Cleveland Sports Forum

Our Rookie team was bombed 11-1 on Wednesday. Lowlights include Tyler Naquin pitching debut: 2/3 inning, 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks.
Our guys with 5 hits and 4 errors. DeLauter rested

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 5/7/2025
Another dominant pitching performance in Akron; Tyler Naquin makes pitching debut in Arizona

Scoreboard
Columbus Clippers 4, Indianapolis Indians 3 - Statcast
Akron RubberDucks 3, Somerset Patriots 0
Quad Cities River Bandits 3, Lake County Captains 1
Fredericksburg Nationals 4, Lynchburg Hillcats 1
ACL Rockies 11, ACL Guardians 1 (F/7)

Highlights
Micah Pries (RF, Columbus): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBIs - It was a banner day for the 27-year-old as he left the yard twice in the win and drove in all four runs for the Clippers. He launched a three-run homerun in the third and added on with a solo shot in the eighth, a much-needed insurance run after the pitching staff surrendered two in the ninth. Pries had the farthest hit ball of the day at 389 feet, but just the fourth-hardest hit ball of the game. It is just his third homerun of the year and first multi-hit game of 2025.

Halpin (CF, Columbus): 3-for-5, 2B - Halpin joined Pries with a multi-hit game, but he tallied four total bases with a double and a pair of singles. Those two combined for five of the team’s nine hits. Halpin now has six games out of his last nine where he has multiple hits and a .417 batting average in that time. Ironically, this hot streak has come at the same time he was moved to the top of the order.

Rorik Maltrud (SP, Akron): W (2-1), 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 9 Ks, WP - Maltrud helped make it 18 straight innings in the series without a run for the Patriots with 5.1 innings of shutout baseball on Wednesday. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out a career-high nine batters in the win. Somerset had a runner in scoring position against Maltrud for just two pitches, but a strikeout ended what ended up being as close to a scoring threat as the opponents got against the former Missouri Tiger.

Hawke (LF, Lynchburg): 2-for-3, R, 2 2Bs, BB, SB, OF assist - Tommy Hawke did nearly everything for Lynchburg but his efforts were not enough in a 4-1 loss. Hawke had both of the team’s hits and drew a walk to reach base three times in total - the only other batter to reach was Logun Clark with a walk. In addition to his efforts at the plate, he stole his 33rd base of the year by going from second to third in the fourth inning and he came around to score in that frame as well. He showed his defensive value as well with his first outfield assist of 2025 as well.

Notable Performances
Ryan Webb (SP, Columbus): W (2-1), 5.0 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BBs, 4 Ks - The southpaw outdueled the top pitching prospect in the Pirates system on Wednesday with five innings of work where he allowed three hits and one run. Webb was able to use his changeup effectively with five whiffs on 14 pitches thrown.

Zane Morehouse (RP, Akron): H (2), 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - Morehouse left his inherited runner stranded in the sixth and twirled a scoreless seventh to help preserve the shutout with eight straight innings without allowing a run.

Davis Sharpe (RP, Akron): S (2), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - The 25-year-old made it back-to-back successful save opportunities after he closed out Saturday’s win at Altoona as well. He required just six pitches (five strikes) to secure the victory in this one.

Cooper Ingle (C, Akron): 1-for-2, R, RBI, 2 BBs - The number two hitter for the RubberDucks was the only man to reach base multiple times in the win with one hit and two walks to grow his team-high base on balls total. He drove in Travis Bazzana to give immediate run support in the bottom of the first with a single to left.

Caden Favors (SP, Lake County): L (1-2), 4.2 IP, 2 H, R, 3 BBs, 6 Ks - A lone run on the ledger of the 23-year-old lefty was enough to receive the loss, however he had a decent outing with just two hits and three walks allowed. 16 walks in 18.2 innings pitched doesn’t help him out, but he limited contact in this appearance after being hit around in his last.

Izaak Martinez (RP, Lake County): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R BB, 2 Ks - Martinez was able to clean up the fifth and tossed a scoreless sixth for the Captains as he tries to find his footing at the next level. This was his second appearance out of the Lake County bullpen after being moved up on April 28.

Christian Knapczyk (2B, Lake County): 2-for-4, R - If not for Knapczyk, Lake County would have been held to one hit and no runs on the day. He accounted for two of the team’s three in his fifth multi-hit game in the last seven.

Jervis Alfaro (SP, Lynchburg): L (2-1), 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 0 BBs, 9 Ks, WP - The 21-year-old Venezuelan was able to give the Hillcats some depth with six innings pitched, but got hit around a little bit despite nine strikeouts, a new professional high and a number that matched his entire month of April.

