Cleveland Sports Forum

Thanks for the daily updates!

This time it's a hamstring pull for DeLauter. That could take care of his short season
If he's able to play I assume he'll return to Arizona fall league to get some at bats

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/30/24
Arthur Kinney
Aug 31






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Scoreboard
Triple-A - Gwinnett Stripers 2, Columbus Clippers 1
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 4, Bowie Baysox 0
High-A - Lake County Captains 7, Cedar Rapids Kernels 4
Single-A - Carolina Mudcats 9, Lynchburg Hillcats 5
HIGHLIGHTS

Connor Gillispie (SP, Columbus): ND, 4.2 IP, 2 BB, 6 K - On Friday night, Gillispie not only pitched for Columbus for the first time in ten days after spending the last week and a half in an unusually active Quadruple-A revolving door, but also started for the first time since July 26 vs. Memphis at the Corner of Neil and Nationwide. Just like five weeks earlier, he pitched into the fifth in a scoreless effort. Performances like this are why he keeps making the trip up I-71 (which I, coincidentally, am.also doing - as a passenger, obviously - as I type this).

Kahlil Watson (DH, Akron): 3-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS - Watson more or less was the RubberDuck offense on Friday night as he came within a triple of the cycle and drove in three of the team's four runs as he continued a recent feast-or-famine pattern of two hitless games followed by a multi-hit performance.

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Austin Peterson (SP, Akron): W (6-2), 6 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K - Peterson dominated to an extent not seen in nearly two months, when he hurled seven scoreless against the Erie SeaWolves, whom the Mallards of Main Street are one win away from clinching a playoff match-up against. If you want to see proof that the Guardians pitching pipeline is back up and running after a brief hiccup, just go to a game at Canal Park.

Alonzo Richardson (SP, Lake County): W (1-2), 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R (earned), 5 K - Richardson dominated the Kernels lineup in the best of his four Captains starts so far. While he has improved in his prior statline in every High-A outing so far, this one was so good that he may have trouble continuing the trend.

Ralphy Velazquez (LF, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K - Since starting last week's series with a hat trick of strikeouts, Velazquez has been on a seven-game productive plate appearance streak, with said productivity reaching another level last night with his first High-A three-RBI game.

Alex Mooney (3B, Lake County); 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K - Mooney likewise drove in a trio of runs in the Captains’ Friday night victory, all of which scored on a 105 MPH blast to left field (hat tip to Justin for the exit velo info), bringing his RBI total for his first full professional season to 53.

Angel Genao (DH, Lake County): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, RBI, 1 K - Genao drove in the other Captains run as part of a performance that continued a stellar summer at High-A. He is now slashing. 321/.374/.457 for Lake County and has reached safely 25 times over the course of an active 14-game on-base streak.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 1-2, 2 BB.- Valera reached thrice to pace the Clipper offense on a rough night.

Angel Martinez (2B, Lake County): 1-5, 1 RB8, 1 BB - Martinez's fifth-inning single gave the Clip Show an early lead on his 20th RBI of the season. Unfortunately, it was also their only run of the evening.

Nic Enright (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, 2 BB, 1 K - Despite some control issues, Enright returned from a four-month IL stint with a scoreless frame.

Joe Lampe (CF, Akron): 2-4, 1 R, 1 K - Lampe's recent five-game 0-for-15 slump seems to be behind him after his second two-hit game in as many days.

Yordys Valdes (SS, Akron): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - Valdes drove in the RubberDuck run that Watson didn't for his 35th RBI of the season.

Alaska Abney (RP, Akron): 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Abney's perfect ninth extended his shutout streak to 14 games (19.1 innings), having not allowed a baserunner to cross home safely since Independence Day.

Ross Carver (RP, Akron): H (4), 2 IP, perfect, 4 K - Carver preceded Abney to start the bullpen portion of the evening in similarly impressive fashion.

Esteban Gonzalez (CF, Lake County): 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS - Gonzalez has now reached safely 19 times over the course of his twelve-game on-base streak.

Christian Knapczyk (DH, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB - Knapczyk stole the 17th base of his professional rookie season as he went multi-hit for the second straight Friday.

Luis Merejo (RF, Lynchburg): 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E - Merejo continued his best RBI month if the season with his eleventh and twelfth of August.

Ryan Cesarini (LF, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K - Cesarini continued his career-opening eight-game on-base streak, as well as seven-game hit streak, with his third pro triple in only thirty at-bats.

Not sure if Adam Peterson is a prospect but he certainly has pitched well this year.
He's reached 151 innings pitched which is a huge total for a minor leaguer but he's so efficient his pitch total is probably not extraordiary.
Shades of Shane Biber, Peterson between Lake County and Akron has walked 18 while striking out 148. 2.54 ERA 13-4 record
8 homers allowed; batting avg against 204 WHIP 0.86
I would probably award him the Bob Feller award as our best pitcher of 2024 and we'll see where it might get him

Yesterday: 6 5 0 0 1 5

Also for Akron:

Joe Lampe two singles
Kahlil Watson single; double; homer #15, steal #14 but CS #8. 223/306/412

Elsewhere:

Columbus: Valera single and 2 walks; his August total is 289/375/566 Maybe it's finally time to promote him
Gillespie 4 2/3 0 0 0 2 6

Lake County:
Genao single and double [21 at LC, 35 overall + 3 triples + 10 homers]
Velazquez 2 singles, 3 rbi
Mooney 3 run homer
Alonzo RIchardson 7 5 1 1 0 5

Lynchburg Merejo single and 2 rbi and error
LF Ryan Cesarini 14th round pick this summer with his 3rd triple, also has 3 doubles in 36 plate appearances
Francisca single and walk and error

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/31/24
Justin Lada
Sep 1






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Scoreboard
Triple-A - Columbus Clippers 6, Gwinnett Stripers 4
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 3, Bowie Baysox 2
High-A - Lake County Captains 4, Cedar Rapids Kernels 3
Single-A - Carolina Mudcats vs. Lynchburg Hillcats (PPD)
HIGHLIGHTS

Juan Brito (1B, Columbus): 3-5, HR - Brito had a good end of August after he had a rough start of the month, which was his first rough month since April. Still, it seems there’s really no room for him in Cleveland and he’ll get more time at first base in Columbus as Kyle Manzardo heads back up.

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 2-3, 2B, HR - Valera doubled off 2023 All-Star Bryce Elder and homered off a lefty. Still, his recent hot play and lack of options in 2025 didn’t earn him an initial callup for September as rosters expanded.

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Aaron Davenport (SP, Akron): 6IP, 2H, BB, 6K - Davenport has mostly been good this year, but has had some ups and downs. Overall it doesn’t look like anything as much as good minor league performance than much else, but the fastball/curveball do make him an interesting relief/up and down starter option. The improved control has made a big difference.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Franco Aleman (RP, Columbus): IP, K - Another scoreless inning from Aleman but he was 95-97 the other day, this outing he was 93-95 in this one, so the velocity is still a bit in between.

Brad Hanner (RP, Akron): IP, 3K - Hanner fanned the side in order to seal the win and clinch a playoff appearance for Akron in 2024, and has been generally a solid back end minor league reliever with intriguing stuff to maybe get an ML look one day.

CJ Kayfus (1B, Akron): 1-4, RBI, K - No surprise Kayfus finally cooled off at Double-A, he was due to at some point. The OPS is still solid but the average has come down a good point.

Jorge Burgos (RF, Akron): 1-3, BB, RBI - Burgos continues to look solid in his first Double-A taste, even though he doesn’t have a ton of consistency usually, but runs into his power every now and then.

Angel Genao (SS, Lake County): 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI - Genao has 22 doubles and is hitting .320 as a 20 year old in High-A. He now has 36 doubles to go with 10 homers and 25 steals. He’s emerged as one of the top prospects in the system with his performance this year.

Kevin Rivas (C, Lake County): 2-3 - Rivas came in as an injury replacement for Johnny Tincher and ironically had two hits as he backs up catching in the system as a converted catcher himself.

Jonah Advincula (CF, Lake County): 1-2, 2BB, SB - Advincula has 30 steals this year and has played a good defensive outfield as well.

Carter Spivey (SP, Lake County): 6IP, 3H, 2ER, 2BB, 6K - Spivey has also been quite solid this year in Lake County, pretty good for an undrafted free agent who probably profiles best as a reliever.

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/1/24
Arthur Kinney
Sep 2






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Scoreboard
Triple-A - Gwinnett Stripers 1, Columbus Clippers 0
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 2, Bowie Baysox 1
High-A - Lake County Captains 6, Cedar Rapids Kernels 3
Single-A - Lynchburg Hillcats 6, Carolina Mudcats 2
HIGHLIGHTS

Doug Nikhazy (SP, Columbus): L (5-3), 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R (earned), 1 bB, 1 HBP, 2 K, 1 HR allowed - Nikhazy continued his recent dominance in his longest outing since his Triple-A debut. In his last three starts, Doug has allowed only two earned runs in 16 combined innings (1.13 ERA).

Trenton Denholm (SP, Akron): W (4-1), 5 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - Denholm ended the week how he started it, by dominating the Baysox lineup, who managed only one run off of Trenton in 12 combined innings. That run was also the only tally he allowed in twenty frames over the course of the just-completed two-week homestand.

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Travis Bazzana (2B, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K - Bazzana wrapped up the home portion of his first professional regular season with a big day at the plate that included his third professional homer - his third extra-base hit of a week that saw him go 6-for-19.

Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 2-3, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - Advincula also had a big day, scoring all three times he reached, including on a two-run homer, and stealing his 31st base of the season.

