Re: Minor Matters
13591He's still working in Arizona; only Doughty of the high school pitchers drafted last year in pitching now.
Re: Minor Matters
13592Lots of lefties working today. All 4 starters: As of this post only Lynchburg game is complete.
Melkis Hernandez [who's he?] for Lynchburg, 4 innings 5 runs.
But the Hillcats rallied for a 10-8 win. Hawke with 2 singles a walk and his 9th and 10th steals.
Francisca walk and 3rd steal.
Luis Merejo 18 year old 1B of interest, doubled and hit his second homer, walked, batted in 3.
Jose Pirela 19 year old CF doubled and tripled, his 2nd of each.
Josh Hartle looking much better than his debut; 3 innings in the books, 1 unearned run, 5 strikeouts 1 walk; Pittsburgh 3rd round pick last summer, age 22
Hot Jose Devers with his 4th double
Akron gave Rodney Boone a 6-run first inning, and he replied in kind with 3 2/3 shutout innings, with 8 strikeouts
Joe's guy Dayan Frias with a 3 run homer, his 2nd;
Allard 5 ok innings in Columbus, 5-4-2-2-2-3
Cody Bolton recently acquired from Seattle with a 3 up 3 down 2 on strikes debut inning
Will Dion follows in relief
JRod NoK's in 3 at bats; longest streak of the season.
Brennan 1-3, Cairo 2-2
Melkis Hernandez [who's he?] for Lynchburg, 4 innings 5 runs.
But the Hillcats rallied for a 10-8 win. Hawke with 2 singles a walk and his 9th and 10th steals.
Francisca walk and 3rd steal.
Luis Merejo 18 year old 1B of interest, doubled and hit his second homer, walked, batted in 3.
Jose Pirela 19 year old CF doubled and tripled, his 2nd of each.
Josh Hartle looking much better than his debut; 3 innings in the books, 1 unearned run, 5 strikeouts 1 walk; Pittsburgh 3rd round pick last summer, age 22
Hot Jose Devers with his 4th double
Akron gave Rodney Boone a 6-run first inning, and he replied in kind with 3 2/3 shutout innings, with 8 strikeouts
Joe's guy Dayan Frias with a 3 run homer, his 2nd;
Allard 5 ok innings in Columbus, 5-4-2-2-2-3
Cody Bolton recently acquired from Seattle with a 3 up 3 down 2 on strikes debut inning
Will Dion follows in relief
JRod NoK's in 3 at bats; longest streak of the season.
Brennan 1-3, Cairo 2-2
Re: Minor Matters
13593Lefty Parker Messick with a 0.00 ERA after two starts goes today for the Clippers.
Righty Tommy Mace with 1.80 ERA after two starts works for the RDucks today. Returned to the lineup: Kahlil Watson OF/IF yesterday; SS Yordes Valdes today
Lefty Mtts Wilkinson, not a super start 4.50 after 2 starts on the hill for Lake County
18 year old hot prospect Doughty with his 3rd start for Lake County, game underway, he's done with his work, line similar to the previous two: 3 2/3 3 4 2 2 4 4.22 ERA
Righty Tommy Mace with 1.80 ERA after two starts works for the RDucks today. Returned to the lineup: Kahlil Watson OF/IF yesterday; SS Yordes Valdes today
Lefty Mtts Wilkinson, not a super start 4.50 after 2 starts on the hill for Lake County
18 year old hot prospect Doughty with his 3rd start for Lake County, game underway, he's done with his work, line similar to the previous two: 3 2/3 3 4 2 2 4 4.22 ERA
Re: Minor Matters
1359410 Low-A MLB Prospects Ready To Rise Up Rankings In 2025
Image credit: Franklin Arias (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)
This early in the season, we’re all navigating the world of small samples.
Some of that data holds meaningful signal, but how do we tease that out from noise? Simple: If a player I like is performing well, that’s proof I was right. If he’s struggling? Small sample size.
Okay, maybe that’s not the best way to analyze players. But leaning into information that confirms our priors and brushing aside anything that contradicts them is an easy trap for us to fall into this time of year.
What we might find, though, is a pitcher throwing his fastball harder than in previous years or a hitter showing more power by reaching a new high in exit velocity. It might be something like a hitter with a tangible swing change or a pitcher flashing improved stuff that suggests a change in his current true talent level.
The most interesting level to look at this time of year is Low-A. It’s where we’re getting our first official game looks at many 2024 high school draftees, plenty of international prospects are making their full-season debuts and where we’re typically seeing the youngest players who are in games right now before the complex leagues begin.
Today, we’re looking at 10 prospects in Low-A off to hot starts who I’m buying in on. We’re excluding any prospects already ranked in the top 50 (you already know Brewers No. 1 prospect Jesus Made is good). Instead, this group includes players who in the back half of the Top 100 Prospects list, players with the upside to jump into the Top 100 and sleeper prospects to keep an eye on.
SEE BELOW FOR ONE OF OURS
Image credit: Franklin Arias (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)
This early in the season, we’re all navigating the world of small samples.
Some of that data holds meaningful signal, but how do we tease that out from noise? Simple: If a player I like is performing well, that’s proof I was right. If he’s struggling? Small sample size.
Okay, maybe that’s not the best way to analyze players. But leaning into information that confirms our priors and brushing aside anything that contradicts them is an easy trap for us to fall into this time of year.
What we might find, though, is a pitcher throwing his fastball harder than in previous years or a hitter showing more power by reaching a new high in exit velocity. It might be something like a hitter with a tangible swing change or a pitcher flashing improved stuff that suggests a change in his current true talent level.
The most interesting level to look at this time of year is Low-A. It’s where we’re getting our first official game looks at many 2024 high school draftees, plenty of international prospects are making their full-season debuts and where we’re typically seeing the youngest players who are in games right now before the complex leagues begin.
Today, we’re looking at 10 prospects in Low-A off to hot starts who I’m buying in on. We’re excluding any prospects already ranked in the top 50 (you already know Brewers No. 1 prospect Jesus Made is good). Instead, this group includes players who in the back half of the Top 100 Prospects list, players with the upside to jump into the Top 100 and sleeper prospects to keep an eye on.
SEE BELOW FOR ONE OF OURS
Re: Minor Matters
13595In the category: Potential Top 100 Prospects
Braylon Doughty, RHP, Guardians
In a farm system that leans heavily on hitters, Doughty is one of Cleveland’s best pitching prospects and could make himself a more nationally known name by the end of the year.
