Cleveland Sports Forum

CLEVELAND -- Andrew Walters had never pitched in a professional game, and yet, everyone was lining up to see him at the inaugural Spring Breakout game in March.

The whispers had circulated throughout the Guardians' organization. Walters, Cleveland's No. 25 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was dominant as a reliever in college. In his final two seasons at the University of Miami, he struck out a combined 134 batters in 77 1/3 innings, with more saves (26) than earned runs allowed (12).



His velocity was off the charts, and his command was above average. What more could the Guardians -- who selected him with the No. 62 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft -- ask for?

So, different members of Cleveland’s front office filled their suite at Goodyear Ballpark to get a glimpse of the future. As the 23-year-old right-hander toed the rubber in the final frame, here’s what everyone saw:

Pitch 1: 98 mph
Pitch 2: 98 mph
Pitch 3: 99 mph, strikeout
Pitch 4: 89 mph (breaking ball)
Pitch 5: 90 mph (breaking ball)
Pitch 6: 100 mph, strikeout
Pitch 7: 99 mph
Pitch 8: 90 mph (breaking ball)
Pitch 9: 99 mph
Pitch 10: 99 mph
Pitch 11: 98 mph, walk
Pitch 12: 99 mph
Pitch 13: 90 mph (breaking ball)
Pitch 14: 99 mph, strikeout

The radar gun got everyone talking. Walters' command was almost immaculate; he just missed tossing an immaculate inning. Any opinion the Guardians had about him was affirmed by his first, true professional outing. At that time, they knew they had someone with the potential to fly through their Minor League system.

“We don’t necessarily push pitchers really early in their career,” Guardians assistant general manager James Harris said this spring. “But he’s a mature guy, pitched in a good conference last year, so we’re gonna give him an opportunity probably a little bit higher than we typically have done in the past and see what he can do."

The Guardians assigned Walters to Double-A Akron to begin the season, and so far, it’s clear that it hasn’t been too much for him to handle. Through 12 1/3 innings, he’s given up one earned run (0.73 ERA) with 26 strikeouts, five walks and a .178 opponents' batting average.

“[Over the offseason, I worked on] the secondary pitches,” Walters said this spring. “Always primarily worked with the fastball, so I’ve been working on that the past six or seven months, trying to hone that in and give myself some better chances.”

He did exactly that. He already had an electric heater and a decent slider, but he’s also incorporated a new splitter this year that’s only added to his success.

His rise to Triple-A Columbus is inevitable. And somehow, after just being drafted in July, there’s a chance that he sees the Majors by the end of 2024 if his dominance continues.

Here are some additional highlights from around the Guardians' farm system:

Triple-A Columbus:

Is there anyone other than No. 2 prospect Kyle Manzardo that we could highlight here? The first baseman is off to an unbelievable start for Columbus this year. He’s hit nine home runs this season, including eight in his last 14 games -- most recently a solo shot on Saturday. It seems safe to assume that his callup to the big leagues is imminent.

High-A Lake County:

As long as we’re talking about last year’s Draft class, let’s put the spotlight on C.J. Kayfus, who was selected in the third round in 2023. Through his first 18 games, he's hitting .357 with a 1.018 OPS, six doubles, one triple, three homers and a team-leading 20 RBIs. Maybe his path to the big leagues won’t be as quick as Walters’ could be, but Kayfus has made quite a strong first impression.

Single-A Lynchburg:

There’s a reason Angel Genao is ranked No. 11 on Cleveland’s Top 30 prospects list. In 22 games, the shortstop has hit .319 with a .911 OPS, eight doubles, four homers, 21 RBIs, nine walks and just 13 strikeouts.

IN THE NEWS

• After a quiet start to the year, the Twins have extended their winning streak to 12 games, thanks to depth and good vibes.

• Luis Arraez did Luis Arraez things. He made quite the first impression on his new club on Saturday after being traded from Miami to San Diego by logging a four-hit game in his Padres debut.

• Shohei Ohtani was on the verge of breaking his manager’s record for most home runs hit by a Japanese-born player in Dodgers history. To commemorate whenever it would happen, Ohtani told Dave Roberts that he bought him a Porsche … but it didn’t end up being the type of Porsche he expected.

QUOTABLE

“I feel like that road trip was nothing but a positive thing for us. We played two teams that have a good shot of being in the playoffs. Two teams that we can see in the playoffs at some point. Those are the types of games that we’re going to play against them. …

There’s a reason we played four extra-inning games, because we’re that good. Those losses, they’re heartbreaking, but those are the types of losses you want. We don’t want the losses like [Friday] where that …

wasn’t us. If we are in any game, it’s a fight. We want it to be a heartbreak. [Saturday] was a response to [Friday], not necessarily the road trip, not necessarily losing two series in a row. It was a response to yesterday with the opportunity to now win [Sunday].”

­-- Austin Hedges on Cleveland’s recent performance

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Some returns from the Injury lists on Sunday

Doug Nizhazy LHP whose first 2 starts at Akron were clearly the best work in his young career. Round 2 pick in 2021. He threw 10 shutout innings.
One inning yesterday and then the rain came so he was done for the day.

