It’s been a while, but it’s time to check in on what current Guardians’ minor league prospects have been doing for the past two months.
When we last checked in, one month had elapsed in the Guardians’ system. So, a lot has happened since then, including the promotions of Travis Bazzana, Cooper Ingle (back down now), Angel Genao, and Franco Aleman… and the injury of basically every pitching prospect worthy of interest (Kahl Stephen, Franklin Gomez, Braylon Doughty and the list goes on and on). So, let’s
see what’s been happening over the past 60 days or so:
Triple-A Columbus Hitters:
Cooper Ingle, LHH – 156 wRC+, 21/12 K/BB%
Milan Tolentino, LHH – 145 wRC+, 26.3/18 K/BB%
Ralphy Velazquez, LHH – 107 wRC+, 21/10 K/BB%
Analysis: Back down in Columbus, Ingle deserves credit for responding to his demotion by continuing to post great numbers as a hitter while splitting time between left field/catcher/DH. He should get another chance to hit in Cleveland before long. Next, don’t completely ignore Tolentino; he’s great depth to have and if there is an injury or if Travis Bazzana or Angel Genao need to recalibrate in Columbus, I think Tolentino will get a look and has a chance to be a solid utility infielder in the Schneemann mold. Tolentino is still only 24 years old, as well. Meanwhile, Velazquez’s numbers have been carried by his recent performance, which could be a sign of his adjustment to Triple-A pitching. I think Ralphy will REALLY have to explode to force a call-up, because, as is, he can continue to play in 2027 if there is an extended lockout because he does not yet need to be on the 40-man. It’s exciting to see Velazquez begin to figure things out at the upper levels because he is still only 21 years old and has maintained mostly even splits against RHP/LHP.
Triple-A Columbus Pitchers:
Austin Peterson, RHP – 4.70 ERA, 4.04 FIP, 9.23/3.14 K/BB/9
Analysis: You will soon notice a theme here… Guardian’s minor league pitching prospects are STRUGGLING. Peterson still looks like a viable fifth starter. Hopefully, the Guardians will not need him and their top five starters will stay healthy, but Peterson and Logan Allen are definitely front of the line replacements now with Slade Cecconi on the IL with arm fatigue.
Double-A Akron Hitters:
Jonah Advincula, LHH – 201 wRC+, 12/12 K/BB%
Nolan Schubart, LHH – 177 wRC+, 29/18 K/BB%
Ryan Cesarini, LHH – 169 wRC+, 17/13 K/BB%
Aaron Walton, RHH – 144 wRC+, 22.5/18 K/BB%
Analysis: Advincula is old for his level (25), but he looks like he should get a shot at Columbus at some point. It would probably have to be at the expense of George Valera, and, as much as it pains me to say, it may make sense to release Valera and give Advincula his shot in September. Schubart is such an interesting player; you can’t help but doubt if his extreme whiff issues will doom him, but he is lowering his K-numbers to a point where he looks like he could potentially be a Joey Gallo-type major league hitter. Cesarini’s numbers are probably small sample size but could be an interesting platoon bat for someone. Walton is the most exciting of this bunch as he has managed to cut his whiff-rates and still display some excellent power while looking viable in centerfield. He’s definitely a bat to monitor closely as the season ends; perhaps others will join FanGraphs in putting him on an MLB Top 100 list if it goes well.
Double-A Akron Pitchers:
Braylon Doughty, RHP 5.16 ERA, 2.21 FIP, 10.3/2.4 K/BB/9
Matt Jahec, RHP 0.86 ERA, 1.89 FIP, 14.5/4 K/BB/9
Analysis: Pour one out for our fallen star Doughty and pray he can make a return to the mound from the ambiguous arm-fatigue before the season is over. Jahec is 25 years old but is looking like a potentially viable major league relief arm at some point, likely for the middle innings, and should get a look in Columbus soon.
High-A Lake County Hitters:
Tyler Howard, RHH 167 wRC+ 16/19 K/BB%
Dean Curley, RHH 157 wRC+, 26/23 K/BB%
Esteban Gonzalez, LHH 149 wRC+, 22/17 K/BB%
Welbyn Francisca, SH 136 wRC+, 20/12 K/BB%
Juneiker Caceres, LHH 108 wRC+ 24/9 K/BB%
Analysis: Pay attention to Howard as a catching prospect who can really hit. Curley is busy trying to figure things out in Akron now, but he definitely showed some promising signs in Lake County while running an absolutely unsustainable walk-rate. Gonzalex is a little old for the level and only 5 foot 6 but dude can hit a little. Francisca seems to be putting things together after a lengthy struggle (perhaps injury-driven) and showing not to give up on him being another short, switch-hitting infield success story for Cleveland as a 20 year-old, and should be in Akron soon. Caceres beginning by holding his own as an 18 year-old in High-A is very good news and makes him definitely a top-3-type prospect for the Guardians’ system at the moment. Hopefully, he finishes the season strong and could be pushing for a debut as a 20 year-old in Cleveland (rivaling Jose Ramirez for earliest recent debut??).
High-A Lake County Pitchers:
Izaak Martinez, 1.32 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 12/4.6 K/BB/9
Analysis: He’s up in Akron and things aren’t going well, yet, but given the state of this system, we better hope this is a potential matchup lefty in the bullpen for us. He’s 24 years old, though, so it’s not very likely.
Low-A Lynchburg Hitters:
Luis De La Cruz, SH 157 wRC+, 11/14 K/BB/%
Reiner Herrera, LHH 135 wRC+, 14/15 K/BB%
Analysis: De La Cruz is a corner infielder and I don’t know that he has enough power to really be something, but he’s only 19 and worth monitoring. Herrera is a catcher who makes great, quality contact. Worth watching to see what he does as the season ends.
Low-A Lynchburg Pitchers:
NONE
Analysis: The Guardians’ should probably be targeting minor league pitching if they trade a player like Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo or Gavin Williams in the offseason… just saying.
With all the promotions the Guardians have done this season, the minor league systems are looking a little bare. They should get a boost from their 2026 draft class and the Arizona Complex and Dominican Winter leagues soon, but there is some work to be done here. Still, having Ingle, Velazquez, Walton, Caceres and Francisca is good news for the Guardians’ continued miasma of offensive issues and there are some fun storylines to follow as the season ends.
