Cleveland Sports Forum

BA Ranking the Spring Breakout Rosters:

6. Guardians
Top 100 prospects: 4

Notable stars: Travis Bazzana, Jaison Chourio, Angel Genao and Ralphy Velazquez

Intrigue factor: 70

Travis Bazzana, last year’s draft’s No. 1 overall pick, is the headliner for this roster. Jaison Chourio, Jackson’s younger brother, makes his second Spring Breakout appearance and was the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year. Angel Genao put up some of the more impressive numbers in the club’s lower levels in 2024.

Cleveland Guardians 4, Arizona Diamondbacks 0 (Statcast)
Starter

Juan Brito (2B): 0-3, 1K - Another rough game for Brito. This is now seven strikeouts this spring in 18 plate appearances. He’s still seeing 4.7 pitches per plate appearance, which isn’t bad, but for a player known for walks, plate discipline and pop, we haven’t seen any of that materialize this spring. He saw five in a groundout vs. Ryne Nelson, just three in a groundout vs. Gerado Gutierrez, and then took a called strike three vs. Christian Montes De Oca on five pitches. So 13 in three plate appearances 4.3 per at bat. Just feels like he’s pressing right now. The bat has to carry Brito’s profile, so if he’s not hitting, then there’s not much value being added and that seems to point to giving Gabriel Arias another look at second.
Relievers

Doug Nikhazy: 3IP, H, BB, 6K - Yet another impressive outing for Nikhazy. Now granted, he came on in the fifth inning against the backups on a Diamondbacks split squad roster. So let’s keep that in mind talking about Nikhazy here. But we’d be talking about concerns if he struggled against those backup minor league types if he wasn’t good. So dominating those types of hitters is all you can ask of him in this type of outing. But he continues to have a loud spring and maybe makes a case for a bullpen role, as one might be open. His fastball was still 90-92, which is typical for him now. But he also got six whiffs on the slider and two on the changeup, a good sign.

Ryan Webb: IP, BB 3K - A good spring debut for Ryan Webb on the major league side of things. The fastball remains light - 90-92, but he got some misses on that, the changeup and the slider in a solid effort.

2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: Just Missed
2025 Cleveland Guardians prospects 44-50 that just missed my rankings
Justin Lada


As I start my 2025 Cleveland Guardians prospect rankings and scouting reports, here are the players I didn’t choose to give full writeups to for one reason or another, which I explain, but I still think are worth writing about and could be MLB contributors in some role if things break right. Most of them I’m just waiting for health or one or two things to break right for them in 2025 or to improve in a particular area.


44. RHP Zane Morehouse
Why Morehouse Missed

Typically, it’s hard to rank relievers too high when you don’t know if they will be backend type arms. Morehouse has a long arm action and a history of questionable control, but it wouldn’t shock me if I swapped Morehouse and Ellerts on this list by August.


Why Morehouse is Interesting

He can run his fastball up to 97 at times and it has great riding life up in the zone when he does that. The slider is a late breaker that is a good second pitch. It looks like he has a splitter too and if Cleveland helps him master that pitch, along with the extension he gets, we could see a real breakout in 2025. He also moved around a lot in college and Cleveland is the first time in a long time where Morehouse has gotten the same coaching staff around him consistently, which has a big chance to help. I don’t want to predict Cade Smith, because he was the best reliever in baseball in 2025 but there’s some similarities here to what Smith was in 2023 that things could take shape in a similar way.

45. OF Ryan Cesarini
Why Cesarini Missed

Small school outfielder that has the build of a centerfielder with no projection left in his frame, but looks more like a corner. Need to see more ability to play centerfield or more of a bat to profile in a corner.
Why Cesarini is Interesting

Good bat control and zone awareness. Was sort of a hidden prospect at St. John’s. Had some interesting exit velos early in 2024. Should contribute something on the bases and could be a good defender in the corners at the least.

