Let’s Scout the Lake County Captains!
Welcome back to my annual, unrequested article for Covering the Corner. My name is Mike, and you may have heard me on the Disgusting Baseball podcast rotation with Quincy. If not, here’s who I am.
I’ve been the “datacaster” with the Lake County Captains for 5 seasons. That means I relay pitch-by-pitch data from the ballpark to the server at Major League Baseball. That job requires two things, and affords one advantage to me with respect to scouting.
I have to pay
attention to every pitch for every game I work. MLB takes the live reporting very seriously, so our accuracy is important.
I have to pay attention to every player on the roster. Wherever a player appears in this recap, rest assured I have seen this player enough times to have an informed opinion on them.
In exchange, I do get access to some information that does not get publicly shared on the game file. Those include the precise pitch location and velocity. While the client does not tag and identify pitches to me automatically, it does differentiate pitch types, and I have seen enough baseball to inform you what those pitch types are.
Without further ado, let’s break it down. I am using the roster as of May 19, 2026, to define our list (sorry, Justin Campbell fans- you will be reading about him from many people more qualified than me, rest assured). This roster is mostly derived from the MLB Draft, and it contains primarily later-round 2024 selections and higher-round 2025 selections. I will include biographical information as the team provides.
Ratings are based on a 20-80 scale, with 20 being fringe-professional and 80 being elite. Future projections are hard- I will try my best to estimate these, but development is not linear, and at High-A, these players have years ahead of them to develop.
Part 1 will cover the rotation and bullpen. In a future part 2, I will take you through the infield, including catchers. Last but not least, I will scout my favorite position group on the team, the outfield. In part 3, I will also rank this version of the roster in order.
Rotation: Braylon Doughty and The Boys
Another note before we crack into this: minor league rotations yield many kinds of pitchers, from spot-starters to mainstays to single-inning relievers. High-A is not the level for that transition, however. A number of these arms will be better suited for relief roles. Additionally, I am an optimistic evaluator, and I will sell you that vision if I can see it. It’s part of the fun! Please let me know where you land.
Braylon Doughty, RHP: 6’0”, 203, DoB 12/7/05 (20 yrs. old), Chaparral HS (CA). CB-A pick, 2024.
Four-seam Fastball: 50/55 (92-94 T97), Sinker: 40/50(89-92), Curveball 60/60 (79-83), Slider 50/55 (83-86), Changeup 40/50 (86-88), Control 60/60, Command 50/60.
Doughty has a starting arsenal, a good feel for the spin, and can place most of his pitches for strikes. Doughty is not given to walking guys, but he has been willing to work outside of the strike zone more than he did in his professional debut last season. Doughty can give up his fair share of hits, despite having good enough stuff to attack the zone. He has used the sinker often, but its shape and velocity currently blends with his changeup.
Verdict: Kitchen-sink Starter (think Seth Lugo), projects to the middle of a MLB rotation. FV:50.
Franklin Gómez, LHP: 6’0”, 220, DoB 7/6/2005 (20 yrs. old), Samaná, DR (Acq. in trade w/ NYM, 2026).
Four-seam Fastball: 45/45 (90-92 T94), Changeup 50/55(82-85), Cutter 45/50(86-88), Slider 45/50(79-83), Sinker 45/50(88-91), Control 60/60, Command 55/60.
Gómez is a true throwback, feel-for-pitching lefty in a system that has successfully developed pitchers like him. His five pitch mix is headlined by a changeup that separates well from his fastball offerings. The rest of the arsenal is a mix of 40-45 grade offerings that all play significantly better off each other. He works quickly, recovers from mistakes, and pitches with energy. If his fastball offerings can improve, he shows flashes that remind me of Parker Messick, albeit Gómez is significantly younger for the level.
Verdict: Swingman/ Back of rotation starter with possible upside to the middle of a rotation. FV: 40+.
Rafe Schlesinger, LHP: 6’2”, 188, DoB 1/22/2003 (23 yrs. old), Miami (FL) (4th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam Fastball: 45/50 (92-94 T97), Changeup 45/50 (84-87), Slider 50/55(83-86), Sinker 45/50(80-83), Control 45/50, Command 45/50.
Schlesinger is an interesting evaluation. He is remarkably hittable for how good his stuff is, especially at this level of competition. He strikes out well over a batter an inning, benefitting from a deceptive low three-quarters delivery and a quality breaking ball. THe low arm slot also adds run to his fastball- but the fastball comes in hot and flat. He gives up loud contact when hitters are ready for the heater, and he does not locate it consistently. His new sweeper changed my evaluation somewhat – I now think he can be a swing-man with upside to the back of the rotation. If he does not end up there, he will be a very difficult at-bat for left handed hitters in a bullpen role.
Verdict: Likely a leverage arm from the bullpen, with upside to be a swing-man/back of rotation starter. FV: 35+.
