He was not a high draft pick and his first 1.5 years as a pro were uninspiring. sure broke out in Akron

Jim Bowden names 10 top 50 prospects who dropped off his list, many were injured all year, some just haven't played very well. All still make his top 100 he says, the list includes:

9. George Valera, OF, Guardians (Triple A )

Age: 22
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6-0 Weight: 195
Scouting grades: HIT: 45 PWR: 55 RUN: 50 ARM: 50 FLD: 50
Last year’s ranking: 38

George Valera started the year recovering from surgery on his right hand because of a broken hamate bone. It was the second time he’d suffered an injury to his right hamate bone; in 2018, he had surgery on it but didn’t have it fully removed as he did this time. There is no doubt that the injury and recovery have factored into his “down” year. This season at Triple A, he’s slashed .207/.339/.352 with just seven home runs in 193 at-bats. Last year, he hit 24 home runs and drove in 82 runs between Double A and Triple A. Valera has played all three outfield positions but I think he’ll settle into left field, with Mark Canha of the Brewers perhaps being the best comp for his future potential at this point.

Alex Mooney was a 7th round pick this year but given 2nd round money to keep from returning to Duke. Early returns are not impressive: 127/200/164. He is of course an IF with limited power but in theory good on base skills.
Joining him at Lynchburg is 3rd round pick CJ Kayfus, a 1B/OF, who reports suggest might develop some power. 213/367/362 with 2 homers and 4 steals; 11 walks exceed his 9 strikeouts; he was 2-3 with a walk yesterday
Chourio 1-5 and 4 strikeouts

Steve Hajjar theoretically an interesting pitcher, 2nd round pick by the Twins, traded twice already since the 2022 draft, 6-5 lefty. An impressive line yesterday:
3 2/3 2 1 1 8 5. The run scored on a solo homer, all the walks resulted in nothing.
Lenny Torres drafted even higher in the 1.5 round, recovering from arm problems, is a reliever only now in Lake County 5.17 ERA he walked 2 no hits in his 1 1/3
4th round pick this year Cooper Ingle aggressively placed in Lake County, hit a single a double and walked twice: 325/425/491
Kahlil Watson with his 11th homer and then departed in the 5th inning

Another homer by Aaron Bracho, up to 17, and another error at 3rd base. Brito 2 walks: one thing he can't do is steal bases, he's 3 of 9 this year.
Another "competitive balance round" draft pick, Tommy Mace has not endured injuries but surely has not retained prospect status. Yesterday: 3 2/3 5 4 3 4 3
5.49 ERA, 1.73 WHIP at Akron. Admittedly he was pretty good at Lake County earlier this year; perhaps he takes a couple attempts before he masters a new level.

and at Columbus, Cantillo 6 4 1 1 3 5 58 walks in 104 innings this year. Not ready for prime time
Manzardo 2 doubles and a walk; Valera homer and single; Rodriguez double; Noel single
Comparing them on walks and strikeouts,
Noel 492 total at bats, 42 walks, 127 strikeouts 9% 26%
Rodriguez 490 total at bats, 45 walks 145 strikeouts 9% 29%
Manzardo 343 total at bats, 47 walks, 72 strikeouts 14% 21%
Valera 267 total at bats, 44 walks 70 strikeouts 16% 27%

And the beat goes on!

Franco Aleman worked another scoreless 9th inning tonight, extending a 16-outing, 22 1/3-inning scoreless streak to begin his Double-A career.

1.0 INN 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 W 1 SO 0.000 ERA Save #6

Aleman is now 2-0, 6 Saves, 2 Holds, 22 1/3 INN

WoW!

Is this league watered down / competitive or is Aleman's numbers authentic?

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Columbus roster continues to fluctuate | Guardians minors roundup for Sept. 3

Sunday, September 3rd 2023

By JUSTIN LADA |

Triple-A Columbus Clippers (3-3) at St. Paul (Twins)

Injuries and pitching needs at the major-league level greatly impacted the Clippers’ roster while playing at St. Paul, thankfully not far from where the Guardians were playing at Minnesota in the middle of last week.