46. OF Tommy Hawke
Why Hawke Missed

Smaller framed player. Lacks power and projection. Might be more of a corner outfielder without power. Shows some passivity at the plate that might not be real patience or zone control. Might just be a fourth/fifth OF, akin to a Greg Allen.
Why Hawke is Interesting

Despite being passive, Hawk should be able to work at bats that way. Adds the element of speed both offensively and defensively. Good in the corners defensively. Spark plug type player at the top of the order.

47. RHP Justin Campbell
Why Campbell Missed

Two straight elbow surgeries and two missed full seasons drop him out of a full ranking for me. He has yet to make his pro debut. He won’t pitch until midway through 2025, at best, and is Rule 5 eligible this year.
Why Campbell is Interesting

At 6’7 with mid-90s fastball with ride and a plus changeup, Campbell was an interesting college pitcher with good stuff and supposedly advanced control. Time is ticking, but if he comes back strong and shows that stuff, he becomes a pitching prospect to watch.

48. OF Guy Lipscomb
Why Lipscomb Missed

Has yet to show anything in the way of meaningful power or enough impact contact to project a major offensive role.Has been a bit older than his level so far.
Why Lipscomb is Interesting

Has the size (6’2) and speed to be an interesting asset in the outfield. Runs well on the bases and in the grass. Makes a lot of contact and is a patient hitter. Gets the ball in the air and can pull the ball, so if he can add some impact to the bat, there could be power potential there.

49. RHP Bradley Hanner
Why Hanner Missed

Older for the level (25) and lacks major league control (10 BB%) right now. Two pitch pitcher with a fastball that tops out at 94.
Why Hanner is Interesting

Despite the lower velo, Hanner’s fastball can miss bats and he has a nice sweeper. Lacks control but still managed to miss bats and limits damage. Better control could have him as a 40 man roster depth type reliever.

50. LHP Caden Favors
Why Favors Missed

Control and command type left with a low-90s fastball. Not a bat misser. Will be an older prospect (23) for his levels. Control will have to carry the profile.
Why Favors is Interesting

Has big extension thanks to long levers. Favors does have a full arsenal and could be a kitchen sink type lefty starter with a low-90s fastball that gets by on control. If Cleveland levels up his velocity, something could click here.

Justin Campbell and Jacob Zibin and Danny Espino are a very talented group of pitchers who are unable to pitch. Too bad for them and for the team.

From MLB.COM most recent:

9. Cleveland Guardians
2024 midseason rank: 4
2024 preseason rank: 19
2023 midseason rank: 15
2023 preseason rank: 4

Top 100 prospects: Travis Bazzana, 2B (No. 10); Chase DeLauter, OF (No. 36); Jaison Chourio, OF (No. 59); Angel Genao, INF (No. 61)

The Guardians featured seven rookies on their 2024 AL championship roster -- most notably Kyle Manzardo, Jhonkensy Noel, Brayan Rocchio and Cade Smith -- and have more talent on the way. They spent a record $20.4 million on the Draft, landing the best pure hitter available (Bazzana) with the No. 1 overall choice and replenishing their pitching by giving seven-figure bonuses to high school arms Braylon Doughty, Joey Oakie and Chase Mobley. Chourio and Genao highlight several Cleveland position prospects who took significant steps forward last year.

Lake County won BA's Minor League Team of the Year for 2024; their talent will mostly be migrating to Akron this season; the Ducks should be impressive.
Kayfus probably will return to Akron but could be promoted to Columbus soon.
Bazzana probably will return to Lake County but could be pushed up to Akron.
Ingle will open there.
Chourio and Genao and Velazquez will all open in Lake County, which will be pretty good again this season. Any could reach Akron later in the summer.