He was followed by Round 3 pick in 2021 Tommy Mace who's also having his best season this year; Mace went 7 innings, 2 hit 2 walks 1 run; ERA now 2.20
9th inning scoreless by Brad Hanner 1.46 ERA 1.05 WHIP. Not sure if he's remotely a prospect

Nick Mikolajchak was back on the mound for Columbus after missing all of 2023. 2019 11th round. RHP. He had moved quickly to AAA in his 2nd season and appeared ready to make the major league bullpen.

Also in Columbus Franco Aleman with another scoreless inning, one walk, one strikeout
Anthony Gose a similar line for another recovering pitcher.

Also of note Sunday:

George Valera's first homer. Scheemann's 7th. Brito walked as he often does, hitless as he often does too hitting 185
AA: Kahlil Watson tripled and walked twice. Avg is only220 OPS 690. Recently turned 22 so young for AA.
High A: is Austin Peterson a prospect? He worked 6 shutout innings, dropped his ERA to 2.08 WHIP to 0.87. Just over I K per IP. 24 year old in class A; 9th round pick
Guy Lipscomb single and walk hitting 333 and 872 OPS; no power, 6 steals; last year he stole 48; more walks than strikeouts
Kayfus single and walk; Mooney double and 3 strikeouts
Low A: Velazuez had been quiet for about 10 games but broke through with 2 homers Sunday. Chourio two singles and naturally one walk plus two steals. Gonzalez two singles and one steal
And AlexClemmey's first OK start: 4 4 1 1 3 2 ERA 10.42.

baseball America has updated each team's top 30.
Changes seemed to be confined to boosting a few guys up and a few down based on early perfromance or injury. Most everything is unchanged, for CLE

Chourio leaps into No. 3 while Espino is dropped a long way but still optimistically to 13th. Injured RHP Justin Campbell tumbles to 28th and Tugboat Wilkinson squeeezes in as No. 30

Brito remains No. 5 despite a slow start; Angel Martinez No. 6 despite injury; Cantillo No. 9 also without having thrown a pitch; Genoa No. 12 despite an impressive month; Walters No. 16 despite rapid ascent to AAA likely. Jake Fox No. 22 despite a nearly silent first month; Cade Smith No. 24 despite a very solid major league debut.

FROM BA:

Every Monday morning we’ll highlight 10 players who stood out to us based on their underlying Statcast metrics. These are not full scouting reports, but can often serve as good early indicators of prospects who might be ready to break out, or are demonstrating MLB-ready skills.

Here are comments on Manzardo

Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians
Manzardo is joining the Guardians, so this is a perfect time to use him as a contrast to Mayo.

Kyle Manzardo’s Damage/Approach: [there's a graphic chart which I couldn't copy over; try baseballamerica.com but may be available only to subscribers


We see that Manzardo does most of his damage down and in. He’s extremely disciplined, rarely offering at pitches off the plate where he can’t do damage. However, his nitro-zone isn’t as large as Mayo’s, so pitchers may be able to exploit him by pitching to the top third of the zone, or staying on the outer third.

Kyle Manzardo’s Contact/Approach:


Based on this chart and the one above, I expect pitchers will be attacking him on the outer third of the plate, where he might be the most vulnerable. We’ll see how Manzardo adjusts as he finally gets his chance.

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 5/5/4

ARTHUR KINNEY

MAY 6


Scoreboard


Triple-A - Columbus Clippers 5, Toledo Mud Hens 3
Double-A - Akron RubberDucks 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels 1
High-A - Lake County Captains 6, Fort Wayne TinCaps 0\
Single-A - Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Kananpolis Cannon Ballers 3
Note: the ACL Guardians were off on Sunday.


HIGHLIGHTS

Daniel Schneemann (Columbus, RF): 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K - Schneemann’s third homer of the week wrapped up a homestand that saw him slash .348/.423/.826 (insert usual disclaimers about this happening at Huntington Park here). His season numbers are pretty impressive, too, at .276/.432/.592.

George Valera (Columbus, CF): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K - Valera’s go-ahead and ultimately game-winning two-run blast in the ninth was his second extra-base hit in 13 plate appearances since returning from the IL. Guess he dealt with all of the rust in Goodyear.

Petey Halpin (Akron, RF): 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 CS - Halpin, who had a hit in each of his first four games of the homestand, took it to another level with a two-hit Sunday, with the latter base knock being of the walk-off variety.

Kahlil Watson (Akron, CF): 1-2, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 BB - Watson's fifth-inning triple made him first RubberDuck with multiple three-baggers this season (no one in the Eastern League has more than three - and only Erie [Tigers} OF Brady Allen has done that).

Doug Nikhazy (Akron, SP): ND, 1 IP, 1 H - Nikhazy looked stellar in his return from the 7-day Injured List. Unfortunately, the rain ended his day after only one inning.

