Cleveland Guardians Spring Training Prospect Report 2/22/25

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Feb 23, 2025

Cincinnati Reds 6, Cleveland Guardians 3

Notables

Milan Tolentino (2B): 1-2, 3B, K - Tolentino had the best day of any prospect in this game with a triple in the ninth inning off Reds minor league pitcher Sam Benschoter. He struck out at the hands of Bryan Shaw in this one in his other at bat, for good measure.

Tanner Burns (RP): IP, K - The 2020 first rounder needed just 11 pitches to finish off the seventh inning in order. His fastball averaged 94, which was a slight tick above last season’s average and he got one swing and miss all day.

Zak Kent (RP): IP, BB, K - Kent threw 15 pitches in his outing and touched 94, Sat 93. It’s a short, first outing of the year. Kent had a fastball that used to hit a little higher in the past and it fell off with injuries. Keep an eye on Kent, who was a decent prospect at one time and the Guardians swapped international money to get him last year.

Mason Hickman (RP): IP, H - Hickman pitched a scoreless fifth inning and averaged 92 with his fastball. Hickman has been 88-90 in the past so this is at least interesting to start. A better fastball would make Hickman a more interesting reliever with his slider and curve as he also mixes in other pitches.

Petey Halpin (CF): 1-1 - In his first at bat on the 40 man roster, Halpin hit a 104 MPH single off former Akron teammate, Lenny Torres Jr.

Yordys Valdes (SS): 0-1, RBI, K -Valdez’s sac fly in the ninth drove in the third run of the game.

Micah Pries (1B): 1-2, K - Pries struck out in his first at bat, but singled in the ninth off former Guardians minor leaguer, and Columbus teammate, Ian Gibaut.

Johnathan Rodriguez (RF): 0-1, BB - Rodriguez faced Bryan Shaw in his first at bat of 2025 and drew a walk, then hit a 105 MPH groundout vs. former teammate Lenny Torres Jr.

Nick Mikolajchak (RP): 0.1IP - Mikolajchak got one out finishing up Luis Frias’ rough outing. He just threw one of every pitch and hit 93. Before his TJ surgery, Mikolajchak was 94-96 with good stuff. We’ll see if he starts to find the velocity again. He was one of the org’s best relief prospect before then.

Also Played

Dayan Frias (3B): 0-1

Kody Huff (C): 0-1

Jake Anchia (DH): 0-1

Kahlil Watson (LF): 0-1

Did Not Play

OF Jorge Burgos

INF Jose Devers

C Kevin Rivas

RHP Magnus Ellerts

RHP Zane Morehouse

LHP Steven Perez

RHP Carter Spive