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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/9/25

To: me · Sun, Aug 10 at 10:17 AM
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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/9/25
Yorman Gomez has a career outing, Junieker Cacares stays hot, Austin Peterson finds footing in Columbus
Justin Lada and Arthur Kinney
Aug 10







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SCOREBOARD

Columbus Clippers 2, Gwinnett Stripers 1 - Statcast
Akron RubberDucks 5, Chesapeake Baysox 1
Dayton Dragons 2, Lake County Captains 1
Carolina Mudcats 3, Lynchburg Hillcats 2 (F/7 - G1)
Lynchburg Hillcats 8, Carolina Mudcats 6 (F/7 - G2)
DSL Pirates Gold 6, DSL Guardians Mendoza 3
DSL Guardians Goryl 3, DSL Cubs Blue 1 (F/7 - scheduled)
HIGHLIGHTS

Austin Peterson (SP, Columbus): W (2-3), 8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R (earned), 8 K - Peterson came within two outs of the first Clippers nine-inning complete game since Adam Plutko’s no-hitter in 2018 in an outing that made it seem like his early struggles with adjusting to the Triple-A level are behind him. It would not be surprising to see him make the trip up 71 North sometime next season.

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Yorman Gomez (SP, Akron): 6IP, 2H, ER, BB, 10K - A career outing for Gomez with 10 strikeouts. His fastball sat in the low to mid 90s and his big 12-6 hook was working great. This is the deepest I’ve seen him hold his stuff into an outing this year with control. Let’s see if he can repeat this performance

Guy Lipscomb (DH, Akron): 3-4, 2 2B, SB RBI - Really impactful game for Lipscomb, who has nice skills that could make him a good extra outfielder if he can put it all together.

Braylon Doughty (SP, Lynchburg): 4.1IP, 2H, 7K - Doughty has dropped his FIP to 2.80 with another solid efforts as it looks like Cleveland is starting to cap his pitches/innings late in the year, only keeping him at 62 pitches over four innings.

Alexander Garcia (SP, Goryl): W (1-2), 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 2 BB, 5 K - Garci gave up the same amount of runs and hits as he did last Saturday, albeit while getting four more batters out in a career-long six-inning performance that continued a stellar second season in the DSL (1.55 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 43:18 K:BB ratio and .129 opponents’ batting average).
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

George Valera (RF, Columbus): 2-4 - Valera was the only player on either team with a multi-hit performance in last night’s pitcher’s duel at the Corner of Neil and Nationwide.

Dayan Frias (1B, Columbus): 1-4, 1 R, 1 K - Frias, who has reached safely in all four games he has played in this week’s series, was the only Clipper to both get a hit and score a run last night.

Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 1-3 - Huff’s seventh-inning single was the only Clippers hit with a 100+ MPH exit velo (103.2 MPH).

Kahlil Watson (LF-CF, Columbus): 0-3, 0-2 - Watson, who moved to center field mid-game to replace Petey Halpin after he was injured on a spectacular catch, ended the game with his own defensive gem.

Joe Lampe (RF, Akron): 2-4, 2B - Lampe has his OPS up over .700 now with a nice July run that has carried slightly into August.

Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Akron): 0-4, 4K - Wrong reason for Rosario to end up in the notable performances section with the Golden Sombrero. He struggled with heat in the zone quite a bit and the potential for swing and miss is something to watch for with the promotion.

Jonah Advincula (LF, Akron): 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, SB - A solid day for Advincula who has the skills similar to Lipscomb to be a good extra outfielder.

Michael Kennedy (SP, Lake County): 5.2IP, 7H, ER, 3BB, 5K - Kennedy has had an up and down year but the ERA is down to 3.89 and I think we’re seeing some growth here.

Juneiker Caceres (CF, Lynchburg): 4-2, 2 2B, RBI, BB - In this small sample, Caceres has been an aggressive hitter but the results have been incredible so far.

Carlos Garces (CF, Mendoza): 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI - Garces’ second triple of the week (he also hit one on Tuesday) got Mendoza’s three-run sixth going by driving in a pair.

Jose Riera (3B, Mendoza): 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 SB - Riera later drove in Garces to complete Mendoza’s scoring for the inning and the day - and then proceeded to steal both second and third to break a tie with Garces for the organizational DSL steals lead.

Freilyn Rodriguez (CF, Goryl): 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 K - Rodriguez’s fourth-inning single tied the game by driving in Goryl’s first run of the contest. It would prove to be their only RBI of the day as their two fifth-inning tallies were the result of wild pitches (two of the four Cubs Blue hurlers threw in that frame).

Jose Marcano (1B, Goryl): 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B - Yesterday was all about the bottom of the order for Goryl as number eight hitter Rodriguez’s RBI was joined by the team’s lone extra base - a leadoff double in the fifth off the bat of number nine batter Marcano - from which he would later score the go-ahead and eventual winning run on one of the aforementioned wild pitches.

Angel Abreu (DH, Goryl): 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K - The story further up the order was largely about extending lengthy on-base streaks, with leadoff man Abreu bringing his to 16 games by extending it exclusively via walk(s) for the fourth time.

