Cleveland Sports Forum

Yerlin Luis - OF 2022 - S/R. April 14TH, 2021.



https://youtu.be/PJ4I4408V0U

SKILL SET VIDEO



The diminutive Luis was the 22nd-ranked prospect in the 2023 international class here at FanGraphs and signed for $850,000. He swings harder than you’d expect given his size, and he has precocious feel for the barrel like most Guardians IFA signees do. While he lacks the typical frame-based power projection of a teenage outfield prospect, his hit tool may be good enough for him to outperform his raw power in games. He’s a good long-term developmental prospect with a contact-driven profile.

Build & Background

Luis is a teenager who signed in the 2022/2023 January International Signing period. He is a native of the Dominican Republic. He trained with Julio Angel Pina and signed for a reported $850,000.

What Luis does well

He has short levers with quick bat speed for his age. Swing is quick to the ball. Takes hard cuts and has a feel to hit, especially with the barrel. A switch hitter, Luis looks like he has more loft in his swing from the left side and is capable of pull side pop. Gets out of the box quick, posting above average run times to first base.

Where Luis needs to improve

It’s impossible to say what Luis’s weaknesses are right now with no real game experience or video. He’ll need to find consistent swings in both batters boxes, add strength to his frame while maintaining his ability to make contact.

Intangibles

Unknown

Future

Given the unknown, it’s fair to ask why Luis is ranked this high, or at all. The little video seen on him though shows a real compact, quick swing, with a real chance to hit for high contact despite aggressive cuts. He gets out of the box well and is a switch hitter. Those are all traits worth ranking and keeping an eye on even without any pro experience yet and most feel there is real upside here. Even without seeing his defense or am.

Role: 40 - High upside toolsy OF

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Cleveland Guardians 2023 Top 50 Prospects, No. 45 SS Welbyn Francisca



Guardians Perspective

Friday, August 25, 2023

DSL Recap

The Cleveland Guardians operate 2 teams in the Dominican Summer League. Generally players start there as 16-17 year olds but there are older players, too. Sometimes players will stay in the DSL for more than one year but, generally, not more than 3 years.

The Guardians recent strategy appears to be signing position players in the international signing periods and sign college pitchers from the annual amateur player draft.

With all that in mind, here is my ranking of the prospects who played for the Guardians in the DSL this year.

Statistically, to put things in perspective:

the HR leader in the DSL had 15 HR. The higest ranking Guardian was Jose Pirela who tied for 16th with 6 HR.

The highest OPS was 1.128 with Welbyn Francisca ranking 28th at .919.

The leader in walks had 61 with Yerlin Luis having 56 to rank second in the DSL in that category.

The DSL leader in stolen bases had 33 with the Guardians leader, Jonathon Martinez, tied for 37th with 16.

1. Welbyn Francisca - Far and away the best Guardians prospect in the DSL, he was also the highest paid international signing in Jan. 2023.

2. Jose Pirela - Pirela led the Guardians with 6 HRs and 11 doubles. Playing on the team Francisca was not on, Pirela was the leader, hitting 3rd most of the season with an .875 OPS.

3. Luis Merejo - Had 4 HR and 12 XBH in 134 ABs while hitting .321 with a .441 OBP and an .826 OPS.

4. Yerlin Luis - Luis had a funky season as a leadoff hitter. He only hit .224 but walked 54 times for a .478 OBP and a .72 OPS. He only had 15 SB despite that OBP and did strike out 42 times but the batting eye and his pedigree as the 2nd highest bonus of Jan 2023 means that the potential is there.

5. Yeikel Mijares - As a second baseman he had an .826 OPS and had 4 HRs.

6. Luis Aparicio - Aparicio is the lone 2nd year position player on this list. He had a .337 BA and 10 doubles but only had 8 BB and 5 Ks in 104 ABs for an OPS of .854. He is the grandson of former major leaguer Luis Aparicio and is my choice as the late blooming position player on this list and appears to be on the steep part of his learning curve. You would like to see him start 2024 at least in Lynchburg as he will already be in his 3rd year as a professional.

