The 2026 season for the High-A Lake County Captains begins Thursday.
The Captains released a preliminary roster today. Before we get started, some names are missing primarily due to injuries. They include pitchers Josh Harlow, Kyle Scott and Conner Whittaker and position player Kyle Dernedde. Here are the active players we have so far:
Pitchers:
Justin Campbell RHP, Braylon Doughty RHP, Luis Flores LHP, Jogly Garcia RHP, Franklin Gomez LHP, Melkis Hernandez LHP, Jackson Humphries LHP, Michael Kennedy
LHP, Izaak Martinez LHP, Xavier Martinez RHP, Sean Matson RHP, Logan McGuire RHP, Rafe Schlesinger LHP, Cam Schuelke RHP, Kendeglys Virguez RHP, Cam Walty RHP and Donovan Zsak LHP.
Analysis:
Some elite prospects headline the top of this rotation, headed by 2024 first round competitive balance pick Braylon Doughty, who impressed at Single-A Lynchburg last year. Franklin Gomez, who was acquired from the Mets for international bonus money, also will make his Guardians system debut. Another super intriguing debut is the 6-foot-7 Justin Campbell, who was Cleveland’s first round competitive balance pick in 2022, but has undergone multiple surgeries since then. Submarine reliever Cam Schuelke and fireballer Kendeglys Virguez should both be extremely entertaining options out of the bullpen.
Catchers:
Logun Clark RHH, Kevin Rivas SH, Bennett Thompson RHH.
Analysis:
There isn’t much here in terms of elite prospects. Clark looked interesting a year ago, but he really struggled in 2025. Thompson, a more offense-focused catcher, impressed at both Lynchburg and Lake County last season with a combined 123 wRC+. Rivas doesn’t appear to be anything more than system depth at this point.
Infielders:
Maick Collado SH 1B/3B, Dean Curley RHH SS, Luke Hill RHH 3B, Garrett Howe LHH 2B, Jeffrey Mercedes SH 3B, Nolan Schubart LHH 1B/OF and Anthony Silva RHH 2B.
Analysis:
This infield is loaded with college bats from Cleveland’s 2025 draft class, headlined by second round pick Dean Curley, third rounder Nolan Schubart and fourth rounder Luke Hill. Schubart may split time at both first base and outfield, depending on what is available that day. I don’t see much pressure being put on them by any of the international bats like Collado or Mercedes.
Outfielders:
Ryan Cesarini LHH RF, Jaison Chourio SH CF, Esteban Gonzalez LHH LF, Jace LaViolette LHH CF, Aaron Walton RHH CF.
Analysis:
This outfield is hyper intriguing, with three top prospects expected to get regular at bats. Jaison Chourio is looking to rebound from a season stolen from him by a shoulder injury while Cleveland’s 2025 first round pick Jace LaViolette will make his pro debut with tons of power potential. Guardians second round competitive balance pick Aaron Walton also should be fun to watch. Additionally, Cesarini and Gonzalez both had decent 2025 campaigns and should provide solid depth.
Lake County is going to be one of the top organizations to watch this season, especially to see the development of the college position players Cleveland drafted last year. Additionally, both the bullpen and starting rotation are loaded with some top end arms and some players we are desperately seeking information on.
Which players are catching your eye as the High-A season starts? Tell us in the comments below:
