Cleveland Sports Forum

Cleveland Guardians 1st Round Pick: Travis Bazzana- 2b

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 15

Age: 21.9; Ht: 6’0; Wt: 199
Bats: Left; Throws: Right
Rankings:
BA- 2
MLB- 1
WH- 2 overall
Analysis:

The Guardians pop the first second baseman first overall, Cleveland's first number 1 selection ever. Speaking of firsts, he could be the first player from the 2024 draft class to reach MLB. Bazzana represents an impressive combination of work ethic, baseball IQ and sheer determination to succeed. The native Australian is as polished as they come with the potential to move quickly. Bazzana worked this past off-season to optimize his swing in an effort to maximize his power productivity to pull side. He displays an advanced approach with elite contact skills and zone awareness. Defensively, there's opportunity for growth and the assets and desire to improve his game. Physically, Bazzana has a mature, strong athletic frame. The offield presence and preparation extenuates the on field production making him a potential multi-time All-Star talent. His combined athleticism and aforementioned offield attributes could help him transition to the outfield if the club makes that move.

Hit 60
Power 55/60 raw
Speed 60
Arm 45
Glove 50


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Cleveland Guardians CBA Pick: Braylon Doughty- RHSP

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 15

Age: 18.6; Ht: 6’1; Wt: 196
Throws: Right
Rankings:
BA 47
MLB 36
WH- 25-40

Analysis:

Doughty, a smaller framed athletic right-hander possesses a four-pitch blend. He displays a clean and quick short arm path from a three-quarters slot and the ability to throw strikes. The soon-to-be former Oklahoma State commit features a 92-95 mph heater that touches 97. He spins a power curveball in the low 80s with elite spin rates exceeding 3,000 rpm. Doughty pairs that with a slider in the low-to-mid 80s with two-plane movement. The Southern California native rounds out his repertoire with a developing change-up. What Doughty lacks in physical projection he offsets with advanced preparation.

Fastball: 55
Curveball: 60
Slider: 55
Change-up: 45
Command: 50


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Cleveland Guardians 2nd Round Pick: Jacob Cozart- C

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 15

Age: 21.5; Ht: 6’3; Wt: 222
Rankings:
BA- 44
MLB- 42
WH- Round 2 (top-50 pick)

Analysis:

Jacob Cozart has an impressive track record, with a strong Cape Cod performance in 2022. He followed that up with another strong showing with Team USA in 2023 and he was instrumental for North Carolina State throughout their 2024 College World Series run. Cozart is considered a leader and is a reputable hard worker behind the dish. Defensively, his framing needs polish but he steals strikes and shows off a strong throwing arm, and controls the run game well. Offensively, Cozart needs to add more physicality to drive the ball and mitigate chasing breaking pitches. He offsets his chase issues with plate discipline and willingness to take a free pass. Cozart exhibits average power with above-average raw power to pull side. Overall, there's potential for a fringe everyday starter with a reputation built on his defense-first approach and touch of power at the plate.

Hit: 45
Power: 50/55 raw
Speed: 30
Glove: 50
Arm: 55

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round 8: Donovan Zsak LHP Rutgers No mlb.com write up since he wasn't on their top 250; he was pick 235
round 9 Sean Matson RHP Harvard: No mlb.com write up for the same reason. We drafted a Harvard reliever last year; Jay Driver, on Lynchurg; good ERA walks too many
round 10: Chase Mobley Here's a guy who's apparently a tough sign: Chase Mobley a HS RHP, who is the MLB No. 80 prospect, a Florida State commit 6-5 205 17 year old. Drafted no, 295
"Mobley screams projection with plenty of now stuff to interest scouts. He's growing into a plus fastball, a heater that has crept up to touching 99 mph early in outings this spring. He lives in the 92-93 range and it features more movement than carry because of a slightly lower slot. He has both a curve and slider and they can blur into each other at times with the latter likely the best option in the future. He can get on the side of it at times so his breaking stuff can be inconsistent. He has a solie split-changeup with some depth"

Baseball America Draft Analysis: Five Compelling 2024 MLB Draft Classes Through Day 2

First on the list:

Cleveland Guardians

Draft Class Summary: High-volume, high-upside preps to complement an elite hitter
Round Pick Player Position School BA Rank
1 1 Travis Bazzana 2B Oregon State 2
1s 36 Braylon Doughty RHP Chaparral HS, Temecula, Calif. 47
2 48 Jacob Cozart C NC State 44
3 84 Joey Oakie RHP Ankeny (Iowa) Centennial HS 49
4 113 Rafe Schlesinger LHP Miami 148
5 146 Aidan Major RHP West Virginia 108
6 175 Caden Favors LHP Wichita State NR
7 205 Cameron Sullivan RHP Mt. Vernon (Ind.) HS 106
8 235 Donovan Zsak LHP Rutgers 294
9 265 Sean Matson RHP Harvard 290
10 295 Chase Mobley RHP Durant HS, Plant City, Fla. 84

The Guardians picked first in the draft, but perhaps more importantly, owned a record $18,334,000 bonus pool, which can be pushed all the way to $19,250,700 if the team decides to go to the full 5% overage (which they did in 2023).

After drafting the No. 2 ranked player on the board in Travis Bazzana with their first selection, the Guardians proceeded to load up on a trio of top-50 picks with their next three picks, including a pair of high-upside prep righthanders in Braylon Doughty and Joey Oakie. Both pitchers stand out for their tremendous feel to spin the baseball, with Doughty earning plus grades on his slider and curveball, and Oakie earning plus grades on his slider.

Later on day two, the Guardians added two more high school righthander viewed as top-four-round talents in Cameron Sullivan and Chase Mobley. Both have fastballs that get into the upper 90s but might need to add a bit more command and control.

With just two hitters selected, it was one of the most pitcher-heavy drafts the Guardians have had in years. Even so, there’s still much more impact on the position player side simply because Cleveland has never had access to the sort of upside and talent Bazzana provides.

My assumption is that Cleveland will create some savings from the first pick and with senior sign Caden Favors—a lefthanded pitcher who who was on our top 100 college senior sign list—in order to ink each of their pricy, upside prep arms.

Pleased with the influx of needed pitching depth. A little surprised but not disappointed that the best pitchers picked are high school kids who are nowhere ready for the majors although they're superior talents.

This means that the front office must seriously be planning on trading for major league arms with [as noted yesterday] middle infield depth as key trade offerings.

There's going to be a big shakeup in the team's top prospect list by the end of the season

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Guardians broke their streak of drafting eight straight pitchers when they selected shortstop Garrett Howe in the 11th round to start the third day of MLB’s draft.

But it did not take them long to get back on track when they selected right-hander Sean Heppner from the University of British Columbia. The 6-3, 220 pounder went 6-2 with a 4.79 ERA in 71 1/3 innings in 14 starts. He struck out 107, walked 30 and allowed 30 hits. The opposition hit .222 against him.

Howe, playing for Samford University, hit .369 (68 for 194) with 18 doubles, two triples, eight homers and 44 RBI as a four-year player. He scored 73 runs, walked 30 times and struck out 35 times. He posted a .457 onbase percentage.

The Guardians in the 13th round drafted Bennett Thompson, a catcher from the University of Oregon. Thompson is the second catcher they’ve taken in the draft. They selected NC State catcher Jacob Cozart as their second round pick on Sunday night.

Thompson hit .286 (48 for 168) with eight doubles, three triples, three homers and 24 RBI this year for the Ducks. He moved into the starter’s job at the end of the 2023 season. His uncle Jason Thompson played in the big leagues from 1976 to 1986.

Round 14: Ryan Cesarini our first OF of the draft St.Joseph's of PA
Round 15: Connor Whittaker RHP from Florida State
Round 16: Jacob Remily 18 year old Hawaii high school RHP 6-6. At this point in the draft, high school picks are usually guys not expected to sign but worth a flyer
Round 17: Ryan McGuire RHP Georgia Tech
Round 18: Izaak Martinez LHP U of San Diego

pre-draft writeups available for these picks:

round 11: Garrett Howe has been a reliable contributor and mainstay in the middle infield for Samford over the past four seasons, but in 2024 as a senior he had a breakout offensive season where he set career highs in each triple slash category. He hit .373/489/.585 with eight home runs and 17 doubles with an 11.7% strikeout rate and 16.2% walk rate. He makes a ton of contact and also doesn’t expand the zone frequently and could be a nice senior sign target given those skills and his middle infield defensive profile.