Tommy Mace (Akron, RP): 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R (earned), 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR - Mace, who was effectively the starter on Sunday, came in after the rain cleared and came within one bad pitch of seven one-hit shutout frames. Not surprising from a guy holding Eastern League hitters to a .172 batting average.

Bradley Hanner (Akron, RP): W (2-1), 1 IP, 1 BB - While Hanner isn’t the RubberDucks’ closer, he turned in a closeresque performance in a tied game to wrap up a brilliant day of hurling for the mallard of Main Street. A rainy day is often referred to as “a good day for a duck.” Well, yesterday was GREAT for these ‘Ducks.

Guy Lipscomb (Lake County, LF): 1-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Lipscomb’s name is one you can add to the list of guardians prospects who had huge weeks. He wrapped up a .500/.591/.556 series with a two-run single that brought the Captains’ win probability to a staggering 91.2% in the FOURTH!

C.J. Kayfus (Lake County, 1B): 1-3, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K - Kayfus just keeps raking. C.J. reached thrice yesterday to make it 18 of 19 games so far this season in which he has seen the basepaths - and exited Classic Auto Group Park with an unchanged OPS! (His on-base percentage improved eleven points from .418 to .429, but that was offset by his slugging percentage dropping from .600 to “only” .589.)

Justin Boyd (Lake County, RF): 1-2, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 1 SB - Boyd also made three trips to the basepaths in an effort that we hopefully see the likes of more often from Boyd as his first truly full season as a professional rolls on.

Austin Peterson (Lake County, SP): W (4-1), 6 IP, 3 H, 3 K - Peterson opened last week’s series with his best outing of the season so far (7.2 shutout IP, 4 H, 1 BB,1 HBP, 6 K). He followed it up with a possibly even more stellar performance that proved that the TinCap hitters learned little to nothing from their ill-fated Tuesday trips to the plate. Simply put, I don’t know how Peterson isn;t the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week.

Ralphy Velazquez (Lynchburg, 1B): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI - Velazquez ended a nine-game streak of zero or one-hit games in grand fashion with a pair of solo shots that brought his season RBI total to 21. Hopefully, the momentum from this big Sunday can carry over into this week’s series in Kinston. (Quick heads up: the Wood Ducks do not broadcast, either on MiLB,TV or via radio/audio webcast. This series will be the last non-complex games in the Guardians organization to not stream on MiLB.TV.)

Jaison Chourio (Lynchburg, RF): 2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SB - Chourio had an impressive weekend, going 5-for-7 with two runs scored and three driven in over the last two days. Also, his pair of Sunday steals brought his season total to an even ten.

Esteban Gonzalez (Lynchburg, CF): 2-4, 1 K, 1 SB - Speaking of stolen bases, Gonzalez extended his Carolina League-leading total to 16 in yesterday’s series finale.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Dom Nunez (Columbus, C): 1-2, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 E - A solid day at the plate but not so much behind it as Nunez committed interference twice on Sunday.

Johnathan Rodriguez (Columbus, LF): 1-3,1 R, 1 BB,1 K, 1 SB - One week earlier J-Rod saw a season-opening 24-game on-base streak come to an end in Syracuse. Yesterday, he got his new one safely through its first week (played all six games).

Nick Mikolajchak (Columbus, RP): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB - Mikolajchak struggled in his return outing, but came back to emerge unscathed and keep the Clippers in the game.

John Doxakis (Columbus, RP): 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K - Doxakis is now unscored upon in his last four games (7.2 combined frames).

Franco Aleman (Columbus. RP): W (1-2), 1 BB, K - Aleman, much like Doxakis, has been untouchable recently (seven shutout innings in six appearances) after an uneven start to the season.

Anthony Gose (Columbus, RP): S (2), 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K - Gose wrapped up a solid day by the Clip Show bullpen with a carbon copy of Aleman’s line to earn the save.

Alexfri Planez (Akron, DH): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 SF - As impressive as Halpin’s walk-off hit was, it was only a walk-off because Planez’s fifth-inning sac fly drove in Watson for the game’s opening run.

Dayan Frias (Akron, 3B): 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB - Frias, who scored the game-winning run, reached safely five times over the last two days (two hits and three walks).

Micael Ramirez (Akron, C): 1-3, 1 Sac Bunt, 1 K -Ramirez is 5-for-14 with six RBI since April 28, raising his OPS from .109 to .411.

Jake Fox (Lake County, CF): 1-4, 1 2B,1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Fox put a bow on what seems to be a breakout week with an RBI double for the second straight game to make it three multi-base games in the just-completed series.

Alex Mooney (Lake County, 2B): 1-5, 1 2B, 3 K - Mooney is so hot that he even has a noteworthy day when three of his plate appearances get used up on a hat trick.

Tyresse Turner (Lake County, 3B): 0-2, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP - Turner made it back-to-back two-run games despite going hitless on Sunday.

Steve Hajjar (Lake County, RP): 2 IP, 2 BB,2 K - Hajjar returned from a prolonged absence from game action (last pitched on April 17) with a pair of scoreless frames.