Steven Cruz (RF, Goryl): 1-1,1 R, 2 BB, 1 CS - Cruz’s streak is one game shorter at 15 but was extended yesterday by a much more impressive performance, as the number six hitter reached base in all three plate appearances he made in the scheduled seven-inning contest.

Gustavo Baptista (C, Goryl): 0-3, 1 K - Speaking of streaks, a notable one was broken on Saturday as Baptista, in his 38th pro game, failed to record a productive plate appearance for the first time in his career.

Lots of late season promotions announced
4 from Akron to Columbus: 2B Bazzana C Ingle Reliever Ross Carver and Starter Tommy Mace
4 from Lake County to Akron 1B/OF Ralphy Velazquez C Jacob Cozars who's hit well lately and rated a star defender 2B Christian Knapczyk Reliever Jack Jasiak
6 from Lynchburg to Lake County C Bennett Thompson IF Jeffrey Mercedes IF Garrett Howe -- none of who has done a great deal; LH starter Rafe Schlesinger who's been pretty effective especially recently; Reliever Conner Whittaker; and Pitcher Luis Flores with excellent K/IP ratio but high BB/IP and high ERA, intriguing possibilty
I assume that also means some 2025 draftees to Lynchburg, but not announced
And it could mean some veterans at Columbus released but not accounced

The accompanying stories are all about Bazzana and how close he now is to the majors and highlight his accomplishments this season. Since he was hitting 256 with 5 homers and 23 RBI in 51 games we're also told that he has improved since he returned from the IL; 265 and 779 OPS in 18 games.

I'm more excited about Velazquez who has really taken off in the past six weeks
and Ingle who has been a doubles and walk standout.

Ralphy Velazquez takes Midwest League Lead in homers before waves of internal promotions

Highlights:
Ryan Webb (SP, Columbus): W (5-6), 6.0 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 7 Ks - The southpaw Webb was very efficient in getting through six innings in under 80 pitches total and put himself in line for the pitching win with a quality start. He made it back-to-back games with a high strikeout total after nine of them in his start earlier this week against the Stripers. He allowed just one baserunner over the final three innings pitched and faced the minimum in that span after he induced a double play.

Ralphy Velasquez (1B, Lake County): 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, HBP - It was a day to remember for the 20-year-old with his second multi-homerun game of the season and nine total bases is the most in a single game this year. Velasquez hit his first homerun of the day in the sixth to put the Captains in front and his dinger in the ninth made it a 7-2 game, but it was much needed with a mild comeback attempt by Dayton in the final inning. Velasquez now leads the Midwest League with 17 homeruns in 2025, but that may not last long because he will be heading to the Eastern League to play with the Akron RubberDucks.

Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 2-for-4, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs, E5F - Benjamin had a pair of extra-base hits for Lake County as well with two doubles that tallied a team-high four RBIs. Four RBIs is the most he has had in a game in 2025 and matched his totals for the months of April and May earlier this year. He now has multiple hits in four of the six games in August that he has appeared in and two doubles in each of his last two games played. Benjamin is 9-for-23 (.391) with a 1.027 OPS in that span.

Josh Hartle (SP, Lake County): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 7 Ks, PO - The left-handed throwing Hartle continues his stretch of dominance with the Captains with another outing with zero earned runs on his ledger. Over his last seven starts, Hartle has allowed just four earned runs in 35.2 innings pitched, a mark good for a 1.01 ERA. He has also allowed zero earned runs in each of his last five starts. Free bases has been something that has hindered Hartle slightly of late, but today’s game saw him allow just a single walk with no hit batsmen.

Notable Performances:
Will Wilson (3B, Columbus): 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBIs, E5F - Wilson was the difference maker in the game with a two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth that put the Clippers in front. He has 10 homeruns in 48 games played in Columbus with his 396-foot blast in the series finale.

Khalil Watson (CF, Columbus): 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB - Watson left the yard as well to provide an insurance run for Columbus with a 379-foot homerun in the seventh. The 22-year-old has a pair of homeruns in his last three games played.

Bradley Hanner (RP, Columbus): H (3), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - In just one inning of work, Hanner was able to get five total whiffs and at least one on each of his four-pitch mix.

Tim Herrin (RP, Columbus): H (2), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - In his third appearance of the series against Gwinnett, the left-handed throwing Herrin was able to go 1-2-3 in the eighth to preserve the lead.

Zak Kent (RP, Columbus): S (2), 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 Ks - Kent had to face the potential go-ahead run with one out in the ninth, but three punchouts sealed the deal for the team to earn a series split. Kent has not allowed a run in each of his last five appearances.

Alfonsin Rosario (RF, Akron): 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBIs, BB, GIDP - Rosario is just 3-for-17 since joining the RubberDucks, but now two of those three base hits have been homeruns. The 21-year-old swatted his second homerun in the last three games.

Steven Perez (RP, Akron): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - The 24-year-old Perez had been giving up hits recently, but this was the first hitless appearance for the southpaw since July 18th. Even with that, Perez has a season-long WHIP of 1.01 between Akron and Lake County.