Tyler Naquin (RP, ACL Guardians): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BBs, 0 Ks, 2 BKs - It was not the pitching debut Naquin could have dreamed of with four batters reaching out of six faced and three of them coming around to score on his ledger. Two balks are mildly concerning as well for his efforts despite it being his first appearance.

Here's the Hot Sheet writeup for Ingle for last week's work product:

12. Cooper Ingle, C, Guardians
Team: Double-A Akron (Eastern)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: .400/.571/.733 (6-for-15) 2 R, 5 2B, 2 RBIs, 6 BB, 5 SO
The Scoop: Ingle got off to a slow start this year, which is surprising considering he’s one of the better pure-hitting catchers in the minors. This past week did a good job bringing his performance back to normal. Ingle did give up five steals in five attempts in a game this week, but overall, he’s continued to make strides defensively this year. He has yet to allow a passed ball, and his seven wild pitches allowed are among the best in the Eastern League for everyday catchers. (JJ)

Ingle's 1-5 in the two games he's played this week, but added 3 walks, so even that gives him a line of 200/500/200
Since April 23 he's drawn 14 walks vs. 8 strikeouts

early in the games today, the Hillcats are up 1-0, Captains 5-0, RDucks 2-0; earlier today Columbus lost 4-3 [Triple and walk for Kayfus] [Why did Nikhazy leave after 2 2/3 innings and 52 pitches, and one run?]

Big news so far: Ralphy Velazquez who has been flaying away in the 150 range has two early doubles with a pair of RBI.
That gives him 5 doubles to match his 5 home runs. But he has only four singles in his 108 trips to the plate.
It deserves notice that he's 19 and one of the youngest players in High A Midwest League.

Also note re youngsters on the Captains, Chourio has not returned since his weekend injury. Not on the IL
But better news: Josh Hartle has now completed 4 shutout innings with 5 strikeouts, no walks and 4 hits allowed. 28K in 23 2/3 IP
on the other hand, Michel Kennedy who also came from the Pirates last winter went on the IL.

No appearances recently by Jacob Zibin with Lynchburg, but still on active roster.
The final acquisition in the Giminez deal OF Nick Mitchell is off on injury rehab in Arizona, on Hillcats roster but has not played;

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 5/8/2025
Big nights from Ralphy Velazuqez, Travis Bazzana and CJ Kayfus handles RF
Justin Lada
May 9






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Scoreboard

Indianapolis Indians 4, Columbus Clippers 3 (Statcast)
Akron RubberDucks 5, Somerset Patriots 0
Lake County Captains 9, Quad Cities River Bandits 0
Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Fredericksburg Nationals 2
ACL Guardians 7, ACL Diamondbacks 3
Highlights

CJ Kayfus (RF, Columbus): 1-4, 2B, BB, 2K - Kayfus struck out looking twice but did add another extra base hit. He also drew a walk and notably was in right field again and actually ended up making a nice catch out there.

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Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 1-3, 2B, BB - Huff’s double was a grounder hit 94 off the bat. He also drew a walk and had a groundout at 106.8. I think Huff has good exit velocities but its clear he probably needs a swing adjustment to take better advantage of it. He got off to a good start in Double-A last year and hasn’t had the same start in Triple-A this year, but he’s still at a good point for the level and catchers develop slower. And really the bat isn’t what will carry him to the majors, it’s his defense. But there is the ability to hit the ball hard in there.

Travis Bazzana (2B, Akron): 3-5, 2B - Just the second three hit game of the year for Bazzana, his first since the second game of the year when he had four hits. Don’t look now, but Bazzana is slashing .310/.333/.517 in May. He does have eight strikeouts and just one walk, but the hitting has started to tick up finally.

Ralphy Velazquez (1B, Lake County): 3-4, 2 2B, 3B - By far the best game of Ralphy’s season in Lake County and maybe in High-A in general going back to last year. He pulled the ball to the gap with authority all game after missing a few games and it was a really encouraging performance.

Josh Hartle (SP, Lake County): 5IP, 4H, 6K - This was by far Hartle’s best start of the season and looked more like the pitcher who was projected to be a first round pick last season. He didn’t walk anyone and missed bats and was in control all night.

Dauri Fernandez (3B, ACL Guardians): 3-4, 2B - The 18 year old switch hitter had an impressive night in Arizona and now has seven hits in his first five games out there.