Zane Morehouse (Lake County, RP): 1 IP, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2 K - Despite some control issues, Morwhouse held opposing batters scoreless for the fourth straight outing (5.1 combined innings).

Tommy Hawke (Lynchburg, LF): 1-4, 1 R, 1 K,1 E - Hawke was impressive in the back half of the recently-completed series, going a combined 5-for-13 with three runs scored over the last three games vs. the Cannon Ballers.

Angel Genao (Lynchburg, SS): 0-4, 1 R, 1 K - Genao scored for the second straight day despite not getting a hit or walk or getting hit by a pitch (strike three wild pitch yesterday, fielder’s choice on saturday).

Manuel Mejias (Lynchburg, C): 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 SF, 1 K - While his on-base streak ended at 15 games, Mejias’ productive plate appearance streak reached 16 contests thanks to a sixth-inning sac fly.

Robert Lopez (Lynchburg, DH): 0-2, 1 BB - Lopez’s fifth-inning walk extended his on-base streak to eleven games and his walk streak to six.

Alex Clemmey (Lynchburg, SP): ND, 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R (earned), 3 BB, 1 BK, 2 K - Clemmey broke out of his recent slump (15 ER in 8.2 IP over his last three starts) with this solid effort,

Reny Artiles (Lynchburg, RP): W (1-1), 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K - Artiles’ first individual victory of the 2024 campaign was also an improvement over recent outing,s but not as drastic of one (2 ER allowed in each of his last two games [5 combined IP]).


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George Valera goes yard, Ralphy Valazquez hits two homers as Guardians affiliates sweep

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Monday, May 6, 2024

By Brian Hemminger@BrianHemminger May 6, 2024, 10:00am EDT


Columbus Clippers 5, Toledo Mud Hens 3
Clippers improve to 13-19


With the game tied 3-3, the Columbus Clippers got a clutch two-run home run from outfield prospect George Valera, his first of the season. Valera went 1-for-4 on the day, but his opposite-field bomb was a sight for sore eyes.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1787206908316659934

Veteran catcher Dom Nunez also homered, going 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Other offensive standouts included Daniel Schneemann, who went 2-for-4 with his seventh home run of the season, and Johnathan Rodriguez, who went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1787197534642851960

Starting pitcher Will Dion lasted just three innings, giving up two runs on one hit with three walks and four strikeouts.

Of note, former top bullpen prospect Nick Mikolajchak returned from Tommy John surgery to throw a scoreless inning, although he skirted around two hits and a walk.

John Doxakis, Franco Aleman and Anthony Gose combined for four scoreless innings to close out the game, with Aleman earning the win and Gose earning the save.


Akron RubberDucks 2, Richmond Flying Squirrels 1
RubberDucks improve to 18-9


Petey Halpin played hero in this one, going 2-for-5 with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1787228866475397463

Khalil Watson had a strong game, going 1-for-2 with a triple and two walks. Aaron Bracho went 1-for-3 with a walk, as did Dayan Frias.

Doug Nikhazy returned from the injured list and pitched a scoreless first inning, allowing one hit. Tommy Mace followed with seven dominant innings, allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Hanner earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning.


Lake County Captains 6, Fort Wayne TinCaps 0
Captains improve to 16-11


Lake County got a tremendous pitching performance from Austin Peterson, who continues to dominate the High-A level. Peterson tossed six shutout innings on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Steve Hajjar returned for the first time in three weeks, pitching two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts and two walks.

Zane Morehouse closed out the victory with a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to complete the shutout.

Offensively, Justin Boyd led the way, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and a stolen base, also scoring two runs. Guy Lipscomb went 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs, Jake Fox went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk, CJ Kayfus went 1-for-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch, Cooper Ingle walked twice, Tyresse Turner walked and was hit by a pitch and Nate Furman went 1-for-3 with a walk.


Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3
Hillcats improve to 15-12


This was the Ralphy Velazquez show. The Guardians No. 1 pick in 2023 blasted two home runs on Sunday, both solo shots.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1787228524945809564

Jaison Chourio also had a monster game, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases, including a steal of home. Esteban Gonzalez went 2-for-4, also stealing a base.

Starting pitcher Alex Clemmey had his best appearance of his young career, allowing one run on four hits in four innings while striking out two and walking three.

Artiles added three scoreless innings of relief, striking out three.

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on the Hot Prospect list

8. Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians
Team: Triple-A Columbus (International)
Age: 23

Why He’s Here: .318/.348/.909 (7-for-22) 7 R, 4 2B, 3 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 BB, 3 SO.

The Scoop: This may be Manzardo’s last appearance on the Hot Sheet, because he’s been called up to Cleveland. If so, he’s heading out on a heck of a heater. Manzardo hit only one home run in his first 16 games this year. He’s hit eight in his past 13 games. His three homers this past week were all from left to right center field, which isn’t all that unusual for Manzardo. He’s a hitter whose hits sometimes leave the park. Of his nine home runs this year, only three were yanked to right field. He’s hit that many to straight center and six of his home runs are from left center to right center field. (JC)

The Guardians' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate placed Campbell (elbow) on its full-season injured list.

