Kayfus hitting behind Bazz in the Akron lineup wasn' too shabby either: Triple, Double, 2 walks 500/600/875 in 2 days work

Burgos probably isn't a prospect: hit only 233 in Lake County last year. And his K/BB numbers are far too high.
But he has developed some longball talent, 2 in 2 days for Akron. 18 last summer.
But he's probably nothing more than a lowgrade Johnathan Rodriiguez, who isn't much himself.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/5/25

Highlights
Travis Bazzana (2B, Akron): 4-5, 2B, HR, 2, RBI, 4R - Big start to the year for last year’s #1 overall pick. He’s been on base eight times in 10 plate appearances in two nights and had two really good swings tonight for a homer and a double. The buzz is going to get loud fast if he stays hot. He did have a throwing error, his first. So keep note of that as a reason what could delay his movement.

CJ Kayfus (DH, Akron): 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2BB - Kayfus got a little help on a bad play by the Richmond left fielder but he still hit the ball well and drew two walks, which is a key part of his game.

Jorge Burgos (1B, Akron): 1-5, HR, 3 RBI - A second homer in as many days for Burgos. He’s got good raw power, bat speed and hits the ball hard. The full translation of that into consistency is fuzzy at best, but it’s there. Also interesting he played first base here.

Austin Peterson (SP, Akron): 4IP, H, 4K - No reason for Peterson to be in Double-A other than a numbers game. He froze hitters with his heater by pitching backwards, which he’s been able to run to 93-95 now. He got chases of his slider out the zone too and some whiffs in the zone on the curve.

Notable Performances
Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 1-4, RBI, SB - The only RBI by Lake County and Rosario was able to add a steal. Also keeping an eye on how much run in CF he gets to see if that is a viable path for him, which takes some pressure off the bat. If he can play CF, maybe there’s a Jose Siri like path for him. [from the Cubs for Eli Morgan]

Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 1-3 - Was Lake County’s star on opening night but was one of few contributors in this one.

Michael Kennedy (SP, Lake County): 3IP, 2H, 2ER, 3BB, 3K - Kennedy’s Guardians system debut was a mixed bag with control but missed some bats, showing a really deceptive delivery that needs more refining as his stuff can’t overcome control issues. [Part of the package for Giminez]

Christopher Espinola (DH, Lynchburg): 1-3, 2B, 2 BB - A 5’7 21 year old outfielder, this is Espinola’s first time our of a complex league, spending two years each in the Dominican camp and Arizona.

Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2B - The first two affiliate hits for Mijares, a 5’9 switch hitting infielder signed in 2023. Was not particularly good in the ACL last year.

RHP Connor Whittaker (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2 IP, 2H, 3K - This was also Whittaker’s pro debut (15th rounder out of FSU) and it came as an emergency entrance after the injury to Whittaker and he acclimated himself well.

RHP Sean Mattson (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2IP, BB, 3K - A nice 41 pitch pro debut for Matson covering nearly three innings to get his first save, the Guardians 9th rounder in 2024.

RHP Cam Walty (SP, Lynchburg): 1.1IP, H, K - Only threw 22 pitches (15 strikes) in his pro debut before leaving due to injury. Walty was the Guardians 20th rounder out of Arizona last year. [short career?]

LHP Donvan Zsak (RP, Lynchburg): 0.1IP, 2H, 4ER, 2BB - Zsak made a few interesting outings in 2024 after being drafted in the eighth round. Struggled with control last year and did in his 2025 debut, making the notable performances for an unfortunate line. [to say the least]

3 games 3 homers for Burgos, added a triple today.
Kayfus and Ingle 2 hits apiece. Bazzana back to earth 1-5.

Other Sunday game notes:

Akron moves to 3-0. Frias also 2 hits. Davenport 2 2/3 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Denholm 4 innings 1 run 4 hits no walks 5K

Columbus 6-2 with a 3-2 10 inning win. Webb 4 1/3 scoreless, 2 hits, 3 walks 5K. Velaszquez 2 2/2 5 walks 2 of everything else. Walters 1/3 IP and 1 walk. Brito single and walk, 345/877. Martinez double #6 and walk 344/855, Brennan 2 singles

Lake County at 2-1 with a 13-2 romp. Humphries 3 -1-1-1-3-6. Velazquez homer and walk. Chourio single and walks. Rosario double and steal. Homers by Rivas, Adincjla, Devers. Cozart 2 doubles.

Lynchburg also 2-1 after a 6-5 win. I wanted to see Jacob Zibin in action and albeit rusty he worked through 3 innings, 2 first inning unearned runs, 3 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts. I'm pleased. 2024 draftee 6-3 LH Rafe Schlesinger 3 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk 4K. Hot prospect W. Francisca doubled, walked twice, 2/3 in steals. Catcher Bennett Thompson 2doubles [his 3 walks in 6 AB match the hit total in 49 AB in his 2024 debut for the Hillcats].

So the 4 combined are 13-4. And still overall over 500 if you count the Guardians

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/5/25
Travis Bazzana hype intensifies
Justin Lada
Apr 6






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Scoreboard
Columbus Clippers vs. St. Paul Saints (Twins) - PPD, Rain
Akron RubberDucks 8, Richmond Flying Squirrels 3 (Giants)
Great Lakes Loons 6 (Dodgers), Lake County Captains 1
Lynchburg Hillcats 6, Fayetville Woodpeckers 1 (Rangers)
Highlights

Travis Bazzana (2B, Akron): 4-5, 2B, HR, 2, RBI, 4R - Big start to the year for last year’s #1 overall pick. He’s been on base eight times in 10 plate appearances in two nights and had two really good swings tonight for a homer and a double. The buzz is going to get loud fast if he stays hot. He did have a throwing error, his first. So keep note of that as a reason what could delay his movement.

CJ Kayfus (DH, Akron): 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2BB - Kayfus got a little help on a bad play by the Richmond left fielder but he still hit the ball well and drew two walks, which is a key part of his game.

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Jorge Burgos (1B, Akron): 1-5, HR, 3 RBI - A second homer in as many days for Burgos. He’s got good raw power, bat speed and hits the ball hard. The full translation of that into consistency is fuzzy at best, but it’s there. Also interesting he played first base here.

Austin Peterson (SP, Akron): 4IP, H, 4K - No reason for Peterson to be in Double-A other than a numbers game. He froze hitters with his heater by pitching backwards, which he’s been able to run to 93-95 now. He got chases of his slider out the zone too and some whiffs in the zone on the curve.
Notable Performances

Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 1-4, RBI, SB - The only RBI by Lake County and Rosario was able to add a steal. Also keeping an eye on how much run in CF he gets to see if that is a viable path for him, which takes some pressure off the bat. If he can play CF, maybe there’s a Jose Siri like path for him.

Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 1-3 - Was Lake County’s star on opening night but was one of few contributors in this one.

Michael Kennedy (SP, Lake County): 3IP, 2H, 2ER, 3BB, 3K - Kennedy’s Guardians system debut was a mixed bag with control but missed some bats, showing a really deceptive delivery that needs more refining as his stuff can’t overcome control issues.

Christopher Espinola (DH, Lynchburg): 1-3, 2B, 2 BB - A 5’7 21 year old outfielder, this is Espinola’s first time our of a complex league, spending two years each in the Dominican camp and Arizona.

Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2B - The first two affiliate hits for Mijares, a 5’9 switch hitting infielder signed in 2023. Was not particularly good in the ACL last year.

RHP Connor Whittaker (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2 IP, 2H, 3K - This was also Whittaker’s pro debut (15th rounder out of FSU) and it came as an emergency entrance after the injury to Whittaker and he acclimated himself well.

RHP Sean Mattson (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2IP, BB, 3K - A nice 41 pitch pro debut for Matson covering nearly three innings to get his first save, the Guardians 9th rounder in 2024.

RHP Cam Walty (SP, Lynchburg): 1.1IP, H, K - Only threw 22 pitches (15 strikes) in his pro debut before leaving due to injury. Walty was the Guardians 20th rounder out of Arizona last year.