Tyler Thornton (RP, ACL Guardians): 1IP, 4K - Thornton, the 24 year old reliever is rehabbing in Arizona and had a rare four strikeout inning after a throwing error on the catcher.
Notable Performances

Kahlil Watson (CF, Akron): 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI - Watson doubled home Bazzana to open the scoring in Akron but ended up being replaced later in the game by Jake Fox in centerfield, so we’ll see if something is up with Watson. Hopefully he's OK because he’s gotten off to a decent start.

Dayan Frias (1B-3B, Akron): 2-4, 2B - Frias has had his moments so far this year but has overall been inconsistent. He hasn’t quite been able to replicate his success in High-A from 2023.

Rodney Boone (SP, Akron): 4.1IP, 4H, 2H, 3K - Boone didn’t miss as many bats this game as he has in the past starts but he’s been pretty good this year. He is 26 in Double-A and still throws 88-90 so it’s hard to project much here, but he’s pitched well.

Alfonsin Rosario (DH, Lake County): 1-3, 2B, K - Rosario had a 13 pitch at bat in this game where he ended up flying out hard to center field and then later doubled down the left field line and got to third on an error, but had enough speed to get there on his own. He’s continued to handle High-A pitching quite well.

Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 1-5, 3B, RBI - Francisca has had a tough start in Low-A but has had good days here and there.

Melkis Hernandez (SP, Lynchburg): 5IP, 4H, 2BB, 6K - The 20 year old lefty has made six starts this year and has gotten into the fifth in half of them, which means he’s been pretty solidly efficient for his age and level, something you don’t see much of at that point.

CJ Kayfus (RF, Columbus): 1-4, 2B, BB, 2K - Kayfus struck out looking twice but did add another extra base hit. He also drew a walk and notably was in right field again and actually ended up making a nice catch out there.

I was pleased to see big days at the plate from two top draft choices who've been either OK [Bazzana] or less than OK [Velazquez]. Since Bazzana is not a power hitter, and he's limited to 2nd base, remind me why he was considered the top prospect in the draft? Not to belittle him, but he sounds like a prospective nice part of, but not the leader of, a lineup.

Good summary; a somewhat overly rosy interpretation of some of these kids, but why not look on the bright side?
[e.g. Rodney Boone has been effective but everything I've read says his velocity is not impressive. Not sure that every catcher is as good as suggested but it's a great position to have depth]
Checking in on Guardians Prospects After One Month
Which players are standing out so far?

It’s an off-day for the Guardians, time to check in on the minor-league affiliates now that all of them have had at least a month’s work of games.

In the columns below, I’ll give you the standout hitters and pitchers from Guardians’ Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A affiliates. I’ll be looking at their Weighted Runs Created plus or wRC+ (100 is average, this helps us adjust for the overall offensive performance of their respective leagues), their strikeout-walk percentage or numbers per 9 innings, their swinging strike rate (this helps us eliminate umpire inconsistency and poor opponent quality), and their pulled and fly ball rates (pulling the ball in the air is the most effective way to produce runs). When notable, I’ll mention a player’s age and/or groundball rates for pitchers.

Hitters:
Columbus:
CJ Kayfus LHH 23 year-old, 1B/cOF (from Akron and Columbus) – 202 wRC+, 21.2/13.5 K/BB%, 15.5 Swinging Strike%, 38.5/26.9 Pulled Rate/Fly Ball Rate
Johnathan Rodriguez RHH 25 y.o., DH/cOF – 161 wRC+, 23.7/13.5 K/BB%, 11.5% SwStr, 17.5/44.1 P/F
Petey Halpin – LHH 23 y.o., CF, 121 wRC+, 29.8/11.4 K/BB%, 12.6% SwStr, 43.1/36.8 P/F

Analysis: Zero doubt that the best hitter in the Guardians’ system so far has been CJ Kayfus, but it is important to note he still has a LOT of swing and miss in his game and doesn’t really pull many fly balls. But, man, he hits everything hard. It’s tough to see how a player who is best at first base would figure on to the current Guardians’ roster, but if he keeps hitting like this, they will find a way. Rodriguez continues to hit the ball hard, but he hits so many groundballs, I wonder if the team believes in him. Finally, after wondering why the Guardians’ added Halpin in the Rule 5, his hitting numbers as a player who looks viable as a defender in centerfield have mostly cleared that up. He’s also 4 for 5 with stolen bases this season which is a big pick-up so far in his success rates from past seasons.