Jacob Cozart (C, Lake County): 2-for-4, R, RBI, BB - Prior to his promotion to Double-A Akron, Cozart recorded a multi-hit game and reached base three times, a feat he has done twice in the last three games played.

Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 2-for-4, 2B, BB, CS - Chourio reached base three times in the win as well, his third multi-hit game in the last four and a nice bounce back performance after his nine game hit streak was snapped on Saturday night. [And he even hit a double!!]

Jose Devers (SS, Lake County): 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, E6T - Devers delivered his first extra-base hit in his last eight games played with a double on Sunday and scored twice.

BA shares the big news

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians: A little more than a year after Cleveland made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Bazzana is headed to the highest level of the minor leagues. The team announced after Sunday's action that he was among a glut of moves up and down the system. Since returning from the injured list on July 18, the former Oregon State star has hit .265/.367/.412 with a home run and six RBIs.

Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
Cleveland #Guardians have released the following minor league players:

C Jake Anchia - Columbus
RHP Luis Frias - Columbus
LHP Shawn Rapp - Akron
RHP Robert Wegielnik - Lake County
RHP Dwayne Matos - Lake County
OF Mason Bolivar - ACL

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/10/25

To: me · Mon, Aug 11 at 9:15 AM
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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/10/25
Ralphy Velazquez takes Midwest League Lead in homers before waves of internal promotions
Matthew Kennell
Aug 11






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Scoreboard
Columbus Clippers 3, Gwinnett Stripers 1 - Statcast
Chesapeake Baysox 7, Akron RubberDucks 3
Lake County Captains 7, Dayton Dragons 5
Carolina Mudcats 8, Lynchburg Hillcats 3
Highlights:

Ryan Webb (SP, Columbus): W (5-6), 6.0 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 7 Ks - The southpaw Webb was very efficient in getting through six innings in under 80 pitches total and put himself in line for the pitching win with a quality start. He made it back-to-back games with a high strikeout total after nine of them in his start earlier this week against the Stripers. He allowed just one baserunner over the final three innings pitched and faced the minimum in that span after he induced a double play.

Ralphy Velasquez (1B, Lake County): 3-for-4, 3 R, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, HBP - It was a day to remember for the 20-year-old with his second multi-homerun game of the season and nine total bases is the most in a single game this year. Velasquez hit his first homerun of the day in the sixth to put the Captains in front and his dinger in the ninth made it a 7-2 game, but it was much needed with a mild comeback attempt by Dayton in the final inning. Velasquez now leads the Midwest League with 17 homeruns in 2025, but that may not last long because he will be heading to the Eastern League to play with the Akron RubberDucks.

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Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 2-for-4, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs, E5F - Benjamin had a pair of extra-base hits for Lake County as well with two doubles that tallied a team-high four RBIs. Four RBIs is the most he has had in a game in 2025 and matched his totals for the months of April and May earlier this year. He now has multiple hits in four of the six games in August that he has appeared in and two doubles in each of his last two games played. Benjamin is 9-for-23 (.391) with a 1.027 OPS in that span.

Josh Hartle (SP, Lake County): 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 7 Ks, PO - The left-handed throwing Hartle continues his stretch of dominance with the Captains with another outing with zero earned runs on his ledger. Over his last seven starts, Hartle has allowed just four earned runs in 35.2 innings pitched, a mark good for a 1.01 ERA. He has also allowed zero earned runs in each of his last five starts. Free bases has been something that has hindered Hartle slightly of late, but today’s game saw him allow just a single walk with no hit batsmen.
Notable Performances:

Will Wilson (3B, Columbus): 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBIs, E5F - Wilson was the difference maker in the game with a two-run homerun in the bottom of the sixth that put the Clippers in front. He has 10 homeruns in 48 games played in Columbus with his 396-foot blast in the series finale.

Khalil Watson (CF, Columbus): 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB - Watson left the yard as well to provide an insurance run for Columbus with a 379-foot homerun in the seventh. The 22-year-old has a pair of homeruns in his last three games played.

Bradley Hanner (RP, Columbus): H (3), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - In just one inning of work, Hanner was able to get five total whiffs and at least one on each of his four-pitch mix.

Tim Herrin (RP, Columbus): H (2), 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - In his third appearance of the series against Gwinnett, the left-handed throwing Herrin was able to go 1-2-3 in the eighth to preserve the lead.

Zak Kent (RP, Columbus): S (2), 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 3 Ks - Kent had to face the potential go-ahead run with one out in the ninth, but three punchouts sealed the deal for the team to earn a series split. Kent has not allowed a run in each of his last five appearances.

Alfonsin Rosario (RF, Akron): 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBIs, BB, GIDP - Rosario is just 3-for-17 since joining the RubberDucks, but now two of those three base hits have been homeruns. The 21-year-old swatted his second homerun in the last three games.

Jake Fox (CF, Akron): 1-for-2, 3B, RBI, 2 BBs - Fox was able to reach base in three of his four plate appearances in Sunday’s loss - a day that was highlighted by his RBI triple in the seventh.