The Guardians signed Doughty out of high school as a supplemental first-round pick (No. 36 overall) in 2024. The 19-year-old has recorded 10 strikeouts and walked only one of the 31 batters he’s faced through seven innings, showing starter traits with the stuff to pile up empty swings. A prolific strike-thrower, Doughty complements a low-to-mid 90s fastball with an outstanding curveball. His curve—a pitch he’s thrown more often than his fastball when facing righthanded hitters—has extremely tight rotation and sharp bite to continue as a high swing-and-miss offering as he moves up the ladder.
His changeup was behind the rest of his stuff in high school, but in his last start, he used it to get multiple whiffs, including a particularly good one with heavy tumble for an empty swing against White Sox outfielder Braden Montgomery, a 2024 first-round pick and current Top 100 prospect.
Braylon Doughty, RHP, Guardians
In a farm system that leans heavily on hitters, Doughty is one of Cleveland’s best pitching prospects and could make himself a more nationally known name by the end of the year.
The Guardians signed Doughty out of high school as a supplemental first-round pick (No. 36 overall) in 2024. The 19-year-old has recorded 10 strikeouts and walked only one of the 31 batters he’s faced through seven innings, showing starter traits with the stuff to pile up empty swings. A prolific strike-thrower, Doughty complements a low-to-mid 90s fastball with an outstanding curveball. His curve—a pitch he’s thrown more often than his fastball when facing righthanded hitters—has extremely tight rotation and sharp bite to continue as a high swing-and-miss offering as he moves up the ladder.
His changeup was behind the rest of his stuff in high school, but in his last start, he used it to get multiple whiffs, including a particularly good one with heavy tumble for an empty swing against White Sox outfielder Braden Montgomery, a 2024 first-round pick and current Top 100 prospect.
Re: Minor Matters
13596Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #16 INF Welbyn Francisca
Can Francisca refine his approach as he matures, and how high is his true ceiling?
Justin Lada
Apr 16
READ IN APP
Bio
Age (2025 season): 22
Acquired: International Free Agent (2023)
2024 Level: Single-A
Height: 5’8
Weight: 130
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
2025 Scouting Grades
Hit: 50
Power: 45
Speed: 55
Defense: 50
Arm: 50
Overall: 45
Risk: High
ETA: 2028
First Impression
Small frame but impressive bat speed and swing. High energy type player. Strong for size.
What Makes Francsica Fun
Francsica embodies a lot of the qualities that the Guardians covet, for a reason. Switch hitter who swings bigger than his size but makes contact, above average-to-plus runner up the middle. That profile sizzles as a teenager, especially in this system. It’s the similar qualities of former Cleveland top prospects. It’s a great package in the sense of growth potential, despite Francsica’s undersized frame. He appears to possess a good understanding of pitch recognition at his current level and control of the strike zone - for the level. He’s got a pretty similar swing from both sides of the plate and so far hasn’t shown any platoon splits. He gets out of the box well, showing above average to plus run times to first and on the bases. He’s an athletic defender around the bag at second base and good body control. Seems to pull the ball well. It’s an exciting starting package for a teenager to grow from.
Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Subscribed
What Could Hold Francisca Back
Growing could be the issue for Francsica. Right now, it’s a lot of ground balls from his swing. He doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, but not completely underwhelming. But he needs more impact from it, which is why I particularly don’t buy high on these types. It’s a lot of Jose Tena and Brayan Rocchio’s, which are fine, but not special. You want the Jose Ramirez types, and Ramire was undersized in A ball at 18 and didn’t always hit the ball hard or in the air. But not everyone is going to be Jose Ramirez and trying to find those types are like playing the lottery. Cleveland has tried to find more in recent years with no luck. He struck out more than Ramirez did in A ball. Francsica will need to improve contact quality, make better contact in 2025 to show those tools translate to on-field success. His arm could hold him back to second base, but he moves well enough to be a plus second baseman, probably a more average shortstop.
Key Metric
.379 - Francsica had a high BABIP in 2024. Two things prop up abnormally high BABIPs (which typically range .280-.310, though there are outliers in both directions) - great speed or high exit velocities. Francisca doesn’t have next level exit velos as of now, but is an above average to plus runner. Even so, those BABIPs are still incredibly hard to sustain and we need to see what he can do at a normalized rate for his skill set.
Intangibles
High energy types like Francsica, Genao and Rocchio tend to play well in the lower minors and exhibit hard work ethic and joy for the game, which Cleveland loves.
Future
Expect Francisca to start back at Single-A Lynchburg early in 2025 with the hopes of reaching High-A Lake County sometime in the second half, depending on his own success and who occupies the middle infield in Lake County most of 2025. Cleveland has been pretty slow and methodical about their teenage hitters. Angel Genao spent three separate times at Single-A in the past, though some of that was due to injuries, but Francisca could spend most of the year in Single-A in 2025, with the end of it in Lake County, hopefully. He tracks now as potentially average regular up the middle somewhere with contact skills, speed and a good defender at second.
Role/Risk
45/High - Fringe to average regular up the middle depending on middle-infield defense and contact quality - potentially utility infielder
2025 Cleveland Guardians Prospect Scouting Report: #16 INF Welbyn Francisca
Can Francisca refine his approach as he matures, and how high is his true ceiling?
Justin Lada
Apr 16
READ IN APP
Bio
Age (2025 season): 22
Acquired: International Free Agent (2023)
2024 Level: Single-A
Height: 5’8
Weight: 130
Bats: Switch
Throws: Right
2025 Scouting Grades
Hit: 50
Power: 45
Speed: 55
Defense: 50
Arm: 50
Overall: 45
Risk: High
ETA: 2028
First Impression
Small frame but impressive bat speed and swing. High energy type player. Strong for size.
What Makes Francsica Fun
Francsica embodies a lot of the qualities that the Guardians covet, for a reason. Switch hitter who swings bigger than his size but makes contact, above average-to-plus runner up the middle. That profile sizzles as a teenager, especially in this system. It’s the similar qualities of former Cleveland top prospects. It’s a great package in the sense of growth potential, despite Francsica’s undersized frame. He appears to possess a good understanding of pitch recognition at his current level and control of the strike zone - for the level. He’s got a pretty similar swing from both sides of the plate and so far hasn’t shown any platoon splits. He gets out of the box well, showing above average to plus run times to first and on the bases. He’s an athletic defender around the bag at second base and good body control. Seems to pull the ball well. It’s an exciting starting package for a teenager to grow from.
Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Subscribed
What Could Hold Francisca Back
Growing could be the issue for Francsica. Right now, it’s a lot of ground balls from his swing. He doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, but not completely underwhelming. But he needs more impact from it, which is why I particularly don’t buy high on these types. It’s a lot of Jose Tena and Brayan Rocchio’s, which are fine, but not special. You want the Jose Ramirez types, and Ramire was undersized in A ball at 18 and didn’t always hit the ball hard or in the air. But not everyone is going to be Jose Ramirez and trying to find those types are like playing the lottery. Cleveland has tried to find more in recent years with no luck. He struck out more than Ramirez did in A ball. Francsica will need to improve contact quality, make better contact in 2025 to show those tools translate to on-field success. His arm could hold him back to second base, but he moves well enough to be a plus second baseman, probably a more average shortstop.
Key Metric
.379 - Francsica had a high BABIP in 2024. Two things prop up abnormally high BABIPs (which typically range .280-.310, though there are outliers in both directions) - great speed or high exit velocities. Francisca doesn’t have next level exit velos as of now, but is an above average to plus runner. Even so, those BABIPs are still incredibly hard to sustain and we need to see what he can do at a normalized rate for his skill set.
Intangibles
High energy types like Francsica, Genao and Rocchio tend to play well in the lower minors and exhibit hard work ethic and joy for the game, which Cleveland loves.
Future
Expect Francisca to start back at Single-A Lynchburg early in 2025 with the hopes of reaching High-A Lake County sometime in the second half, depending on his own success and who occupies the middle infield in Lake County most of 2025. Cleveland has been pretty slow and methodical about their teenage hitters. Angel Genao spent three separate times at Single-A in the past, though some of that was due to injuries, but Francisca could spend most of the year in Single-A in 2025, with the end of it in Lake County, hopefully. He tracks now as potentially average regular up the middle somewhere with contact skills, speed and a good defender at second.
Role/Risk
45/High - Fringe to average regular up the middle depending on middle-infield defense and contact quality - potentially utility infielder
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
13597report on Wednesday games follows:
SCOREBOARD
Columbus Clippers 5, Louisville Bats 4 -
Erie Seawolves 4, Akron RubberDucks 0
Fort Wayne TinCaps 4, Lake County Captains 3
Salem Red Sox 9, Lynchburg Hillcats 7
HIGHLIGHTS
Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 CS - Huff rebounded from a hitless series opener to make it three multi-hit games out of his last four, a stretch during which he is 7-for-16 with four RBI. While Kody only had one RBI last night, his at-bats actually resulted in a pair of tallies as the second Clipper run scored as he reached on a fourth-inning throwing error by Bats 2B Tyler Callihan. [well regarded defender; he's likely to be a long-time major league #2 catcher]
Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Upgrade to paid
Parker Messick (SP, Columbus): ND, 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R (all earned), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR allowed - the first time through the order, Messick was unstoppable. Nine up. Nine down. Three strikeouts, all of them swinging. Only LF Jacob Hurtubise got the ball out of the infield (inning-ending flyout to his counterpart Johnathan Rodriguez to end the top of the third). 29 pitches. Six whiffs (part of a total of 19 that led all of Triple-A yesterday). Eight more on the strike zone that Louisville hitters just looked at. Then came the second go-round After a top of the fourth that felt more like a home run derby, Parker got out of a bases-loaded jam allowing only one run to end his outing on a positive note. While the two chapters of his outing fit neatly with the first and second trips through the lineup, there’s also the issue of his entire arsenal being down about 1 MPH after the third, which could not have helped the situation.
Andrew Walters (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Walters continued his dominant start to the season with a perfect eighth that took only 14 pitches (nine strikes) to complete. What makes this outing extra-notable is that it might be his last in a minor league contest if the speculation regarding a possible Triston McKenzie DFA becomes reality as Andrew is the presumed frontrunner for the resulting callup.
Matt Wilkinson (SP, Lake County): ND, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K - Tugboat resumed normal service on Wednesday night with this dominant outing that seems to suggest last Thursday’s three-run debacle was largely a result of the unplayable conditions (Every so often, I have to look at my scorecard to remind myself that said game was, in fact, not a fever dream.). As long as the forecast isn’t for sideways rain, a Wikinson start is a game not to be missed.
Steven Perez (RP, Lake County): BS (1), 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 5 K, 1 HR allowed - While a lack of early (or middle) run support meant one bad pitch was enough to stick Perez with the first of two blown Captains saves on the night, Steven was otherwise spectacular in an outing that kept his prodigious strikeout clip (14.29 K/9) going.
Alfonsin Rosario (DH, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Rosario extended his season-opening seven-game on-base streak as well as a six-game hit streak with his second and third doubles of the season for his first official multi-hit game in the Guardians org. Alfonsin’s eighth-inning double capped off the evening’s scoring for the Eastlake nine with his sixth RBI in only 30 plate appearances this season.
Tommy Hawke (CF, Lynchburg): 2-5, 2 R, 2 K. 1 SB - Since last Saturday’s doubleheader, Hawke has been a force of nature at the plate, going 9-for-20 with four walks while also tearing up the bases with eight steals in as many attempts in those five games. Those eight stolen bases are part of an org-leading total of eleven that is good for third in all of the minor leagues but only second in the Carolina League (Royals OF prospect Asbel Gonzalez leads all of North American pro baseball with 15 thefts. (Yes, this includes Mexico as the LMB season opens tomorrow, so no one’s nabbed any official bags there yet.)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Milan Tolentino (3B, Columbus): 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K - Tolentino, the other Clipper to reach thrice on Wednesday, nearly doubled his season walk total (entered yesterday with three) in one contest.
Will Brennan (RF, Columbus): 1-5, 1 RBI - Brennan’s third-inning single not only gave the Clip Show the early lead but also extended his organization-leading on-base streak to twelve games.
Christian Cairo (SS, Columbus): 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K - While this is a relatively unassuming statline, that hit and RBI are huge as he tied the game on a 96.3 MPH line drive to center in the bottom of the ninth.
Juan Brito (DH, Columbus): 0-3, 1 R, 2 BB (1 intentional), 1 K - Brito very well could’ve driven in the game-winning run, but after starting the plate appearance 2-0, Louisville reliever Luis Mey (figuratively) said “forget it” and intentionally walked him to load the bases.