Since being selected by the Guardians with the 37th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Campbell has yet to make his professional debut. He looks like he'll have to wait until at least the 2025 season to do so, as the Guardians are already discounting the possibility of the right-hander toeing the rubber in 2024. Campbell underwent ulnar nerve decompression surgery on his right elbow on May 23, 2023 and had been expected to pitch in 2024, but he may have suffered a setback at some point over the last few months.

Trailing 4-0 in the sixth, Lynchburg just hit Wood Ducks with a 7 spot highlighted by a Rafael Ramirez Jr. grand slam (1) to right field. Wuilfredo Antunez scores. Christian Knapczyk scores. Manuel Mejias scores.

Top 6th

Single
Wuilfredo Antunez singles on a line drive to left fielder Tommy Specht. Tommy Hawke scores. Angel Genao to 3rd. Jaison Chourio to 2nd.
LYN 1,DE 4

Single
Christian Knapczyk singles on a line drive to center fielder Marcus Smith. Angel Genao scores. Jaison Chourio scores. Wuilfredo Antunez to 2nd.
LYN 3,DE 4

Home Run
Rafael Ramirez Jr. hits a grand slam (1) to right field. Wuilfredo Antunez scores. Christian Knapczyk scores. Manuel Mejias scores.
LYN 7,DE 4

<

Columbus wins in 10. Big games for Noel 3-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI and Tena 3-5.

Top 10th

Double
Daniel Schneemann doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Owen Caissie. Juan Brito scores.
COL 5,IOW 4

Double
Jhonkensy Noel doubles (7) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Darius Hill. Daniel Schneemann scores.
COL 6,IOW 4

Bottom 10th

Single
Owen Caissie singles on a ground ball to left fielder George Valera. Luis Vazquez scores. Matt Mervis to 2nd.
COL 6,IOW 5

Wasn't easy but Banda gets himself out of jam by striking out the side for the save.

2B: Schneemann (9, Edwards Jr.); Noel (7, Edwards Jr.).
HR: Noel (6, 5th inning off Clarke, 2 on, 2 out).
TB: Lavastida; Noel 7; Rodriguez, Jo; Schneemann 4; Tena 3; Valera.
RBI: Lavastida (7); Noel 4 (18); Schneemann (26).

Rodriguez extends his new on base streak to 7 games. Rodriguez on base in 32 of the Clips 33 games. That's consistency. When does he get the call?

<

The big 3 in Lynchburg were rather unproductive:
Velazquz singled; Genoa walked [and made 2 errors]; Chourio walked
Ramirez's slam was his first homer, he's hitting 181 and has a dozen errors.

Lake County wp 9-5
Mooney 3 hits, one his 10th double, hitting 333 OPS 992
Kayfus HR 4 and a walk Hitting 351 OPS 1037
Lipscomb 2 singles Hitting 339 OPS 867- 3 xb hits in 66 TAB
Catcher Ingle 2 singles 283/798
Parker Messick one of our few uninjured prospect starters: 5 4 3 1 4 4 2.59
Reliever Jay Driver 1 shutout inning 0.93 ERA

Not a great day for Akron. on short end of 17-1 score Hitters managed 3 hits and fanned 12 times. Pitchers allowed 14 hits, 3 homers, and walked 10

Joe gave you the Columbus report; I'll add Eli Morgan rehab debut: one strikeout, 2 walks, and that was the evening for him

Day baseball everywhere, and the organization went 4 for 5 including the Guardians' win.

Columbus the exception. despite rallying from a 6-2 deficit to take the lead, they wound up losing when they ran out of pitches --- after apparently Aleman left with an injury dnd used a an OF to "close" it out; he hit a batter and walked 3 forcing in the tying and winning runs.
Schneeman hit 3 doubles; batting 308 wth 1074 OPS.
Rodriguez 2 hits
Brito 3 walks
Tena double and single
Valera single and 2 walks
Strzellecki fanned the 3 hitters he faced

Akron won 9-1. They're now 19-10
Aaron Davenport continues a very solid string of starts, 6 4 1 1 1 6 2.01 ERA; Torres another shutout inning; Walters 1 run in 2 IP, 3 K.
Watson double and single; Lampe 2 doubles; Bracho 2 singles 3 RBI; Cairo 2 singles and a walk-- hitting 306

Lake County won 8-1 They're 18-11
Mooney homer 2 singles 2 steals
Kayfus homer single 3 rbi
Lipscomb double and single

Lycnhburg 5-2; it should have been more -- they had 17 hits!
top in the order Each had 3 hits
Gonzalez HR double single
Velazquez all singles
Genoa 2B 2 singles
Chourio 3 singles, 2 rbi, but he was caught stealing 2x
Yorman Gomez 6 innings, 2 hits 1 run 6 strikeouts 2.61 ERA