Messick and Peterson both moved up to Akron midseason and I'd guess will open up there too. Davenport spent the whole summer with the RDucks so could move on to Columbus. Tugboat spent 2/3 of the season in Lake County so could move on to Akron from the start. Dylan DeLucia at age 24 is age appropriate for Akron but only made his debut last summer and got in 36 innings with the Captains,

I would be surprised if Travis does not start in Akron.

2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Post-Grad Evaluations

Next Year in Cleveland - Guardians Farm System Coverage
To me · Sat, Mar 8 at 3:12 PM
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2024 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Post-Grad Evaluations
Checking in last year's graduated prospects in Cleveland...
Justin Lada
Mar 8



1B Kyle Manzardo

Final ranking: #2 Overall (55 OVR - Risk: Moderate)

2024 Report: “55 - Hit over power first baseman that hits enough, walks enough and maximizes his power output enough to be an above average offensive contributor.”

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2024 grades - Hit: 60 - Power: 50 - Speed: 40 - Defense: 40 - Arm: 40 - Overall: 55 - Risk: Moderate

What we learned: First half Kyle Manzardo was able to hit the ball in the air enough to prove he would get to his power, but his pull rate only being 30% suggested he was a bit off, and wasn’t going to get to it that way. As a result, he didn’t homer until his Sept. 1 callup. After Sept. 1, Manzardo’s fly ball rate was 51% (compared to 55% in the first half) but his pull rate made a leap to 48.9%, suggesting the kind of bat that could get to his power despite maybe having what some called average power. His .270/.333/.540 slash line in September represented the kind of player I thought he would be, and that was with a strikeout rate of 28% and just a 5% walk rate - both areas I expect to normalize for him in 2025.

Post graduate evaluation: Manzardo’s chase rate (27.7%) was in line with MLB averages (28.5%), as was his contact rate (73.4% - 76.8%). He manages to make zone contact at a rate consistent in the minors with his numbers. If he can tone down the chase a little, and swing a little less (38.9% in Triple-A to 46.7% in MLB), his walk rate should go up and strikeout rate go down. Manzardo improved against changeups in the majors (.296/.481) in a way I didn’t think he would. He crushes fastballs but struggles with breaking stuff. Lefties may pose an issue for him, so that’s where I still have questions. Cleveland really only seems to trust him as a DH. I think I would knock the hit tool, and speed down with platoon issues and seeing his sprint speeds.

Post graduate grades - Hit: 55 - Power: 50 - Speed: 30 - Defense: 40 - Arm: Overall 50 - Risk: Moderate
OF/1B Jhonkensy Noel

Final ranking: #22 Overall (40 OVR - Risk: High)

2024 report: “40 - Low-OBP, power hitting corner bat with high upside but a limited value floor.”

2024 grades: Hit: 30 - Power: 55 - Speed: 40 - Defense: 45 - Arm: 40 - Overall: 40 - Risk: High

What we learned: Noel was on fire out of the gate, hitting .254/.304/.587 with six homers and a 147 wRC+. On the surface, that’s obviously pretty good. Behind that was 71.7% (below the 76.8% league average) and a chase rate 47.8% (well above the 28.6% league average). So no shock that after the 147 mark from June-July, Noel hit just .198/.279/.431 from August 1-end of the season. The chase rate came down to 42% in that stretch, but still well above league average, while the contact rate dipped to 66%. For the year, Noel finished with a 68% contact rate, and a chase rate of 44%. The only two qualified players from 2024 with rates like that were Colorado’s Ezequiel Tovar (69% - 44.8%) and Boston’s Cedanne Rafeala (69.6% - 46.3%), both coming in under 100 wRC+ at 95 and 79, respectively. O’Neil Cruz had a 67.3% contact rate but just a 32% chase rate was as close as I could find for a qualified hitter with over 100 wRC+. Julio Rodriguez had a miserable start to the season and finished with a 116 and a contact rate of 71% and a chase rate of 36%. The last two are star level players and all four of these players I mentioned have speed and are plus defenders at their positions. So what we learned is that Noel can punish pitches in the zone, and has a in-zone contact rate in-line with league average (82.4% - compared to the 85.2% league average). But struggles with chase and contact when he does. He’s faster than I thought he would be (70th percentile sprint speed) but still a negative in the outfield (-2 OAA).

Post grad evaluation: The issues with chase and contact are about what I expected. There was talk about improved pitch selection, but I didn’t see that. Approaches are hard to change. Noel’s swing rate is about 7% above league average. It’s not so high that a big reduction would change his profile. And he has to hit the ball to have an impact. So he’s going to have to swing the bat. There’s just very little reason to throw Noel strikes. He’s proved he is a mistake hitting slugger with game changing power but didn’t have the plate discipline to force pitchers into the zone often enough. If he did, Noel could be a superstar on par with a Yordan Alvarez. The bat speed, raw power and ability to find the barrel are as high as this organization has had since Albert Belle or Jim Thome, or perhaps Travis Hafner. But staying in-zone is hard for Noel and without major improvements there, his outcomes are unlikely to change. He won’t draw walks or hit for enough average, and he’s not adding value defensively in the outfield outside of his arm, which was in the 76th percentile last year. He is faster than I assumed, so that’s about the only change I would make. I do believe Noel is a capable defender at first base and if Cleveland had him play there, the defensive grade is a little better, but he’s not getting any action there currently.

Post-graduate grades: Hit: 30 - Power: 55 - Speed: 45 - Defense: 40 - Arm: 55 - Overall: 40 - Risk: High
SS Brayan Rocchio

Final ranking: #5 Overall (50 OVR - Risk: Moderate)

2024 Report: “50 - High contact, good swing decision SS with strong defensive skills.”

2024 grades: Hit: 50 - Power: 40 - Speed: 55 - Defense: 55 - Arm: 50 - Overall: 50 - Risk: Moderate

What we learned: No surprise that Rocchio graded out at 5 OAA (outs above average) in the 89th percentile and could draw a walk (10% - 73rd percentile). A poor launch angle (9.4

degrees) led to a groundball rate of 47.7%. Combined with a slower sprint speed and well below average exit velos, it’s easy to see why Rocchio carried a .245 BABIP. In the minors, he had stints where he carried some shockingly low BABIPs, buy also some higher ones. Batted ball quality was not a strength for Rocchio in 2024 despite a league average contact rate. You’d like to see someone without great contact quality maybe have a better contact rate, because more balls in play might lead to some more BABIP luck just by sheer volume. Despite his strong walk rate, Rocchio only have roughly league average chase rates and ended up in the 40th percentile there, making it feel more like passivity than pitch selection. His sprint speed being in the 35th percentile was a surprise given his success on the bases in the minors.

Post grad evaluation: Contact quality and swing decisions have to drive hit tool grades for me. Contact for the sake of contact isn’t enough. I thought Rocchio would make enough contact and draw enough walks to be a league average bat in terms of batting average and OBP, while certainly offering below average power. But poor batted ball quality plagued him in the minors, too. In addition to maybe being lower on the hit tool now, the sprint speed was concerning in 2024. No real changes to the glove other than consistency, but that was always an issue for him in the minors. Still an above average glove with the notable hiccups, which seemed to come at very inopportune times in 2024. He’ll need to add strength to impact the ball more and hopefully that could aid him on the bases as well. It’s also important to note that development continues at the big league level too and Rocchio could make improvements in year two, so these grades are specific to 2024.