Akron:
Jorge Burgos – LHH 23 y.o., 1B/OF, 140 wRC+, 25.5/12.3 K/BB%, 14.7% SwStr, 43.8/53.1 P/F
Cooper Ingle – LHH 23 y.o., C, 135 wRC+, 22.9/17.4 K/BB%, 8% SwStr, 44.6/43.1 P/F
Kahlil Watson – LHH 22 y.o., LF/CF, 134 wRC+, 26.1/8.4 K/BB%, 14.1% SwStr, 50/37.2 P/F
Travis Bazzana – LHH 22 y.o., 2B, 118 wRC+, 26.8/10.4 K/BB%, 7.4 % SwStr, 49.3/44 P/F

Analysis: There are a LOT of interesting hitters in Akron. First, Cooper Ingle continues to look like he will absolutely be an above average hitting big league catcher someday IF he can get the defensive side down well enough. Burgos and Watson, meanwhile, have been smoking the ball pull-side and looking like they should make their way to Columbus later in the year (things will be CROWDED there). Both do have some pretty significant swing-and-miss to their game, but both will take walks and make lots of quality contact, plus Watson looks viable in center. While Burgos’ final defensive fit is hard to see, I think he’s competent to play left or first. Finally, there’s a lot of hand-wringing about Bazzana given the rapid success of his fellow 2025 draftees like Braden Montgomery, Nick Kurtz and JJ Wetherholt. But, I would preach patience for Guardians’ fans. He’s not whiffing, he’s pulling fly-balls and he’s taking walks. If watching games, you’ll notice that NO ONE is giving him anything inside to hit. He will get the quality contact/plate discipline piece down for all the outside pitches he’s getting and, then, I expect him to take off. His defense looks above average, so far, which is a big deal.

Lake County:
Christian Knapczyk – LHH 23 y.o., SS, 161 wRC+, 14.6/13.6 K/BB%, 9.8% SwStr, 45/33.8 P/F
Jonah Advincula – LHH 24 y.o., LF/CF/RF, 143 wRC+, 13.9/16.5 K/BB%, 6.9 SwStr, 45.3/34 P/F
Alfonsin Rosario – RHH 21 y.o., RF, 136 wRC+, 20.6/6.2 K/BB%, 16.8% SwStr, 50/40.6 P/F
Johnny Tincher – RHH 23 y.o., C, 125 wRC+, 16.3/20.9 K/BB%, 7.4 SwStr, 46.4/50 P/F
Jaison Chourio – SH 20 y.o., LF/CF, 108 wRC+ (only a .269 BABIP), 18.7/23.1 K/BB%, 8.3% SwStr, 29.4/30.8 P/F

Analysis: Knapczyk has been somewhat of a revelation and his numbers look really good across the board, while playing good defense at short. Advincula is old for the level but should get a shot in Akron soon. Rosario swings-and-misses a lot but he has shown, so far, enough ability to get to his elite exit velocity and pull balls to make fans dream on a future major league corner outfielder. Tincher may be the most underrated Guardians’ prospect right now; his age is not particularly old for the level as a catcher and he is showing excellent plate discipline and the ability to pull fly balls. Keep your eye on this kid. Chourio has had the usual bumps in the road for a 20 year-old hitter in High-A, but you can see he’s been having some bad luck with the low batting-average-on-balls-in-play. However, he does have some work to do to beat the “slap-hitter” allegations.

Lynchburg:
Bennett Thompson – RHH 22 y.o., C, 165 wRC+, 14/17.4 K/BB%, 6.6% SwStr, 55.4/37.7 P/F
Tommy Hawke – LHH 22 y.o., LF/CF/RF, 135 wRC+, 20.4/19.5, K/BB%, 4.1% SwStr, 34.8/23.8 P/F
Jeffrey Mercedes – SH 20 y.o., 3B/2B, 132 wRC+, 23.2/11.6, K/BB%, 12.7% SwStr, 48.8/42.9 P/F

Analysis: Are the Guardians a catcher factory now?? Thompson’s hitting numbers look INSANE, so if he can stick as a catcher defensively, this is a player you’ll see ranked in their top 20 prospects by midseason. Hawke is a very good slap-hitter type who exercises elite plate discipline; the kind of player ticketed for a major-league bench role in the majors, especially given he has stolen 33 bases on 34 attempts already. Mercedes joins Tincher and Thompson as surprises on this list as he’s shown an advanced approach at the plate and the ability to hit a lot of balls hard so far. He doesn’t look great defensively to me, but it’s early.

Pitchers:
Columbus:
Parker Messick, 24 y.o., LHSP – 3.84 FIP, 12.69/4.23 K/BB/9, 16.3% SwStr
Slade Cecconi, 25 y.o., RHSP (in a small sample) – 2.42 FIP, 8.59/2.45 K/BB/9, 18% SwStr, 52.4% Groundball

Analysis: I think we probably see Cecconi in the majors for either Logan Allen or perhaps Gavin Williams or Luis Ortiz if either pitcher struggles to find consistency in the next couple weeks. He’s getting whiffs and groundballs so far, and I think his stuff plays now. Messick has to command the ball a little bit better and then he’ll be making his major league debut before you know it, perhaps first as the second-starter in a double-header.

Akron:
Rodney Boone, 25 y.o., LHSP – 2.58 FIP, 10.38/2.49 K/BB/9, 16.8% SwStr
Aaron Davenport, 24 y.o., RHSP – 4.15 FIP, 8.79/1.88 K/BB/9, 11.2% SwStr
Austin Peterson, 24 y.o., RHSP – 3.12 FIP, 7.42/0.67 K/BB/9, 11.2% SwStr
Special mention for Tommy Mace, RHSP 26 y.o. – walking too many right now but a 47% groundball rate

Analysis: Boone has been an absolute revelation so far and is going to force his way to Columbus in the next month if this continues. Davenport and Peterson are also very interesting due to their elite command and control, but probably we’ll need to see a slight uptick in either strikeouts or groundballs for them to get to the next level. Peterson just looks like a major league arm to me, and I think his ability to limit hard contact sticks there. I like Tommy Mace for his ability to induce groundballs, but his walk rate north of 4 per 9 will keep him in Akron until he addresses it, and, at his age, time is running out.

Lake County:
Steven Perez 24 y.o., LHRP – 2.41 FIP, 10.93/1.29 K/BB/9, 15.9% SwStr
Josh Hartle 22 y.o., LHSP – 2.97 FIP, 10.53/4.58 K/BB/9, 11.5 SwStr (65 Groundball Rate!)

Analysis: Perez needs to be in Akron tomorrow. He looks like an elite lefty reliever at the moment but needs tougher competition. Early returns on both players in the Andres Gimenez-Spencer Horwitz trade with the Pirates look good for Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy. Kennedy is hurt right now and needs to find some better command, but Hartle is absolutely sawing every hitter off and getting plenty of strikeouts. I’d like to see him in Akron before the All-Star break if some of those Rubber Ducks pitchers can get a promotion to Columbus.

Lynchburg:
Braylon Doughty RHSP 19 y.o., – 2.55, 12.81/3.20 K/BB/9, 13.5 SwStr%, (60% groundball)
Jogly Garcia RHSP 21 y.o., – 1.84 FIP, 17.85/6.41 K/BB/9, 15.4 SwStr%,
Izaak Martinez LHRP 23 y.o., – 2.24 FIP, 12.27/1.23 K/BB/9, 13 SwStr%,
Sean Matson RHRP 23 y.o., – 2.38 FIP, 12.27/3.07 K/BB/9, 17.4 SwStr%, (52.9% groundball)
Rafe Schlesinger LHSP 22 y.o., – 2.89 FIP, 9.39/3.52 K/BB/9, 11.3 SwStr%, (57.8% groundball)

Analysis: This is a VERY interesting group of pitchers, including relievers in Martinez and Matson who are destroying weak competition so far, Doughty showing himself to be a top 10 prospect in the Guardians’ system and rising, and Garcia and Schlesinger indicating that attention should be paid to their elite strikeout rates in Garcia’s case and elite groundball rate in Rafe’s case. If you’re watch Hillcats games or checking their box scores, highlight these names to see if they can force their way up to Lake County at some point.

Despite some rumbling to the contrary, I think the beginning to the minor league season for the Guardians has been very strong, overall. Welbyn Francisca’s struggle to adjust to low-A is probably the biggest disappointment, followed by Ralphy Velazquez’s incredibly slow start. Of course, injury-wise Juan Brito and Angel Genao’s ailments sting. However, everywhere else you look, there are solid-good performances from the top prospects and some unexpected breakouts from lesser known names. Let’s hope they can keep it up next time we check in another month from now!

Great stuff, thanks civ!

On Bazzana I think Cleveland considered him the #1 pick because:

1. His makeup - hard worker who could take instruction and implement it
2. Advanced hitting approach in that he makes contact with potential for power
3. 2B

Other teams might not have picked him first.

I figure they definitely want to add to his offensive arsenal so his early results seem to be showing that.

TFIR wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:16 am Great stuff, thanks civ!

On Bazzana I think Cleveland considered him the #1 pick because:

1. His makeup - hard worker who could take instruction and implement it
2. Advanced hitting approach in that he makes contact with potential for power
3. 2B

Other teams might not have picked him first.

I figure they definitely want to add to his offensive arsenal so his early results seem to be showing that.

Every team would have drafted him first.

Some folks liked Condon better if I recall. Not that I would have preferred him. It's never a sure thing in baseball.