The Clippers’ offense for the most part produced at St. Paul. Through games on Sept. 2, Kyle Manzardo was carrying a five-game hitting streak, adding a double, RBI and a walk in Columbus’ 8-5 win on Sept. 1, then two more doubles in the 4-1 win on Sept. 2, and another walk. While he is now unlikely to see major-league time in September with Kole Calhoun and Josh Naylor playing regularly, Manzardo is hitting .348/.444/.522 in six games at Triple-A.

Jose Tena played a big role in the Guardians’ comeback win on Sept. 2. But before he was recalled to join the team for September call-ups, he went 5-for-12 with a homer in the series at St. Paul, with the homer coming in Columbus’ 8-7 loss Aug. 31.

Despite a slow start to the week, George Valera ended up with two of his five hits through games on Sept. 2 going for homers. He added three hits in the series finale. He homered in Columbus’ 8-7 loss on Aug. 31 and had three RBI and a walk, and his ninth-inning homer on Sept. 2 helped the Clippers to a 4-1 win. Valera is also now unlikely to see time in September in the majors this year.

Angel Martinez was called back up from Akron to take Tena’s spot on the roster. The Clippers also received Oscar Gonzalez back from Cleveland on September 3, as Josh Naylor was activated. The Clippers are in need of outfielders as Chris Roller was traded to Milwaukee for cash on Aug. 31 and Micah Pries was unfortunately carted off the field on Aug. 30 after trying to catch a fly ball and may no come back this year.

Joey Cantillo turned in another fine start in the midst of a bunch of spot starts in other rotation spots this week for Columbus. He held St. Paul to one run in six innings, allowing a hit and three walks, punching out five in the 4-1 win on Sept. 2.

Cade Smith was unfortunately on the mound during the Clippers 8-7 extra-inning loss on Aug. 31, but he struck out seven in four innings in which he didn’t allow an earned run, while walking three.

Columbus will host Scranton-Wilks Barre (Yankees) starting Sept. 5.

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (4-2) vs. Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

Aaron Bracho’s resurgence continued, with big blasts in back-to-back games on Sept. 1-2. His homer on Sept. 1 gave Akron a 6-5 lead and eventual win. The infielder has 17 homers now, six in August, and healready has two homers and five RBI in September through two games played.

Juan Brito’s batting line through games on Sept. 2 wasn’t impressive, but he still managed to drive in four runs in five games with a pair of doubles and a sac fly. Though he was just 3-for-15, he also worked four walks.

Despite not having much prospect status, OF Korey Holland has played a lot in 2023 due to injuries and ineffectiveness affecting the Guardians’ minor-league outfield availability. He added a triple, homer and four RBI on the week along with a steal. His Sept. 1 homer helped Akron to a 6-5 win.

Doug Nikhazy was on the mound for that Sept. 1, 6-5 win and struck out 10 batters. Nikhazy also walked four, hit a batter, but only allowed three hits and two runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Due to innings limits and piggyback roles, Akron’s starting pitching isn’t going as deep in games. But the bullpen continues to play a big role. Franco Aleman, the biggest weapon of them all, continued to run his scoreless streak at Double-A up, now at 21 1/3 innings thanks to two scoreless innings during the week. He fanned three and walked two without any hits allowed. He slammed the door on Sept. 2.

Tanner Burns has moved to the bullpen late in the year and picked up his first career save, throwing two perfect innings this week with three strikeouts.

Tyler Thornton added to the bullpen’s strong work with 3 1/3 scoreless innings, though he walked one and hit two batters, while striking out four.

Akron will play at Richmond (Giants) Sept. 5-10 on its last road trip of 2023.

High-A Lake County Captains (2-4) at Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)

The Captains could not muster much offensively early in the week and late in the week when they did, the pitching struggled, hurting their playoff race chances. Chase DeLauter went 4-for-5 on Aug. 30 with a double and an RBI, the Captains lost, 3-2. He added two more hits, including another double, on Aug. 31, which the Captains also lost, 12-1.A six-game hitting streak raised the 2022 first-round pick’s line to .366/.400/.556 through 142 at-bats.

Shortstop Kahlil Watson had just three hits this week, but two were big-time homers. He hit a pair of dingers over 400 feet, one Sept. 1 in an 11-7 loss. He homered again Sept. 2 in the Captains 8-3 win, but left the game after just two plate appearances and didn’t play again in the finale, Sept. 3.

After slowing down a bit, Dayan Frias did his part offensively with a 6-16 week through Sept 2, including two doubles.

2023 draft pick Cooper Ingle continued his hot start to his career, going 4-for-10 with seven RBI. The catcher from Clemons also drew four walks and struck out just once.

Despite the lopsided loss Aug. 31, Ethan Hankins threw four scoreless innings, allowing two hits but walking two and fanning six. Ryan Webb’s start on Aug. 30 was easily the best pitching performance of the week, allowing two runs in five innings, but included eight strikeouts and just one walk.

The Captains are 3 1/2 games out of the playoff race and wrap up their regular season at home, hosting Lansing Sept. 5-10.

Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (3-3) at Fredericksburg National (Nationals)

The Hillcats put up most of their offense this week in a 13-1 win Sept. 1. Outfielder Guy Lipscomb was 3-for-5 with a walk, two RBI and a steal. That steal was his 45th of the year in 51 attempts. He had six hits and five walks overall on the week in 21 plate appearances (.375/.524/.500). Shortstop Jose Devers had three hits and his 11th homer of the year in that Sept. 1 win. He also had six hits and five walks on the week. Two of Angel Genao’s eight hits game in that Sept. 1 blowout win. He also drove in two runs throughout the week.

2023 draft pick, first baseman/outfielder CJ Kayfus also had a big week with two homers, a double and six RBI. His two-run homer on Sept. 3 helped power the Hillcats to a 5-3 win. He

Outfielder Wuilfredo Antunez socked his fifth homer of the year in the Hillcats 6-4 win on Aug. 31. He had four RBI on the week total.

Jackson Humphries was on his way to an outstanding start on Aug. 30. The 2022 draft pick fanned nine in four innings, walked one and hit a batter, but he allowed a three-run homer in the last inning of his start and gave up four runs total in the four innings.

Fellow 2022 draft pick and lefty Adam Tulloch tried to pitch the Hillcats to a win on Sept. 2 with five innings of one hit, one run ball and six strikeouts. Lynchburg however went on to lose, 4-3.

The Hillcats are 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot and host Kannapolis (White Sox) Sept. 5-10 in the final regular season homestand of 2023. Carolina sits ahead of them in the standings.

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On Sunday,

14 run outburst by the Clippers led by:
Noel 5 hits including his 23rd homer and 23rd double
Rocchio 3 hits inlcuding his 5h homer, 29 double, plus 3 walks and his 22nd steal
Valera 3 hits inlcuding 2 doubles

in Akron,
Petey Halpin 21st double and a single
Milan Tolentino 2 singles
Franco Aleman with another scoreless inning, yielding his 6th hit in 22 1/3 AA innings [5.52 ERA in Lake County to start the season]

Lake County on the short end of a 12-0 score
Frias 2 hits
Messick OKish: 5 4 3 3 2 7

Lynchburg won behind 4 2-hit games:
C.J. Keyfus double, 3rd homer, 2 walks: 240/860
Devers 2 sngles
Benjamin single and double and 23rd steal
Genao sngle and double
also of note: Mooney double, walk, steal

one of the best annual features from Baseball America is their "best tools" report voted on by managers of each minor league. Only one guy listed in each category, so it's hard to qualify. Cleveland's prospects honored this year:

International League:
Best pitching prospect: Gavin Williams
Best fastball: Gavin Williams
[N.B. Best OF arm in the AAA PCL: Nolan Jones]

Williams’ Power Arsenal Leads The Way

In the opening months of the International League season, the Columbus rotation provided a window to some of the top rookie pitchers 2023 would have to offer.
By the end of April, the Clippers had already received starts from righthanders Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee and lefthander Logan T. Allen.
Bibee and Allen made their MLB debuts in April. Williams followed in June after making nine starts for Columbus.
All three pitched so effectively for Cleveland that club was able to weather the trade of Aaron Civale and injuries to Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill. Guardians starters had a 3.98 ERA that ranked seventh-best in MLB.
The 24-year-old Williams, Cleveland’s first-round pick in 2021, entered the season as the top prospect of the bunch and has an impressive arsenal built on firepower and a variety of pitch shapes.
His four-seam fastball sits 94-97 mph with heavy bore and generates average ride and above-average run, making it a truly gnarly bat-missing weapon. It generated an above-average whiff rate almost immediately.
In an IL season that boasted some strong Best Fastball candidates, Williams stood above the rest. It’s not just shape and velocity, but his ability to hold his stuff and locate with consistency. Aside from his fastball, Williams can turn to two breaking pitches—a mid-70s curveball and a tighter, mid-80s slider—as well as a changeup.