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 5/7/24

ARTHUR KINNEY

MAY 8


Scoreboard

Triple-A - Columbus Clippers 6, Iowa Cubs 5 (10 innings)
Double-A - Bowie Baysox 17, Akron RubberDucks 1
High-A - Lake County Captains 9, Dayton Dragons 5
Single-A - Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Down East Wood Ducks 5
ACL - Guardians 10, Dodgers 4
(From Monday) Arizona Complex League: ACL Dodgers 3, ACL Guardians 1 (F/7)


HIGHLIGHTS

Jhonkensy Noel (Columbus, DH): 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI - While Noel’s three-run shot in the fifth was instrumental in getting the Clippers to the tenth inning, his biggest hit of the night was the double he hit when he got there, which drove in the ultimately game-winning run. Oh, by the way that double came off of his bat at 118.4 MPH, the hardest hit of the night in Triple-A by nearly 7 MPH and only .4 MPH behind a Giancarlo Stanton homer for the hardest hit of the night in North American baseball’s top two levels.

Daniel Schneemann (Columbus, SS): 3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB - Of the trio of Clipper with three-hit Tuesdays in Des Moines, Schneemann has had the best season. This effort, which included a tenth-inning double to left that scored extra runner Juan Brito to give the Clip Show the lead for good, brought his season slash line to .291/.438/.602. A lot of guys can put up a 1.040 OPS in early/mid-April. A-ball catchers can even extend that longer due to a light workload. 1.040 on May 7 for a Triple-A infielder? That’s legitimately impressive.

Jose Tena (Columbus, 2B): 3-5, Picked Off 1 time - Tena completed the three-hit trio by matching his season-high (fourth three-hit game of the season). In the process, he extended his hitting streak to six games (all of the games he has played in May) and his productive plate appearance streak to ten contests.

C.J. Kayfus (Lake County, 1B): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K - Kayfus’ two-run home run in the third gave the Captains their first lead of a game that they would eventually dominate. Said blast continued a spectacular season so far for Kayfus, who has carried a four-figure OPS (1.037) into May.

Alex Mooney (Lake County, 3B): 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB,1 K, 1 SB, 1 E - The off day did nothing to cool down Mooney’s hot bat. The multi-base game was his fifth in the first seven games of the current two-week homestand, during which he is slashing .321/.387/.500 - and that’s with a pair of 0-fers, including a homestand-opening golden sombrero last Tuesday night.

Matt Wilkinson (Lynchburg, SP): ND, 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 earned), 9 K. 1 HR allowed - While Wilkinson legitimately struggled for the first time in his pro career (partially at the hands of an Angel Genao error), he did continue his impressive strikeout rate - striking out nine for the third time in his five starts to bring his season total to 55 in 30.1 innings (16.32 K/9) compared to only nine walks. Him being in Eastlake this season is a matter of when, not if.

Rorik Maltrud (Lynchburg, RP): W (1-0), 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (unearned), 6 K - Not to be overlooked in the midst of Tugboatmania is the stellar performance of his piggyback partner for the week (this duo will be running it back on Sunday). For the fourth time in his five-game professional career, Maltrud allowed one or no earned runs. Last night was especially notable as he proved he could dominate outside of Bank of the James Stadium as his one rough outing (3 ER in as many frames) came in his only prior road appearance (4/16 at Salem).

Carlos Gutierrez (ACL, LF): 3-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB - After a 1-for-5 start to his stateside career, Gutierrez broke out in a big way with this three-hit, three-RBI performance. It would not be surprising to see more such days from Carlos, who was dominant in his third and final DSL season, posting a .372/.460/.453 slash line last summer for the Guardians Blue (the seemingly higher-level of the the two DSL Squads - now renamed the Guardians Mendoza for the upcoming season). For those wondering, the Guardians Red are now the Guardians Goryl.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Bryan Lavastida (Columbus, C): 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 SB - Lavastida now has six steals on the season after nabbing a pair of bags on Tuesday night.

Wes Parsons (Columbus, SP): 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 2 BB, 4 K - Bouncing between a relief role and starting has not affected Parsons, who is posting a 1.38 Triple-A ERA and is holding International League hitters to a .196 average.

Anthony Banda (Columbus, RP): S (1), 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (unearned - extra runner), 1 HB:, 3 K - It wasn’t always pretty. It certainly wasn’t drama-free. But Banda held on to earn his third career save and first since 2014, when he saved a pair of games for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Petey Halpin (Akron, starting CF): 1-2, 1 R, 1 3B - Halpin tripled to lead off the game. It would not only be the only extra-base hit of the night for the RubberDucks, it would be the only hit - or baserunner of any kind - they would get for another seven innings, when C Kody Huff led off the eighth with a single.

Kahlil Watson (Akron, starting LF): 0-1, 1 RBI, 1 SF, 1 E - Watson drove in Halpin with a sac fly in the game’s second plate appearance. It was all downhill from there. By the way, the “starting” designations here are just because they got pulled because of the blowout.

Connor Kokx (Akron, RP): 1 IP, 1 H - You know it;s been a long night when your best pitching performance comes from an outfielder.

