Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 10/18-19/24


Arthur Kinney and Justin Lada
Oct 20, 2024

Arizona Fall League - Surprise Saguaros 7, Scottsdale Scorpions 6
Venezuelan League - Leones del Caracas 6, Tigres de Aragua 4
GUARDIANS PROSPECTS
Chase DeLauter (DH, Surprise): 2-4, 1B, BB, RBI - DeLauter was the DH for a fourth time this AFL season and had a 96 mph single and a 109 mph lineout 337 feet. Remember, AFL results don’t matter, but batted ball data is something you can always take something away from. And the Guardians need someone who can hit the ball hard consistently like DeLauter. The same way DeLauter needs two healthy legs consistently.

Milan Tolentino (2B, Surprise - 10/18): 2-4, 2 R, 1 K, 1 SB - Tolentino scored twice for the fourth time this fall, including each of his last three games, as,he extended his season-opening on-base streak to eight games with a pair of singles, including one in the Saguaros’ three-run top of the ninth rally.

Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.


Subscribed

Milan Tolentino (3B, Surprise - 10/19): 1-3 2 RBI, BB - Tolentino has also done a good job hitting the ball hard in his chances as well and is playing all over the diamond.

Kody Huff (C, Surprise): 1-2, 2B, RBI, 2B SB - Huff is getting much needed experience in the AFL after skipping High-A in 2024, which is rare but he was older for the level when Cleveland acquired him. And he’s had some moments so far in the AFL.

Zak Kent (SP, Surprise): ND, 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 1 WP, 2 K - Kent's second outing of the fall was a significant improvement over his AFL debut in terms of run prevention, albeit with a markedly lower strikeout rate.

Dylan DeLucia (RP, Surprise): BS (1), 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R (all earned), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR allowed - DeLucia's autumnal struggles continued on Friday night. After working out of trouble in the fifth and stranding a Scorpion on second in the sixth, he allowed a quartet of tallies in the seventh and was pulled following a leadoff single in the eighth. He has now allowed nine earned runs in only 5.1 innings. This AFL campaign looks to be largely an exercise in knocking off rust for Dylan.

Alexfri Planez (starting RF, Aragua): 1-2, 1 R - Planez continued his pattern of alternating one-hit and hitless games through his first five appearances of the Venezuelan campaign. Although, in this case, his quest for a multi-hit performance was short-circuited by his getting pinch-hit for in the sixth.

BA listing of best changeups in the minors includes Parker Messick, who peaked at Akron this summer; and fellow lefty Jackson Humprhies in low A

Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians
Swinging Strike Rate: 29.5%

A star for Florida State as a collegiate, Messick has continued to experience success as a professional. Over 26 starts split between High-A and Double-A, Messick pitched to a 2.83 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 1.14 WHIP with 165 strikeouts against 44 walks across 133.2 innings. Messick’s fastball sits just 91-93 mph, but he generates an above-average amount of ride for his release height, helping the pitch play up. Messick’s changeup is his primary secondary pitch, and he uses it effectively, generating lots of swings (56.4%) and chases (45.2%). He has around a nine mph delta between his average fastball and his changeup, and he gets good vertical separation with more than three degrees between his fastball vertical approach angle and his changeup.

Jackson Humphries, LHP, Guardians
Swinging Strike Rate: 27%

A high school lefthander the Guardians signed in the 8th round of the 2022 draft for $600,000, Humphries had his best season as a professional in 2024, making 23 starts for Low-A Lynchburg and striking out 29.1% of batters faced. Humphries still struggles with command, however, and he walked 12.3% of batters, which led to some struggles at times. Humphries’ fastball sits 89-90 mph but has above-average vertical break from a higher release point. While Humphries’ changeup doesn’t have much vertical separation off the fastball, it does have a nearly 10 mph difference in velocity and 14-15 inches of armside run. This allowed Humphries to generate a ton of whiffs against the pitch, generating them at a rate of 67.2% of all swings. fellow lef

on Saturday: DeLauter 2 singles and a walk still only DHing
Tolentino 1 single 1 walk 2 rbi
None of our relievers got into the game
Scorpions were off Sunday and Monday

BA likes our International Signing class, rated among the top 8

8 Teams With Strong Returns From Their 2024 International Signing Classes
CLE listed fourth

Cleveland Guardians
Venezuelan shortstop Gabriel Rodriguez signed for $500,000 and ranked second in the DSL in OBP by hitting .269/.506/.398 in 163 plate appearances. Rodriguez is an extremely patient hitter—to the point where he could be a little more aggressive—with good bat control from a short, quick lefthanded stroke. He’s a smart, instinctive player with good actions on both sides of the ball, though he will need to get stronger to be able to do more damage on contact.

The Guardians also got a big year from Venezuelan outfielder Juneiker Caceres, who hit .340/.425/.504 in 167 plate appearances with a 10.8% strikeout rate. That’s from a player who only turned 17 on August 15, so he played nearly the entire DSL season as a 16-year-old. Caceres showed some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the DSL this year, using an aggressive approach but rarely swinging and missing at stuff in the strike zone. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Caceres isn’t that big and mostly played the outfield corners, but there’s surprising power for his size despite not homering, as evidenced by consistent high exit velocities that reached 108 mph.

Cleveland’s top bonus signing this year, Dominican center fielder Robert Arias, got $1.9 million and is another high-contact lefthanded hitter. Arias hit .247/.367/.347 in 180 plate appearances—not the most exciting slash line—but he struck out in just 8.3% of his trips to the plate. He has a keen eye for the strike zone and good bat control of an unconventional swing, something he might have to adjust and add strength to in order to do more damage against better pitching. He’s an above-average runner with a plus arm.

not very busy day for our kids in Arizona
Tolentino pinch ran
Abney faced two hitters
that's it

Arizona League Thursday

DeL DH 3 1 0 1 2 walks 1 K
Tolentino at 2nd base 2 1 0 0 2 walks 1 k
Misiaszak 2 baters faced and retired

laska Abney (RP, Surprise): 0.1 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 0 Ks, HBP - Abney only needed one out when he entered in the bottom of the sixth but allowed an inherited runner to score after a single and hit by pitch.

Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Subscribed

Milan Tolentino (PR, Surprise): 0-for-0 - Tolentino entered as a pinch runner and did not record an at-bat.

10/24

Kody Huff (1B, Surprise): 1-3, 2 BB, RBI - Huff had the hardest hit ball in this game at 106. That’s worth noting because when the Guardians received Huff as the return for a designated for assignment Cal Quantill last November, his calling card was his defense. Huff had some positive offensive results in Double-A this year and I’ve talked about how he skipped High-A. Most believe he’ll be a major league backup catcher defensively. But at least being capable of producing a decent top end exit velocity is something in his skill set makes him interesting

Chase DeLauter (DH, Surprise): 0-3, RBI, 2 BB, K - This was DeLauter’s fifth game of his second AFL campaign and he has been the DH in all five. Cleveland clearly doesn’t want to push his legs much but wants him to get the offensive reps. He had groundouts of 90 and 96 in this one, if you’re wondering. His strikeout was a 0-2 curveballs called, very much in the zone. So he clearly wasn’t expecting an 0-2 curve for some reason. In his first walk, he took two borderline pitches for balls. His second walk, all four balls were non-competitive pitches. He missed at least two pitches in the zone that looked like he should have taken advantage of, none of which were high end velocities which is what we’re waiting to see how he performs against and he probably won’t see in the AFL anyway.

Milan Tolentino (2B, Surprise): 0-2, 2 BB, K - Tolentino had three plate appearances where he didn’t have many competitive pitches thrown his way, including his four pitch walk and he only saw two strikes in his strikeout.

Andrew Misiaszek (RP, Surprise): 0.2 IP - The lefty was 90-91 and got a whiff on his slider and fastball each.