round 13: Bennett Thompson is a 5-foot-10, 196-pound catcher who hit extremely well for Oregon in parts of two seasons in 2022 and 2023. In his first full season for the Ducks in 2024 his offensive numbers back up a bit, as he slashed .281/.386/.431 with less power than he had flashed in each of the previous two seasons. Thompson has a pull-heavy approach at the plate and generally stays within the strike zone on his swing decisions and rarely misses a fastball, but he profiles as a bottom-of-the-order type bat. He did an excellent job controlling the run game in 2024 and threw out 9-of-19 (47.4%) base stealers with a compact arm action and solid arm strength. He has the actions to stick behind the plate with solid mobility and hands and will need to be an above-average defender at the position to make up for his offensive questions. Thompson has a fairly extensive history in wood bat summer leagues but never did much to impress in that capacity beyond putting up solid strikeout and walk rates.

Round 17: McGuire is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound righthander who pitched in 18 games as a freshman with Georgia Tech in 2022. He got hit around a bit but posted a solid 36:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio before missing most of the 2023 season with elbow surgery. Back healthy in 2024, McGuire is pitching in a starting role and has shown a solid fastball/changeup combination. He sits in the 90-94 mph range and has touched 96, but his changeup is at least an above-average pitch and has a chance to be plus. It’s his go-to secondary pitch and features solid arm-side fading life though he can spray the pitch at times. McGuire struggles to spin the ball and has experimented with a slider, curveball and cutter.

Cleveland Guardians 3rd Round Pick: Joey Oakie - RHSP

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 16

Joey Oakie- RHSP Ankeny Centennial HS, IA
Age: 18.2
Ht: 6’3
Wt: 205

Rankings:
• BA- 49
• MLB- 46
• WH- 30-50 (CBA to mid-2)

Analysis:
Joey Oakie was the Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year. The right-hander possesses a strong, lean, projectable athletic frame. There is room for added strength and better command. Oakie utilizes a short, quick low three-quarters, he's a near-side armer. Stuff-wise there's a high spin 92-94 mph fastball that touches 97. With potential physical strength gains and natural maturation, there could be a tick more velocity to unlock His best pitch is a filthy two-plane breaking slider with the potential to become a double plus pitch. His slider, currently a plus pitch, posts spin rates over 2,800 rpm coming in at 83-86 mph. Oakie rounds out his four-pitch mix with an underdeveloped firm changeup and little-used cutter. However, the natural movement and spin on his pitches do not come without cost, his command waivers as a result. Overall, the (young for the draft class) right-hander projects as a mid-rotation type of arm with a back-of-the-bullpen floor.

Future Projection:
Fastball- 55
Slider- 60
Change- 45
Cutter- 45
Command- 45


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Cleveland Guardians 4th Round Pick: Rafe Schlesinger- LHP

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 16

Rafe Schlesinger- LHP Miami
Age: 21.5
Ht: 6’3
Wt: 200

Rankings:
BA- 148
MLB- 147
WH- Round 4-5

Analysis:
Rafe Schlesinger is a former reliever turned starter in his third and final season at Miami. The New York native showed significant improvement this spring going from an upper-80s to low-90s fastball to sitting in the low-90s (92-93) and touching 97 mph with his heater. He is a pitch-to-contact pitcher with sidearm action with run on his fastball and natural sweeping action on his mid-80s slider. He pairs these with a little used mid-80s change-up. Schlesinger generates natural deception from his side arm action creating a low approach angle and arm side run. There's potential for a backend starter here if he adds more strength and his secondaries step up another level. However, his outcome could be a leverage reliever with ground ball tendencies and the potential for an uptick in his velocity.

Future Projection:
Fastball- 50
Slider- 50
Changeup- 45
Command- 45


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Cleveland Guardians 5th Round Pick: Aidan Major- RHSP

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 16

Aidan Major- RHSP West Virginia
Age: 21.2
Ht: 5'11
Wt: 200

Rankings:
• BA- 108
• MLB- 245
• WH- Rounds 3-5

Analysis:
Aidan Major has a diverse array of pitches paired with experience as both a reliever and starting pitcher. He sustained an elbow injury during the 2024 College World Series resulting in Tommy John surgery. Major is maxed out physically. On the mound, Major exhibits a quick arm path with an inverted W arm swing progressing through with a three-quarters delivery. His arsenal features a 93-95 mph heater that touches 96-97 mph with 20 inches of arm side run. Major rounds out his five-pitch mix with an upper-80s hard cutter, a mid-80s two-plane breaking slider, a mid-80s change-up, and a mid-70s curveball he retired for 2024. Once, healthy Major likely works as a multi-inning reliever with the potential for some leverage use.

Future Projections:
Fastball- 55
Slider- 50
Cutter- 50
Change-up- 50
Command- 40


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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 7/15/24

MATTHEW KENNELL

JUL 16

Scoreboard:

ACL - White Sox 8, Guardians 2 (F/7)
DSL - CLE Mendoza vs LAD Mega (CANCELED - rain)
DSL - CLE Goryl 8, Brewers 1 5

Highlights:

Luis De La Cruz (LF, DSL Goryl): 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 2Bs, SB - The 17-year-old De La Cruz went for three hits on Monday and came around to score all three times he reached base. His two doubles put him in scoring position before the next hitter took to the batter’s box, but a steal of home in the first inning allowed the Goryl squad to steal a run that otherwise would not have scored. In his first professional season, De La Cruz has now recorded a three-hit game in twice in his last seven.

Notable Performances:

Logun Clark (C, ACL Guardians): 1-for-3, R, HR, 3 RBIs - Clark succeeded in breaking up the shutout in the final scheduled inning with a two-run homerun, his third of the 2024 season. All three have come in the last seven games played for the 21-year-old.

Welbyn Francisca (SS, ACL Guardians): 1-for-3, R, 2 DPs - After the first 19 batters were sat down in order for the ACL Guardians, Francisca was able to break up the opposing perfect game in the final scheduled inning with a single through the middle. The late hit extended his on-base streak to 15 straight games.

Miguel Flores (SP, DSL Goryl): 4.0 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BBs, 5 Ks, PO, WP - Flores had to work around traffic in all four innings pitched, but he was able to limit the damage in his final frame by leaving a pair of runners stranded in scoring position. In total, the southpaw struck out five, his average in an appearance for the year.

Moises Molero (CF, DSL Goryl): 2-for-4, RBI - After having not had a multi-hit game in 2024, Molero has now done in it consecutive contests, highlighted by a run-scoring single in the midst of a three-run eighth.

Reiner Herrera (1B-C, DSL Goryl): 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BBs, DP - Herrera reached base three times in the game and had the make the transition from first base to catcher defensively.

Jhorvic Abreus (3B, DSL Goryl): 1-for-3, R, RBI, BB, CS - Abreus has struggled tremendously in the month of July but a homerun recently and now he got on base twice with an RBI single in the third.


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This could be a great draft. The chances that Bazzana fails are pretty slim. And there are a whole collection of impressive pitchers for the Factory to get to work on.

Cleveland Guardians 6th Round Pick: Caden Favors- LHSP

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 17

Caden Favors- LHSP Wichita State

Age: 22.9
Ht: 6’3
Wt: 205

Rankings:
BA- not ranked
MLB- not ranked
WH- Rounds 11-15 (senior sign)
Future Stars Series- 365

Analysis:
Caden Favors is a versatile lefty with experience starting and relieving. The Oklahoma native started his collegiate career at Seminole State Community College before transferring to Wichita State for his last three seasons. Favors spent the last two summers pitching in the Northwoods League.

On the mound, Favors exhibits a short arm action paired with a three-quarters delivery generating natural extension above 6.5 feet. His arsenal features a 4-seamer, and 2-seamer/sinker at near identical low-90s velocities and spin rates near or above 2,700 rpm. Favors showcases an upper-70s curveball with spin rates around 2,800 rpm, an upper-80s slider with spin rates above 2,800 rpm, and a low-80s change-up with spin rates around 1,800 rpm. The package of five pitches and average command could create a viable path to develop as a starter with hopes he can add velocity.

https://x.com/TJStats/status/1812990742 ... VhygA&s=19


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Cleveland Guardians 7th Round Pick, 2024 MLB Draft: RHP Cameron Sullivan

WILLIE HOOD

JUL 17

Cameron Sullivan- RHP Mt. Vernon HS, IN
Age: 18.2
Ht: 6’2
Wt: 200

Rankings:
BA- 106
MLB- 118
WH- Rounds 3-5

Analysis:
Cam Sullivan exhibits a power arsenal comprised of four average or better pitches. He's a good student and displays an athletic frame. The soon-to-be former Notre Dame commit has a high spin 92-95 mph fastball that touches 97 mph. His best secondary is a high spin (2,700-2,900 rpm) slider. Sullivan complements his primary pitches with an upper-80s to low-90s cutter and a heavy upper-80s to low-90s change-up. There's effort in his delivery and movement on his pitches that impact his command. Sullivan has potential as a starter but could end up in a relief role long-term.