Will Wilson (2B, Columbus): 1-5, 1 RBI, 2 K - That honor instead fell to Wilson, who completed the comeback with a missile to right field that topped the team’s exit velo chart for the day at 108.3 MPH.
C.J. Kayfus (DH, Akron): 1-2, 2 BB, 1 K - Kayfus’ org-leading hitting streak reached double digits in a performance that included half of the RubberDucks’ Wednesday trips to the basepaths.
Alex Mooney (3B, Akron): 1-3, 1 2B - Mooney’s fifth-inning double was the only extra-base hit the Mallards of Main Street would muster in last night’s shutout loss.
Tommy Mace (SP, Akron): L (1-2), 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (all earned), 3 BB, 1 WP, 2 K, 1 HR allowed - Not a good outing, but one that would've kept the ‘Ducks in the game it the offense had done…anything.
Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Chourio has reached safely multiple times in each of his last four games played, a stretch during which he has an .833 OPS despite not recording an extra-base hit (5-for-15 for a .333 AVG/SLG, with five walks - including three on Tuesday - making his OBP .500).
Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 2-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 SB - Advincula continued an impressive season on the basepaths with his fifth and sixth stolen bases of the 2025 campaign on Wednesday.
Alberto Mendez (2B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K - Mendez is off to an incredible start to his non-complex career, reaching nine times (five hits and four walks) in his first twenty plate appearances in front of paying fans.
Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB - Mijares has three two-hit performances, two of them including a double, in his first eight non-complex games.
SCOREBOARD
Columbus Clippers 5, Louisville Bats 4 -
Erie Seawolves 4, Akron RubberDucks 0
Fort Wayne TinCaps 4, Lake County Captains 3
Salem Red Sox 9, Lynchburg Hillcats 7
HIGHLIGHTS
Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 CS - Huff rebounded from a hitless series opener to make it three multi-hit games out of his last four, a stretch during which he is 7-for-16 with four RBI. While Kody only had one RBI last night, his at-bats actually resulted in a pair of tallies as the second Clipper run scored as he reached on a fourth-inning throwing error by Bats 2B Tyler Callihan. [well regarded defender; he's likely to be a long-time major league #2 catcher]
Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Upgrade to paid
Parker Messick (SP, Columbus): ND, 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R (all earned), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR allowed - the first time through the order, Messick was unstoppable. Nine up. Nine down. Three strikeouts, all of them swinging. Only LF Jacob Hurtubise got the ball out of the infield (inning-ending flyout to his counterpart Johnathan Rodriguez to end the top of the third). 29 pitches. Six whiffs (part of a total of 19 that led all of Triple-A yesterday). Eight more on the strike zone that Louisville hitters just looked at. Then came the second go-round After a top of the fourth that felt more like a home run derby, Parker got out of a bases-loaded jam allowing only one run to end his outing on a positive note. While the two chapters of his outing fit neatly with the first and second trips through the lineup, there’s also the issue of his entire arsenal being down about 1 MPH after the third, which could not have helped the situation.
Andrew Walters (RP, Columbus): 1 IP, perfect, 2 K - Walters continued his dominant start to the season with a perfect eighth that took only 14 pitches (nine strikes) to complete. What makes this outing extra-notable is that it might be his last in a minor league contest if the speculation regarding a possible Triston McKenzie DFA becomes reality as Andrew is the presumed frontrunner for the resulting callup.
Matt Wilkinson (SP, Lake County): ND, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K - Tugboat resumed normal service on Wednesday night with this dominant outing that seems to suggest last Thursday’s three-run debacle was largely a result of the unplayable conditions (Every so often, I have to look at my scorecard to remind myself that said game was, in fact, not a fever dream.). As long as the forecast isn’t for sideways rain, a Wikinson start is a game not to be missed.
Steven Perez (RP, Lake County): BS (1), 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 5 K, 1 HR allowed - While a lack of early (or middle) run support meant one bad pitch was enough to stick Perez with the first of two blown Captains saves on the night, Steven was otherwise spectacular in an outing that kept his prodigious strikeout clip (14.29 K/9) going.
Alfonsin Rosario (DH, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K - Rosario extended his season-opening seven-game on-base streak as well as a six-game hit streak with his second and third doubles of the season for his first official multi-hit game in the Guardians org. Alfonsin’s eighth-inning double capped off the evening’s scoring for the Eastlake nine with his sixth RBI in only 30 plate appearances this season.
Tommy Hawke (CF, Lynchburg): 2-5, 2 R, 2 K. 1 SB - Since last Saturday’s doubleheader, Hawke has been a force of nature at the plate, going 9-for-20 with four walks while also tearing up the bases with eight steals in as many attempts in those five games. Those eight stolen bases are part of an org-leading total of eleven that is good for third in all of the minor leagues but only second in the Carolina League (Royals OF prospect Asbel Gonzalez leads all of North American pro baseball with 15 thefts. (Yes, this includes Mexico as the LMB season opens tomorrow, so no one’s nabbed any official bags there yet.)
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Milan Tolentino (3B, Columbus): 1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 K - Tolentino, the other Clipper to reach thrice on Wednesday, nearly doubled his season walk total (entered yesterday with three) in one contest.
Will Brennan (RF, Columbus): 1-5, 1 RBI - Brennan’s third-inning single not only gave the Clip Show the early lead but also extended his organization-leading on-base streak to twelve games.
Christian Cairo (SS, Columbus): 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K - While this is a relatively unassuming statline, that hit and RBI are huge as he tied the game on a 96.3 MPH line drive to center in the bottom of the ninth.
Juan Brito (DH, Columbus): 0-3, 1 R, 2 BB (1 intentional), 1 K - Brito very well could’ve driven in the game-winning run, but after starting the plate appearance 2-0, Louisville reliever Luis Mey (figuratively) said “forget it” and intentionally walked him to load the bases.
Will Wilson (2B, Columbus): 1-5, 1 RBI, 2 K - That honor instead fell to Wilson, who completed the comeback with a missile to right field that topped the team’s exit velo chart for the day at 108.3 MPH.
C.J. Kayfus (DH, Akron): 1-2, 2 BB, 1 K - Kayfus’ org-leading hitting streak reached double digits in a performance that included half of the RubberDucks’ Wednesday trips to the basepaths.
Alex Mooney (3B, Akron): 1-3, 1 2B - Mooney’s fifth-inning double was the only extra-base hit the Mallards of Main Street would muster in last night’s shutout loss.
