Guardians of the Future

The Lynchburg Hillcats will be must see-tv when it comes to the Cleveland Guardians farm system and prospects in 2024. Hillcats broadcaster and Cleveland native, Jason Prill, joins Guardians of the Future to talk about the exciting young Hillcats roster, some exciting insights into players like Jaison Chouio, Ralphy Velazquez, Alex Clemmey, Matt "The Tugboat" Wilkinson and Rafael Ramirez, and more.Jason also lets us know what's going to be going on in Lynhcburg this year in promos and new, great ways to watch and listen to the Hillcats this year! Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/siX4VfwDLpI

The Guardians of the Future podcast is back for the 2024 season! The 2024 minor league season is sort of underway. The Columbus Clippers have a few games under their belt though mother nature is holding them back some, and Akron, Lake County and Lynchburg will all get started this week. This week's episode looks at the most fun rosters in the Guardians system and thoughts on where certain prospects are starting. How much will Ralphy Velazquez catch or play first? Why Lynchburg's roster is the most fun, and we look at the rotations and lineups throughout the system. We also look at the impact of major injuries to Daniel Espino, Joey Cantillo and Justin Campbell. And at the end, we talk about how Braden Montgomery is putting himself into the 1.1 discussion quickly. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ or watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o83Lnzy1oXM

Fresh off of a trip to Guardians spring training in Arizona and two days at the player development facility, here are my observations from the backfields of Guardians spring training and some prospects in big league camp as well. Players and storylines discussed: What has to happen for Chase DeLauter to debut in the majors Angel Martinez's adjustments have him as a prospect to watch this spring Deyvison De Los Santos is having a rough camp How can Kyle Manzardo making the Opening Day roster? Kahlil Watson in CF? Rafael Ramirez Jr.'s exciting physical build Alex Clemmey looks big and impressive Injury updates on George Valera and Daniel Espino Subscribe for more coverage https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/cleveland-guardians-mlb-draft-coverage

The 2024 D1 college baseball season starts Friday, February 16. And in case you haven't heard, the Cleveland Guardians are picking #1 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.So we get the D1 college season talking 2024 MLB Draft with Willie Hood. We talk about the Guardians strategy at 1-1, how to view early season college baseball performances, and of course the three impact bats at 1-1: JJ Weatherholt, Nick Kurtz, and Travis Bazzana. We also dig into if any college arms that could force their way into the 1-1 conversation, if Jac Caglione has any chance, and our favorite lower round college bats. Check the watch list: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/cleveland-guardians-mlb-draft-coverage Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WA05AkQ8faM

It's been a busy offseason for Guardians pitching prospect Will Dion. He got married, spent some time working out with Driveline, and caught up on some of his favorite hobbies. He was nice enough to take a half hour of his time to talk to us this week about all of that, the change in his delivery away from the Clayton Kershaw motion late last year, getting closer to his major league debut, what he's working on and what he thinks of his teammates music choice. Thanks to Will for making time for us on the podcast.Subscribe to the Next Year in Cleveland newsletter for more on Dion and other Guardians prospects heading into spring training: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube and subscribe: https://youtu.be/ocq8LbQ9WLo

It's a new year, and it's a big year for the Cleveland Guardians farm system. Not only did they win the draft lottery to pick #1 in the 2024 MLB draft, but there are a number of prospects in the farm system who are down to their last option season, who are Rule 5 eligible coming in November that need a big year, and a number of big name prospects coming off of injured 2023 (and 2022 in some cases) seasons that need a big 2024. On the first 2024 episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, we discuss all these names and storylines of who needs a big year and why. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

Perhaps the biggest news of the baseball offseason for the Cleveland Guardians is winning the draft lottery for the 2024 draft, picking # 1 overall. On this episode of Guardians of the Future, Justin Lada is joined by Joe Werner (@ JoletinJoey on Twitter/X) of the self-published Prospect Digest Handbook to talk about the Guardians options at the #1 pick in 2024 as well as some historical looks at the draft for Cleveland and MLB in general. They also discuss the Guardians picking a lottery-type player in the Rule 5 draft in Deyvion De Los Santos. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Follow Joe: https://twitter.com/JoltinJoey https://www.amazon.com/2023-Prospect-Digest-Handbook/dp/B0BW38DFBY

Justin Lada and Willie Hood react live to the Guardians 40 man roster decisions ahead of the Rule 5 protection deadline on Nov. 14, 2023, running through who will or won't be added, the Cal Quantrill news and Daniel Espino and Cade Smith being added

The voice of Huntington Park and the Columbus Clippers, Matt Leinginger, joins the podcast to share what powers he does and doesn't have over the Columbus Clippers roster, working in minor league baseball and social media, why he's optimistic about Jhonkensy Noel, Angel Martinez, Kyle Manzardo, Cade Smith and others. And we also discuss what makes a good minor league ballpark experinece, and why he never settles for just good enough. https://x.com/CLBClippers?s=20 https://www.tiktok.com/@clbclippers https://www.milb.com/columbus/schedule/2024-04 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/heNIGFVAxYc

Akron RubberDucks broadcaster Marco LaNave joins the podcast to put the bow on the 'Ducks 2023 season. Even though Akron didn't make the playoffs, there was plenty to talk about from Chase DeLauter's brief stint at the end of the season, Franco Aleman's incredible run in Double-A, and what he needs to work on. We talked about Will Dion's impressive output at Double-A and how he's able to keep it up despite the low velocity. We also talked about Juan Brito's future in Cleveland, Aaron Bracho's resurgence, Tanner Burns' move to the bullpen, Ross Carver being an underrated pitcher, and what may be ahead for the RubberDucks in 2024. Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WInH_QRwniU Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Follow Marco on Twitter: https://x.com/LaNaveMarco?s=20 Link to Jim Clark articles: https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/news/akron-rubberducks-broadcaster-calls-3500th-game https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/09/a-steady-voice-rubberducks-announcer-jim-clark-hits-milestone-in-the-booth-in-23-season.html https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/local/2023/07/12/akron-rubberducks-play-by-play-announcer-jim-clark-3500th-game/70383697007/#:~:text=Now%20about%2060%20or%20so,or%20Aeros)%20on%20the%20airwaves.