Welbyn Francisca (2B, Lynchburg): 3‐4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB - After starting the series going 2-for-16, Francisca returned to the form that has him on a trajectory to play in the 216 in a stellar home finale that brought his Single-A slash line to .330/.417/.404.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Micah Pries (1B, Columbus): 2-4 - Pries led the way for the Clipper offense with a multi-hit return from the Injured List.

Juan Brito (2B, Columbus): 1-3, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 CS - Brito extended his on-base streak to eight games by reaching twice on Sunday. His results once he got on the basepaths, however, were mixed.

Gabriel Arias (starting DH, Columbus): 1-4 - Speaking of on-base streaks, Arias’ team-leading one now stands at 13 games.

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K - Valera is right behind him, having reached in eleven straight.

Ray Delgado (3B, Columbus): 1-3 - Delgado reached for a tenth straight contest on Sunday making it a quartet of double-digit on-base streaks for the Clip Show.

Andrew Walters (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, 1 H ,1 K - Sticking with the streak theme, Walters’ shutout streak now stands at 13 games (10.2 innings).

Yordys Valdes (SS, Akron): 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - Valdes’ third-inning homer proved to be the decisive swing of the bat in Sunday evening's pitchers’ duel.

Kody Huff (1B, Akron): 1-4, 1 R, 1 K - Huff’s single tied him with C.J. Kayfus, who had Sunday off, for the longest active RubberDuck on-base streak.

Davis Sharpe (RP, Akron): H (6), 2 IP, perfect - Sharpe rebounded from allowing two runs while only getting the same number of outs in the serie opera to wrap up the week with his fourth scoreless outing in his last five.

Jacob Cozart (C, Lake County): 2-4, 1 K, 2 E - Cozart's two-hit performance was his first as a professional.

Angel Genao (3B, Lake County): 0-3, 1 BB, 1 CS - While his hit streak ended at seven games, Genao's team-leading on-base streak remains intact at 16.

Esteban Gonzalez (RF-CF. Lake County): 1-4 - Gonzalez has the Captains’ other double-digit on-base streak, now at 14 games.

Logun Clark (C, Lynchburg): 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Clark's double was the only Hillcat extra-base hit of the day.

Tommy Hawke (LF, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K - Hawke capped the home portion of his first full professional season in grand fashion.

Luis Durango (CF, Lynchburg): 0-3, 1 HBP - Durango now has the lingest on-base streak of anyone on the Hillcat active roster (nine games), but he probably wishes he achieved the feat in a less painful manner.

Christian Knapczyk (3B, Lynchburg): 0-3, 1 R, 2 HBP, 1 K, 1 SB - Speaking of plunkings, Knapczyk made the most of being hit twice.

Jackson Humphries (SP, Lynchburg): ND, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 1 WP, 5 K - After an uneven August, Humphries shone in his penultimate outing of the 2024 campaign.

Jervis Alfaro (RP, Lynchburg): W (1-0), 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR allowed - Alfaro was similarly impressive in earning his first non-complex individual victory.

Cam Schuelke (RP, Lynchburg): 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K - Schuelke is yet to allow an earned run in his first 7.2 professional innings.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/2/24
Matthew Kennell
Sep 3






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Scoreboard:
Triple-A - Durham Bulls 5, Columbus Clippers 1
Highlights:

Will Dion (RP, Columbus): 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BBs, 3 Ks - The 24-year-old served as the piggyback to the starter Allen and was very effective through two innings. The seventh and eighth saw the Bulls go down 1-2-3, but an error in the ninth resulted in a pair of runs crossing the plate.

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 2-for-3, RBI, SF - Valera put together a multi-hit performance to stay hot for the Clippers and drove in the team’s only run with a sacrifice fly in inning number four. He has now reached base safely in 12 consecutive games and has an even 50 RBIs for the year.

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Angel Martinez (2B, Columbus): 2-for-4, R, 2B, DP, E4F - Martinez was the second man in the Clippers lineup with multiple hits. His two-out double in the eighth barely snuck inside the foul line and he added a single to lead off the fourth, the hardest hit ball of the day for Columbus at 103 mph. An error at second base prevented him from having a fantastic day, but he has reached base safely twice in three straight games.
Notable Performances:

Logan T. Allen (SP, Columbus): L (3-2), 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BBs, 6 Ks - The longball has hurt Allen of late as the southpaw has surrendered nine homeruns over his previous five starts as a solo shot in the fourth helped down Columbus on Monday. He did strikeout six batters and induce 21 whiffs, much more effective than his last appearance on the mound where he allowed eight hits compared to one K.

Nic Enright (RP, Columbus): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K - Enright was called upon to get out of a situation with two in scoring position and two outs and was able to leave both inherited runners on and keep the deficit where it was at 3-1.

Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Columbus): 1-for-3, 2B, BB, GIDP - Rodriguez clubbed a double and got on base a second time as well with a walk. His extra-base hit off the wall looked to spark a rally in the ninth but nothing developed behind him.