Future Projection:
Fastball- 60
Slider- 60
Cutter- 50
Change-up- 50
Command- 45

https://x.com/tyler_kotila/status/18129 ... lZUMQ&s=19


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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 7/16/24

What All-Star Break?

ARTHUR KINNEY

JUL 17

Scoreboard

ACL - Guardians 9, Angels 1
DSL - Rojos 3, Guardians Mendoza 0 (F/7 - sched.)
DSL - Guardians Goryl 6, Astros Blue 4

REHAB

Matthew Boyd (SP, ACL): ND, 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R (unearned), 1 BB, 7 K - Boyd was unsurprisingly dominant in his Guardians organization debut. Look for his next appearance to come at a non-complex affiliate as this outing may only have happened in Goodyear due to all of the ticket-selling affiliates being on the All-Star Break.

Shawn Rapp (RP, ACL): 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K - Not to be lost in all of the Hoopla of Boyd’s Major League Rehab debut was Boyd’s first official action of the 2024 campaign in this Minor League Rehab effort. Since he is on the Lake County 60-day, his stint will, by rule, continue in the ACL until he is ready to rejoin the Captains.

HIGHLIGHTS

Welbyn Francisca (SS, ACL): 4-5, 1 R, 1 2B, Picked Off 1 time - This four-hit effort extended his on-base streak to 16 games and his hit streak to seven. Given those streaks, it’s not surprising that he is slashing .477/.521/.682 in July. Even in the desert, those numbers are astronomical!

Luis Merejo (1B, ACL): 3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K - Merejo has been even more consistent recently than Francisca, with this three-hit Tuesday giving him a 21-game on-base streak. His July numbers are also stratospheric at .393/.595/.571 with his active four-game multi-base streak resulting in an otherworldly .533/.650/.800 slash during that stretch!

Heribert Silva (LF, ACL): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - While Silva struggled through May and June (.176/.311/.314), possibly due to the adjustment of coming stateside, July has been a different story, with multiple trips to the basepaths in four of his games so far this month - punctuated last night by his first three-RBI game since his official US debut on May 4) - resulting in a .333/.409/.500 slash.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Yerlin Luis (RF, ACL): 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 CS, 1 Outfield Assist - Hopefully, this two-hit night is the start of a long-term turnaround from his 2-for-33 slump.

Jogly Garcia (RP, ACL): S (1), 4 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K - Garcia, normally a starter, picked up his first professional save as the bulk guy on a night when his usual innings were taken by rehab efforts.

Pedro Dalmagro (C, DSL Mendoza): 1-3 - Only one of the three Mendoza hitters with a double-digit on-base streak played on Tuesday, with Dalmagro extending his to 15 games.

Jose Marcano (2B, DSL Mendoza): 1-3, 1 K - Speaking of streaks, Marcano extended the team’s longest active hit streak to eight games.

Algeni Mejia (RP, DSL Mendoza): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB< 6 K - Mejia’s six strikeouts barely edged out his five Ks on June 24 (also against the Rojos at the Reds Academy) for his season high, with those two outings accounting for eleven of his 18 strikeouts this season.

Jonaikel Meza (RP, DSL Mendoza): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R )unearned), 1 BB, 3 K - Meza, who wasn’t even signed until April 1 of this year, rebounded from allowing his first professional earned run last Monday with this one-hit, three strikeout effort.

Luis De La Cruz (RF, DSL Goryl): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 K - De La Cuz’s two-hit effort was the only multi-hit performance of the day from either of the Guards’ DSL affiliates.

Yeiferth Castillo (CF, DSL Goryl): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 SF, 1 K - Castillo resumed normal service on Tuesday following a pir of hitlees days with a hit and an RBI to continue a stellar rookie campaign which has seen him slash .368/.452/.447 for the season and .375/.382/.406 for the month.

Erigaldi Perez (SP, DSL Goryl): ND, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 E - After a rough June (9.24 ERA with at least two earned runs allowed in each of four starts), Perez returned to the mound after a twenty-day absence and opened his July by allowing only one hit over three shutout frames.

