I’m a little late to this project, but let’s see the standout performers from the first month(plus) of Guardians’ minor league baseball action:
Triple-A Columbus – Hitters: Cooper Ingle, C – 223 wRC+, 19.5/28.6 K/BB%, .315 ISO Angel Genao, SS – 157 wRC+, 17.2/6.9%, .296 ISO Stuart Fairchild, OF – 154 wRC+, 19.4/15.8%, .202 ISO Kody Huff, C – 151 wRC+, 17.7/13.6 K/BB%, .224 ISO Maick Collado, 1B/3B – 150 wRC+, 8.1/2.7 K/BB%, .206 ISO Kahlil Watson, OF – 141 wRC+, 26.7/20.6 K/BB%, .265 ISO Juan Brito
– 138 wRC+, 15.6/13.54 K/BB%, .250 ISO
Analysis: There are some pretty impressive hitters in this bunch. Primarily, I wonder how long the team will wait to get Ingle and Watson their shots at impacting the major league roster. Watson still whiffs a bit too much, but every other number looks sustainable. Genao probably doesn’t get a shot until next season, but all his numbers so far look insane – EXCEPT for that near 60% groundball rate. If he starts lifting the ball just a little more – watch out. He’s still likely the organization’s shortstop of the future… or an amazing trade chip… Collado’s numbers are not sustainable, but it is fun he has had such a great first 37 plate appearances in Columbus. Kody Huff might be the most interesting name to watch here, as he seems to have made some significant hitting adjustments, and his catching gets rave reviews. Fairchild may get a shot to replace Angel Martinez at some point if Angel doesn’t stop chasing everything out of the zone he gets thrown. Brito has yet to get any outfield reps this year, however, so he is looking like an injury-replacement only so far. He doesn’t need to see second base again, but his bat still looks like it could be an asset in the bigs if given time.
Pitchers:
Austin Peterson, RHP – 1.69 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 8.44/2.53 K/BB/9
Rorik Maltrud, RHP – 2.08 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 6.75/2.60 K/BB/9
Analysis: Peterson has seen the usual walk tic-up of a pitcher going to Triple-A, but I’d expect him to lower that rate and show himself to be a competent fifth starter, with a solid groundball rate. Maltrud may become a solid long reliever, but I’m not sure that low of a K-rate is able to make him a major league option. Side note – Codi Heuer has a decent ERA that does not look at all sustainable, and should be the first roster spot to give way if the team wants to add a player at some point. Also, Daniel Espino has had a rough couple weeks, but I believe in that kid to figure it out. Still striking out 11 batters per 9.
Double-A Akron – Hitters:
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B/LF – 146 wRC+, 16.9/14.1 K/BB/9, .192 ISO
Jake Fox, OF – 144 wRC+, 18.5/22.2 K/BB/9, .067 ISO
Analysis: Velazquez has yet to consistently tap into his power. When that happens, he will quickly make his way to Columbus. Fox’s wRC+ is mostly a mirage, but he has fringe major league hitter potential, still.
Pitchers:
Justin Campbell, RHP – 0.00 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 11.25/2.25 K/BB/9.
Carter Rustad, RHP – 1.00 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 11/3.5 K/BB/9.
Jack Jasiak, RHP – 3.32 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 11.37/2.37 K/BB/9.
Caden Favors, RHP – 3.52 ERA, 5.63 FIP, 8.8/4.5 K/BB/9.
Khal Stephen, RHP – 3.82 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 10.09/4.64 K/BB/9.
Analysis: Cheating a little by putting Campbell here, who has had just one start at Akron, but he is the most exciting arm of this bunch. I don’t know what his innings limits look like, but he could force the issue for a promotion sooner rather than later if he keeps this up. Rustad and Jasiak look like usable relievers who deserve a Columbus promotion at some point. Favors and Stephen have both struggled with walks. I would guess Stephen gets the walks under control in the month to come and makes his way to Triple-A, but things are much less sure for Favors.
High-A Lake County – Hitters:
Bennett Thompson, C – 182 wRC+, 21.9/30.2 K/BB%, .231 ISO
Aaron Walton, OF – 147 wRC+, 25/9 K/BB%, .245 ISO
Dean Curley, SS – 140 wRC+, 26.8/27.6 K/BB%, .153 ISO
Jaison Chourio, OF – 139 wRC+, 17.6/17.6 K/BB%, .159 ISO
Ryan Cesarini, OF – 123 wRC+, 21.6/7.2, .267 ISO
Analysis: A team lacking power but with lots of contact and plate discipline. I am not sure how Thompson’s defense at catcher will hold up as he advances, but he can hit. Walton’s early returns have been great; just a question if he can keep the whiff low enough and the power high enough to maintain his value as a hitter. Chourio’s injury is unfortunate, but he was displaying the “average ML hitter” potential folks saw for him. Curley’s numbers will be determined on if he can reduce his K-rate and impact the ball at a high enough rate to help when his walk rate declines. Cesarini might be a fourth outfielder someday.
Pitchers:
Cam Schuelke, RHP – 0.63 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 7.53/3.14 K/BB/9.
Franklin Gomez, LHP – 1.95 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 10.41/2.60 K/BB/9.
Izaak Martinez, LHP – 2.51 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 9.42/3.14 K/BB/9.
Braylon Doughty, RHP – 3.44 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 9.82/2.45 K/BB/9.
Analysis:
Gomez and Doughty are very exciting starting pitching prospects. I’d like to see both brought up to Akron in June or July, at the latest, and I think BOTH have strong front of the rotation potential. Schuelke could be a fringe major league reliever with his unusual delivery, and Martinez should get a shot as a major league lefty out of the pen at some point.
Low-A Hill City – Hitters:
Anthony Martinez, 1B – 165 wRC+, 16.5/19.6 K/BB%, .250 ISO
Robert Arias, OF – 148 wRC+, 15.7/18.1 K/BB%, .155 ISO
Jose Pirela, OF – 148 wRC+, 26.7/11.5 K/BB%, .205 ISO
Luis De La Cruz, 1B/3B – 135 wRC+, 28.6/14.3 K/BB%, .083 ISO
Juneiker Caceres, OF – 121 wRC+, 10.7/14.3 K/BB%, .140 ISO
Analysis: Martinez and Arias are such exciting hitters, folks. Wow. Pay attention for their progress this season. Pirela and De La Cruz have some reasons to doubt their output so far, but, hey, better to hit than not to hit. Caceres is dealing with an injury, but I expect big things from him and from Dauri Fernandez in the months ahead.
Pitchers:
Luke Fernandez, RHP – 1.83 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 10.07/5.49 K/BB/9.
Harrison Bodendorf, LHP – 2.01 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 12.49/2.22 K/BB/9.
Nelson Keljo, LHP – 2.08 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 12.46/2.60 K/BB/9.
Jervis Alfaro, RHP – 3.13 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 12.91/3.13 K/BB/9.
Aidan Major, LHP – 3.72 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 8.84/4.66 K/BB/9.
Analysis: Some strong pitching in Hill City. Bodendorg, Keljo and Major are the starters in this group, and Bodendorf will be especially knocking on the door for Lake County soon. Bodendorf is 6’5 and Keljo is 6’4, so that’s some exciting physical talent to dream on. Fernandez’s numbers seem somewhat unsustainable, but Alfaro is gonna head to Lake County sooner rather than later.
Overall, it’s been an encouraging beginning for the Guardians’ farm system. Let’s hope this solid development work continues and even improves in the months ahead. Let us know which prospect you’re most excited about from the list above in the comments below.