Juan Brito (1B, Columbus): 1-for-4, 2B, DP - Brito has a hit in seven of the last eight games after recording a double in Monday’s loss.

Estevan Florial (DH, Columbus): 0-for-4, 4 Ks - The golden sombrero was awarded to Florial following a four-strikeout game, including one in the ninth with a pair of runners in scoring position to thwart efforts at a comeback.

Christian Cairo (SS, Columbus): 0-for-3, 3 Ks, DP - The 23-year-old came up short in all three plate appearances, but did make a few solid defensive plays with a double play and a deflection off of the pitcher Allen for an out.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/4/24
Matthew Kennell
Sep 5






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Scoreboard:
Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels 4, Akron RubberDucks 3 (F/10)
High-A - Lake County Captains 2, Peoria Chiefs 1
Single-A - Fredericksburg Nationals 4, Lynchburg Hillcats 1
Highlights:

Guy Lipscomb (CF, Akron): 2-for-3, BB, 2 SBs - Lipscomb was able to reach base three times with a pair of singles and a walk, but he made an even bigger impact once he got there. His stolen base in the ninth forced a throwing error by the opposing catcher and put the potential go-ahead run 90 feet from home with a chance for the top of the order. This is the first time since joining the RubberDucks roster on July 30th that Lipscomb has gotten on base three times.

Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson (SP, Lake County): W (5-5), 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 5 Ks - The Tugboat continued to sail against the Chiefs when he threw six scoreless innings in a quality start, just his third of the year despite incredible numbers. The reason for this is the fact that it is only the third time he has gone six innings in a single start. Nonetheless, added five to his strikeout total and leads all of minor league baseball with a 13.50 K/9 for the 2024 season.

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Angel Genao (SS, Lake County): 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI - One of the two runs driven in for the Captains on the day came off the bat of the 20-year-old with a triple in the top of the fifth. He added a double for five total bases in the game and has 23 two-base hits in 63 games played for Lake County on the year. This season has been fantastic for his development, but even more impressive by how he has adapted to multiple increases in division.

Melkis Hernandez (SP, Lynchburg): 4.0 IP, 4 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BBs, 6 Ks, PO, 2 WPs - His six strikeouts over the course of four innings is the most in his six appearances with the Hillcats and this was the first time that he did not walk a batter. In his previous five starts in Lynchburg, he allowed 16 walks in 18.1 innings pitched so this is by far the most effective of his outings. The 19-year-old lefty continues to surrender base hits, but the defense did not help him out after allowing an unearned run to score. All five runs scored in the game were unearned from both sides.
Notable Performances:

Yordys Valdes (SS, Akron): 2-for-5, R, RBI, SB, PO - It was a multi-hit game for Valdes, but he was in position to give the team the lead with the bases loaded in the ninth and struck out for the third time.

Jorge Burgos (RF, Akron): 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, BB, GIDP - Burgos came in clutch with a two-run double in the tenth inning to provide the RubberDucks with a lead that would unfortunately be short-lived.

Parker Messick (SP, Akron): 4.2 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BBs, 5 Ks - 94 pitches for just 4.2 innings of work brought a pre-mature end to the southpaw’s day, but aside from that it was another solid day on the bump. The former Florida State Seminole overcame a slow start that could have gone south quickly.

Alaska Abney (RP, Akron): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - Abney did a job by retiring all four batters he faced and left the inherited runner stranded with a punchout to end the fifth.

Ross Carver (RP, Akron): 2.0 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - Carver gave the team two scoreless innings of work. He has allowed just one run over his last 9.1 innings (eight appearances).

Maick Collado (1B, Lake County): 1-for-4, 2B, RBI - Collado’s two-out RBI double in the second inning was the team’s lone hit with a runner in scoring position for the game (1-for-13) and with only two runs needed for the victory, it was an important at-bat.

Zach Jacobs (RP, Lake County): H (5), 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 0 Ks - Jacobs had to skirt around a pair of two-out knocks but got out of the inning unscathed. It is his fifth consecutive scoreless relief appearance.

Jay Driver (RP, Lake County): H (8), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 0 Ks - Driver would hold his eighth game for the Captains with the lone baserunner coming from a walk.

Tommy Hawke (CF, Lynchburg): 2-for-4, BB - After a bit of a dry spell in late August, Hawke is back to being an on-base machine by doing so in three plate appearances (two singles and a walk). He has reached base in 9-of-his-last-14 plate appearances.

Fran Alduey (3B, Lynchburg): 2-for-4, SB, DP - Alduey had a multi-hit game as well with a 2-for-4 day from the nine-hole. The 20-year-old has struggled mightily since being called up to Single-A but can hopefully close out the year on a high note.

Luis Merejo (1B, Lynchburg): 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 E3Fs, E3T - Merejo has done an excellent job with the bat in his hand since moving up to Lynchburg, but the defense is leaving much to be desired as three of the team’s five errors were charged to him. He has six miscues in 18 games at first base as a Hillcat.

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Posting new top prospects from Jim Bowden - just posted the top 4 since Bazzana is there at #4

Top 50 MLB prospects: Two Tigers lead off while Bazzana cracks Top 5 of Bowden’s rankings
Jim Bowden
Sep 5, 2024



With most of the minor-league season behind us, it’s time to update my top-50 ranking of the best prospects in baseball.


Jim Bowden’s scouting grades are based on the 20-80 scale, in which 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. PWR denotes Power; FLD: Fielding; FB: Fastball; CT: Cutter; CB: Curveball; CH: Changeup; SLI: Slider; SF: Split-finger; CTL: Control; CMND: Command.
1. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (Double A)

Age: 22
Height: 6-2 Weight: 190
Scouting grades: FB: 70 SLI 70 CH: 60 CT: 55 CTL: 60 CMND: 55

Jackson Jobe is the best overall prospect and best pitching prospect in baseball. He is the only starting pitcher on this list who profiles as a future No. 1 starter, ace and Cy Young Award candidate. He has an overpowering mid-90s fastball with exploding life and a wipeout slider with which he has pinpoint control. His poise and composure are also special. He has logged a 2.02 ERA and 1.070 WHIP in 18 starts this season between High A and Double A.
2. Max Clark, OF, Tigers (High A)

Age: 19
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6-0 Weight: 205
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 50 RUN: 70 ARM: 60 FLD: 65

An on-base machine, Max Clark is an elite leadoff hitter who’s capable of stealing 30 to 40 bases per season. His power projects to average when fully developed. He is a pure center fielder with plus-plus range in all directions and an above-average arm. Drafted third overall in 2023, Clark has slashed .279/.374/.424 with 20 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 29 steals between Low A and High A in his first full pro season. He has a great personality and eventually will be a fan favorite in Detroit. I absolutely love this player.
3. Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins (High A)

Age: 19
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
Scouting grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 60 RUN: 55 ARM: 65 FLD: 55

It was difficult to decide whether Walker Jenkins should be above or behind Clark because they are two completely different players. Clark is known for his speed, defense and ability to get on base while Jenkins has ridiculous upper-deck loft power to the pull side but also line-drive power to all fields. He’s an above-average base runner as well with strong baseball instincts. He’s batted .293/.399/.468 with more walks (48) than strikeouts (40) across three minor-league levels this season, collecting 30 extra-base hits despite missing six weeks with a hamstring injury.
4. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (High A)

Age: 22
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-0 Weight: 199
Scouting grades: HIT: 70 PWR: 55 RUN: 60 ARM: 50 FLD: 50

Travis Bazzana was the first pick in this year’s draft because he had the best hit tool in the class. His hitting brings back memories of Joe Mauer and Mark Teixeira when they were drafted in the first round in 2001. Bazzana has elite plate discipline, electric bat speed and special barrel awareness — and he’s a threat on the basepaths. I also like that he hits lefties and righties equally well.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/6/24
Arthur Kinney
Sep 7






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Triple-A - Columbus Clippers 10, Durham Bulls 7
Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels 7, Akron RubberDucks 5
High-A - Lake County Captains 4, Peoria Chiefs 3 (F/11)
Single-A - Lynchburg Hillcats 9, Fredericksburg Nationals 5
REHAB

James Karinchak (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K - Karinchak was solid in his 2024 competitive debut. While his pitch usage leaned more heavily of the four-seam fastball than his curveball (65/35 in favor of the four-seamer compared to a 56/44 average last season), both of his whiff and both of his called strikes unsurprisingly came on the curve (which had a whiff % of just under 40% last season compared to just under 25% for the fastball). Both pitches were slightly off of their 2023 speed (92 on the FB and 82 on the CB compared to 95 and 83 last season), but that’s to be expected given that he hadn’t pitched in a real game in 342 days. While a return this season is unlikely, this was the start of a good case to pitch somewhere in 2025.
HIGHLIGHTS

Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Columbus): 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SF, 1 K, 1 CS - J-Rod provided he largest share of run creation in Friday night’s rain-delayed slugfest at the Corner of Neil and Nationwide, driving in a quartet of runs (bringing his season total to 83) - most of them coming on a three-run home run to center field (398 feet, 100.9 MPH exit velo) that gave the Clippers the lead for good.

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Juan Brito (1B, Columbus): 3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K - Brito was right behind Rodriguez in the run creation department on Friday, driving in a trio on a pair of extra-base hits, reaching the 35-double and twenty-homer (the eighth-inning round-ripper went 406 feet after leaving his bat at 104.1 MPH) marks for the season in the process. This wasn’t a one-off performance, either, as he extended his on-base streak to twelve games.

Angel Martinez (2B, Columbus): 4-5, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI - Speaking of hitting consistency, both last night and generally, Martinez got his on-base streak into double-digits with a four-hit Friday that included a pair of doubles.

Ryan Cesarini (RF, Lynchburg): 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI,1 K - Cesarini continued his professional career-opening on-base streak in grand fashion on Friday night, extending it to eleven contests by coming within a homer of the cycle. While missing the cycle by a homer instead of a triple may seem unusual, it really isn't for Ryan, who has four three-baggers in only 40 official pro at-bats so far.

Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 3-6, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB, 2 E - Francisca also continued a meteoric start to his time as a Hillcat on Friday, with his own three-hit effort pushing his Single-A OPS solidly back into the .800s (.820). His fifth-inning fielding error proved to be costly, however, as it allowed a pair of unearned runs to score.

Manuel Mejias (1B, Lynchburg): 3-5, 2 RBI, 1 K - Mejias’ recent form can be described as feast-or-famine, but the feasts have been magnificent, with both of his last two multi-hit efforts being of the three-hit variety.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Gabriel Arias (DH, Columbus): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - All Arias did last night was hit, both in the sense of not playing in the field as well as in terms of consistently hitting the ball hard - and I mean HARD - his third-inning solo shot left his bat at 108.8 MPH and traveled 419 feet! Yeah, that one can't be attributed to Huntington Park’s coziness.

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K - Valera’s third-inning walk brought his team-leading on-base streak to 15 games.

Ray Delgado (3B, Columbus): 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI - Delgado reached twice to round out the quartet of double-digit on-base streaks (14 games).

C.J. Kayfus (1B, Akron): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Kayfus got the RubberDucks’ scoring started with an RBI double that extended his organization-leading RBI total to 89 (52 of them with the Mallards of Main Street - good for a tie for 19th in the Eastern league despite not being called up to Double-A until June 3).

Jorge Burgos (RF, Akron): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K - Burgos followed later in the opening frame with a prodigious two-run blast to center (433 feet, 109 MPH) that was the high point of a stellar start to Friday night’s contest.

Kody Huff (C, Akron): 1-4 - Huff extended his team leading on-base and hit streaks to twelve and five games, respectively, with a first-inning single.

Wuilfredo Antunez (RF, Lake County): 2-6, 1 R, 1 SB - After five games without a multi-hit performance, Antunez returned to the form he showed when he was first called up last month with his sixth two-hit outing in 15 games as a Captain.

Esteban Gonzalez (CF, Lake County): 2-5,1 R,1 RBI, 2 K - Gonzalez was the only Captain last night to both score and drive in a run without doing so on a home run, driving in the team’s second tally and scoring the eventual winning run in the top of the eleventh.

Jacob Cozart (C, Lake County): 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB - Cozart reached thrice on Friday night, including on the Eastlake nine’s only double of the evening.

Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 2-6, 1 RBI, 3 K - While Advincula’s regulation effort was marred by a hat trick, he made up for it in the eleventh by driving in extra runner Gonzalez for the aforementioned go-ahead run.

Jake Fox (2B, Lake County): 1-6, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E - Fox’s fifth-inning solo shot to right proved to be the run that sent the game to extras.

Alex Mooney (SS, Lake County): 1-5, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - Mooney stole his 43rd base of the season last night, equaling the number Homer Bush Jr. stole for the TinCaps before being traded to the Rays (whose High-A affiliate, the Bowling Green Hot Rods, plays in the south Atlantic League) at the trade deadline, earning him a share of second in the Midwest League.

Dylan DeLucia (SP, Lake County): ND, 3.2 IP< 6 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB,1 BK, 5 K - Even in his second-shortest High-A outing (only the second time he hasn’t made it at least four full frames in eight appearances as a Captain), DeLucia keep racking up the strikeouts, getting nearly half of his outs via punchouts. His rookie season K/9 now stands at 9.49 with his Lake County number slightly better at 9.84.

Barrett Riebock (LF, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 SF - Riebock’s first multi-hit game, first multi-run game, and multi-RBI game in non-complex ball all came in one fell swoop last night. It was also the first time he posted crooked numbers in all three columns of the same boxscore as a professional, whether at a complex or not.

Juan Benjamin (DH, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB - Even Benjamin, who has struggled at the plate recently, got in on Friday’s offensive outburst.

Jogly Garcia (SP, Lynchburg): ND, 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R (both earned), 2 BB, 9 K - Garcia’s nine strikeouts are a new non-complex high for him and tied his career-high, achieved in five innings for the ACL Guardians on May 11 against the A-Cubs in Goodyear.

Jervis Alfaro (RP, Lynchburg): W (2-0), 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R (both unearned), 5 K - Alfaro’s first two non-complex individual victories have come in his two September outings, which are part of an impressive three-game stretch during which he has allowed only two earned runs in 11.1 frames.