Zach Jacobs (RP, Akron): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - Jacobs cooled an offense that had two homeruns in the inning prior with a 1-2-3 sixth.

Steven Perez (RP, Akron): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - The 24-year-old Perez had been giving up hits recently, but this was the first hitless appearance for the southpaw since July 18th. Even with that, Perez has a season-long WHIP of 1.01 between Akron and Lake County.

Jacob Cozart (C, Lake County): 2-for-4, R, RBI, BB - Prior to his promotion to Double-A Akron, Cozart recorded a multi-hit game and reached base three times, a feat he has done twice in the last three games played.

Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 2-for-4, 2B, BB, CS - Chourio reached base three times in the win as well, his third multi-hit game in the last four and a nice bounce back performance after his nine game hit streak was snapped on Saturday night.

Jose Devers (SS, Lake County): 2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, E6T - Devers delivered his first extra-base hit in his last eight games played with a double on Sunday and scored twice.

Izaak Martinez (RP, Lake County): W (4-1), 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - It didn’t look pretty, but Martinez continues to be an effective long relief man for the Captains and he picked up his fourth pitching win in the last six games entered.

Jay Driver (RP, Lake County): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - Driver now has four consecutive scoreless outings after a zero in the eighth on Sunday.

Luis Merejo (DH, Lynchburg): 2-for-4, RBI - Merejo was the lone batter with multiple hits for a lineup that had just four in total in Sunday’s loss to the Mudcats. The 19-year-old has reached base safely in all six games played in August.

Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 1-for-3, R, RBI, 2 BBs, 2 SBs, E6T - Francisca reached base three times with the help of a pair of walks and swiped his 42nd and 43rd bases of the season.

Lots of 2025 draftees assigned to Lynchburg:

Competitive Balance Round B: OF Aaron Walton
Round 3: OF Nolan Schubert
Round 4: 3b Luke Hill
Round 5: 1b Riley Nelson
Round 7 RHP Will McCausland
Round 11: C Tyler Howard
Round 14: SS Anthony Silva
Round 16: RHP Luke Fernandez
Round 17: C Cannon Peebles [perhaps an appropriate first name for a catcher]
Round 18 RHP Aaron Petty

Released off the Lynchburg roster:

OF Christopher Espinola
C Robert Lopez

BAseball America Top 100 updates:


Biggest declines include:

Angel Genao, SS, Guardians (-13 spots from No. 33 to No. 46)
Genao gets a slight shift downward because of concerns about his offensive impact. He’s showing signs of being more of a bottom-of-the-order hitter, but he’s also trying to make up for lost time after missing multiple months with a shoulder injury.


Jaison Chourio from No. 82 to off the list; after declines throughout the year
Chourio is a better hitter than his .219 batting average or hard-to-fathom .254 slugging percentage would indicate. He actually hits the ball harder than the average Class-A hitter, but a steady diet of worm-burners means he has just six extra-base hits (and one home run) in 65 games. As much as his ability to grind out at-bats and play excellent defense in center field remains alluring, he has to prove he can do more damage.

CLE on the current 100
Bazzana 26
DeLauter 46
Genao 49
Kayfus 62

I would think that a 20 year old now in AA with top notch power, ie Velazquez and a 19 year old Braylon Doughty could find spots

Ralphy No. 5 on this week's Hot Sheet:
5. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians

Team: High-A Lake County (Midwest)
Age: 20
Why He’s Here: .375/.483/.883 (9-for-24), 5 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBIs, 4 BB, 2 SO

The Scoop: Velazquez already had an impressive week—and then he capped off Sunday by collecting his second two-homer game of the year. It’s a very encouraging sign from the young first baseman, considering he could not pick up much steam during the early part of the season. Velazquez possesses exceptional strength and explosive bat speed, consistently producing some of the highest exit velocities in the system. His raw power flashes plus-plus potential, with some scouts projecting it could reach a 70-grade ceiling as he continues to mature. (JC)

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/12/25




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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/12/25
Big pro debut for Riley Nelson, Bazzana, Ralphy, Schlesinger all make splashes in new level debuts
Arthur Kinney and Matthew Kennell
Aug 13



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Scoreboard:
Toledo Mud Hens 10, Columbus Clippers 6
Reading Fightin’ Phils 11, Akron RubberDucks 9
Lake County Captains 8, Peoria Chiefs 0
Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Delmarva Shorebirds 5
DSL Guardians Mendoza 4, DSL Tampa Bay 3
DSL Guardians Goryl 12, DSL Brewers Blue 4
DSL Guardians Mendoza 7, DSL Red Sox Red 5 (F/7 - Scheduled - Monday)
DSL Guardians Goryl 7, DSL Reds 5 (July 18 game completed Monday)
DSL Guardians Goryl 6, DSL Reds 3 (F/7 - Monday’s scheduled game)
Highlights

Johnathan Rodriguez (RF, Columbus): 3-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI - Rodriguez led the way for the Clippers offense in the series opener with his first multi-hit game and first home run since being optioned early in the month.

Kahlil Watson (CF, Columbus): 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K - The change of scenery from Central Ohio to the state's northwest corner didn't slow down Watson, who hit his third homer in his last four games.

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Travis Bazzana (2B, Columbus): 0-2, 1 R, 3 BB, 2 K - While Bazzana went hitless in his Triple-A debut, he was still successful thanks to solid plate discipline, with his trio of walks bringing his season total to forty.

Will Dion (SP, Columbus): ND, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K - Dion's return to the rotation has been a stellar one, to say the least. He has allowed only nine baserunners (six hits and three walks) while striking out twelve in 9.2 combined shutout innings across his two starts this month. Not bad for a swingman.

Christian Knapczyk (2B, Akron): 2-5, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 E - The RubberDucks may not have Bazzana, but his replacement has hit the ground running with this stellar Double-A debut.

Angel Genao (SS, Akron): 2-5, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Knapczyk’s middle infield-mate put a 2-for-19 series against the Baysox behind him with a pair of extra-base hits to open the road trip in Reading, PA.

Ralphy Velazquez (1B, Akron): 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 E - Much like Knapczyk, Velazquez didn't let the biggest jump within the minor leagues stop him from raking. Ralphy opened his Double-A extra-base hit account with a triple that was his third in as many days as he wrapped up his A-ball career with a pair of blasts last Sunday.

Nick Mitchell (LF, Lake County): 3-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB - Mitchell reached thrice or more for the third time in his last four games, this time doing it with a three-hit game rather than the three-walk efforts that he used in Dayton. In fact, his entire week in Southwest Ohio was marked primarily by free passes, which outnumbered his hits seven to two last week.

Esteban Gonzalez (DH, Lake County): 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 SB - Gonzalez broke out of a four-game 0-for-13 stretch (albeit with a quartet of walks making said stretch not entirely fruitless) in grand fashion with an effort brought to you by the number 2.

Matt Wilkinson (SP, Lake County): W (4-9), 5 IP, 5 H, 7 K - While Tugboat's 2025 has been a maddening mix of glimpses of his incredible potential and frustratingly mediocre outings, his August so far has been comprised entirely of the former. In 10.1 innings across two starts this month, Wilkinson has allowed only one earned run while striking out ten. Hopefully, this is him finally getting adjusted to High-A for good as a fully armed and operational Tugboat would be a huge asset for the Big Club's rotation in the latter part of this decade.

Rafe Schlesinger (RP, Lake County): S (1), 4 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 4 K - The impressive level debits weren't only in Double-A last night as Schlesinger completed the combined shutout and picked up the four-inning save as the back half of the Captain piggyback at the Corner of SOM Center and Vine on Tuesday night.

Juan Benjamin (2B, Lake County): 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K - Benjamin's double extended his extra-base hit streak to three games and made it five multi-base games out of seven played this month, unsurprisingly resulting in a .370/.433/.556 August slash line.

Riley Nelson (1B, Lynchburg): 4-5, 1 R, 3 2B, 1 SB - There's pro debuts and then there's PRO DEBUTS. Nelson clearly announced his presence on the professional diamond with the latter. The Guardians’ fifth-round selection may have signed under slot, but he is clearly not flying under the radar.

Nolan Schubart (LF, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 3 K - Another underslot early Day 2 selection. Another stellar professional debit. Yes, it's the ultimate small sample size at the lowest level of non-complex ball, but the early returns on the Guards’ 2025 Draft are uniformly positive.

Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB - It wasn't just the rookies having big nights for the Hillcats in their series opener on Tuesday night as Francisca extended his on-base streak to nine games with this three-RBI effort.

Luis Merejo (RF, Lynchburg): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K - Merejo's timing for his first extra-base hit in twenty days was impeccable as his three-run homer walked off the game for the Hillcats.

Alejandro Blasco (starting LF, Mendoza): 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 HBP, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 Outfield Assist - Blasco provided nearly half of the Mendoza offense on a third-inning line drive homer to right that opened their scoring with the team’s first three runs and later tied the game on a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the fifth. Throw in an outfield assist and Alejandro had a huge Monday.

Angel Abreu (PH-backup CF - Suspended Game/DH - Scheduled Game, Goryl): combined 4-7, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 SB - After entering the game as one of many substitutes on Monday morning when the game restarted, Abreu played a big role in Goryl’s comeback with a pair of RBI singles. He was similarly impressive in the originally planned contest with another two-hit effort, this one seeing him score a pair of runs throughout the team;s early-game offensive outburst.

Heins Brito (2B - Suspended Game/starting SS - Scheduled Game, Goryl): combined 2-6, 1 R, 3 RBI on Monday* - Brito was an RBI machine on Monday, driving in a pair on an eighth-inning single that gave Goryl the lead for good in the Suspended Game and starting the scoring in the Scheduled Game in the 3rd with the team’s only RBI hit of the game - the other five runs scored on two sac flies, a groundout, a throwing error, and a bases-loaded hit by pitch. (*statline does not include a first-inning strikeout in the Suspended Game on July 18)

Jefferson Vargas (SS, DSL Mendoza): 2-for-3, R, 3B, RBI, BB, DP - An RBI triple by the 17-year-old was the difference when he tied the game up in the top of the eighth and later scored to take a 4-3 lead late in Tuesday’s win. He has struggled in his first professional season with the DSL Mendoza squad, however Vargas has now reached base in nine consecutive games dating back to July 25. His batting average was as low as .153 at that time, but is now approaching .200 at .197.

