0 0 SB
Watson, Kahlil Lake County Captains Guardians HiA 3 0 0 0 0 1
Antunez, Wuilfredo Lynchburg Hillcats Guardians LoA 4 1 2 0 0 0 CS
Genao, Angel Lynchburg Hillcats Guardians LoA 4 0 0 0 0 3
Kayfus, C.J. Lynchburg Hillcats Guardians LoA 3 1 1 0 1 1 SB
Mooney, Alex Lynchburg Hillcats Guardians LoA 5 0 0 0 0 1
Naylor, Bo Cleveland Guardians Guardians MLB 2 0 0 0 0 2
Rocchio, Brayan Cleveland Guardians Guardians MLB 4 0 3 0 0 0

Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
·
12h
#Guardians 23yr old (1B) prospect Kyle Manzardo draws a four pitch walk in his first plate appearance tonight in the Arizona Complex League.

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2021 MLB Draft: Franco Aleman, 306th Overall, Cleveland Indians



The Cleveland Indians have continued their tradition of taking at least one Future Stars Series alumni in the MLB Draft.

This year, it’s one of the participants in the inaugural International Week event in 2017 — the same one that Cleveland took Bo Naylor out of in the first round a year later — in Franco Aleman, who goes in the tenth round with the 306th overall selection.

This is Aleman’s second time being drafted; the Atlanta Braves took him in 2018, but he elected to go to college.

In 2017, Aleman performed well in Sugar Land, impressing scouts at the first-ever IW event.

“There’s a guy that used to pitch, and he’s bigger than (Aleman) a little bit, but he could be a Ramiro Mendoza type of guy,” said Jeremy Booth, CEO and president of the Future Stars Series. “Franco Aleman has the ability to command the zone when he wants to; he’s six-foot-four, impressive stature, can find 95 when he needs it, but probably sits more 93-94 with the fastball, which if he can get people conscious outside the strike zone, he’s going to be successful. A lot of these guys, it’s what they have to do to pitch. They’re going to go out to a level now where the fastball isn’t really going to scare anybody. So, he’s going to have to be successful protecting it, moving guys off and changing their eye levels. If he can do that, he’ll be just fine.”

Scouting Report:

Franco Aleman is a 2018 RHP/1B with a 6-6 215 lb. frame from Tampa, FL who attends Alonso HS. Very long and projectable build, has present strength with lots more to come. Very long and loose arm action, stays balanced and directional well, simple and clean delivery mechanics. Fastball topped out at 94 mph, maintained velocity very well with good life down in the zone from a 3/4's arm slot, throws his fastball for strikes to both sides of the plate. Hand position curveball, will flash tight spin but still developing consistency and feel. Very young senior with a limited pitching background, formally a primary basketball player from Cuba. Lots of similarities to Dillon Betances at the same age. Excellent student, verbal commitment to Florida International.


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Cleveland has the 26th lowest strikeout rate in the majors as a pitching staff. Bibee, Williams and Allen are striking out their share, so it’s pretty evident the strikeout drought that’s been taking place in the bullpen, leading to some bad luck losses and some well-deserved losses from balls put in the seats instead of the catcher’s glove. Will Trevor Stephan and Emmanuel Clase find some K’s with a splitter and slider, respectively, thrown consistently in the zone? Can Karinchak get rejuvenated by a return to the majors? Can Herrin find consistent control? Is Franco Aleman in Akron REAL? A solution may need to be sought outside the organization for 2024, otherwise.

Franco Aleman
Franco Aleman #43
Akron RubberDucks
Cleveland Guardians
Double-A Affiliate
PB/T: R/R 6' 6" / 235 Age: 23

2023 MiLB Stats 4 2 3.54 31 0 5 48.1 72 15 1.14

72 strikeouts 15 walks in 48.1 Innings 1 hold 5 saves 6 opportunities with a limited pitching background, .

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2022 Lynchburg Hillcats Franco Aleman RC Rookie Cleveland Guardians Cuba

(Finally Drafted A Cuban )

Franco Aleman Stats in 2023 With Lynchburg and Akron:

W 4, L 2, ERA .354, G 31, GS 0, SV 5, IP 48.1, SO 72, W 15, WHIP 1.14

Franco Aleman Stats in 2023 With Akron:

W 2, L 0, ERA 0.00, G 11, GS 0, SV 3, IP 17.1, SO 26, W 2, WHIP 0.40

Franco Aleman Appearances in 2023 With Akron (Last 11 Appearance Starting From Most Recent To The First:

1,0 INN 1K 0W 0H 0R

2.0 INN 2K 0W 0H 0R Winning Pitcher 2-0

1.1 INN 1K 0W 0H 0R

1.1 INN 3K 0W 0H 0R Save #2

1.1 INN 3K 0W 0H 0R Save #1

1.2 INN 3K 0W 0H 0R

1,2 INN 3K 0W 0H 0R Hold #1

2.1 INN 3K 1W 2H 0R Winning Pitcher 1-2

2.0 INN 3K 1W 1H 0R

THAT'S AMAZING !!!!

FRANCO ALEMAN OVERALL STATS

https://www.milb.com/player/franco-aleman-680916

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Notebook

Franco Aleman has not allowed a run in his first 17.1 Double-A innings (11 outings)

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Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
·
Aug 19
#Guardians 22yr old OF prospect George Valera now with back-to-back multi HR games for Columbus! Valera finished the game (2-4 2R 2HR 3RBI) at the plate in the 9-to-4 win. The HR's were his 5th & 6th on the year.

Last 3 games:

6-12 5R 1(2B) 4HR 7RBI .500 AVG

Franco Aleman's scoreless inning streak continues.

Aleman pitched a scoreless 9th inning. 1 INN 1K 0W 0H 0R extending the streak to 12 games.

Mound Presence

Mace allowed a first-inning solo home run to Curve center fielder Matt Gorski and the second-inning go-ahead homer to Jarvis. He worked a scoreless third inning before allowing three hits and a walk to begin the fourth inning before departing with a 7-2 deficit. Right-hander Mason Hickman entered to allow a leadoff RBI double before retiring eight of nine batters. He allowed one unearned run in 2 2/3 innings. Right-hander Tyler Thornton worked around a walk for 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and right-hander Franco Aleman pitched a perfect eighth inning, extending his 12-outing, 18 1/3-inning scoreless streak since joining Akron.

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Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
·
1h
#Guardians minor league transactions

1B Kyle Manzardo activated off the 7-day IL at Columbus

Cleveland Guardians Perspective

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Thoughts for a Wednesday: What's Next For Manzardo? Chase DeLauter's Power and Potpourri
Kyle Manzardo

Well, as predicted here, the Guardians got Manzardo some hollow ABs in the ACL as the DH. The results are meaningless but it wasn't exactly like he was killin' it, going 0-11 although he did have 2 hits washed away in Sunday's rainout.

So what is next? Will they send him up to AA or AAA to get more ABs in or will they shut him down for the season now that they think they have proven that they didn't trade for a guy who was damaged goods at the time.

There is a lot of pressure on Manzardo and, by association, Chris Antonetti, for Manazardo to look like a real steal in this deal that gave up 2+ years of control of the cheap, effective ML starting pitcher Aaron Civale.

Manzardo takes his .000 BA in the ACL to Columbus starting today. Interesting to see how often he will play, whether he will do more than DH and how he will perform.

Chase DeLauter

I have seen most of DeLauter's Lake County ABs this year and two things stand out:

He has great hand-eye coordination, barreling up MANY more balls than any prospect I have seen this year for any team.

He is not incorporating his lower body at all in his swing. It is my understanding that a lot of the power comes from your lower half. The red flag here is that his leg injury is not better and he is compensating for it by using his hands and arms. I think the result is that he is not hitting many HRs and is making good, loud contact but the balls are not leaving the yard. Happened twice in the last couple of games.

If his injury heals this winter and he comes into ST in 2024 healthy and remains so, being able to incorporate his bottom half into his swing without losing the bat dontrol he has displayed this year, he may be the a pretty darn good power hitter moving forward. If he foot continues to hinder him, he will be just another slap hitting LH hitting outfielder that the Guardians have about a million of in the minors already.

Pot Pourri

Even though I know it is trolling-like, I am looking at the understandably small sample size with Alex Mooney. I see .156 BA, .250 OPB, .219 SLG and the resulting .469 OPS in 36 PA for Lynchburg where he is about 1 year above the average age and all I can think is "So this is what $1 million buys us in today's dollars." Getting a talent like Alex Mooney in the 6th round is a steal. Paying 3rd round money for this level of production is really, really bad.