Alejandro Rivera (RP, DSL Goryl): W (2-0), 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - Rivera, who came into the game in the fourth following a rain delay in the top of the frame, extended his scoreless streak to six outings (eleven innings) and lowered his ERA to 1.06.


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More Keith Law:

Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians picked first, and I think they did well, taking the No. 2 player on my board in second baseman Travis Bazzana (1), who offers more probability than the guy I ranked ahead of him, outfielder Charlie Condon, and earned some of the highest plaudits for his makeup that I’ve ever heard. He was born and raised in Australia, playing in the Australian Baseball League as a teenager against much older competition, then jumping to Oregon State, where he raked for three years, including a .407/.568/.911 line this spring with 28 homers, more than he hit in his first two years for the Beavers combined. He hits the ball hard all the time, with excellent batted-ball metrics to back up his production. He’s limited to second base or the outfield, though, so the Guardians may eventually have to shift him to left. The savings they’ll probably get relative to the slot value allowed the Guardians to nab four high-ceiling high school arms with subsequent picks, which is probably the best way to approach that high-risk demographic — going for volume.


Travis Bazzana has the highest probability of meeting his ceiling in the class. (Jordan Prather / USA Today)
The Guardians came back with high school right-hander Braylon Doughty (CBA), who can really spin the ball and might have a plus curveball in the near future, working now with a low- to mid-90s two-seamer and a sweeper-style slider. I said before the draft I’d like to see him go to a traditional slider to give him a different look from the curveball, and he will need to develop his changeup. He’s only six feet tall and doesn’t have a ton of projection, but he also may not need it.

North Carolina State catcher Jake Cozart (2) had a breakout year and finished extremely strongly against good competition in the NCAA tournament. He’s a definite catcher who can show above-average power, even the other way, but chases offspeed stuff out of the zone too often.

Iowa prep right-hander Joey Oakie (3) will probably come in over-slot, as he’s one of the top high school arms in the class and had a strong commitment to the University of Iowa. He came out strong this year, 93-97 with a plus slider, but after some overuse his velocity tapered off to 91-92 and he had more trouble throwing strikes. He’s typically a low three-quarters guy with strong metrics on the fastball and the delivery, but more effort. He raised his slot a little this year, making the arm action cleaner but reducing the vertical approach angle that made him more appealing. Cleveland is about as good an organization for him as you’ll find. They have the technology. They can make him better than he was. (This quote would work better if his bonus was $6 million.)

Miami sidearming left-hander Rafe Schlesinger (4) moved into the Hurricanes’ rotation this year with disastrous results, including a 5.83 ERA and 107 hits allowed in 78 2/3 innings. He’s fastball/slider, using the breaker even more than the fastball to lefties, with a changeup he only uses against righties. This year he didn’t get hitters on either side out enough to matter. His arm slot makes it almost impossible for him to start, as right-handers will always have a huge advantage hitting against him.

West Virginia right-hander Aidan Major (5) moved from the bullpen to the Friday night role, but after some very heavy usage, including starts of 119 and 124 pitches, his UCL tore and he will probably need Tommy John surgery. He did continue to pitch intermittently, but his control was badly diminished. He’s been up to 97 but it’s a straight, lower-quality fastball. His upper-80s changeup has great fading action and is his best pitch, ahead of a short slider that’s only moderately effective against right-handers. It’s a relief profile with his fastball and short stature, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cleveland retool his repertoire once he’s healthy, perhaps adding a two-seamer.

Right-hander Cameron Sullivan (7) is 92-95 with at least a 55 slider that shows tight spin and some late tilt. The Indiana prep could really benefit from some delivery help as he’s athletic but doesn’t get down the mound that well nor does he finish much out front to get some better extension from his 6-2 frame. He’s still got some projection and definitely fits Cleveland’s archetype for pitching prospects. Sullivan was committed to Notre Dame and will almost certainly come in well over slot.

Rutgers left-hander Donovan Zsak (8) is a redshirt freshman who turned 21 two days before the draft began, so he’s eligible after just one year of performance where he struck out 39 and walked 20 in 35 innings for the Scarlet Knights. He throws almost all fastballs, 92-95, touching 99, with a curveball as his main secondary pitch and a changeup he only uses to right-handers. He’s probably just a one-inning reliever but he’s pitched so little that there could be something else here.

