Guardians righty Braylon Doughty is arguably the hottest Low-A pitcher over the last month. He has a 36% strikeout rate and a walk rate under 1% over his last four starts. The 2024 first-round draft pick is flashing midrotation starter potential.

Guardians first baseman Ralphy Velazquez really came on strong over the last month before his promotion to Double-A. He produced a 202 wRC+ and four home runs in his last 71 plate appearances for High-A Lake County. His suface-level production is finally catching up to season-long Statcast metrics that are among the strongest for the level. Velazquez’s 106.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity is improved from last year (105 mph) as is his contact rate, which is up to 76% from 73% in 2024. His chase rate is still around league-average, but his barrel rate has exploded from 16% in 2024 to 25% this year. Velazquez is definitely a top 100 fantasy hitting prospect and may be sneakily underrated because his underlying metrics far surpass his surface stats.

civ ollilavad wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:18 am Ortiz had been with the Pirates for a few years and only pitched well the last half of 24. Cleveland overhyped him.

Was not overhyped. Best pitcher on the staff before gambling situation. Still think these accusations started in Pittsburgh.

If anyone's interested, here's a podcast on minor leaguers
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva= ... GLMLSRCVrV

Guardians of the Future is back once again! Mike Mahoney joins Justin Lada to discuss:

Parker Messick's MLB debut
John Means' rehab
Josh Hartle's promotion
Khal Stephen's Guardians org deubt
Braylon Doughty's unfortunate injury news
Ralphy Velazquez's exploding development
If George Valera needs to be called up.

If anyone's interested, here's a podcast on minor leaguers
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva= ... GLMLSRCVrV

Guardians of the Future is back once again! Mike Mahoney joins Justin Lada to discuss:

Parker Messick's MLB debut
John Means' rehab
Josh Hartle's promotion
Khal Stephen's Guardians org deubt
Braylon Doughty's unfortunate injury news
Ralphy Velazquez's exploding development
If George Valera needs to be called up.