7. Jonathon Martinez - He had 2 HRs and, as said before, led our DSL prospects with 16 SB although he only hit .246.

There are no pitchers on this list as they were all 19-23 years old. The other position players did not stand out to me based on their stats. Realize, however, that the paradigm I used (i.e., some outstanding results and a young age) obviously does not uncover raw tools/potential. There may be more guys who develop later but these 7 hitters seemed like the best prospects. Note that any prospect who transitioned to the ACL during the season after starting in the DSL will be considered with the ACL team.

Posted by Dennis at 10:53 PM

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Don't know if the Guardians are protecting Franco Aleman or not. He appears to be on a strict 4 game schedule. For a closer, there have been multiple games where he would normally have made an appearance and tonight was one of them.

The Ducks took the lead 8-7 in the top of the 8th. They were heading into the home half of the 9th with that one run lead. I thought Aleman would make an appearance. Didn't happen. He pitched Friday night and picked up his 4th save.

Davis Sharpe was greeted by back to back doubles that tied the game, a base hit put runners on the corners, an intentional walk loaded'em with no outs.

A strike out and a ground out followed. A base hit ended it.

Davis Sharpe pitched the 8th and 9th innings despite the problems. That was Davis' 8th blown save to go along with a 7-5 record.

There have been multiple occasions where Aleman could possibly have added to the Duck win column. But! I guess the minor leagues are all about development and being somewhat cautious.

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Guardians 1B prospect Kyle Manzardo went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI Saturday for Triple-A Columbus.
It was Manzardo’s first hit as a member of the Guardians organization. The 23-year-old was traded to Cleveland in exchange for Aaron Civale and has been slowly working his way back from a shoulder injury. There is a small possibility the 23-year-old will be called up by the Guardians late in the season, but he will most likely finish his season at Triple-A before competing for a spot on the active roster next spring.

And The Beat Goes On

Right-hander Franco Aleman worked a scoreless 8th inning tonight, extending a 14-outing, 20 1/3-inning scoreless streak to begin his Double-A career.

1.0 INN 0 H 0 R 0 ER 2 W 1SO 0.000 ERA Hold #2

Aleman is 2-0, 4 Saves, 2 Holds, 20 1/3 INN

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Guardians Perspective

Cleveland Guardians Minor League Options -

Thoughts On How This Impacts Our Strategy

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Just to revisit this topic as we approach September, let's look at the minor league options each of our players have left: Under the new CBA each player gets 3 different years (up to 5 times per year) in which they can be optioned to the minor leagues after being placed on the 40-man roster for the first time (the 4th option year in certain situations was eliminated). If a player is optioned but gets called back to the majors before 20 days after his option, he does not lose a minor league option for that year. Players who are removed from the 40-man roster for the first time, assuming they have not accrued enough service time (ML or minor league or a combination) can be sent to the minors. If they HAVE accrued enough service time (3 yrs ML service time) they can reject being sent to the minors but forfeit any salary they have coming. If a player is removed from the 40-man roster a second time in their career they can elect to become a free agent without forfeiting their salary. With all that in mind here is the state of our players in terms of option years and the ability to become free agents if they are DFA'd. The asterisked players have not been optioned to the minors this year. Plesac and Lavastida have been removed from the 40-man roster once so, if added and DFA'd again, can opt to be free agents. Plesac will be a 6-year minor league free agent if not added to the 40-man roster again this year.

THREE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION YEARS LEFT AS OF TODAY

Steven Kwan*
Josh Naylor*
Will Brennan*
Emmanuel Clase*
Trevor Stephan*
Logan Allen* - Allen's option to Columbus in June doesn't count as he was called back in <20 days
Gavin Williams*
Tanner Bibee*
David Fry*
Jonathon Rodriguez - Not rostered yet. If not rostered will be subject to Rule 5
Ethan Hankins - Not rostered yet. If not rostered will be subject to Rule 5.

