13551
by TFIR
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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/5/25
Travis Bazzana hype intensifies
Justin Lada
Apr 6
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Scoreboard
Columbus Clippers vs. St. Paul Saints (Twins) - PPD, Rain
Akron RubberDucks 8, Richmond Flying Squirrels 3 (Giants)
Great Lakes Loons 6 (Dodgers), Lake County Captains 1
Lynchburg Hillcats 6, Fayetville Woodpeckers 1 (Rangers)
Highlights
Travis Bazzana (2B, Akron): 4-5, 2B, HR, 2, RBI, 4R - Big start to the year for last year’s #1 overall pick. He’s been on base eight times in 10 plate appearances in two nights and had two really good swings tonight for a homer and a double. The buzz is going to get loud fast if he stays hot. He did have a throwing error, his first. So keep note of that as a reason what could delay his movement.
CJ Kayfus (DH, Akron): 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2BB - Kayfus got a little help on a bad play by the Richmond left fielder but he still hit the ball well and drew two walks, which is a key part of his game.
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Jorge Burgos (1B, Akron): 1-5, HR, 3 RBI - A second homer in as many days for Burgos. He’s got good raw power, bat speed and hits the ball hard. The full translation of that into consistency is fuzzy at best, but it’s there. Also interesting he played first base here.
Austin Peterson (SP, Akron): 4IP, H, 4K - No reason for Peterson to be in Double-A other than a numbers game. He froze hitters with his heater by pitching backwards, which he’s been able to run to 93-95 now. He got chases of his slider out the zone too and some whiffs in the zone on the curve.
Notable Performances
Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 1-4, RBI, SB - The only RBI by Lake County and Rosario was able to add a steal. Also keeping an eye on how much run in CF he gets to see if that is a viable path for him, which takes some pressure off the bat. If he can play CF, maybe there’s a Jose Siri like path for him.
Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 1-3 - Was Lake County’s star on opening night but was one of few contributors in this one.
Michael Kennedy (SP, Lake County): 3IP, 2H, 2ER, 3BB, 3K - Kennedy’s Guardians system debut was a mixed bag with control but missed some bats, showing a really deceptive delivery that needs more refining as his stuff can’t overcome control issues.
Christopher Espinola (DH, Lynchburg): 1-3, 2B, 2 BB - A 5’7 21 year old outfielder, this is Espinola’s first time our of a complex league, spending two years each in the Dominican camp and Arizona.
Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2B - The first two affiliate hits for Mijares, a 5’9 switch hitting infielder signed in 2023. Was not particularly good in the ACL last year.
RHP Connor Whittaker (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2 IP, 2H, 3K - This was also Whittaker’s pro debut (15th rounder out of FSU) and it came as an emergency entrance after the injury to Whittaker and he acclimated himself well.
RHP Sean Mattson (RP, Lynchburg): 2.2IP, BB, 3K - A nice 41 pitch pro debut for Matson covering nearly three innings to get his first save, the Guardians 9th rounder in 2024.
RHP Cam Walty (SP, Lynchburg): 1.1IP, H, K - Only threw 22 pitches (15 strikes) in his pro debut before leaving due to injury. Walty was the Guardians 20th rounder out of Arizona last year.
LHP Donvan Zsak (RP, Lynchburg): 0.1IP, 2H, 4ER, 2BB - Zsak made a few interesting outings in 2024 after being drafted in the eighth round. Struggled with control last year and did in his 2025 debut, making the notable performances for an unfortunate line.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain