Acquiring the 2024 Cleveland Guardian Franchise - Upper minors
Welcome to part two of the transactional posts. We now take a look at the upper level of the minors, with the Lake County Captains, Akron RubberDucks and Columbus Clippers players.
Midwest League
Lake County was the best team in the league (by 0.5 game) and first overall in the East Division by 4.0 games for the full season. They dominated the first half by a full 7.0 games, and finished third in the division, 3.0 games back in the second half. They also took the Midwest League title, by winning the final two games of the best of three series. Congrats to the Captains!
There were a number of hitting stars in Lake County, including:
1B/OF C.J. Kayfus (338/437/578 in 183 PA)
C Cooper Ingle (314/433/500 in 305 PA; 9HR)
2B Nate Furman (338/417/500 in 176 PA; dealt to SFG)
SS Angel Genao (322/377/463 in 300 PA; 13 SB); post promotion from Lynchburg
OF Jorge Burgos (233/305/452 in 305 PA; 15HR)
IF Alex Mooney (235/336/393 in 473 PA; 12 HR)
As with the hitters, there were multiple pitching stars including:
Tenton Denholm (3.29 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 106.2 IP)
Austin Peterson (2.44 ERA, 0.835 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 in 85.0 IP)
Zach Jacobs (2.36 ERA, 0.875 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 80.0 IP)
Matt Wilkinson (2.30 ERA, 0.983 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 78.1 IP)
Carter Spivey (3.32 ERA, 1.219 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 in 124.2 IP)
Magnus Ellerts (11 saves, 2.31 ERA, 1.114 WHIP and 15.2 K/9 in 35 IP)
Eastern League
Just like Lake County, Akron was also the top team in the Eastern League this year. They were 80-58 overall (best in league by 1.5 game). They started off slowly in the first half, 37-32, just two games behind Erie, but finished 43-26 in the second half, 3.5 games better than Erie. Unfortunately, they did not take the League title, falling 2-1 against Erie in the Division Series. Erie would go and beat Somerset to take the league title.
Like Lake County, there were some quite a few pretty good hitters:
1B/OF C.J. Kayfus (263/366/470 in 298 PA; 10 HR); post promotion from Lake County
C Cooper Ingle (281/379/416 in 103 PA); post promotion from Lake County
CF Petey Halpin (233/314/399 in 405 PA; 12 HR, 12 SB)
2B/OF Kahlil Watson (220/305/407 in 407 PA; 16 HR, 15 SB)
RF Alexfri Planex (219/254/383 in 425 PA; 16 HR)
The pitching staff also had quite a few top players:
Aaron Davenport (2.85 ERA, 1.180 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 142.1 IP)
Ryan Webb (2.87 ERA, 1.256 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 in 106.2 IP)
Austin Peterson (2.88 ERA, 0.960 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 in 75.0 IP)
Parker Messick (2.06 ERA, 1.005 WHIP, 11.6 K/9 in 65.2 IP)
Tommy Mace (3.71 ERA, 1.215 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 in 145.2 IP)
Jack Leftwich (10 saves, 4.25 ERA, 1.247 ERA, 10.3 K/9 in 59.1 IP)
International League
Columbus did not finish with the best overall division record like Akron and Lake County. But the did go 80-68 overall, 9.0 games back of Omaha. That is mainly because in the first half, they finished last (10th) in the division, 17.5 games back. But the second half was a complete turnaround. They finished 48-26, 4.0 games up in Indianapolis to qualify for the postseason. Unfortunately, they also lost in the playoffs to Omaha in the best of three series (1-2).
As is typical for the Columbus squad (that ballpark is very friendly; 195 HR in 148 games), there were a number of standout hitting performances:
Daniel Schneemann (294/428/571 in 223 PA; 10 HR); pre-promotion to MLB
Kyle Manzardo (267/398/548 in 364 PA; 20 HR); pre-promotion to MLB
Jhonkensy Noel (295/359/578 in 284 PA; 18 HR); pre-promotion to MLB
Jonathan Rodriguez (301/390/540 in 508 PA; 29 HR)
Gabriel Arias (317/360/545 in 178; 8 HR 11 SB); post optioning down from MLB
Jose Tena (298/353/493 in 405 PA; 17 HR 14 SB); prior to be traded for Lane Thomas
Juan Brito (256/365/443 in 652 PA; 21 HR 13 SB)
George Valera (248/337/452 in 374 PA; 17 HR)
With an overall staff ERA of 4.70 and the usual constant churn of bodies from AA, options from MLB, minor league free agents and rehab appearances (41 different players pitched for the Clippers!), only two pitchers cracked the 100 IP plateau. Will Dion was the workhorse, making 27 starts, but his results were far from promising.
Will Dion (5.48 ERA, 1.509 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 116.2 IP)
Connor Gillispie (4.05 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 in 113.1 IP)
Doug Nikhazy (2.87 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 75.1 IP)
Joey Cantillo (3.29 ERA, 1.539 WHIP, 12.0 K/9 in 38.1 IP)
Eric Sabrowski (4.38 ERA, 1.703 WHIP, 12.9 K/9 in 37.0 IP)
Andrew Walters (2.97 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, 12.2 K/9 in 30.1 IP)
Notes: I have included compensation draft picks as being more than one degree as Cleveland obtained that pick based on a player they formally held rights to. Also, when I have identified a free agent year, it is the year they signed for (i.e. December 05 would be 2006). Additionally, whenever I could not find confirmation of an amateur free agent signing, the year defaults to their first appearance. [aFA = amateur free agent, mFA = minor league free agent, iFA = international amateur free agent (these sign for the higher $$ out of the international bonus pool money]
All data is through the end of the 2024 seasons (Sep 29); any transactions that occur after this season will be captured next year.
Columbus Clippers (AAA – International League; West Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2017: Micael Ramirez [Development List]
Draft 2017: Tyler Freeman (2-CB) [40-man roster]; Johnathan Rodriguez (3) [40-man roster]
Draft 2018: Raynel Delgado (6); Brian Lavastida (15)
Draft 2019: Daniel Espino** (1) [40-man roster]; Christian Cairo (4); Nick Mikolajchak (11); Micah Pries (13); Nic Enright (20); Andrew Misiaszek (32); Randy Labaut (35)
mFA 2019: Anthony Gose (originally drafted 2 by Blue Jays in 2008 as OF)
Draft 2020: Tanner Burns (1-C); Logan T. Allen (2) [40-man roster]
Draft 2021: Doug Nikhazy (2); Ryan Webb (4); Will Dion (9); Franco Aleman (10)
Draft 2022: Chase DeLauter (1)
Waivers 2023: Bradley Hanner [MIN] (originally drafted 21 by Minnesota in 2019)
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Two Degrees
Three Degrees
3. Pestano - Draft 2006 (20)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2017: Jose Tena [2024 trade w AClemmey, RRamirez for Lane Thomas; WAS-AAA/MLB]
Draft 2018: Adam Scott (4) [2024 release - FA]; Cody Morris (7) [2024 trade for Estevan Florial; NYY-AAA]; Thomas Ponticelli (12) [2023 Rule 5-minors round 2-COL; COL-AAA; MEX-Leones de Yucatan; FA]; Eric Rodriguez (21) [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2019: Xzavion Curry (7) [2024 Waivers MIA; MIA-AAA/MLB]
aFA 2020: Jamie Arias [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2021: Zac Fascia [2024 release - FA]
mFA 2023: Jerad Eickhoff (originally drafted 15 by Rangers in 2011) [2023 FA]; Michael Kelly (originally drafted 1 by Padres in 2011); Daniel Norris (originally drafted 2 by Blue Jays in 2011) [2023 FA]; Zack Collins (originally drafted 1 by White Sox in 2016) [2023 FA]; Eric Haase [DET] (originally drafted 7 by Cleveland in 2011; Cleveland minors/majors 2020, 2022) [2023 FA; MIL-AAA/MLB]; Sandy Leon (originally iFA by Nationals in 2007; Cleveland minors/majors 2011-19) [2023 FA; ATL-AAA]
Waivers 2023: Jason Bilous [CHW] (originally drafted 13 by White Sox in 2018) [2024 release - FA]
Rule 5-minors 2023: John Doxakis [from TBR] (Round 3; originally drafted 2 by Rays in 2019) [2024 release - FA]
mFA 2024: Lorenzo Cedrola (originally aFA by Red Sox in 2015) [2024 release - FA]; Anthony Banda (originally drafted 10 by Brewers in 2012) [2024 Sold-LAD; LAD-MLB]; Jaime Barria (originally aFA by Angels in 2013) [2024 release - FA]; Adam Oller (originally drafted 20 by Pirates in 2016) [2024 release; MIA-AAA/MLB]
Purchase 2024: Darren McCaughan [MIA] (originally drafted 12 by Mariners in 2017) [2024 Waivers MIA; MIA-AAA/MLB]; Wes Parsons [TOR] (originally aFA by Braves in 2012) [2024 release - FA]
Akron Aeros (AA – Double-A Eastern League; Southwest Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
Draft 2018: Lenny Torres (1-CB)
iFA 2018: Dayan Frias
aFA 2018: Jerson Ramirez**; Aaron Bracho; Alexfri Planez
Draft 2019: Yordys Valdes (2); Trey Benton (15)
aFA 2019: Jorge Burgos
Draft 2020: Petey Halpin (3); Milan Tolentino (4); Mason Hickman (5)
Draft 2021: Tommy Mace (2-CB); Aaron Davenport (6); Jack Leftwich (7); Rodney Boone (8); Hunter Stanley (11); Davis Sharpe (13); Trenton Denholm (14); Alaska Abney (15); Tyler Thornton (21)
Draft 2022: Parker Messick (2); Joe Lampe (3); Guy Lipscomb (5);Austin Peterson (9); Magnus Ellerts (11); Tyresse Turner (13)
Draft 2023: CJ Kayfus (3); Cooper Ingle (4); Zane Morehouse (14)
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Two Degrees
2. Vargas - iFA 2016
Four Degrees
4. Pestano - Draft 2006 (20)
Players with a mysterious status
Waivers 2023: Justin Lewis [ARI] (originally drafted 12 by Arizona in 2018) (MiLB has him as Akron Active, but is not listed on the roster)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
Draft 2017: Jonathan Teaney (20) [2023 FA]
iFA 2017: Cesar Idrogo [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2018: Ethan Hankins (1-C) [2024 release - FA]; Korey Holland (14) [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2018: Gabriel Rodriguez [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2019: Joe Naranjo (3) [2024 release - WAS-A+]; Jordan Jones (16) [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Joe Donovan [2024 retired]
Draft 2021: Connor Kokx (12) [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2022: Nate Furman (4) [2024 trade for Alex Cobb as PTBNL w JBresnahan; SFG-AA]
mFA 2023: Bryce Ball (originally drafted 24 by Braves in 2019) [2023 Rule 5-minors round -PHI; PHI-A; FA]
Waivers 2023: Michael Berglund [TB] (originally drafted 8 by Tampa Bay in 2018) [2024 release - FA]
Lake County Captains (A+ - High A Midwest League, East Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
Draft 2019: Allan Hernandez (12)
iFA 2019: Maick Collado; Jose Devers; Esteban Gonzalez
aFA 2019: Wuilfredo Antunez
iFA 2020: Angel Genao
aFA 2020: Yorman Gomez; Alonzo Richardson; Kevin Rivas
Draft 2021: Jake Fox (3); Reid Johnston (19)**; Jake Miller (20)
Draft 2023: Ralphy Velazquez (1); Alex Mooney (7); Jonah Advincula (8); Jay Driver (9); Matt Wilkinson (10); Johnny Tincher (11); Matt Jachec (18); Josh Harlow (19)
Draft 2024: Travis Bazzana (1); Jacob Cozart (2)
aFA 2024: Rorik Maltrud; Carter Spivey
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Two Degrees
Four Degrees
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2016: Sergio Morillo [2023 FA]
Draft 2017: Matt Turner (11) [2023 FA]
iFA 2018: Elvis Jerez [2024 release - FA]; Junior Sanquintin [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2018: Juan Zapata [2024 release - FA]; Victor Planchart [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2019: Will Bartlett (9) [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2022: Angel Zarate (17) [2024 release - FA]