Gustavo Baptista (C, DSL Goryl): 2-for-2, 4 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 BBs - The 17-year-old backstop in the Guardians system was able to reach base in all five plate appearances and had a pair of extra-base hits in the team’s blowout win on Tuesday. A bases loaded walk and a two-run homerun provided him with three RBIs, a mark that ties his career-high. It is also just the second game where he has had multiple extra-base hits, but a career-high six total bases.

Randy Martinez (RF, DSL Goryl): 2-for-3, 4 RBIs, 2 BBs - Martinez was responsible for two hits and two walks and drove in a team-high four runs. He drove in runs in three of his plate appearances, including both singles and a bases loaded walk. In six of his last nine games played, Martinez has reached base multiple times.

Rodny Rosario (SS, DSL Goryl): 2-for-3, 4 R, 3B, RBI, 2 BBs, DP, GIDP - The duo of Rosario and Baptista came around to score four times each for two-thirds of the team’s total runs on the day - a mark generally unheard of with as many plate appearances as the team had. The 17-year-old is back above .300 with a .307 batting average this season and he has a .916 OPS with the help of six triples and 34 walks in 39 games played.
Notable Performances

Jhonkensy Noel (1B, Columbus): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 K - Noel's first round-tripper of the month brings his totals to eight total bases and four RBI in his last four games going back to last weekend.

Guy Lipscomb (RF, Akron): 2-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K - Lipscomb just keeps getting on base as his second multi-hit game in the last four days made it eight trips to the basepaths in his last three games for Guy.

Cameron Barstad (C, Akron): 1-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SF, 1 BB, 1 K - Barstad has now reached in eleven straight games after homering for the first time since July 1.

Joe Lampe (LF, Akron): 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB, 2 Outfield Assists - Lampe followed up a 6-for-18 series with four doubles last week with an all- around impressive effort in Tuesday's road trip opener.

Ryan Cesarini (RF, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - Cesarini doubled his High-A RBI total with his first multi-RBI game at the level.

Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K - Chourio finally seems to be getting the hang of the High-A level as reaching multiple times for the fourth game out of his last five brought his August on-base percentage to .380.

Luke Hill (3B, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 CS - The player who the Guards spent the savings from Nelson and Schubart's bonuses on Al's had an impressive pro debut on Tuesday night.

Juneiker Caceres (CF, Lynchburg): 1-5, 1 2B, 1 K, 1 Outfield Assist - After posting a .665 OPS in July, Caceres has resumed normal service with an August OPS of .934, much closer to his May (.915) and June (1.073) numbers.

Keegan Zinn (RP, Lynchburg): W (1-0), 1 BB, 1 K - Zinn has improved by one run in each of his three non-complex outings, culminating in this scoreless ninth last night.

Carlos Caripa (RF, Mendoza): 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B - Caripa doubled for the third time in his four-game multi-base hit streak (hit a pair of singles in the other game).

Julio Rossi (RP, Mendoza): W (1-0), 3 IP, 2 BB, 1 K - After opening his career by allowing a trio of earned runs in a single frame twice, Rossi broke out on Monday with his longest and best pro outing by far. Hopefully, this is a preview of what to expect from him going forward.

Carlos Lopez (RP, Mendoza): S (2), 1 IP, perfect, 1 K - Lopez’s professional save record remains unblemished with two in as many opportunities.

Randy Martinez (1B - both games, Goryl): combined 2-7, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K - Martinez drove in a run in each game (double in the suspended game, groundout in the scheduled one).

Algeni Mejia (RP - Suspended Game, Goryl): 3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K - Mejia, who got the “start” when the game restarted on Monday, was dominant in an outing that tied for his longest of the season and officially goes in the record books as part of a 7.2-inning shutout streak that ended last Thursday due to the game’s stats counting for July 18.

Johander Rivero (RP - Suspended Game, Goryl): 2 IP, 2 BB, 1 WP, 3 K - Speaking of shutout streaks and weird suspended game statkeeping, Rivero officially moved up the start date of his active seven-inning streak by six days with this effort.

Randy Baron (RP - Suspended Game, Goryl): W (2-0), 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB - Baron combined the above statistical anomalies, moving up the official start date of a since-ended shutout streak.

Edelvis Perez (SP - Scheduled Game, Goryl): ND, 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R (earned), 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 1 HR allowed, 1 E - Perez rebounded from a pair of three-run outings (and three in his last four) by coming within an out of his first individual victory of the season on Monday.

Hector Castillo (RP - Scheduled Game, Goryl): S (1), 1.2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K - Castillo, who has allowed only one baserunner in 2,2 innings across his last two outings, earned his first official save of 2025 yesterday.

Carlos Garces (CF, DSL Mendoza): 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BBs - One of the four runs that came across to score was from a bases loaded walk from Garces to give him 18 RBIs on the season.

Erick Padilla (RP, DSL Mendoza): S (2), 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K - Padilla was able to induce a groundball double play to lock up his second save of the season. It is just the third time in 14 appearances that he has gotten out of the appearance scoreless.

Daniel Gentile (SP, DSL Goryl): 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BBs, 3 Ks - This is the third straight appearance for Gentile where he has not allowed an earned run, and in this start he went nearly five innings without allowing a hit. The one thing that hindered him in his outing was four walks, but he spread them out over the course of his appearance and the reliever Amilcar Teran came through to preserve the zero by getting out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth.

Wuinder Torres (1B, DSL Goryl): 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, SF, DP - Torres had multiple run-scoring at-bats with a sacrifice fly in the second and line drive single in the sixth. Torres now has six RBIs in the last three games played and eight in the month of August (six games).

MLB.COM and Baseball America both post updated farm system rankings. Of quite different opinions about the Guardians
]
MLB.com list CLE number 5 and says:

Though they're known for developing pitching, the Guardians have a hitter-heavy system. 9 of their 11 best prospects are bats, let by 2024 No. 1 overall pick Bazza;n;a; and they most of the 2025 draft capital on more hitters startaing with OF Jace LaViolette and IF Dean Curly, who slid after rocky seasons. They're doing a nice job of helping hit-over-power guys such as Kayfus and Coo;per Ingle discover more pop.
Top prospects: Bazzana No. 15 overall; DeLauter No. 56; Genao No. 57; Kayfus No. 58

BA ranks the Guardians No. 15 and says:
SUMMARY: The bats are here but where are the starting pitchers the Guardians used to churn out year after year?
STRENGHTS: This team always has hitters who can make a pitcher mad with their ability to grind out at bats and make contact. It's still true.
WEAKNESSES: Health. Bazzana's back after missing muliple months but DeLauter's rise to the majors has been slowed by injuries. Jaison Chourio's shoulder injury slowed him this year, and Daniel Espino is in danger of becoming an answer to the quetions of "Who was the best pitching prospects to never reach the majors because of injuries?"
Top Prospects: Bazzana No. 26; Genao No. 46; DeLauter No. 48; Kayfus No. 51

in afternoon game, Lake County with a 9-7 win led by two of the newly promoted
Bennett Thompson with a pair of hits; Garret Howe with a homer; not to mention Juan Benjamin with a grand slam and a 5th RBI/
Typical mess of a game by Jackson Humphries 5 walks and 5 hits in 4 innings; escaped with only 2 runs somehow.

Yesterday's hero Nelson and other debutants, Schubert and Hill ok today for the Hillcats.
Fellow newbies OF Aaron Walton and C Will Howard start their pro careers today

Bazzana who walked 3 times yesterday looking for his first AAA hit. Ingle in his first AAA game.

Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/13/25
Walkoff grand slam for Juan Benjamin, First Triple-A hit For Bazzana, First Double-A RBI for Ralphy Velazquez, big debut for Aaron Walton in Lynchburg


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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 8/13/25
Walkoff grand slam for Juan Benjamin, First Triple-A hit For Bazzana, First Double-A RBI for Ralphy Velazquez, big debut for Aaron Walton in Lynchburg
Matthew Kennell
Aug 14






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Scoreboard:
Columbus Clippers 2, Toledo Mud Hens 0 - Statcast
Akron RubberDucks 6, Reading Fighting Phils 4 (F/10)
Lake County Captains 9, Peoria Chiefs 7
Lynchburg Hillcats 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 3
Highlights
Aaron Davenport (SP, Columbus): W (3-4), 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BBs, 8 Ks, DP, 2 Timer Violations - Davenport was quite literally unhittable through six innings and despite four walks surrendered, took a no-hitter into the late innings. The right-hander threw 96 pitches and 60 of them for strikes and got 15 swings and misses throughout the appearance. A combined 12 of those whiffs came on the cutter (5) and changeup (7) as his secondary pitches caused troubles the entire evening for Toledo. Davenport has allowed just nine hits over his last 15 innings pitched (.173 opponents’ batting average).

Parker Mushinski (RP, Columbus): S (6), 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 3 Ks - Mushinski retired all six batters he faced in relief and needed to in order to secure his sixth save of the year with just a one-run lead when he entered. The 29-year-old has stayed ready for a potential call-up for bullpen support with 9-of-11 scoreless appearances over the last two months. He has a successful save in each of his last two outings - in very different circumstances with one that only lasted 0.2 innings and this one over multiple frames.

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Juan Benjamin (3B, Lake County): 1-for-5, R, HR, 5 RBIs - The 22-year-old has been on quite the heater over the last week with ten RBIs in his last three games after he tallied five in Wednesday’s win. Not only did Benjamin drive in a team-high five, but he also launched the walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to cap off a six-run Lake County ninth inning and a four-run comeback in the final frame. It was the first walk-off grand slam in team history. The native of the Dominican Republic has six extra-base hits over his last four games as well and is batting .344 with a .994 OPS in the month of August.