Post-graduation grades; Hit: 45 - Power: 30 - Speed: 45 - Defense: 55 - Arm: 50 - Overall: 45 - Risk: Moderate
RHP Cade Smith

Final ranking: #34 Overall (40 OVR - Risk: Moderate)

2024 Report: “40 - Middle relief, possible setup man future”

2024 grades: Fastball: 55 - Sweeper: 45 - Split: 50 - Control: 40 - Overall: 40 - Risk: Moderate

What we learned: Cade Smith went from barely making the opening day roster to being one of the best relievers in baseball. The most surprising thing was that Smith was able to halve his walk rate from Triple-A in 2023 (10.4% down to 5.9%), which was surprising because he’d never had a walk rate below 10% in the minors for any extended stretch. It’s unusual to see such a drastic cut there getting to the majors, but development does continue at the major leagues. The extension in his delivery (7.4) really helped his fastball play even better at its velo (95-98). His splitter, which was newer in 2023, became his second best pitch, while his sweeper continued to be his third best pitch. Smith didn’t get many chases out of the zone (35th percentile) but he didn’t need them,throwing first pitch strikes at a league average rate (63%) for the first time in his career (49.6% in Triple-A in 2023). Hitters made contact against Smith in the zone at 8% below league average, which also helps when you’re not getting chases.

Post-grad evaluation: The extension on the delivery took what was already an above average heater velo wise to a plus pitch, maybe even double play. 95-98 at 7.4 of extension can make pitches feel like 99-100. The real jump was his confidence in his splitter and the command of his fastball overall. He did throw his fastball almost 70% of the time, so you’d like to see him have more usage of the splitter to keep hitters off the fastball, but with his velo, extension and command, it’s understandable why. The sweeper could use some work as well - below average in horizontal break. But the control and fastball grade clearly took major steps forward here.

Post-graduation grades: Fastball: 60 - Sweeper: 45 - Split: 50 - Control: 50 - Overall: 50 - Risk: Moderate
INF/OF Daniel Schneemann

Final ranking: None

2024 Report: N/A

2024 grades: N/A

What we learned: Schneeman had a strong 2023 in Triple-A, contributing in the power and speed department and showing his versatility. That got him on the radar in spring training in 2024 with an invite to camp despite not being on the 40 man roster at the time. He got off to a strong start in Triple-A in 2024 and eventually got the call and stayed up all year. He got off to a strong start seeing time all over the field. The reputation that Schneemann came with was utility, improving exit velocities and some ability to draw a walk. He had an .805 OPS before the All-Star break and and .555 after the All-Star break. But his role as a utility largely held up, adding defensive value in the outfield, and third base, while below average defensively at short.

Post grad evaluation: No shock that defensively, Schneemann saw action all over the field and appeared to be best in right and third, while being average at second and below average at shortstop. He had reverse splits against LHP (.992 OPS, .609 vs RHP) but was better against RHP in the minors, so I expect that to be fluky. Schneeman did work to improve his bat speed and hit the ball harder. Generally, he doesn’t chase out of the zone but makes below league average contact. He seems like a 26th man who can play different positions and offer some pop, a walk and speed, which is valuable in that role.

Post-graduation grades; Hit: 40 - Power: 40 - Speed: 50 - Defense: 50 - Arm: 55 - Overall: 40 - Risk: Moderate
2B/OF Angel Martinez

Final ranking: #5 Overall (45 OVR - Risk: Moderate)

2024 Report: “45 - High contact switch hitter with a more utility profile that could be a fringe-average regular if he can handle second or center defensively”

2024 grades: Hit: 45 - Power: 40 - Speed: 55 - Defense: 50 - Arm: 50 - Overall: 45 - Risk: Moderate

What we learned: Martinez got some run in center when the Guardians needed a spark and he gave them some. He proved to be mostly playable in center and left, though maybe not an extended look. His strong contact rates continued and he showed the ability to take a walk. As he got more exposure, his chase rate expanded more. We really saw some strong fly ball numbers (40.7%) and pull rates (41.3%) that could be encouraging for his batted ball profile going forward. Perhaps we will see some better power for Angel despite lower average EVs. He might need some more time in Triple-A (less than 100 PAs) and the majors to adjust his approach, which isn’t as bad as Noel’s to maximize his profile.