Right-hander Sean Matson (9) was born in Wilmington and went to Harvard, so obviously he’s going to be a superstar. Or a reliever, as he’s just 88-90 from a high slot as a starter with a slurvy breaking ball and some effort to the delivery. Right-hander Chase Mobley (10) will be another over-slot guy, as the Florida prep was committed to Florida State. He’s 6-6 but comes from a low three-quarters slot that reminds me of Eury Pérez’s delivery, getting up to 99 with two-seam life but struggling to hold the velocity or command his curveball. I think he may benefit from a slider given his arm slot.

sorry we have no comment on the no 10 pick Chase Mobley who was another top 100 prospect high schooler. This report doesn't like all of the pitchers but we can be sure they wont all succeed. Braylon Doughty and Joey Oakie are the main 2 we can hope for good things from. At least let's hope neither rips up a crucial tenor or ligament right off the bat.

I note that a couple of weeks ago the Guardians released Carson Tucker, perhaps their least successful 1sr round draft pick ever.
I found the notice on Lynchburg transaction listing for July 3.
Carson Tucker signed to a $2,000,000 contract in 2020.
Another post:
This seems to have slipped under the radar, and understandably so: Cleveland released their 2020 1st Round Pick (23rd) Carson Tucker on July 3rd. If I recall he was a bit of a reach at the time to save bonus pool money. Despite that, it’s still disappointing that he never played a full season, nor even made it to Lake County. With that said, I still generally trust our draft process for the most part. Just wanted to see other opinions
Apparently he was hurt most of the time, unless there was some other issue. His minmal career stats are:

Year Age AgeDif Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB
2021 19 -0.9 Indians ACL Rk CLE 6 25 20 6 3 0 0 1 3 1 1 5 4 .150 .320 .300 .620 6 0 0 0 0 0
2022 20 -0.8 Lynchburg CAR CLE 38 136 117 12 16 5 1 1 9 5 0 18 55 .137 .257 .222 .480 26 3 1 0 0 0
2023 21 0.0 Lynchburg CAR CLE 29 108 95 9 19 3 0 1 5 2 0 11 42 .200 .296 .263 .560 25 0 2 0 0 0
All Levels (3 Seasons)

His analysis when drafted sounded promising:
Tucker is following in the footsteps of his brother, Cole, a first-round pick of the Pirates in 2014. The younger Tucker was under 6 feet during his junior season, but he has gotten taller and stronger. Not only has he grown bigger, but he’s also gotten a tick faster, with reports of plus run times. Tucker isn’t a flashy tools guy, but rather a steady ballplayer who makes the game look easy. He projects to be able to stay at shortstop as a reliable defender with an above-average, accurate arm that he knows when to unleash. Tucker should be able to hit, using an open stance with a swing that’s short to the ball and consistent. He overhauled his swing in the offseason by getting his body better in sync with a kickback/scissor approach, and the results showed in the few high school games he got to play this spring. It’s a line-drive stroke but with the potential to add more power with strength. While his business-like approach on the field can sometimes be misinterpreted as being more aloof compared to his brother’s obvious zeal, Tucker is engaged in the game and loves playing baseball. A Texas commit, Tucker could go off the board in the second round, and with few standout prep shortstops in the 2020 class, his all-around package could excite many teams.

CLE draftees following Tucker in that COVID year:
1A Tanner Burns, AAA reliever, not very effective
2 Logan Allen, the one we still have
3 Peter Halpin AA CF, marginal prospect
4 Milan Tolentino AA IF, had a done June-July for Akron
5 Mason Hickman Reliever recently demoted to Akron

Not a lot of major successes from that draft;
Jordan Westburg was a 1A pick. Colt Keith 5th round.
1st round picks, Crochet for the Sox; Kjiersted another Oriole;
No. 1 overall: can't miss hitter Spencer Torkelson, nearing age 25, career avg 218/296/386 . Signing bonus: $8.4 million.

Guardians: Joey Oakie, RHP (third round)
Oakie could have factored into the supplemental first round, but the Guardians used the spending power of their record $19,250,700 bonus pool to float him down to the third round. Gatorade's Iowa high school player of the year features one of the better sliders in the prep class, a mid-80s weapon with two-plane depth and horizontal action, and he achieves plenty of run and sink on a 92-94 mph two-seamer that touches 97.