Tommy Mace (SP, Akron): L (1-2), 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (all earned), 3 BB, 1 WP, 2 K, 1 HR allowed - Not a good outing, but one that would've kept the ‘Ducks in the game it the offense had done…anything.
Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Chourio has reached safely multiple times in each of his last four games played, a stretch during which he has an .833 OPS despite not recording an extra-base hit (5-for-15 for a .333 AVG/SLG, with five walks - including three on Tuesday - making his OBP .500).
Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 2-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 SB - Advincula continued an impressive season on the basepaths with his fifth and sixth stolen bases of the 2025 campaign on Wednesday.
Alberto Mendez (2B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K - Mendez is off to an incredible start to his non-complex career, reaching nine times (five hits and four walks) in his first twenty plate appearances in front of paying fans.
Yaikel Mijares (3B, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB - Mijares has three two-hit performances, two of them including a double, in his first eight non-complex games.
Re: Minor Matters
13598thanks civ!
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
13599More Praise for Kayfus
18 MLB Prospect Performances That Could Mean Something—Or Nothing—Early In 2025
First on the list is:
Ready For A New Level?
C.J. Kayfus, 1B, Guardians
Kayfus hit an absurd .600 on balls in play through his first 11 games, and they weren’t exactly cheap. The 23-year-old, lefthanded-hitting first baseman already has four triples on his ledger. His lone homer came off lefty Cy Nielson, and he also notched hits against Pirates lefthanders Anthony Solometo and Hunter Barco, who aren’t easy at-bats. Kayfus has nearly as many walks (eight) as strikeouts (11). His over-the-fence power faced some questions entering the season, but Kayfus is a marvel to watch. He’s been on a heater for the better part of a year now and doesn’t have much left to prove at Double-A.
18 MLB Prospect Performances That Could Mean Something—Or Nothing—Early In 2025
First on the list is:
Ready For A New Level?
C.J. Kayfus, 1B, Guardians
Kayfus hit an absurd .600 on balls in play through his first 11 games, and they weren’t exactly cheap. The 23-year-old, lefthanded-hitting first baseman already has four triples on his ledger. His lone homer came off lefty Cy Nielson, and he also notched hits against Pirates lefthanders Anthony Solometo and Hunter Barco, who aren’t easy at-bats. Kayfus has nearly as many walks (eight) as strikeouts (11). His over-the-fence power faced some questions entering the season, but Kayfus is a marvel to watch. He’s been on a heater for the better part of a year now and doesn’t have much left to prove at Double-A.
Re: Minor Matters
13600FRIDAY GAMES
Lynchburg 5-2. OFs Cesarini and Pirela with 2 hits each. Catcher Bennett Thompson double, walk rbi 387/1021 OPS
LH Schlesinger 4-5-2-2-1-3 Round 4 pick last summer.
Lake County 8-11. OFs Rosario 2hits; Advincula 3 hits; SS Devers 2 [ops1088]; C Tincher 2 hits
LH Jackson Humphries 3-4-5-4-3-3
Akron 9-6. Catcher Cooper Ingle 2nd homer; 2 walks; 3 rbi. Bazzana single and walk; Burgos HR5; Kahlil Watson single and homer ; Jake Fox 2 singles, 2 rbi. Kayfus rests.
RH Davenport 5-4-4-4-1-4 2 homers; RH Denholm 4-5-2-1-0-3
Columbus 13-2 Catcher Kody Huff grand slam, double, walk 6RBI; Brennan 2 hits; Tolentino HR, single; JRod 2 singles, 2 strikeouts
LH Ryan Webb 5 1/3 -2-2-2-2-6 runs both let in by reliever. Bolton 1-0-0-0-0-0-0; Mikolajchak 1-0-0-0-1-2 0.00 in 6 2/3innings
Lynchburg 5-2. OFs Cesarini and Pirela with 2 hits each. Catcher Bennett Thompson double, walk rbi 387/1021 OPS
LH Schlesinger 4-5-2-2-1-3 Round 4 pick last summer.
Lake County 8-11. OFs Rosario 2hits; Advincula 3 hits; SS Devers 2 [ops1088]; C Tincher 2 hits
LH Jackson Humphries 3-4-5-4-3-3
Akron 9-6. Catcher Cooper Ingle 2nd homer; 2 walks; 3 rbi. Bazzana single and walk; Burgos HR5; Kahlil Watson single and homer ; Jake Fox 2 singles, 2 rbi. Kayfus rests.
RH Davenport 5-4-4-4-1-4 2 homers; RH Denholm 4-5-2-1-0-3
Columbus 13-2 Catcher Kody Huff grand slam, double, walk 6RBI; Brennan 2 hits; Tolentino HR, single; JRod 2 singles, 2 strikeouts
LH Ryan Webb 5 1/3 -2-2-2-2-6 runs both let in by reliever. Bolton 1-0-0-0-0-0-0; Mikolajchak 1-0-0-0-1-2 0.00 in 6 2/3innings
Re: Minor Matters
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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/18/25
Newcomer Will Wilson continues to make an impression
Arthur Kinney
Apr 19
READ IN APP
SCOREBOARD
Columbus Clippers 13, Louisville Bats 2 - Statcast
Akron RubberDucks 9, Erie SeaWolves 6
Fort Wayne TinCaps 11, Lake County Captains 8
Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Salem Red Sox 2
HIGHLIGHTS
Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Huff’s fourth multi-hit game in his last five saw him turn the Clippers’ early lead into a blowout with his first homer of the season, a 108.3 MPH grand slam that would’ve traveled 402 feet onto the grass berm in left center if not for the fact the Huntington Park has netting in front of ALL of the seating. Add in a bases-loaded walk and an RBI single and you have the feature performance of a huge night in the org.
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Will Wilson (3B, Columbus): 1-4, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Wilson just continues to rake. His 109 MPH solo shot in the fifth extended his on-base streak to a staggering 13 games and increased his total bases against the Bats this week to 13 in 18 official at-bats. Even in a bandbox like the one at the corner of Neil and Nationwide, .333/.368/.722 with six RBI is a heck of a four-game stretch.
Kahlil Watson (LF, Akron): 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K - After an 0-for-3 injury-delayed season debut in the series opener on Tuesday, Watson has shown some power against the Erie hurlers, doubling on Thursday and opening his home run account in his first multi-hit game of the season last night. This quick start is a promising sign regarding both his health and his bat.
Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 3-4, 1 R, 1 SB - Advincula just keeps getting on base and advancing once he gets there. Yesterday’s three-hit performance, which saw him steal his eighth base and score his sixth run of the season, brought his slash line to .371/.489/.514. That’s a 1.003 OPS with only two doubles and one homer in 35 at-bats. This is starting to remind me of Will Brennan’s stint in Eastlake.
Wuilfredo Antunez (DH, Lake County): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 K - Antunez opened his 2025 homer account in a big way with a three-run blast that extended his hit streak to four games and continued his now six-game season-opening streak of reaching safely when he has multiple plate appearances in a game.
Jose Devers (SS, Lake County): 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K - Devers made it back-to-back huge games in Fort Wayne last night with a pair of extra-base hits. Over the last two nights, Jose has amassed eleven total bases in ten at-bats, increasing his season OPS from .908 to 1.037 in the process (gotta love early season statistical volatility).
Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 E - Rosario continued to feast on TinCap pitching last night, albeit only to the tune of three total bases instead of the four he recorded in each of his first two games of the series. Getting back to the early-season stat volatility issue, this impressive stretch had vaulted Alfonsin’s OPS from .755 to .930.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Will Brennan (CF, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R - Brennan’s pair of singles extended his org-leading on-base streak to 14 games.
Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K - After entering the week with a .167/.231/.167 slash, J-Rod has awoken from his offensive slumber, going 7-for-18 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBI against Louisville pitching.
Milan Tolentino (SS, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB - Tolentino, who stole his fifth base of the 2025 campaign on Friday, topped the exit velo chart with a 111.7 MPH single in the fifth, good for fourth in all of Triple-A yesterday.
Ryan Webb (SP, Columbus): W (1-1), 5.1 IP, 2 H, 42 R (both earned), 2 BB, 6 K - Webb rebounded from allowing four runs in only three frames last Sunday with a solid showing in his longest outing of the year so far. While his four-seamer topped out at 93 and dipped into the 80s on occasion, Ryan made full use of his four-pitch arsenal to confound the Reds prospects at the plate.
Cooper Ingle (DH, Akron): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K - Ingle got the Akron scoring started with a two-run shot to center in the opening frame.
Jake Fox (CF, Akron): 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI - On the other end, Fox capped off the RubberDuck scoring with his own two-run shot to center in the eighth - his first of the season.
Jorge Burgos (1B, Akron): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K - Burgos’ third-inning solo shot to right field was his fifth homer and eighth extra-base hot out of eleven total hits so far this season (that’s a .465 ISO on top of a .256 average).
Trenton Denholm (RP, Akron): W (3-0), 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 earned), 3 K, 1 HR allowed - Denholm was impressive in piggyback duty, keeping the SeaWolves from getting back into the contest in any serious way.
Kyle Dernedde (3B, Lake County): 1-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - Dernedde rebounded from a hitless Wednesday for his best performance yet in affiliated ball.
Johnny Tincher (C, Lake County): 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Tincher once again proves himself capable of the big game, but consistency remains elusive (seven of his eight total bases this season came either yesterday or last Sunday).
Tommy Hawke (LF, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB - Hawke stole yet another base on Friday, bringing his org-leading total to twelve.
Jose Pirela (RF, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 SB - Speaking of stolen bases, Pirela nabbed a pair to double his season total in his second two-hit performance of the week in Salem, Va.
Ryan Cesarini (CF, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB - Hopefully, this multi-hit night represents the start of a longer-term breakout from Ryan’s recent 2-for-18 slump.
Bennett Thompson (C, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Thompson’s leadoff double in the second was surprisingly the Hillcats’ lone extra-base hit of a five-run evening.
Rafe Schlesinger (SP, Lynchburg): ND, 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K, 1 Pickoff, 1 E - Schlesinger got a great night for the Hillcat started with his longest outing of the season, albeit one still not long enough to be eligible for the individual victory.
Austin Aldeano (RP, Lynchburg): W (1-0), 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K - Aldeano has not allowed an earned run in six innings after a disastrous non-complex debut (3 ER in only 0.2 IP on 4/6).
Connor Whittaker (RP, Lynchburg): S (1), 3 IP, 3 H, 2 K - Whittaker converted his first professional save opportunity with one of the three-inning variety.
Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 4/18/25
Newcomer Will Wilson continues to make an impression
Arthur Kinney
Apr 19
READ IN APP
SCOREBOARD
Columbus Clippers 13, Louisville Bats 2 - Statcast
Akron RubberDucks 9, Erie SeaWolves 6
Fort Wayne TinCaps 11, Lake County Captains 8
Lynchburg Hillcats 5, Salem Red Sox 2
HIGHLIGHTS
Kody Huff (C, Columbus): 2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Huff’s fourth multi-hit game in his last five saw him turn the Clippers’ early lead into a blowout with his first homer of the season, a 108.3 MPH grand slam that would’ve traveled 402 feet onto the grass berm in left center if not for the fact the Huntington Park has netting in front of ALL of the seating. Add in a bases-loaded walk and an RBI single and you have the feature performance of a huge night in the org.
Next Year in Cleveland is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Subscribed
Will Wilson (3B, Columbus): 1-4, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Wilson just continues to rake. His 109 MPH solo shot in the fifth extended his on-base streak to a staggering 13 games and increased his total bases against the Bats this week to 13 in 18 official at-bats. Even in a bandbox like the one at the corner of Neil and Nationwide, .333/.368/.722 with six RBI is a heck of a four-game stretch.
Kahlil Watson (LF, Akron): 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K - After an 0-for-3 injury-delayed season debut in the series opener on Tuesday, Watson has shown some power against the Erie hurlers, doubling on Thursday and opening his home run account in his first multi-hit game of the season last night. This quick start is a promising sign regarding both his health and his bat.
Jonah Advincula (LF, Lake County): 3-4, 1 R, 1 SB - Advincula just keeps getting on base and advancing once he gets there. Yesterday’s three-hit performance, which saw him steal his eighth base and score his sixth run of the season, brought his slash line to .371/.489/.514. That’s a 1.003 OPS with only two doubles and one homer in 35 at-bats. This is starting to remind me of Will Brennan’s stint in Eastlake.
Wuilfredo Antunez (DH, Lake County): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 K - Antunez opened his 2025 homer account in a big way with a three-run blast that extended his hit streak to four games and continued his now six-game season-opening streak of reaching safely when he has multiple plate appearances in a game.
Jose Devers (SS, Lake County): 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K - Devers made it back-to-back huge games in Fort Wayne last night with a pair of extra-base hits. Over the last two nights, Jose has amassed eleven total bases in ten at-bats, increasing his season OPS from .908 to 1.037 in the process (gotta love early season statistical volatility).