The rest of the Guardians 2023 draftees so far in small sample size:

Cooper Ingle - 22 PA in Lake County where he is young for the league - .375/.546/.500

CJ Kayfus - 34 PA at Lynchburg - .231/.412/.385

Alex Clemmey - Not pitching

Andrew Walters - Not pitching

Christian Knapczyk - Not playing

Tommy Hawke - .234/,381/.294 as an overage college player in the ACL

Ralphy Velazquez - ,348/.393/.739 as an underage player in the ACL in 28 PA

Jonah Advincula - .250/.519/.563 as a way overage player in the ACL in 26 PA

Jay Driver - .4.50 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 18.0 K/9 IP between ACL and Lynchburg

Matt Wilkinson - 1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP and 3 Ks in the ACL in

Not including here the other 2023 draftees as the sample sizes are REALLY small.

Kole Calhoun with a great, clutch HR last night, Jonathon Rodriguez with his 9th HR in AAA, and an overall slash line of .296/.364/.512 at AAA. So let's say we keep Calhoun. We need to dump Laureano, the signing of whom was a BIG mistake as we owe him his salary for doing what we could get out of Oscar Gonzalez. Free (and bring up on September 1st) Jonahton Rodriguez As he should be protected this winter anyway, this is not much of a stretch.

Parker Messick on the bump tonight for LC. Let's see if he can keep his velocity up tonight and continue his good run at the end of the season.
Even though he still has a lot to learn, Jhonkensy Noel continues to appear to get better and better this season at AAA.

Free (and bring up) Daniel Schneeman

Free (and activate off the IL) David Fry

Fee (i.e., release) Cam Gallagher

Free (and bring up) Bryan Lavastida - Taking Eric Haase off waivers may have eliminated this as a possibility, however.

I ask the same questions I have asked before: Are Korey Holland, Aaron Bracho and Daniel Schneeman really prospects who will continue to be on a steep upward trajectory of development? I add Bryan Lavastida to that list as of today.

Magnus Ellerts is really interesting...up to 95 mph last night with good command and the makings of two good breaking balls.

Joey Cantillo is almost ready. Another half season at AAA and he will be ready to take up a position next to Williams and Bibee in the rotation. Right now? He could get some long relief innings in the majors at the end of the season if that is what the Guardians want him to do.

I am preparing a post on the DSL season and who I think our top prospects were and what to expect from them next season. Will post that by tomorrow followed after that by a similar ACL prospect post.


Posted by Dennis at 11:37 AM

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JOHANATHAN RODRIGUEZ


Monday, August 21, 2023

Now that the season is officially over...

...we need to start being real about what is going on the rest of the year.

The moves we have made:

bringing in guys off waivers from Oakland and Detroit and bringing in a 35 year old fat guy who couldn't crack a ML roster this year just scream of Francona saying that he needs veterans. If any of these three guys (Calhoun, Laureano, Haase) are on this roster when it is frozen in November, it is a sign that this organization is floundering beyond belief. How anyone (read: our less than astute FO) can think that having these guys on this roster right now is a good thing is beyond me. Winning games isn't important right now. Playing the kids and seeing what we have IS the only important thing.

There is no sense in doing anything right now, but everything that we should do in September should be based on who we think might be on the team next year. That being said, here are the roster moves I would make on September 1st:

1. DFA Cam Gallagher, Ramon Laureano and Michael Kelly

2. Bring up Jonathon Rodriguez, Cody Morris and Brian Lavastida from the minors

3. Leave in the minors Joey Cantillo, Hunter Gaddis, Peyton Battenfield, Juan Brito, Angel Martinez, Jhonkensy Noel, Jose Tena and George Valera

4. Make a decision whether Quantrill, McKenzie or Bieber will pitch again this year and what moves you would be comfortable with if they come off the IL and have to be rostered.

5. While Kole Calhoun has performed well, it is hard to justify him being on this roster for the rest of the season if we don't really care about whether we win any more games. Consider DFAing him if we need the 40-man roster space. Ditto for Eric Haase if Fry and Lavastida are healthy.

6. I would love to bring up Daniel Schneeman as a reward for a great season but I sense that ship already sailed when we brought up Tena. Amazing. We can bring in all these DFA guys from teams with losing records but can't give one of our own a reward and see what he has after a good AAA season. Yeah, I know we have umpteen middle infield prospects we have to sort out and Columbus skews statistics but, really, you can't give one of your own a chance? If he performs well it increases his trade value, too.

Have I mentioned that winning games is not a priority right now? Why are we doing half-hearted things that are costing us money and our prospects experience? Time to cut the crap and play the kids...and if it isn't successful right now, we get a better draft slot next year.

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