Guy Lipscomb (Lake County, RF): 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB - getting back to outfielders, well, being outfielders, Lipscomb continued his stellar start to the month of May, which has seen him post a .478/.556/.522 in six games.

Cooper Ingle (Lake County, C): 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB - Ingle reached the double digit mark in RBI for the season with the Eastlake nine’s only multi-RBI performance other than Kayfus’.

Tyresse Turner (Lake County, DH): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB - Turner only participated in Tuesday’s contest with his bat, but that was more than enough.

Parker Messick (Lake County, SP): W (2-2), 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R (1 earned), 4 BB, 1 WP, 4 K, 1 HR allowed - Messick went 5+ innings for the fourth time in six starts (all of them 4.2 IP or longer) in a masterpiece of damage limitation.

Jay Driver (Lake County, RP): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K - Driver’s ERA is now under 1.00 (0.93 - 1 ER in 9.2 IP) after this one-hit frame.

Rafael Ramirez Jr. (Lynchburg, 3B): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Normally a one-hit game isn’t the offensive highlight of a game, but Ramirez’s first non-complex homer was not any mere hit, ti was a grand slam that provided the margin of victory (and a couple of runs beyond that).

Wuilfredo Antunez (Lynchburg, RF): 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 Outfield Assist - Antunez - who got the scoring started in the seven-run sixth - had a big night at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field.

Christian Knapczyk (Lynchburg, 2B): 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB - Knapczyk drove in the Hillcats’ second and third runs of the game as part of an impressive offensive performance.

David Leon (ACL, C): 2-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K - Leon opened his stateside RBI account with a trio on Tuesday, bringing his career total to 25.

Yanki Baptiste (ACL, 1B): 2-3, 3 R, 1 2B,1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Baptiste is 3-for-5 across his first two ACL games to start the American phase of his career.

Victor Izturis (ACL, DH): 2-3, 2 BB,1 K - Izturis reached four times in five plate appearances to open his second professional season (both spent so far as an A-Guard).

Austin Aldeano (ACL, SP): ND, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR allowed - Aldeano came within one bad pitch of hurling four shutout frames in his first stateside start (made four relief appearances for the A-Guards last season).

Luis Flores (ACL, RP): 1.2 IP, 2 BB, 5 K - Flores’ first five official stateside were all of the swinging strikeout variety.

(From Monday)

RP Kendeglys Virguez (ACL Guardians): 3.0 IP, 2 H, R, 0 BBs, 3 Ks, HBP - The 20-year-old signee from Venezuela got his 2024 season off to a quality start with three innings where he allowed little damage. He had a pair of strikeouts in the fourth inning to put up a zero and retired the side in order in the sixth inning. After a 6.52 walk rate in 2023, it is promising to see no free baserunners aside from a hit by pitch.

SP Eudry Alcantara (ACL Guardians): L (0-1), 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, BB, 5 Ks, HBP - The 19-year-old was moved up from the Dominican Summer League last season and allowed just four hits and two earned runs, but a lack of offense resulted in a loss on the bump. The ACL Guardians fell behind 2-0 in the first thanks to an opposing two-run homerun, but Alcantara’s 5 K’s helped him to work through the rest of his outing.

C Jose Cedeno (ACL Guardians): 1-for-2, R - The team’s only hit came off the bat of the 19-year-old backstop who is in his third season with the organization. A pair of errors and a wild pitch helped put Cedeno in position to score the team’s only run and he added a single on a flyball to right field in his second at-bat of the day.

SS Welbyn Francisca (ACL Guardians): 0-for-3, RBI - A hitless day for the 17-year-old, but at least his plate appearance in the top of the third inning was effective with runners in scoring position. With first base open, his groundball out to second base was enough to plate the team’s only run.


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Jhonkensy hits record-setting double in Columbus win, Tugboat strikes out nine for Lynchburg

Cleveland Guardians minor league recap for Wednesday, May 8, 2024

By Brian Hemminger@BrianHemminger May 8, 2024, 10:40am EDT



Columbus Clippers 6, Iowa Cubs 5 (F/10)
Clippers improve to 14-19



With no Kyle Manzardo, the Columbus Clippers have had to rely on some other players to carry the load offensively, and Jhonkensy Noel rose up to the occasion on Tuesday. Noel went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double, knocking in four runs overall in the Clipper’s victory. His double was in the top of the 10th inning and knocked in what would be the second run of the frame and resulted in the winning run. It’s not often I show the highlight of a double over a homer, but Noel’s double had some significance due to its elite exit velocity.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1788036496878076076

Noel was one of three Clippers who had three-hit games. Daniel Schneemann went 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base, and Jose Tena went 3-for-5 as well.

George Valera and Johnathan Rodriguez both went 1-for-4 with a walk, with Rodriguez stealing a base, and Bryan Lavastida went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases.

Starting pitcher Wesley Parsons gave up one run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 3 2⁄3 innings. Jaime Barria added 2 1⁄3 innings of scoreless relief with a pair of strikeouts.