Alfonsin Rosario (CF, Lake County): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 E - Rosario continued to feast on TinCap pitching last night, albeit only to the tune of three total bases instead of the four he recorded in each of his first two games of the series. Getting back to the early-season stat volatility issue, this impressive stretch had vaulted Alfonsin’s OPS from .755 to .930.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Will Brennan (CF, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R - Brennan’s pair of singles extended his org-leading on-base streak to 14 games.
Johnathan Rodriguez (LF, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K - After entering the week with a .167/.231/.167 slash, J-Rod has awoken from his offensive slumber, going 7-for-18 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBI against Louisville pitching.
Milan Tolentino (SS, Columbus): 2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 SB - Tolentino, who stole his fifth base of the 2025 campaign on Friday, topped the exit velo chart with a 111.7 MPH single in the fifth, good for fourth in all of Triple-A yesterday.
Ryan Webb (SP, Columbus): W (1-1), 5.1 IP, 2 H, 42 R (both earned), 2 BB, 6 K - Webb rebounded from allowing four runs in only three frames last Sunday with a solid showing in his longest outing of the year so far. While his four-seamer topped out at 93 and dipped into the 80s on occasion, Ryan made full use of his four-pitch arsenal to confound the Reds prospects at the plate.
Cooper Ingle (DH, Akron): 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K - Ingle got the Akron scoring started with a two-run shot to center in the opening frame.
Jake Fox (CF, Akron): 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI - On the other end, Fox capped off the RubberDuck scoring with his own two-run shot to center in the eighth - his first of the season.
Jorge Burgos (1B, Akron): 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K - Burgos’ third-inning solo shot to right field was his fifth homer and eighth extra-base hot out of eleven total hits so far this season (that’s a .465 ISO on top of a .256 average).
Trenton Denholm (RP, Akron): W (3-0), 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 earned), 3 K, 1 HR allowed - Denholm was impressive in piggyback duty, keeping the SeaWolves from getting back into the contest in any serious way.
Kyle Dernedde (3B, Lake County): 1-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB - Dernedde rebounded from a hitless Wednesday for his best performance yet in affiliated ball.
Johnny Tincher (C, Lake County): 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Tincher once again proves himself capable of the big game, but consistency remains elusive (seven of his eight total bases this season came either yesterday or last Sunday).
Tommy Hawke (LF, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB - Hawke stole yet another base on Friday, bringing his org-leading total to twelve.
Jose Pirela (RF, Lynchburg): 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 2 SB - Speaking of stolen bases, Pirela nabbed a pair to double his season total in his second two-hit performance of the week in Salem, Va.
Ryan Cesarini (CF, Lynchburg): 2-5, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB - Hopefully, this multi-hit night represents the start of a longer-term breakout from Ryan’s recent 2-for-18 slump.
Bennett Thompson (C, Lynchburg): 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K - Thompson’s leadoff double in the second was surprisingly the Hillcats’ lone extra-base hit of a five-run evening.
Rafe Schlesinger (SP, Lynchburg): ND, 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K, 1 Pickoff, 1 E - Schlesinger got a great night for the Hillcat started with his longest outing of the season, albeit one still not long enough to be eligible for the individual victory.
Austin Aldeano (RP, Lynchburg): W (1-0), 2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K - Aldeano has not allowed an earned run in six innings after a disastrous non-complex debut (3 ER in only 0.2 IP on 4/6).
Connor Whittaker (RP, Lynchburg): S (1), 3 IP, 3 H, 2 K - Whittaker converted his first professional save opportunity with one of the three-inning variety.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
13602I wonder if OF Jose Pirela at Lynchburg might be a breakout candidate; He's just turned 19. Saturday he had a pair of doubles and is now hitting 279 with 819 OPS.
Teammate Luis Merejo doubled singled and walked twice; that's 11 walks in 48 trips to the plate, an impressive stat for a big hitter. He made it onto prospect lists in the offseason. He won't turn 19 for a couple months
Teammate Luis Merejo doubled singled and walked twice; that's 11 walks in 48 trips to the plate, an impressive stat for a big hitter. He made it onto prospect lists in the offseason. He won't turn 19 for a couple months
Re: Minor Matters
13603Lake County won big too, 11-3. Chourio is coming alive, single, double, walk
Esteban Gonzalez has been solid all season, 2 singles and a homer [333 921OPS]. He's 3 years older and should get an Akron challenge
Rosario 3rd homer [275/941] His strikeout rate is much lower so far than with the Cubs organization last summer.
Velazquez hitless in 4; still only 3 non-homers among his 7 hits.
Another maybe prospect W Antunez 3 hits. another 22 year old OF
Esteban Gonzalez has been solid all season, 2 singles and a homer [333 921OPS]. He's 3 years older and should get an Akron challenge
Rosario 3rd homer [275/941] His strikeout rate is much lower so far than with the Cubs organization last summer.
Velazquez hitless in 4; still only 3 non-homers among his 7 hits.
Another maybe prospect W Antunez 3 hits. another 22 year old OF
Re: Minor Matters
13604Akron fell 6-2. Kayfus single and walk. Ingle single. Bazzana rested.
Columbus lost 10-7. JRod 3 more K in 4 trips; Micah Pries grandslam. Will Wilson his 6th homer and single [344/1128]-- he had 5 total last season as he was bumped down from AAA to AA and was picked up in the minor league rule 5. A former number one draft pick, has more of a pedigree than last year's AAA surprise Schneemamm
Velezquez with another poor start: 4 1/3 4 3 2 3 5 5.73
Columbus lost 10-7. JRod 3 more K in 4 trips; Micah Pries grandslam. Will Wilson his 6th homer and single [344/1128]-- he had 5 total last season as he was bumped down from AAA to AA and was picked up in the minor league rule 5. A former number one draft pick, has more of a pedigree than last year's AAA surprise Schneemamm
Velezquez with another poor start: 4 1/3 4 3 2 3 5 5.73
Re: Minor Matters
13605Welcome back to the Guardians Beat newsletter. My name is Tim Stebbins, and this is my first season covering Cleveland for MLB.com.
PITTSBURGH -- C.J. Kayfus has hit at every level of the Minor Leagues since the Guardians selected him in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft. But in the early going this season, the 23-year-old first baseman has taken his game to another level.