LHP Donvan Zsak (RP, Lynchburg): 0.1IP, 2H, 4ER, 2BB - Zsak made a few interesting outings in 2024 after being drafted in the eighth round. Struggled with control last year and did in his 2025 debut, making the notable performances for an unfortunate line.

2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #21 1B/3B Luis Merejo Jr.

Next Year in Cleveland - Guardians Farm System Coverage
To: me · Sun, Apr 6 at 11:04 AM
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2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #21 1B/3B Luis Merejo Jr.
Can the young hitter find some consistency and a position?
Justin Lada
Apr 6






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Bio

Age (2025 season): 19

Acquired: International Free Agent (2023)

2024 Level: Single-A

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

2025 Scouting Grades

Hit: 45

Power: 55

Speed: 40

Defense: 40

Arm: 45

Overall: 40

Risk: Extreme

ETA: 2028

First Impression

Not your typical Guardians position player prospect. Corner, power first with some contact skills. Big, hard swing and good bat speed. Mature body for age.
What Makes Merejo Fun

Merejo might have some of the best raw data in the system (105.9 90th% EV) and has already proven good at pulling the ball in the air. He makes a fair amount of contact for his age and type and seems to be able to have a solid approach at the plate. But really the power drives this profile. It’s rare for his age and for the type of player in this system. He’s comparable to some other really exciting prospects in the minors for his age and data set. This is a bat or bust profile, but it’s an exciting bat with bat speed and real feel for the barrel.

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What Could Hold Merejo Back

There’s not a lot of other tools for Merejo to fall back on as far as a major league future. There are some swing decision concerns. He tends to get caught out front at times on offspeed stuff and I see sometimes where he’s swinging with his arms and hands on balls instead of using his upper body to match plane, so I have some concerns how he’s going to handle better spin and changeups going forward. He can powerbomb a fastball. I think he can hit hanging breaking stuff, it’s the good, low stuff I wonder about matching plane on and taking it where it’s pitched. I think he’s likely to end up at first base or left field based on lack of athleticism and his body type. Again, bat or bust profile.
Key Metric

47.4%/51.4% - Merejo has already shown he has a propensity to pull the ball in the air. That’s obviously huge for someone whose value lies with their bat and power. It’s also an impressive skill set for his age too.
Intangibles

Maybe it’s an innate skill for Merejo, but the pulled fly balls thing is something Cleveland really values and that’s not “intangible” but it doesn’t appear to be something the Guardians will have to work with him on, since he already does it well. Other than that, it’s too soon to see where the intangibles really are for Merejo otherwise.
Future

How much Merejo can do to make contact gains in 2025 will tell a lot more about his future. He’ll play half the year at 19 and will likely spend the first half in Lynchburg, with hopefully a chance to get to Lake County halfway through the year. Making more contact and continuing to show rare power is big on his 2025 checklist. Merejo tracks like a corner bat and glove and will probably get looks at third, first and maybe the outfield in 2025 and could end up as a power bat as he moves up, or he looks like a platoon corner bat with contact issues.
Role/Risk

40/Extreme - Corner power bat with contact issues, potential short side platoon

Genao Among Notable Prospects On IL To Open 2025
Guardians infielder Angel Genao rose up the ranks of Baseball America’s Top 100 entering the season, but a right shoulder sprain has put his season debut on hold. Genao is one of nearly two dozen notable prospects to begin the season on the injured list, which Baseball America’s Matt Eddy detailed here.

Sunday stats for top 30 in action

Francisca, Welbyn Guardians A 3 1 1 1 2 0 1 2B, 2 SB, 1 CS
Chourio, Jaison Guardians A+ 4 2 1 0 2 1
Cozart, Jacob Guardians A+ 5 1 2 2 1 2 2 2B
Velazquez, Ralphy Guardians A+ 5 2 1 2 1 1 1 HR
Bazzana, Travis Guardians AA 5 0 1 0 0 3
Ingle, Cooper Guardians AA 5 1 2 0 0 2 1 2B
Kayfus, C.J. Guardians AA 5 1 2 0 0 1
Brito, Juan Guardians AAA 3 1 1 0 1 0
Halpin, Petey Guardians AAA 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 CS

Walters, Andrew Guardians AAA 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Smith, Cade Guardians MLB 0.2 1 2 0 0 1 0 [not sure how he snuck on this list]

2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #20 C Kody Huff

Next Year in Cleveland - Guardians Farm System Coverage
To: me · Mon, Apr 7 at 12:11 PM
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2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #20 C Kody Huff
Huff should have a floor of a backup catcher, but could there be more?
Justin Lada
Apr 7






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Bio

Age (2025 season): 24

Acquired: Trade (COL, 2023, Cal Quantrill)

2024 Level: Double-A

Height: 5’9

Weight: 200

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

2025 Scouting Grades

Hit: 45

Power: 45

Speed: 55

Defense: 55

Arm: 55

Overall: 45

Risk: Low

ETA: 2025

First Impression

Smaller in stature, but compact and strong for a backstop. High baseball IQ, quick enough actions. Son of a baseball scout.
What Makes Huff Fun

Defensively is where Huff shines. If you’re reading this, you probably already know the Guardians love their defense first receivers. Catchers are receivers first, baseball players second. Huff threw out 33 of 99 base runners (33%) of base runners in Double-A Akron and led all Double-A catchers in defensive runs prevented per Baseball Prospectus. He’s a strong framer and blocker. All around, Huff has all the defensive chops. He has the background and bloodlines and the skills. Offensively, there are solid exit velocities in his bat and he can generate some power, showing the ability to pull the ball in the air. Excels against lefties. So there’s some pop, ability to draw walks and defensive skills.

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What Could Hold Huff Back

I fully expect Huff to continue to hold his value defensively and carve out a career that way. The real limiter for Huff is getting to his pop more consistently and struggling vs. RHP. There’s a chance here for a backup role that could be a platoon hitter, maybe more depending on consistency.
Key Metric

15.5 DRP/11.3 FrmR - Again, Huff’s defensive metrics from Baseball Prospectus are strong in terms of run prevention and framing. Blocking is actually where he was most fringe at. But the defensive skill set is strong. He did post a 1:1 FB%/GB% ratio in 2024 and a 42% pull rate, so that’s promising for offense.
Intangibles

Huff has family in baseball, a former player and his dad who has been a scout. Baseball is in his blood and he has a high baseball IQ, basically a baseball rat. That’s exactly what the Guardians covet, especially in a catcher.
Future

This grade and ranking mighty reflect that Huff could be a fringe-average hitter at catcher (~85 wRC+) with a chance to platoon against lefties offensively, though the real money maker here is the defense. That’s enough for a fringe starter, maybe an Austin Hedges type career but with slightly better contact rates? Maybe. Cleveland was very comfortable with Huff skipping High-A in 2024 and then played in the AFL. He should be the everyday Columbus catcher and might have a chance to debut in 2025 as the third catcher with David Fry unavailable to catch all season.
Role/Risk

45/Low - Defense first backup catcher/platoon hitter






© 2025 Justin Lada
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104
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Travis Bazzana Buzz is LOUD: Justin'side Baseball
Breaking down the first full week of Guardians minor league action in 2025
Justin Lada
Apr 8


I’m bringing back my Justin’side baseball column, a weekly look at the storylines, performances and observations I’ve collected around the Cleveland Guardians, mostly the minor league system and occasionally the big league club. I’ll include any information I collect from games covered in person and watched online. This will be for subscribers only as we get a few columns into the season, so make sure you are subscribed for all of the columns. I appreciate your support and interesting…and with that..

The buzz on Travis Bazzana is going to get loud quickly if he carries this hot start all month. Granted, he’s not going hit .538/.600/.846 all year with a .750 BABIP. But he looks less caught in between now as he’s swinging the bat as when he was settling in to pro ball last fall. He’s still quite passive (26.7 K% on a 5.9% Swinging Strike rate - typically the K% is 2x the swinging strike rate, so he should be something around 12%-15%). He’s taking walks, which he will continue to do and he’s even driving the ball the other way with authority. You’d like to see him pulling the ball a little more, but showing power the other way isn’t something he did a ton of college or at all in the minors last year.

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Bazzana does a good job creating good angles and getting his barrel on plane with a pitch to drive it as you can see here. I think this shows great body movement and control to square this pitch up at this angle and drive it the way he did.



A lot of people wonder when he’ll get the bump to Columbus and then Cleveland. I don’t see the Guardians making that call at least into summer, because Juan Brito is still handling second there and until that changes, they’ll want Bazzana playing everyday anyway. But Brito shouldn’t block Bazzana if he’s coming on like a freight train. Brito can play other positions and accommodate Bazzana and it would be great if he was in Columbus by June.

What a show of belief in Braylon Doughty that the Guardians had their 2024 Comp A pick pick the Opening Day assignment in Lynchburg. The new 175 domestic roster limit has forced the Guardians hand a little by needing to fill rosters with less players, but Doughty is mature and good enough to be ready for such an assignment despite being in high school this time last year. Doughty showed that to be true in his first start I thought.

An error, and then Doughty getting late to cover the bag, then allowing a run before even recording an out didn’t rattle him. He recovered to strike out the side in the first after that happened, and then went on to strikeout six hitters in three innings after that, showing poise and good stuff. Both of his breaking balls looked sharp with good movement, a big curve with tight movement, and then a sweeper with plenty of tilt. His fastball was 93-95 and got misses in the zone and he showed good sequencing on it. I’m sure there will be bumps along the way as there are for any prospects, especially high school pitchers, but this is an impressive start from a prep pitcher I can remember in this system.

Andrew Walters has shown no signs of the shoulder issues in spring training. He’s had some walks, but he’s throwing 95-97 with 17-20 inches of vertical break on his fastball and ripping off some good sliders. He should replace Triston McKenzie if McKenzie isn’t trustworthy, because that bullpen needs more arms it can trust to not lean on Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis as much as it can, and McKenzie will only get used in games where it’s lopsided anyways. Walters can fill in both sides of a game.

There were some reports coming into the season that Austin Peterson might have a little velocity bump. He didn’t really show it in the Spring Breakout game, where he struggled with command. But indeed at Richmond in his first start he allowed a hit and struck out four in four innings, showing his usual good slider and bumping 93-95 at times. He’s typically 90-92 and tops at 94, so we’ll see if this holds. Peterson has the kind of extension the Guardians love in their pitchers delivery, so 93-95 makes it even better.

In year two of pro ball, I can see Ralphy Velazquez having a breakout type season. He hasn’t had many hits to start the year, but he has worked five walks so far and is not chasing out of the zone. When he did make contact, he hit a 432 foot blast. His swing looks tighter and shorter, and he looks more on time this year than he did as he wore down late last year, tired from a long season. He was one of the most talked about hitters at the Futures Game in batting practice and I think he’ll carry that into this year. He probably won’t catch anymore, if he does it will be very little. Cleveland would like him to be able to keep it alive, as they said he was limited by a thumb injury last year. He’ll likely be a first base/outfielder that might be able to catch. I think the outcome we’re looking for here is something Kyle Schwarber related or a really good version of David Fry.

It’s a real bummer we’re not going to see Angel Genao until June with his shoulder injury. He was healthy and looked good in the Spring Breakout game. He might start back in Lake County when he gets back but hopefully finishes the year in Akron. This could have been a big year for him prospect wise building off last year’s breakout but that will likely be limited even when he does come back now as he shakes off the rust.

I don’t think it’s a thing yet, but I am watching Will Wilson early on in Columbus. He’s hitting the ball hard as he did in spring training. Wilson doesn’t swing and miss a ton, doesn’t chase but hasn’t found success in the minors even as a former first rounder. This move made a ton of sense for Cleveland to give him a shot as a minor league rule 5 pick and see if they can figure something out with him. It’s something interesting to watch as the year goes on.