A rehabbing Eli Morgan struggled, giving up two runs on two walks in 1⁄3 of an inning, with Randy Labaut allowing both inherited runners to score and giving up another run of his own in his inning of work.

Tanner Burns added 1 2⁄3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win and Anthony Banda closed out the victory, allowing the ghost runner to score in the bottom of the 10th inning and no one else to earn the save.



Akron RubberDucks 1, Bowie Baysox 17
RubberDucks fall to 18-10



Oh no...

Petey Halpin tripled and scored Akron’s only run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning. Akron’s pitching staff then gave up 17 unanswered runs.

Starting pitcher Jordan Jones gave up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and a walk in three innings to take the loss, but four relievers combined for 15 runs allowed over the next four innings.

Honestly, the lone highlight of the pitching was position player Connor Kokx, who tossed a scoreless frame with one hit allowed in the eighth.



Lake County Captains 9, Dayton Dragons 5
Captains improve to 17-11



Lake County was consistent, scoring at least one run in seven straight innings to pull away for a victory on Tuesday.

CJ Kayfus had the big blow, a two-run home run in the third inning, going 1-for-4 with a walk to keep his OPS above one thousand at 1.037.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1787999043202748490

Alex Mooney also had a monster day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Guy Lipscomb went 2-for-5 with a stolen base. Cooper Ingle reached base safely three times, going 2-for-4 with a walk. Tyresse Turner went 2-for-4 with a walk and Jonah Advincula went 1-for-3 with two walks and a stolen base.

Starting pitcher Parker Messick gave up three runs (one earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings. Juan Zapata and Jay Driver added a scoreless inning of relief each and Josh Wolf gave up two runs in two innings to finish off the victory.



Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Down East Wood Ducks 5
Hillcats improve to 16-12



Lynchburg scored all seven of its runs in the sixth inning, with the big blow coming off the bat of Rafael Ramirez Jr., who blasted his first home run of a season, a grand slam. He finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk.

Wuilfredo Antunez went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base while Christian Knapczyk went 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Manuel Mejias reached base safely twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk and Tommy Hawke singled, was hit by a pitch and stole a base.

Starting pitcher Matthew “Tugboat” Wilkinson had his roughest outing of the season, allowing four runs (two earned) in 4 2⁄3 innings on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts, raising his miniscule ERA to 0.89.

It took just one other pitcher to finish off the game as Rorik Maltrud piggybacked with Wilkinson, allowing one run (zero earned) on two hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 4 1⁄3 innings of long relief to earn the win.



ACL Guardians 10, ACL Dodgers 4
Guardians improve to 2-1



The ACL Guardians scored nine of their 10 runs in the second inning.

Carloz Gutierrez went 3-for-3 with a double and a walk, Yanki Baptiste went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, Christopher Espinola doubled and was hit by a pitch, Victor Izturis went 2-for-3 with two walks and David Leon went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in.

Starting pitcher Austin Aldeano gave up one run on two hits with three strikeouts and a walk in four innings. Former seventh round pick Javier Santos struggled, giving up three runs without allowing a hit due to four walks, four wild pitches and a balk in 2⁄3 of an inning.


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ow Much Are Minor League Baseball Players Paid In 2024?
May 8, 2024

Things have changed in a big way for minor league baseball players in a relatively short amount of time.

Playing conditions, including housing and nutrition, are better than ever before, and perhaps most importantly, so is the pay that MiLB players earn for their efforts on the diamond. Those changes have ripple effects and make playing pro baseball—and keeping the MLB dream alive for longer stretches—possible for players all around the country.

So, how much do minor league baseball players earn in 2024?

See below for the dramatic difference between the numbers and benefits provided to players in 2019 compared to 2024.


Earning Power
A dramatic upgrade to pay and playing conditions for minor leaguers has made pro baseball viable for all players.

Read More
Weekly Salaries 2019 2021 2024
Rookie-level $290 $400 $675
Low-A $290 $500 $850
High-A $290 $500 $900
Double-A $350 $600 $1,000
Triple-A $502 $700 $1,200
Spring training $0 $0 $625
Offseason camp $0 $0 $625
*Offseason at home $0 $0 $250
Minimum Annual Salary 2019 2021 2024
Rookie-level $3,480 $4,800 $19,800
Low-A $6,380 $11,000 $26,200
High-A $6,380 $11,000 $27,300
Double-A $7,700 $13,800 $30,250
Triple-A $11,044 $17,500 $35,800
*Players are not paid during the December-January “dead period,” where they cannot be contacted by their organizations
In-season housing Not provided Not provided Provided by team
Transportation to ballpark Not provided Not provided Provided by team
Travel One bus Two Buses Two Buses
Meals Not provided Two Meals Per Day Two Meals Per Day
Daily per diem $25 $25 $30
Name, image and likeness Rights retained by teams Rights retained by teams Controlled by player
Health insurance Ends on day player is released Ends on day player is released Continues for two-three months after release