Kayfus (the Guardians’ No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) has come out of the gates scorching hot for Double-A Akron, having hit safely in all 12 games he’s played in. He entered Sunday slashing .444/.545/.733 with two doubles, four triples, one homer and 10 RBIs, with nine walks compared to 12 strikeouts.
“I would love for him to continue hitting .475 or whatever it is,” Guardians VP of player development Stephen Osterer quipped this week. “Unrealistic expectation. But he's crushing the ball right now.”
Sure, hitting at a near-.500 clip may not be a fair expectation, but Kayfus may be as well equipped to have a big year as he has ever been during his time in the Guardians’ farm system.
C.J. Kayfus
Last season, Kayfus hit .291/.393/.511 in 107 games between High-A Lake County and Akron, where he was promoted on June 3. But over his final 31 games from August onward, he recorded a .181/.262/.293 slash line.
Kayfus’ body was a key focus of his work over the winter, to help him sustain his production for the course of the season.
“He put a lot of time in this offseason on the physical side,” Osterer said. “I think we saw that transfer into some of his movements in his swing, and then the idea is to continue to impact the ball, and he's already done that. We're seeing a really locked in version of him, in a great physical spot, and obviously off to a hot start.
“We were obviously excited about him as a hitter last year and the progress he made in the offseason physically and the shape he's in. Hoping to see him continue to keep as much of a pace as he can to what he's doing right now.”
Kayfus is putting himself in position to potentially receive a promotion to Triple-A Columbus this season. Along with first base, where he’s played 887 2/3 innings over 102 games in the Minors, he’s seen extended time in left field (215 1/3 innings over 27 games).
For now, the Guardians have been impressed by what they’ve seen out of the gate.
C.J. Kayfus
“He worked on the things he needed to work on in the offseason, so he was ready,” Osterer said. “There's definitely a piece of the mindset [that] he did perform last year in Akron. He performed, obviously, at both levels.
“But coming back to [Double-A] and taking it a step further is, obviously, the work he put in on the physical side, the work that he put in on the swing and approach side, but also just the mentality and the mindset that he wants to take on a challenge and wants to go punish a level, more or less. We're obviously seeing that play out a little bit here.”
Here is a look at other Guardians prospects who have started the 2025 season strong:
Parker Messick
Triple-A Columbus: LHP Parker Messick
Messick (Cleveland’s No. 13 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) has enjoyed a steady climb up the Guardians’ farm system since they selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Now in his first season with Columbus, the 24-year-old lefty has recorded a 2.57 ERA through three starts, having allowed four runs on 12 hits and five walks with 17 strikeouts over 14 innings.
High-A Lake County: SS Jose Devers
Devers (unranked) slashed .216/.289/.320 in 102 games last season, in his first taste of High-A. The 21-year-old is off to a hot start with the Captains this season, slashing .288/.383/.654 with seven doubles and four homers through 13 games. Cleveland signed him as an international free agent on July 2, 2019.
Single-A Lynchburg: RHP Jogly Garcia
Garcia (unranked) signed with Cleveland on April 12, 2022. The 21-year-old has recorded a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings over three appearances (one start), having allowed just two runs (one earned) with 20 strikeouts and four walks.
PITTSBURGH -- C.J. Kayfus has hit at every level of the Minor Leagues since the Guardians selected him in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft. But in the early going this season, the 23-year-old first baseman has taken his game to another level.
Kayfus (the Guardians’ No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) has come out of the gates scorching hot for Double-A Akron, having hit safely in all 12 games he’s played in. He entered Sunday slashing .444/.545/.733 with two doubles, four triples, one homer and 10 RBIs, with nine walks compared to 12 strikeouts.
“I would love for him to continue hitting .475 or whatever it is,” Guardians VP of player development Stephen Osterer quipped this week. “Unrealistic expectation. But he's crushing the ball right now.”
Sure, hitting at a near-.500 clip may not be a fair expectation, but Kayfus may be as well equipped to have a big year as he has ever been during his time in the Guardians’ farm system.
C.J. Kayfus
Last season, Kayfus hit .291/.393/.511 in 107 games between High-A Lake County and Akron, where he was promoted on June 3. But over his final 31 games from August onward, he recorded a .181/.262/.293 slash line.
Kayfus’ body was a key focus of his work over the winter, to help him sustain his production for the course of the season.
“He put a lot of time in this offseason on the physical side,” Osterer said. “I think we saw that transfer into some of his movements in his swing, and then the idea is to continue to impact the ball, and he's already done that. We're seeing a really locked in version of him, in a great physical spot, and obviously off to a hot start.
“We were obviously excited about him as a hitter last year and the progress he made in the offseason physically and the shape he's in. Hoping to see him continue to keep as much of a pace as he can to what he's doing right now.”
Kayfus is putting himself in position to potentially receive a promotion to Triple-A Columbus this season. Along with first base, where he’s played 887 2/3 innings over 102 games in the Minors, he’s seen extended time in left field (215 1/3 innings over 27 games).
For now, the Guardians have been impressed by what they’ve seen out of the gate.
C.J. Kayfus
“He worked on the things he needed to work on in the offseason, so he was ready,” Osterer said. “There's definitely a piece of the mindset [that] he did perform last year in Akron. He performed, obviously, at both levels.
“But coming back to [Double-A] and taking it a step further is, obviously, the work he put in on the physical side, the work that he put in on the swing and approach side, but also just the mentality and the mindset that he wants to take on a challenge and wants to go punish a level, more or less. We're obviously seeing that play out a little bit here.”
Here is a look at other Guardians prospects who have started the 2025 season strong:
Parker Messick
Triple-A Columbus: LHP Parker Messick
Messick (Cleveland’s No. 13 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) has enjoyed a steady climb up the Guardians’ farm system since they selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Now in his first season with Columbus, the 24-year-old lefty has recorded a 2.57 ERA through three starts, having allowed four runs on 12 hits and five walks with 17 strikeouts over 14 innings.
High-A Lake County: SS Jose Devers
Devers (unranked) slashed .216/.289/.320 in 102 games last season, in his first taste of High-A. The 21-year-old is off to a hot start with the Captains this season, slashing .288/.383/.654 with seven doubles and four homers through 13 games. Cleveland signed him as an international free agent on July 2, 2019.
Single-A Lynchburg: RHP Jogly Garcia
Garcia (unranked) signed with Cleveland on April 12, 2022. The 21-year-old has recorded a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings over three appearances (one start), having allowed just two runs (one earned) with 20 strikeouts and four walks.