TWO MINOR LEAUGE OPTION YEARS LEFT AS OF TODAY

Zach Plesac - Not on roster. If added can be FA if DFA'd again. 6 yr minor league FA if not rostered
Tim Herrin
Cody Morris
Bo Naylor
Juan Brito
Angel Martinez
Nick Sandlin
Joey Cantillo
Peyton Battenfield
Oscar Gonzalez
Andres Gimenez*
Myles Straw*
Shane Beiber*
Cal Quantrill*
Eli Morgan*
Xzavion Curry*

ONE MINOR LEAGUE OPTION YEAR LEFT AS OF TODAY

James Karinchak
Hunter Gaddis
Bryan Lavastida - No on roster. If added can be FA if DFA'd again. Subject to Rule 5 if not rostered
Tyler Freeman
Brayan Rocchio
Jose Tena
George Valera
Jhonkensy Noel
Gabriel Arias*
Triston McKenzie*

ZERO MINOR LEAGUE OPTION YEARS LEFT

Jose Ramirez
Sam Hentges
Enyel De Los Santos

SUMMARY - The most interesting things to me about this list are:

Arias had only one minor league option left at the beginning of this year which explains why they didn't send him to the minors this year when he struggled. Burning his last minor league option would have been a last resort as, if they burned it this year, he had to stay on the roster all next year or be DFA'd. At least this way, if he has to be sent to the minors next year, they can still keep him on the 40-man roster

Next spring they will have a number of big-time prospects who will be out of options if they don't make the team out of spring training and are optioned to the minors. While they will be able to go up and down at will (i.e., up to 5 times) next year they will then, in 2025, have to stay in the majors for good or have to be DFA'd.

For guys like Karinchak, next year will tell the story. Either they stay up with the ML team next year or they will be out of options the next spring. For guys like Karinchak, they will have plenty of chances by that point, making the spectre of DFAing them in 2025 not seem that bad, if they don't perform.

Noel and Valera are special cases as neither have even cracked the majors for the first time yet, and are most vulnerable to run out of options before they reach the majors for good (80% of guys are sent back to the minors at least once after making their ML debut). For these two, and the Guardians, this is really the worst possible situation as both are great prospects but who have, maturing to do yet so, have to make and stay in the majors at some point next year as they will be out of options after 2024. The alternative is that they can be on the 26-man or 60-day DL all of next year and not burn an option.

Amazingly, except for guys like Norris, Laureano, Michael Kelly, Gallagher and Calhoun, on our current 40 man roster only Jose Ramirez, Enyel De Los Santos and Sam Hentges are out of options, giving us huge flexibility for the 2024 season but, as indicated above, hamstrings us in a number of cases in 2025 and beyond.

Obviously, if we add more prospects to the 40-man this winter, they should all have 3 options left, assuming they didn't come from outside the organization in which case they may have already had one or more of the minor league options used by their previous club.

So, looking at the minor league options we gain a little insight into the moves the Guardians have and have not made this year. Would still like to see Noel and Valera up to make cameos this year as we have already burned their options. Bringing up any other guys we INTEND to roster this winter (e.g., Rodriguez) also makes sense if we choose to do that. Unfortunately, the new expanded roster rules means that we can only bring up one more guy in September, unless we rotate guys who we have already burned an option on this year (e.g., Cantillo, Gaddis, Battenfield, Valera, Noel, Tena, Martinez,Herrin, .

Posted by Dennis at 10:34 AM

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Last night, in a re-hab assignment, Josh Naylor was 1-2, scoring 1 and batting in 1. He had three chances at first and was removed from the game in the sixth.

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Does this look like an empty farm system ? No, kind of middling.
It is surprisingly short on pitchers which has been the strength for years. Espino may be a system changer or maybe not; his 3 potential outcomes: 1. Ace 2. Injured and goes home 3. back of the bullpen flamethrower.
I am disappointed that for a change no new pitcher has emerged this year as guys like Bieber and Bibee did before. Cantillo has been fine but his develoment is slow and erratic. Last year's draftee pitchers Campbell [IL all year] and Messick [good days and bad days] have not added much yet.
Valera has had a terrible year in AAA and has a significant recurring injury so his chances of meeting his ceiling is also highly uncertain. which is very disappointing for a team that needs OFs with power.
Nos 7, 9 and 10 of course are far away from the majors but all are rather exciting prospects.
The way the G's run their organization they need a steady stream of players emerging all over the field.
1. Kyle Manzardo 1B
2. Chase DeLauter OF
3. Juan Brito INF
4. George Valera OF
5. Brayan Rocchio SS
6. Daniel Espino RHP
7. Jaison Chourio OF
8. Joey Cantillo LHP
9. Ralphy Velazquez C
10. Welbyn Francisca SS

Going to have to agree to disagree.

I hope you are right!

Thursday:

Noel, Jhonkensy Columbus Clippers CLE AAA 5 1 1 0 0 1 .215 .297 .405 2B
Rocchio, Brayan Columbus Clippers CLE AAA 5 1 2 0 0 0 .290 .377 .420 SB, CS
Tena, Jose Columbus Clippers CLE AAA 4 1 2 2 0 0 .350 .394 .667 HR
Valera, George Columbus Clippers CLE AAA 4 1 1 3 1 1 .207 .339 .352 HR
Brito, Juan Akron RubberDucks CLE AA 4 0 1 1 0 2 .289 .372 .470
Halpin, Peter Akron RubberDucks CLE AA 3 0 0 0 1 0 .248 .320 .376
Martinez, Angel Akron RubberDucks CLE AA 3 1 1 0 1 1 .245 .321 .392 SB
DeLauter, Chase Lake County Captains CLE HiA 4 1 1 0 0 0 .372 .407 .569 2B
Ingle, John Lake County Captains CLE HiA 4 0 0 1 0 0 .265 .419 .353
Watson, Kahlil Lake County Captains CLE HiA 4 0 0 0 0 2 .178 .247 .301 SB
Antunez, Wuilfredo Lynchburg Hillcats CLE LoA 4 2 2 2 1 2 .280 .360 .420 HR
Chourio, Jaison Lynchburg Hillcats CLE LoA 5 0 0 0 0 2 .143 .333 .214
Kayfus, Collin Lynchburg Hillcats CLE LoA 4 2 1 2 1 0 .182 .339 .341 HR, SB
Mooney, Alexander Lynchburg Hillcats CLE LoA 4 0 1 2 1 0 .137 .214 .176 SB

And The Beat Goes On Part 2:

Franco Aleman worked a scoreless 9th inning tonight, extending a 15-outing, 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak to begin his Double-A career.

1.0 INN 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 W 2 SO 0.000 ERA Save #5

Aleman is now 2-0, 5 Saves, 2 Holds, 21 1/3 INN

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Josh Naylor was 2-4 with an RBI in a rehab assignment for the Ducks this evening. Josh is hitting .444 with a .888 OPS.

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Aleman certainly is someone to learn more about; successful minor league closers often get by with smoke and mirrors and decent off speed stuff. I remember Mike Soper as a big time saves guy as one of numerous examples. But Aleman's strikeout numbers are impressive; has anyone read about his repretoire?

Watson has not made much of a splash since he came over for Josh Bell, but had a fine game yesterday for Lake Captains:
Homer, 2 Walks, Single, 3 stolen bases. Also picked off once and made an error. He is all over the box score

Cooper Ingle, the only 2023 draftee assigned to High A, added 2 singles and 2 walks and 4 rbi

Lynchburg, managed to score 13 runs with a single extra base hit, SS Jose Devers' 11h homer, he added 2 singles and drove in 4. 19 year old SS Angle Genoa 2 singles. 18 year old OF Chourio 2 singles. 20 year old SS Juan Benjamin 3 singles.
Old timer Guy Lipscomb, 22 year old CF, 3 singles and his 46th stolen base, fits the Cle draftee mold: on base machine, no power: 273/390/368

Joe missed one highlight in Akron: the rejuvenated Aaron Bracho hit his 16th homerun. He's now 259-361-465,, after 2 seasons below the Menoza line in A ball. 1b/2b/3b.

the power hitters in action for the Clippers: JRod a double, Manzardo a single and a double; Noel his 22nd double, and his 22nd homer. Valera 0-5
Come to think of it, that's a lot of power bats for a Cleveland team.

Franco Aleman Scouting Report - Not Much

“Physical righthander with projection. Reminds of Orlando Hernandez with his stuff and feel. Starter type with the potential for a full mix. Strike thrower that projects to have three 60 grade pitches

With a mid-90s fastball that can reach as fast as 98 mph, there’s a lot to like about Alemán as a prospect. He’ll hope his time in the minors helps with his control.

A 6-6 215 lb. frame, 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.

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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Can't find many scouting reports. Best would most likely be from Baseball America but you need a subscription.

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