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/7/24
Justin Lada


Triple-A - Columbus Clippers 9, Durham Bulls 3
Double-A - Richmond Flying Squirrels 3, Akron RubberDucks 1
High-A - Lake County Captains 3, Peoria Chiefs 1
Single-A - Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Fredericksburg Nationals 1
HIGHLIGHTS

Angel Martinez (2B, Columbus): 2-5, 2B, SB - Martinez has turned things around, somewhat intermittently in Triple-A. He really needs to improve his chase rate in order to find more big league opportunities, as that’s what made him successful early on in his callup, but that tapered off as he struggled some.

Doug Nikhazy (SP, Columbus): 6IP, 5H, 3ER, 2BB, 8K - Nikhazy collected 18 whiffs in this one, with his fastball sitting 89-91. His slider racked up seven of those whiffs in a solid start, but the two walks and a homer are also kind of areas that hold back Nikhazy at times and given the Triple-A/Major League gap right now, those things often stand out.

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Trenton Denholm (SP, Akron): 6IP, 6H, 3R (2ER), BB, 7K - Denholmd continues to stack solid start after solid start in Double-A. His real only hiccup was his first start and he’s looked like he belongs since then.

Travis Bazzana (2B, Lake County): 2-4, BB, SB, K - Three times on base for Bazzana with a steal is a nice day at the top of the order and it broke a 14 at bat hitless streak for him.

Alex Mooney (3B, Lake County): 2-4, HR, 2 RBI - Mooney went more than a month without a homer but now has two in the last three weeks, so that’s an improvement over his late season struggles.

Carter Spivey (SP, Lake County): 6.2IP, 2H, ER, BB, 9K - Spivey took a perfect inning into the seventh inning and could have gotten through seven perfect if not for an infield hit, that could have even been scored an error. But, after the infield hit, things unwound a bit and he allowed a walk and another hit to lose the perfect game, no hitter and shutout all in one inning and didn’t record another out, Still, another great outing for Spivey as an undrafted free agency in Indy ball a year ago.

Jackson Humphries (SP, Lynchburg): 5IP, 3H, ER, BB, 9K - It’s been a very up and down season for Humphries but he’s shown some very promising flashes in stints and will get a chance to do it against in High-A in 2024.
Notable Performances

Andrew Walters (RP, Columbus): IP, K - Walters now hasn’t allowed a run since July 26, spanning 14 appearances. Cleveland still isn’t letting him pitch on back to back days, which brings into question if they will use him in the majors this year without that previous experience. Cleveland wants its pitchers or all prospects to get experience in ways they’ll be used in the majors. Perhaps if he were called up, Cleveland wouldn’t use him in back to back games, but that’s also something relievers need to learn and be prepared for because you never can predict that at the major league level. You might be able to control it more in September with a 14 man bullpen, but it still is questionable right now for a look at Walters in September.

Nic Enright (RP, Columbus): IP, 3K - It took a little bit, but Enright seems to be back, sitting 92-94 with good breaking stuff, racking up five whiffs in 12 pitches. Not sure what happens now, but if healthy all year, Enright should have been a major league option this year. He still could be next year, but his age and status in the minors create questions as to wear.

Kahlil Watson (2B, Akron): 0-2, 2 BB, SB - Not a lot of offensive action in Akron on Saturday but it’s nice to see Watson get on base with a pair of walks and not strike out, more strides he needs to make more often.

Jake Fox (DH, Lake County): 2-5, RBI, 3 K - Fox has had some good games lately, but still is lacking any consistency and hasn’t gotten hot like he did at one point last year.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/8/24
Arthur Kinney
Sep 9



Triple-A - Durham Bulls 15, Columbus Clippers 5
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 10, Richmond Flying Squirrels 3
High-A - Peoria Chiefs 11, Lake County Captains 0
Single-A - Fredericksburg Nationals 7, Lynchburg Hillcats 2
REHAB

James Karinchak (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 2 WP, 2 K - Karinchak regressed from his rehab debut as some control issues reared their ugly head.
HIGHLIGHTS

Guy Lipscomb (CF, Akron): 4-4, 3 R, 2 2B - Lipscomb dominated in the RubberDucks’ final road game of the regular season with a perfect day at the plate in what was easily his best day so far at the Double-A level.

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Yordys Valdes (SS, Akron): 3-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB - Valdes was also perfect at the plate on Sunday in an effort that included a two-run homer that got him to the 40-RBI mark for the 2024 campaign.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Angel Martinez (RF, Columbus): 2-3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP - Martinez reached base four times as he amassed multiple total bases for the third straight day and the fourth time in six games in a September that has seen him slash .440/.500/.640.

Estevan Florial (CF, Columbus): 2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB - Florial had the Clip Show’s other multi-hit day, including an RBI single that capped the aforementioned four-run third inning comeback attempt, as well as his 21st Triple-A stolen base of the season.

Juan Brito (2B, Columbus): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K - Brito’s three-run blast (376 feet, 103.3 MPH exit velo) kickstarted a short-lived comeback attempt and got Juan to the 80-RBI mark for the season.

