Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 6/14/25

Another big day for Kayfus, a teenage prospect in complex ball continues to impress

SCOREBOARD

Columbus Clippers 6, Buffalo Bisons 1
Akron RubberDucks 7, Hartford Yard Goats 1
Lake County Captains 4, Dayton Dragons 2
Lynchburg Hillcats 7, Carolina Mudcats 5
ACL Diamondbacks 8, ACL Guardians 5 (F/7)
DSL Guardians Goryl 16, DSL Guardians Mendoza 3

REHAB

Juan Brito (starting 2B, ACL): 1-3, 1 K - Brito singled in the first for his first hit in nearly two months (a double for the Clippers on April 15).

Carlos Gutierrez (starting LF, ACL): 0-1, 1 BB, 1 HBP - Gutierrez stayed in and walked in a later plate appearance after being plunked, so his removal was just standard early-stint rehab appearance stuff, not related to the HBP.

HIGHLIGHTS

CJ Kayfus (RF, Columbus): 2-3, 2B, 3B, RBI, BB, K - Kayfus continued his strong weekend by getting on base three more times including two extra base hits and a walk. Nolan Jones has been a little better lately and I’m not sure Kyle Manzardo is being sent down anytime soon, so if Kayfus makes his debut this year, it looks like it would have to come if Cleveland falls out of the playoff race and they trade Carlos Santana.

Chase DeLauter (DH, Columbus): 2-4, BB, K - DeLauter continues to pick things up offensively although he’s still serving at the DH and he’s not getting the ball in the air as much as usual, but he’s staying in the zone and hitting well despite the time off due to injury again.

Angel Genao (SS, Akron): 2-5, 2B, E - Genao did make an error but doubled and has been making plenty of contact at Akron in his brief debut there, so things are looking solid so far.

Guy Lipscomb (CF, Akron): 4-5, 2B - Though he’s 24,the contact rate is interesting at Double-A, but I don’t know if it will translate to Triple-A, but there are some solid skills. Maybe a future fifth outfield type or call up.

Tommy Hawke (2B, Lynchburg): 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI - Hawke didn’t walk or steal a base, but he did double and played second base. An interesting development for him, but he still needs to get out of Low-A soon. Maybe next week when the first half ends?

Welbyn Francisca (SS, Lynchburg): 2-5, 2B - Francisca continues to hit since his slow start, but he also is finding a lot of groundball and infield hits in this stretch.

Jose Pirela (LF, Lynchburg): 3-4, 3B, RBI - I really liked Pirela in his complex seasons but he’s been a difficult transition to full season ball despite Low-A being a very watered down league.

Juneiker Caceres (RF, ACL): 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 E - Caceres led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot to right that broke the Diamondbacks shutout. The 17 year old continues to be interesting in complex ball, with underlying metrics that are encouraging even for the level.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Jhonkensy Noel (LF, Columbus): 2-5, RBI, - Noel is hitting quickly in Triple-A but is just simply chasing more and making more contact when he does, showing more of the gap between the majors and Triple-A.

Vince Velazquez (SP, Columbus): 5.2IP, 2H, ER, 2BB, 7K - Velazquez has been putting together some nice performances lately but Buffalo is a pretty light minor league lineup and he’s still throwing low-90s now.

Joe Lampe (RF, Akron): 1-4, HR, SB, 3 RBI - Lampe has three homers in his last eight games. It’s been a struggle this year and I don’t know that he’ll turn it around but the power lately has been at least interesting for a player that’s not really known for it.

Tommy Mace (SP, Akron): 5IP, 3H, ER, 4BB, 5K - Interesting amount of strikeouts for Mace who isn’t a bat misser, but the walks were problematic for the 26 year old in Double-A for a second season.

Alfonsin Rosario (RF, Lake County): 1-3, HR, BB, K - Another homer for Rosario but we’re seeing a lot of one hit performances. A lot of all of nothing hitting lately for him, which is a little concerning but not surprising.

Wuilfredo Antunez (DH, Lake County): 1-2, HR, 2BB - Two walks is more shocking than the homer for Antunez, but a good thing. Still find the skill set interesting but would be good to see more consistency.

Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 0-3, 2BB, 2K - Chourio has been ultra passive this season, so it’s not a shock here to see two walks and two strikeouts. I’m not sure if that’s his approach overall, still recovering from his shoulder issue, or he’s caught in between. But you’d like to see more conviction in his swings at the plate and swing decisions.

Yorman Gomez (SP, Lake County): 5IP, 3H, 2BB, 5K - Gomez is walking too many people for his age and level, but he’s been having an interesting year and is probably a better fit as a reliever long term, but the stuff could be worth watching.

Ricardo Romero (starting LF, DSL Goryl): 2-4, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB - Romero opened his professional stolen base account in an effort highlighted by a two-run double in the eighth - surprisingly, Goryl’s only extra-base hit of yesterday’s slugfest.

Nick Mitchell (CF, Lynchburg): 2-4, SB - Mitchell doesn’t have much power but he’s getting on base plenty, hitting for a good average and running. A lot of good base skills so far in Low-A.

Xavier Martinez (RP, Lynchburg): 2.1IP, H, BB, 6K - Martinez hasn’t had a problem missing bats at Low-A but does have too many walks for a 22 year old at this level.

Alejandro Blasco (LF, DSL Mendoza): 2-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K, 1 Outfield Assist - Blasco provided the equivalent outing for Mendoza, driving in all three of the team’s runs on a seventh-inning double that was their only extra-base hit of the day.

Enderson Amaya (RP, DSL Goryl): W (1-1), 4 IP, 3 H, 2 K - Amaya’s second professional outing was a significant improvement over his three-run pro debut.