An imposing 6-foot-6, Williams gets down the mound with power and force while mixing a variety of pitch shapes at different velocities. He has the body, pitch mix and power of a potential front-of-the-rotation starter and as a rookie had begun to show signs of future dominance.

Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
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2h
#Guardians 20yr old INF prospect Kahlil Watson blasts his 3rd HR in his last 4 games today for the
@LCCaptains
with a solo shot in the 8th inning vs Lansing. Watson finished the day (3-5 3R HR 3RBI) at the plate.

Last 4 games:

7-13 6R 3HR 7RBI 3BB 3SB .538 AVG

I have been noticing his good work lately. He's a 20-20 prospect. He's in High A at age 20. He's reduced his walks to strikeout ration from 1-4 the past 2 seasons to about 1-2 this year. His 233 average with Lake County equals his best average out of rookie ball. He has plenty of upside and will be a good test of Cleveland's ability to develop a position player with a temper. Albert Belle worked out ok. Milton Bradley fairly ok.

Lots went right for Lake County yesterday;

3 singles by DeLauter
homer double single by Fox since a .198 average in april and May he's hitting 279 another 20 year old young for the league

first stellar outing by Plesac in AAA: 8 innings 1 run on 1 hit which was a homer no walks 6K
Eric Haase is back 2 k in 3 hitless AB
Oscar Gonzalez drew a walk struck out twice 1 other out
Manzardo doubled
Noel singled
Valera walked

Doug Nikhazy worse than his usual which isn't saying much 3 homers among 4 hits yield 5 runs in 4 innings. 7 strikeouts

The rarely effective Aaron Davenport with 6 shutout innings for the Captains. DeLauter has a singe. Ingle 2 walks. Game is so far scoreless

CJ Kayfus is nearing the Lynchburg team lead in homers after a couple weeks, he hit his 4th; and a single; and 3 rbi

Gonzalez also robbed someone of a home run when he reached over the fence in right field.

Is Oscar going to be a 1/2 year wonder? He wouldn't be the first, Namesake Mercado looked a blossoming regular and quickly disappeared. Not to mention historic names like Charbonneau

Manzardo mashes first Clippers clout
No. 2 Guardians prospect takes a southpaw deep at Triple-A
For the first time since joining the Guardians' organization, Kyle Manzardo got a chance to show off the impactful power that's been part of his calling card in the Minors.

MLB Pipeline's No. 58 overall prospect (Guardians' No. 2) hit his first home run with Triple-A Columbus in the sixth inning of Friday night's 10-5 win over the visiting RailRiders at Huntington Park.

Manzardo's 12th homer of the season (11 of which came in the Rays' organization) traveled a projected 409 feet to deep right field at 107.6 mph off the bat and rounded out a quartet of Clippers long balls, joining top prospect Brayan Rocchio, No. 5 George Valera and No. 28 Jhonkensy Noel as Columbus enjoyed a booming display of power.
Acquired by the Guardians when they sent right-handed starter Aaron Civale to the Rays at the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, Manzardo was viewed as someone who could one day bring some thump to a typically light-hitting Cleveland lineup. The 23-year-old first baseman established a solid track record in 2022 -- his first full professional season -- slashing .327/.426/.617 in 93 games between High-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery.

Manzardo's numbers have taken an overall dip in 2023 -- he slashed .238/.342/.442 in 73 games with Triple-A Durham -- in part because the left-handed-hitting slugger has been exposed to more left-handed pitching than in previous years. Entering Friday, Manzardo had an .861 OPS against righties compared with .551 against lefties.
Naturally, Manzardo's first homer with Columbus came against a left-hander.

With two outs in the sixth inning on Friday night, RailRiders reliever Anthony Misiewicz threw Manzardo a four-seamer that appeared to be right in his wheelhouse. Once Manzardo crushed it out to right field and rounded the bases with the Huntington Park lights strobing behind him, it marked just his second home run against a lefty this season.

Manzardo finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBIs. He's slashing .286/.373/.500 through 11 games with Columbus.