Esteban Gonzalez (RF, Lake County): 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBIs, BB, OF assist - Not only did Gonzalez reach base in three separate trips to the dish, but he also added an outfield assist to his resume defensively after he cut down a runner at home. His hits in the first and third innings each drove in a run for the team and in the last eight games, Gonzalez has four multi-hit performances and has seven walks in that time as well.

Alberto Mendez (2B, Lynchburg): 3-for-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, SB, HBP - Mendez improved his batting average to .350 in the month of August after a three-hit day that also featured a hit by pitch in his fourth plate appearance. His RBI single in the bottom of the eighth got the Hillcats back to even at 3-3 and he scored later in the inning where Lynchburg put up a seven-spot.

Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 3-for-4, R, RBI, SB - Mijares successfully turned the lineup over as a part of the 8-9 hitters with Mendez at a combined 6-for-7 on the evening. Mijares has now reached base three times in back-to-back games after having not gotten on for the previous seven games he participated in. Mijares helped to continue the crooked number in the eighth with an RBI single.

Aaron Walton (CF, Lynchburg): 2-for-4, R, 3B, 3 RBIs, BB - Walton delivered the big blow with a bases clearing triple to improve the Hillcats lead to 8-3. Walton also added an RBI single early in the game for two run-scoring hits on the day. This was the first professional game for the 66th overall pick in the 2025 draft.

Notable Performances:
Christian Cairo (3B, Columbus): 2-for-4, R, 2B, 3B - Cairo recorded a pair of extra-base hits for the Clippers and his five total bases are the second-most he has had in a single game (six on April 4). It is also his first extra-base hit since July 12.

Cooper Ingle (C, Columbus): 2-for-3, BB - Ingle put together a multi-hit performance and drew a walk in his first game in Triple-A - the first of many big games for the Clemson alum one might guess.

Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Columbus): 2-for-4, 2B - Rodriguez had a double for his third straight game with an extra-base hit and it was the hardest hit ball of the day for Columbus at 105.7 mph on his single.

Travis Bazzana (2B, Columbus): 1-for-5, RBI - Bazzana recorded his first hit and RBI in Triple-A with his line drive that deflected off the opposing pitcher at nearly 100 mph. [and struck out 3 times, but who's counting]


Ralphy Velazquez (1B, Akron): 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI - Velazquez now has an extra-base hit and he reached base multiple times in each of his first two games as a RubberDuck. His single to lead off the top of the tenth drove in the go-ahead run and helped spark a five-run inning.


Wuilfredo Antunez (LF, Akron): 1-for-4, R, 2 RBIs - Antunez provided the opportunity for chaos with his two-run single to provide key insurance runs in the tenth and a pair of errors resulted in an additional run to score on the play.

Jake Fox (RF, Akron): 1-for-4, R, 3B - Fox’s eighth inning triple set up the game-tying run on a wild pitch later in the inning and the team eventually got the win in extras.

Rorik Maltrud (SP, Akron): 4.1 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BBs, 5 Ks - If not for the solo homerun he surrendered and the lack of offensive production in the first seven innings of Wednesday’s game, you’d feel better about Maltrud’s performance, but it was still one of, if not his best outing since returning from injury on June 27.

Steven Perez (RP, Akron): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K - The left-handed hurler retired the final five batters he faced and now has eight-of-nine appearances where he has not allowed a run.

Magnus Ellerts (RP, Akron): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - Ellerts continued to keep a clean sheet since returning from the injured list with four innings of scoreless baseball - one coming in Wednesday’s win.

Alaska Abney (RP, Akron): W (1-1), 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, K, HBP - Abney entered the game just after the RubberDucks tied the game and held the Fightin’ Phils down for the eighth and ninth innings where he sat down six in a row after plunking the first batter he faced.

Garrett Howe (2B, Lake County): 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, E4F - Howe led off the ninth inning with a solo homerun that eventually resulted in the victory for the team later in the inning, his first hit and homerun in his first game with the Captains.

Bennett Thompson (C, Lake County): 2-for-5, 2 R, E2T - In his High-A debut, Thompson was able to go for multiple hits, including a key single in the ninth that eventually led to the walk-off homerun later in the inning.

Logun Clark (DH, Lynchburg): 1-for-1, R, 3 BBs - Clark reached base in all four plate appearances despite just one hit from the 22-year-old. He has been an on-base machine over his last eight games with a .484 on-base percentage.

Luis Merejo (1B, Lynchburg): 2-for-5, R, CS - Merejo extended his on-base streak to eight consecutive games on Wednesday with a multi-hit performance in the batter’s box.

Cam Schuelke (RP, Lynchburg): W (1-1), 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 3 Ks - Schuelke had to pitch with the lead in the ninth to secure the victory. He’s given the Hillcats multiple innings in each of his last three outings and has had scoreless outings in half of his games since returning from the IL.