Ray Delgado (3B, Columbus): 1-4, 1 r, 3 K - Delgado extended his team-leading on-base streak to 17 games by leading off the bottom of the third with a single.

Alexfri Planez (RF, Akron): 3-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI - Planez’s pair of RBI brought his season total to 46.

Cooper Ingle (DH, Akron): 2-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI - After seeing a five-game productive plate appearance streak end on Saturday, Ingle rebounded in grand fashion with a pair of doubles.

Tyresse Turner (2B, Akron): 2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Turner rounded out the quintet of multi-hit performances for the Mallards of Main Street with a performance that included his first triple of the season.

Kody Huff (C, Akron): 1-5, 1 R, 3 K - Huff extended his team-leading on-base and hit streaks to 14 and 7 games, respectively.

Angel Genao (SS, Lake County): 3-4, 1 2B, 1 K - Genao was a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster regular season finale for the Captains, extending his on-base streak to 22 games with a trio of hits.

Jonah Advincula (RF, Lake County): 1-4 - Speaking of streaks, Advincula finished the season on a nine-game hit streak.

Luis Merejo (1B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K - Merejo makes the final four-team Prospect Report of 2024 with the Hillcats’ final multi-hit effort of the season.

Bennett Thompson (C, Lynchburg): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K - The final two runs of the 2024 Hillcat campaign came on Thompson’s first professional homer.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 9/10/24
Arthur Kinney
Sep 11






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Triple-A - St. Paul Saints 7, Columbus Clippers 4
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 4, Hartford Yard Goats 3
High-A Playoffs - Lake County Captains 4, Dayton Dragons 3 (Captains lead Best-of-3 Division Series 1-0)
HIGHLIGHTS
Triston McKenzie (RP, Columbus): 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB. 4 K - McKenzie was dominant in his best outing in a long time. Especially notable was his fastball velocity. Each of the twenty four-seamers he threw tripped the radar gun at least 93 MPH, with his fastest approaching 96 (95.7 MPH), well above his highest season average (92.8 MPH in his 2020 rookie season). Could he be a postseason bullpen option or will the Guardians need him to replace Ben Lively this week with his thigh contusion?

Kody Huff (C, Akron): 2-3, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 E - Huff, whose on-base and hit streaks now stand at 14 and 7 games, respectively, continued a dominant September (.364/.462/.636) with a pair of extra-base hits to open the regular season’s final week.

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Matt Wilkinson (SP, Lake County): ND, 5.2 IP, 5 H 2 R (1 earned), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 Pickoff - The bright lights of September minor league ball (and, yes, this was a playoff environment in Dayton, with an announced attendance over 8,000) didn’t seem to faze Tugboat too badly. Despite some control issues, he came within one out of a quality start in his professional postseason debut. This is even more impressive because he was drafted out of Juco ball and doesn’t have the amateur high-pressure environment experience of an SEC or ACC alum.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Micah Pries (backup 1B, Columbus): 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI - Pries, who entered the lineup when George Valera left the game with an injury from a leaping catch attempt in the second inning, had the Clippers’ only multi-hit performance of the team’s final home series opener of the season.

Estevan Florial (DH, Columbus): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - speaking of the second frame, Florial hit a two-run homer to right center i the bottom of the inning (343 feet, 101.2 exit velo) to give the Clip Show a short-lived lead.

Nic Enright (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K - Enright remains unscored upon in 13.1 innings since coming off a season-opening IL stint on August 30.

Tyresse Turner (LF, Akron): 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B - Turner's Double-A batting average and OPS are back over .300 and .800, respectively (.303 and .829) after his second straight two-hit game with an extra-base hit.

Kahlil Watson (2B, Akron): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - Watson only had one hit last night, but it was a clutch one as his seventh-inning solo shot gave the Mallards of Main Street the lead for good.

Tommy Mace (SP, Akron): ND, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 earned), 2 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K, 1 HR allowed - Mace opened the ‘Ducks’ final two-start week of the season with a masterpiece of damage limitation.

Jacob Cozart (C, Lake County): 2-4, 2 RBI - Cozart not only had the only multi-hit performance of Game 1 for the Captains, but also drove in the go-ahead run and an insurance tally that would ultimately prove game-winning to cap off a dramatic ninth-inning rally.

Ralphy Velazquez (1B, Lake County): 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB,1 K - Velazquez, who was also the only other other Captain to reach twice on Tuesday night in Dayton, drove in the tying run earlier in the ninth on a line-drive double to right.

Angel Genao (SS, Lake County): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E - Genao opened the scoring in Game 1 (and, according to MiLB’s Twitter account, the entire High-A postseason) with a solo blast to right center on the game’s second plate appearance.

Shawn Rapp (RP, Lake County): S, 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Even with a pair of strikeouts, Rapp only needed eight pitches, seven of them strikes, to pick up the save after relieving Matt Jachec, who had a rough start to the bottom of the ninth.