Melkis Hernandez, LHP: 6’2”, 215, DoB 1/18/2005 (21 yrs. old), Monte Cristi, DR (Int’l free agent, 2022).
Four-seam fastball (90-92, T94): 40/45, Sinker (88-91) 40/45, Changeup (83-86) 40/45, Slider (80-83) 45/50, Control: 45, Command: 40.
Hernandez is the most interesting of the remaining rotation arms in terms of whether they can stay starters. He has four pitches that I can identify, and none of them are particularly good for the level. He often pitches himself into trouble, but he has been allowed to work out of his own messes. When he starts, he has more success than when asked to piggy-back. I am intrigued because he has shown toughness on the mound, and he does not give in to hitters.
Verdict: He will remain in pro ball for a while. If his stuff creeps up, he may be a depth starter. FV: 35.
Jogly Garcia, RHP: 6’1”, 202, DoB 9/8/2003 (22 yrs. old), Maracay, VZ (int’l free agent, 2022).
Four-seam Fastball (90-93 T94): 45/50, Slider(80-83) 60/60, Slurve (77-80) 50/55, Control: 40, Command: 35.
Garcia has thrown out his (pretty bad) changeup and moved to an arsenal that capitalizes on his great feel for spin. His slurve and slider have distinct movement patterns despite carrying similar velocity. Command is not his strong suit, but he controls his breaking balls a bit better than his heat. He is using his fastball more than he should, but his current role requires that of him. Garcia is destined for the bullpen, but the longer he can maintain his role in the rotation, the more excited you should be about his potential- it will mean those two breakers can navigate hitters of either handedness, and that they can perform when they’re not at their best.
Verdict: If you liked Scott Barlow, you will love Jogly Garcia. FV: 35.
Jackson Humphries, LHP: 6’1”, 211, DoB 7/20/2004 (21 yrs. old), Fuquay-Varina HS (NC), 8th Rd, 2022 Draft.
Four-seam Fastball (89-92 T95): 45/50, Changeup (79-83) 55/60, Slider/Cutter (83-88) 40/45, Curveball (76-79) 45/45, Control: 35, Command: 30.
Humphries has the ingredients to be a successful pitcher. He has a steep overhand delivery, and his fastball and changeup work well together from that release point. He changed his arsenal in 2025, throwing a cutter/slider hybrid to lefties in addition to his fastball/changeup heavy approach to righties and eschewing the curveball almost completely. Humphries simply cannot consistently command the baseball, and right now his arsenal is akin to a left-handed Eli Morgan. Humphries is a prime example of a future reliever who is in the rotation to figure out the basics.
Verdict: high-risk reliever profile with back of rotation upside if it clicks. FV:30+.
Michael Kennedy, LHP: 5’11”, 200, DoB 11/30/2004 (21 yrs. old), Troy HS (NY) (Acq. from PIT, 2024).
Four-seam Fastball (89-91 T93): 35/35, Changeup (80-83) 40/40, Slider (80-83) 40/40, Cutter (86-88) 35/35, Control: 45, Command: 40.
Michael Kennedy is a crafty left-handed pitcher who does not have the requisite control or command to make his pitches work. Much like Josh Hartle, who was acquired in the same trade, Kennedy relies on deception and location to get his results. He struggles to put away hitters unless he is pinpoint, and he often surrenders hard contact. Unless his command and control improve significantly, it will be difficult for him to remain in pro baseball.
Verdict: Something needs to change before you can imagine a role for him. FV: 25+.
The Bullpen, ft. Kendeglys Virguez, Cam Schuelke, and Questions
Kendeglys Virguez, RHP: 6’3”, 200, DoB 5/6/2004 (22 yrs. old),Barquisimeto, VZ (int’l free agent, 2022).
Two-seam Fastball (96-98 T99): 55/60, Slider (84-87) 50/55, Control 40/40, Command 35/40.
Virguez is a big-bodied righty who stands out on this pitching staff. He has a relatively conventional delivery, but explosive stuff. His slider gets great depth with little lateral movement, while his fastball gets almost no depth with exceptional run to the arm side. When he throws strikes, Virguez can dominate his innings. However, he gets fewer swings and misses than you might project. I believe this is due to the shapes of his pitches, and he may benefit from trying a different breaking ball or a true sinker in the future. When his command gets away from him, the hittable nature of his fastball causes issues.
Verdict: Keep your eye on this guy- he is someone with the stuff you want in the back of a bullpen. FV: 35+
Cam Schuelke, RHP: 6’1”, 200, DoB 1/14/2002 (24 yrs. old), Mississippi State (19th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam Fastball (86-88 T90): 40/40, Curveball (68-72) 50/50, Changeup (78-80) 45/50, Slider (77-80) 40/40, Control 45/50, Command 45/50.