DeLauter doubled in a run gives him. 8 RBI in limited playing time
Tolentino struck out all 3 at bats

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 10/26-27/24
Arthur Kinney
Oct 28






READ IN APP

October 26
Arizona Fall League - Surprise Saguaros 5, Scottsdale Scorpions 2 (F/7 - Scheduled)
Venezuelan League - Tiburones de La Guaira 19, Águilas del Zulia 0
October 27
Venezuelan League - Tigres de Aragua 7, Navegantes del Magallanes 4
GUARDIANS PROSPECTS
Chase DeLauter (DH, Surprise - 9/26): 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K - DeLauter's “Fall of DHing” continued on Saturday with Chase doubling in leadoff hitter Creed Willems to open the scoring on Seven-Inning Saturday in the Arizona Fall League.

Milan Tolentino (SS, Surprise - 9/26): 0-3, 3 K - It took 13 games (an eternity in Fall League time), a seven-inning contest, and a hat trick of strikeouts, but Tolentino was kept off the basepaths for the first time this fall on Saturday. Nevertheless, this autumnal campaign remains a strong note for Milan to finish his 2024 on.

Aaron Bracho (PR-backup 1B, La Guaira - 9/26): 0-0, 1 BB - Bracho, who continues to see only limited late-game duty early in the Venezuelan season, has walked in both of his plate appearances in four games played so far.

Alexfri Planez (LF, Aragua - 9/27): 0-4, 1 RBI, 1 K - The only Guardians prospect to play on Sunday went hitless in a season-high four played appearances but drove in the final Tigre run of the day on an eighth-inning fielder's choice.

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 10/28/24
Matthew Kennell
Oct 29



Scoreboard:
Arizona Fall League - Mesa Solar Sox 13, Surprise Saguaros 7
Highlights:

Milan Tolentino (SS, Surprise): 1-for-5, RBI - Tolentino’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the first inning would be his lone hit of the day and in three of his four outs, he was unable to make contact in strikeouts.

Alaska Abney (RP, Surprise): 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 0 Ks - The right-hander was tasked with throwing the top of the seventh and a one-run game became a three-run Mesa advantage thanks to a single and homerun to begin his outing. There would be runners on second and third with one out before his Cleveland organizational teammate Tolentino picked him up with a fielder’s choice out at home to prevent another run from crossing the dish.

GUARDIANS PROSPECTS
Chase DeLauter (DH, Surprise): 1-3, 3BB, 2 SB - The biggest thing of note here is the two steals. I’ve talked plenty about how DeLauter hits the ball hard despite his unconventional swing. The walks are also inconsequential due to the lack of quality pitching in the AFL and minors (the data shows the walks were from non-competitive pitches that didn’t require serious discipline). But the steals are worth talking about because of DeLauter’s foot and hamstring issues. They’ve been very cautious only letting him DH to get reps and not playing the field. But letting him test his legs out stealing is what you would like to be an encouraging sign of the health of his feet/hamstring. And he was successful twice. I’m not going to trust it as a long term side, but it’s a sign of where he’s at right now and maybe taking some of the restrictions off. But it’s hard to trust his long term health until he proves otherwise over the course of a full season.

Well stated

I'm ready to find the Rule 5 draft-eligibles to see who we need to protect this winter; decisions are due in 2 weeks.

Didn't yet find a full list but discussion at one site notes
Those most likely to be protected in bold:
Starters LH Doug Nikhazy who reached AAA and had a good season ,
LH Ryan Webb, who excelled in Arizona Fall League in 23 had a good 24 in Akron and after promotion to Columbus
LH Will Dion who reached AAA and had a bad season
RH Aaron, Davenport who had his best year in 2024 at Akron
RH Dan Denholm, who had a good year in Lake County and was promoted to Akron
Relievers:
Franco Aleman who had a great 2023, a good spring training with the G's but then was hurt and miissed of this summr. looked good when he returned
NIck Enright good stats, missed much of AAA season
Nick Mikolajchak similar comments

OF W Antunez slowly progressing through the system
OF Petey Halpin high draft pick, 2 years in Akron, good defender, not making a lot of noise at bat
LH Tommy Mace high draft but not particularly effective
RH Boone, slow tosser

39 on the roster now, a couple pretty noncontroversial DFAs loom for Pete Strzelak and Connor Gillespie. Perhaps nontender to Karinchak. McKenzie too? I doubt it.