Post grad evaluation: The batted ball data is somewhat encouraging that I think we could see maybe fringe-average power. His sprint speeds didn’t paint a picture of a great runner on the base, but those can sometimes be a little misleading. Defensively, it would appear second base is going to be his best home on the diamond, but more time in the outfield could get him to average there and he’s not unplayable. That might stick him more as a tweener/utility guy, but at 23, and few Triple-A reps, I think there’s still some growth to be had here where I’m not out on him as a starter.

Post-graduation grades; Hit: 45 - Power: 45 - Speed: 55 - Defense: 50 - Arm: 50 - Overall: 45 - Risk: Moderate

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 3/8/25
Another tough day for Brito, a teenager makes his US debut...
Justin Lada
Mar 9



San Diego Padres 7, Cleveland Guardians 2 (Statcast)
STARTERS

Johnathan Rodriguez (RF): 0-1, RBI, BB - Rodriguez had a sac fly and worked a walk. His seven pitch walk vs. Yu Darvish was impressive, though he fouled off some middle-in fastballs and sliders that you’d like to see him do more damage with. He ended up with a sac fly on a pitch that wasn’t quite hittable in his second plate appearance vs. Darvish.



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Juan Brito (2B): 0-3 - A fly out on the first pitch, a groundout on the sixth pitch of his at bat with Darvish that was low and out of the zone, and then another swing out of the zone in his third at bat against Adrian Morejon set up Brito for a tough day at the plate. These are just not the quality of at bats you’re looking for from a hitter like him, and his bat has to carry his profile. Though he did look decent in the field a few times in this one.

Petey Halpin (LF): 0-3, K - Halpin had a decent battle with Yu Darvish in his first at bat but really didn’t come close to any success. He finished the day with a strikeout vs. LHP Yuki Matsui where he looked very uncomfortable, which isn’t a shock for a player with platoon issues in the past.

Will Wilson (3B): 1-3, 2B, K - Wilson smoked a double vs. Matsui following Halpin’s strikeout, but he struggled vs. Darvish and Padres reliever Jason Adam before that.

Kody Huff (C): 1-2 - Huff blooped a single on a curveball in a five pitch battle vs. Darvish. He actually had a better at bat his second time around and hit the ball harder (.430 xBA) vs. Adam, though it would have been ball four.
RESERVES

Yordys Valdes (SS): 0-1

Juniker Caceres (PR): 0-0 - Caceres, only 17, made his stateside debut in this one as pinch runner. He had a strong DSL last summer and is the youngest stateside player on the roster. He’s someone to keep an eye on, though DSL data and performance is highly unreliable, but he’s on some bigger prospect lists.

CJ Kayfus (1B): 0-1

Kahlil Watson (CF): 0-1, K - The strikeout isn’t notable, it’s not a surprise at this point for Watson, unfortunately. It’s more notable that Watson has only played OF at this point this spring and that might be where he lands full time now.

Joe Lampe (RF): 0-1, K

Kyle Dernnedde (2B): 1-1

Micah Pries (LF): 0-1

Cooper Ingle (C): 0-2, K - Ingle struggled vs. Matsui. It’s just one spring at bat, but you do want to see how he handles MLB LHP from a platoon standpoint.
RELIEVERS

Alonzo Richardson (RP): 0.1IP, 2H, 2ER, K, HR - Poor Richardson gave up a three run homer to Gavin Sheets having to come in with Luis Ortiz pulled in the first inning at 24 pitches and was overmatched.

Bradley Hanner (RP): IP - Hanner showed off an interesting arsenal of a curve, cutter, sinker and change. He was very slider/fastball heavy a year ago in Akron. Both his curve and slider have high spin rates

Andrew Misiaszek (RP): 2IP, 2H, R, K - With the fastball averaging 90-92 and a strong slider, Misiaszek got five whiffs and that was typical of an outing for him in 2022 before his injuries that put him on the radar.