Cleveland Sports Forum

Kayfus hitting behind Bazz in the Akron lineup wasn' too shabby either: Triple, Double, 2 walks 500/600/875 in 2 days work

Burgos probably isn't a prospect: hit only 233 in Lake County last year. And his K/BB numbers are far too high.
But he has developed some longball talent, 2 in 2 days for Akron. 18 last summer.
But he's probably nothing more than a lowgrade Johnathan Rodriiguez, who isn't much himself.

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/5/25

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.

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. [from the Cubs for Eli Morgan]

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. [Part of the package for Giminez]

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. [short career?]

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. [to say the least]

3 games 3 homers for Burgos, added a triple today.
Kayfus and Ingle 2 hits apiece. Bazzana back to earth 1-5.

Other Sunday game notes:

Akron moves to 3-0. Frias also 2 hits. Davenport 2 2/3 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. Denholm 4 innings 1 run 4 hits no walks 5K

Columbus 6-2 with a 3-2 10 inning win. Webb 4 1/3 scoreless, 2 hits, 3 walks 5K. Velaszquez 2 2/2 5 walks 2 of everything else. Walters 1/3 IP and 1 walk. Brito single and walk, 345/877. Martinez double #6 and walk 344/855, Brennan 2 singles

Lake County at 2-1 with a 13-2 romp. Humphries 3 -1-1-1-3-6. Velazquez homer and walk. Chourio single and walks. Rosario double and steal. Homers by Rivas, Adincjla, Devers. Cozart 2 doubles.

Lynchburg also 2-1 after a 6-5 win. I wanted to see Jacob Zibin in action and albeit rusty he worked through 3 innings, 2 first inning unearned runs, 3 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts. I'm pleased. 2024 draftee 6-3 LH Rafe Schlesinger 3 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk 4K. Hot prospect W. Francisca doubled, walked twice, 2/3 in steals. Catcher Bennett Thompson 2doubles [his 3 walks in 6 AB match the hit total in 49 AB in his 2024 debut for the Hillcats].

So the 4 combined are 13-4. And still overall over 500 if you count the Guardians

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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.

2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #21 1B/3B Luis Merejo Jr.

Next Year in Cleveland - Guardians Farm System Coverage
To: me · Sun, Apr 6 at 11:04 AM
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2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #21 1B/3B Luis Merejo Jr.
Can the young hitter find some consistency and a position?
Justin Lada
Apr 6






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Bio

Age (2025 season): 19

Acquired: International Free Agent (2023)

2024 Level: Single-A

Height: 6’2

Weight: 185

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

2025 Scouting Grades

Hit: 45

Power: 55

Speed: 40

Defense: 40

Arm: 45

Overall: 40

Risk: Extreme

ETA: 2028

First Impression

Not your typical Guardians position player prospect. Corner, power first with some contact skills. Big, hard swing and good bat speed. Mature body for age.
What Makes Merejo Fun

Merejo might have some of the best raw data in the system (105.9 90th% EV) and has already proven good at pulling the ball in the air. He makes a fair amount of contact for his age and type and seems to be able to have a solid approach at the plate. But really the power drives this profile. It’s rare for his age and for the type of player in this system. He’s comparable to some other really exciting prospects in the minors for his age and data set. This is a bat or bust profile, but it’s an exciting bat with bat speed and real feel for the barrel.

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What Could Hold Merejo Back

There’s not a lot of other tools for Merejo to fall back on as far as a major league future. There are some swing decision concerns. He tends to get caught out front at times on offspeed stuff and I see sometimes where he’s swinging with his arms and hands on balls instead of using his upper body to match plane, so I have some concerns how he’s going to handle better spin and changeups going forward. He can powerbomb a fastball. I think he can hit hanging breaking stuff, it’s the good, low stuff I wonder about matching plane on and taking it where it’s pitched. I think he’s likely to end up at first base or left field based on lack of athleticism and his body type. Again, bat or bust profile.
Key Metric

47.4%/51.4% - Merejo has already shown he has a propensity to pull the ball in the air. That’s obviously huge for someone whose value lies with their bat and power. It’s also an impressive skill set for his age too.
Intangibles

Maybe it’s an innate skill for Merejo, but the pulled fly balls thing is something Cleveland really values and that’s not “intangible” but it doesn’t appear to be something the Guardians will have to work with him on, since he already does it well. Other than that, it’s too soon to see where the intangibles really are for Merejo otherwise.
Future

How much Merejo can do to make contact gains in 2025 will tell a lot more about his future. He’ll play half the year at 19 and will likely spend the first half in Lynchburg, with hopefully a chance to get to Lake County halfway through the year. Making more contact and continuing to show rare power is big on his 2025 checklist. Merejo tracks like a corner bat and glove and will probably get looks at third, first and maybe the outfield in 2025 and could end up as a power bat as he moves up, or he looks like a platoon corner bat with contact issues.
Role/Risk

40/Extreme - Corner power bat with contact issues, potential short side platoon

Genao Among Notable Prospects On IL To Open 2025
Guardians infielder Angel Genao rose up the ranks of Baseball America’s Top 100 entering the season, but a right shoulder sprain has put his season debut on hold. Genao is one of nearly two dozen notable prospects to begin the season on the injured list, which Baseball America’s Matt Eddy detailed here.

Sunday stats for top 30 in action

Francisca, Welbyn Guardians A 3 1 1 1 2 0 1 2B, 2 SB, 1 CS
Chourio, Jaison Guardians A+ 4 2 1 0 2 1
Cozart, Jacob Guardians A+ 5 1 2 2 1 2 2 2B
Velazquez, Ralphy Guardians A+ 5 2 1 2 1 1 1 HR
Bazzana, Travis Guardians AA 5 0 1 0 0 3
Ingle, Cooper Guardians AA 5 1 2 0 0 2 1 2B
Kayfus, C.J. Guardians AA 5 1 2 0 0 1
Brito, Juan Guardians AAA 3 1 1 0 1 0
Halpin, Petey Guardians AAA 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 CS

Walters, Andrew Guardians AAA 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Smith, Cade Guardians MLB 0.2 1 2 0 0 1 0 [not sure how he snuck on this list]