It was nice to see Jacob Zibin make his pro debut on April 6. It wasn’t overly impressive (three innings, two walks, two strikeouts). Errors allowed unearned runs. He was in the low-90s with his fastball and looked rusty which makes sense since he hasn’t started a real game since his high school days in 2022. He’s missed two years with multiple arm surgeries. Cleveland paid him like a near first round pick as a 10th rounder that year, so clearly they were high on him. But given the time missed, it’s going to require patience with him coming back.

Jorge Burgos hit 18 homers a year ago but didn’t really make a lot of contact otherwise and didn’t show much of an approach. He’s 23 and has power as well as some good bat speed. We’ll see if that ever translates into real results long term, but it did the first weekend.

Rafe Schlesinger also saw a bit of a velo bump to 95 early on, striking out four and walking one in his first outing for three innings. He had seen 97 in college at times, but he mostly settled in around 90-92 in college similar to Austin Peterson. A velo bump for him as well would give him added juice with his deceptive arm angle. He probably shouldn’t pitch at Lynchburg long but who knows how Cleveland will handle that.

Parker Messick also was showing added velo in spring and that carried into his first start. He hit 96, the fastest I’ve ever seen him throwing. He’s still sitting around 92-94, but being able to reach for 95-96 is going to help him immensely with his deception and control. I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see him in the majors this year.

Juan Brito has gotten himself off to a good start. He’s making contact and pulling the ball in the air. Gabriel Arias hasn’t been hurting himself in the majors yet so Brito will stay put for now. I do wonder though if he keeps hitting and Bazzana keep putting pressure on them, if they’ll consider Juan Brito in right field. He doesn’t have Johnathan Rodriguez’s arm, but he can’t be any worse defensively and he can also handle second, third and first, plus DH occasionally if he can help them offensively while they get nothing from right field.

Jacob Cozart showed some pop and patience in the opening weekend but had two errors in the first weekend as well. His defense is his biggest strength and I thought some of his defensive issues last year when he got to Lake County had more to do with playing in college and then the long year in the pros. We’ll see if he finds more consistency throughout the year, but he’s going to have to be a strong defender to make up for any contact issues he’ll have, which I do expect there to be some.

Jackson Humphries made his High-A debut and showed good stuff at times - he did fan six. He was only 89-92 and hit 93 a few times. But he was all over the place, bouncing balls in the dirt and his breaking stuff clearly has big spin, but it seemed very loose at times and looks like things need to be tightened up. I’m still high on the stuff, and it’s early, but clearly a work in progress so far.

useful report except for some grammar issues, but we can live with those.
I was hoping Genao's absence would be much briefer than that report suggests.
Peterson is marginal on Top 30 lists; if his velocity does improve he could be interesting.
I will enjoy keeping an eye on Doughty and Zibin in Lynchburg. I don't know if I'm familiar with any other pitchers there, but that's what the summer permits.

Columbus colded out, but everyone else played and they all won

Akron rallied from 5-1 to win 6-5 on only 5 hits; featuring Burgos' 4th homer in 4 day, and a single and a walk
Kayfus single and walk. Bazzana just a walk. Jake Fox 2 hits 2 rbi
undrafted Maltrud started and made it 2/3 of an inning.

Lake County with a good start and sloppy finish, for a 6-4 win
2024 6th rounder Caden Favors, 6-3 LHP worked 3 1/3 IP 7K 3 hits 1 run 3 walks
Homeruns by Devers, his 2nd; Esteban Gonzalez his first and a double and a single: 545/1615
6 in the lineup with AVG below 200 including Chourio who single and walked [167/500] and Velezquez who walked again [076/676]

4-0 win for the Hillcats
Jervis Alfaro a 5-11 RH went 5 innings only blemish one hit, 5 walks.
the offense consisted of a double, 4 singles, 8 walks 5 steals
7 in this lineup hitting below 200 including the prized W. Francisca, he drew a walk [091/468]

in more detail:

HIGHLIGHTS
Jorge Burgos (RF, Akron): 2-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Another game, another homer for Burgos, whose fourth-inning solo shot was the RubberDucks’ only extra-base hit of their Home Opener comeback victory. Jorge’s offensive production hasn’t been all about power, however, as he drew a walk for the second straight game on Tuesday. Throw in a triple and a single and it all adds up to an early .375/.474/1.250 slash line with ten RBI in 19 plate appearances.

Esteban Gonzalez (LF, Lake County): 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI - Gonzalez came within a triple of the cycle in a Home Opener performance that built on an impressive season-opening roadtrip to Midland, Mich. (Great Lakes Loons) during which he 3-for-7 with a double, walk, and pair of RBI. Like Burgos, Gonzalez has a dizzying early-season slash - .545/.615/1.000

Caden Favors (SP, Lake County): ND, 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 3 BB, 7 K - Despite allowing a few more baserunners than would be ideal, Favors had an extremely impressive High-A debut, allowing only one of those runners to score while getting 70% of his outs via strikeout to open his first full season as a professional.

Jack Jasiak (RP, Lake County): W (1-0), 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 K - Jasiak followed Favors and got the Captains through the top of the sixth with no further damage in his second scoreless effort in as many appearances for the Eastlake nine (4.2 total innings).

Jervis Alfaro (SP, Lynchburg): W (1-0), 5 IP, 1 H, 5 K - Alfaro opened his first full non-complex season with a nearly flawless performance. There are many ways to illustrate the brilliance of this gem of a start, but what sticks out to me is the sheer efficiency (51 pitches - just over ten per inning). It’s not every day (or even every season) that you see an A-ball starter eligible for the individual victory in his season debut, but that’s what Hillcat fans saw in their Home Opener last night.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Jake Fox (DH, Akron): 2-3, 2 RBI - Not to be overlooked in Burgos-Mania is Fox’s pair of RBI singles, which were a welcome change of pace from the pair of 0-for-3s with a walk in each game that he started his Double-A career with last weekend in Richmond, Va.

C.J. Kayfus (1B, Akron): 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS - Also at risk of being unfairly overshadowed by Burgos’ round-tripper streak is a strong start from Kayfus, whose OPS actually dropped from 1.225 to 1.151 despite him reaching twice due to him failing to record multiple hits for the first time this season.

Davis Sharpe (RP, Akron): W (1-0) 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Sharpe struck out a pair in a perfect eighth frame that saw him rebound from a rough opening to his third Triple-A season (3 ER on 3 H and 2 BB in 1.1 IP) on Saturday against the Flying Squirrels.

Zane Morehouse (RP, Akron): S (2), 1 IP, perfect, 1 K - Morehouse was dominant in picking up his second save in as many outings to start the 2025 campaign.

Jose Devers (SS, Lake County): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K - Devers’ start to the 2025 season can be best described as feast-or-famine. He is 3-for-16, but two of those hits are homers.

Alfonsin Rosario (RF, Lake County): 1-4, 2 RBI - Rosario may have had only one hit in his first official home game in the Guardians org, but his two-run single in the fourth drove in what proved to be the game-winning runs.

Steven Perez (RP, Lake County): S (1), 0.2 IP, perfect, 2 K - Perez came into an extremely high-leverage situation (bases loaded, one out, potential go-ahead run on first base) and proceeded to send everyone home happy from the Corner of SOM Center and Vine with a pair of strikeouts.

Garrett Howe (2B, Lynchburg): 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB - Howe reached thrice to pace the Hillcat lineup in a Home-Opening pitchers’ duel.

Donovan Zsak (RP, Lynchburg): H (1), 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BK, 3 K - Zsak rebounded nicely on Tuesday after opening his first full pro season by allowing four earned runs while only getting one Woodpecker out on Saturday.

Luis Flores (RP, Lynchburg): 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Flores also rebounded from allowing a quartet of Fayetteville hitters to score last weekend, in his case avenging an ugly non-complex debut from Opening Day proper.

Thanks civ!