I am almost certainly not doing Schuelke justice with the arsenal above- he throws a number of pitches from three arm slots. He goes from high three quarters to low three quarters to submarine within the same at-bat. Far from a party trick, he regularly deceives hitters with this approach, and with improved command and control, Schuelke could carve out a MLB role due to these unique traits.
Verdict: If his command holds and improves, this is a guy who can make a career out of his willingness to use new arm slots. FV: 35+.
Donovan Zsak, LHP: 6’4”, 203, DoB 7/12/2003 (22 yrs. old), Rutgers (8th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam fastball(90-94 T96): 50/55, Slider (83-86) 45/50, Control: 35/40, Command, 30/40.
Zsak was a relatively high pick in 2024, and the expectation was always that he would be a high-octane reliever with command issues. He has been exactly that as a professional. He will have an outing where he is untouchable, and he will usually follow that up with a bevy of walks. He reportedly threw harder as an amateur, but Zsak still generates good ride on his four-seamer and relies on it primarily.
Verdict: He has the stuff to be a bullpen arm, but he needs to show better control and live more consistently in the upper range of his velocity band to be an impact reliever. FV: 30+.
Logan McGuire, RHP: 6’4”, 205, DoB 9/12/2002 (23 yrs. old), Georgia Tech (17th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam fastball(90-93 T94): 45/45, Changeup (80-83) 40/40, Slider (83-86) 45/45, Control: 50/50, Command, 45/50.
McGuire is the kind of reliever that can stick in an organization for years, and he could even develop into a middle reliever option as a pro due to his propensity to throw strikes and attack the zone. None of his pitches are anything special, but he has a frame that allows for some projection. If he can get a few more ticks up on his fastball, then I would feel much better about projecting him to the majors. For now, he is a useful organizational arm.
Verdict: I am happy to see him enter a game- the stuff needs to improve if he is going to be a big leaguer, but the control and feel for pitching are present. FV: 30+.
Izaak Martinez, LHP: 5’8”, 198, DoB 9/12/2001 (24 yrs. old), UC San Diego (18th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam fastball(88-92 T93): 40/40, Changeup (80-82) 45/50, Slider (83-86) 40/40, Control: 50/50, Command, 40/50.
This one is for the short kings. Izaak Martinez is not blowing anybody away on the mound, but he is an athletic mover who shows decent command of all three offerings. His fastball is just deceptive enough to get swings and misses above the zone, and his changeup is certainly the star of the show. While Martinez is old for the level, he is skilled enough to make me feel confident that he will finish an inning he starts. I do not see a major leaguer here, but I am glad to see him enter a game.
Verdict: Martinez should be a bullpen arm in the organization for some time. FV: 30.
Cam Walty, RHP: 5’11”, 213, DoB 5/14/2002 (24 yrs. old), Arizona (20th Rd, 2024 Draft).
Four-seam fastball(88-91 T92): 40/40, Changeup (81-84) 40/40, Slider/Cutter (83-86) 40/40, Control: 45/50, Command, 40/50.
Cam Walty was a starter through mid-2025, but the arsenal is not deep enough for that to continue. Additionally, the stuff is just okay- he can get outs at this level, but he labors through innings on occasion. His fastball does not generate swing and miss, and the slider/cutter hybrid suffers the same fate in-zone.
Verdict: Walty needs something more in the arsenal to make it out of High-A. FV:30.
Xavier Martinez, RHP: 5’11”, 195, DoB 2/6/2003 (23 yrs. old), USC (UDFA, 2024).
Four-seam fastball(89-92 T93): 40/40, Changeup (78-81) 45/50, Slider (80-83) 40/40, Control: 40/45, Command, 40/40.
The other Martinez has a very similar mix to Izaak. He primarily works with his fastball and changeup, but he can get a bit too predictable. I do not foresee him being a major league arm at any point, and his control needs to improve to keep playing at the level.
Verdict: This Martinez also should acquit himself well in the bullpen for some years. FV: 30.
Luis Flores, LHP: 5’11”, 190, DoB 10/5/2003 (22 yrs. old), Samaná, DR (Int’l free agent, 2021).
Four-seam fastball (91-95 T97): 40/40, Slider (83-86) 35/40, Control: 30/40, Command, 30/35.
Flores is a difficult evaluation. Year over year, his stuff has improved considerably, and he now has some similarities to Steven Perez. Unfortunately for him, the main differentiator here is fastball shape. Flores shows the ball early, and hitters are not fooled by his breaking pitch. The end result is loud contact, taken pitches in competitive areas outside the zone, and early identification of pitches that will be sprayed. And he sprays both of his offerings, displaying little feel for the zone.
Verdict: He is a tough watch- the whole is worse than the sum of the parts. He is young, but there is not a lot of upside here. FV: 25+.
Pay attention for analysis of the Rake County collection of hitters soon!
(Editor’s Note: We want to offer a big thank you to Mike for choosing to share his firsthand analysis of the Guardians’ High-A team with our site!)