The Lynchburg Hillcats finished the 2023 season over .500 for the firs time since 2018, despite making the playoffs in 2022. They did it with interesting hitters between Jose Devers' surprising power at the end of the year, Guy Lipscomb's wheels, Wuilfredo Antunez's tenacity and more. Hillcats broadcaster Jason Prill stops by to put a bow on the Hillcats 2023 season.We get into Devers' season, Jaison Chourio's brief stint, why strikeouts and walks are inconsistent at the Low-A level, if Yorman Gomez is going to be an interesting international pitching prospect, and what the 2024 Hillcats will look like. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

As minor league baseball winds down for the 2023 season, the Lake County Captains season has come to a close. It was an interesting year with the biggest story being Chase DeLauter's exciting second half once he was healthy, showing why he was a first round pick. On this week's Guardians of the Future, Michael Mahoney, a game day operator for the Captains, joins Justin Lada to talk about the Captains roster in 2023 including Chase DeLauter, Parker Messick, Ethan Hankins, Dayan Frias, Jake Fox, Kahlil Watson, Franco Aleman, Steven Hajjar, Cooper Ingle and more. Follow Mike on social media https://twitter.com/MMahoney157?s=20 and subscribe to the Next Year in Cleveland newsletter https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CzTbsMNub8I

On this episode of the Guardians of the Future, we discuss the recent rehab games from new prospect Kyle Manzardo and if he could and will come up before the end of the year. We also talk about if George Valera should come up in September for Cleveland, what prospects could be promoted in the system like Jaison Chorio and Ralphy Velazquez. We talk about who's hot and who's not in the minors for the Guardians, why they didn't make Bryan Lavastida the backup option when Cam Gallagher got hurt, and I chat with Parker Messick after his 10 strikeout performance last week in Lake County. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7pfq43LvsQ

The Cleveland Guardians had an interesting and somewhat controversial trading deadline. On this episode of Guardians of the Future, we discuss why the Guardians decided to move Aaron Civale now, why Kyle Manzardo could solve a long term need for the team, and how the Guardians got a lot of potential out of the Josh Bell deal. We also discuss some the 2023 draft class debuting in the minors this week and why the Guardians are suddenly having these guys play in games in their draft year. This week's episode wraps up with an interview with Guardians OF Jake Fox after his 4-4 day two weeks ago and how he's improved a the plate and in the field throughout the year. And our final interview with Akron manager Rouglas Odor, who discusses Will Dion's ability to pitch, the current roles of Tanner Burns and Jack Leftiwch, Juan Brito's success and health, Franco Aleman's breakout, and what got Angel Martinez and Jose Tena promoted. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

This week on Guardians of the Future with Justin Lada and Joe Coblitz: - George Valera and Jhonkensy Noel's promotions to Akron and Lake County, respectively - What relief prospects could be in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen in 2022? - What are the timelines of Peyton Battenfield and Konnor Pilkington - Will the 2022 Columbus Clippers pitching rotation be better than some MLB rotations? - Other debates about who will be on the Cleveland Indians 40 man roster this winter

This week on Guardians of the Future, Justin Lada and Caleb Philips discuss why Baseball America and Fangraphs have the Cleveland Indians farm system ranked so different right now.  Also discussed: - When will we see Cody Morris of Nolan Jones? - What is Richie Palacio's future role? - Juan Hillman held together the Akron RubberDucks now loaded pitching staff - Will playoffs push promotions for George Valera and Jhonekensy Noel? - What happened to Aaron Bracho? - Which middle infielders will move positions Follow Justin @JL_Baseball and Caleb at @CalebPhilips8 and read the latest feature on C Bryan Lavastida and check out the latest prospect rankings update https://indiansbaseballinsider.com/2021/08/16/adapting-quickly-nothing-new-for-cleveland-catching-prospect-bryan-lavastida/ https://indiansbaseballinsider.com/prospect-rankings-reports/

Jacob Benge and Stacy Hannan check-in from Columbus with Justin Lada about Cody Morris' first start for the Columbus Clippers. Also this week  - More on the rising Gabriel Arias - Has Logan Allen improved? - The promotion of Francisco Perez - George Valera's rocket keeps rising - Who will be in the Cleveland Guardians rotation in 2022? - Who will man SS and 2B for the Guardians in 2022? Follow @StacyHannan1 and @JacobBenge and @JL_Baseball and @official_IBI

Justin Lada and Pat Ellington talk about the promotions in the Cleveland Indians/Cleveland Guardians system of Bryan Lavastida, Brayan Rocchio, Cody Morris and more. Gabriel Arias developmental leap, Jose Tena and Daniel Espino’s next steps are discussed as well as the cases to protect Jhonkensy Noel or Steven Kwan in the Rule 5 draft. New mid-season prospect rankings will be coming soon so keep an eye on that and check out Pat’s piece on Gabriel Arias and why he deserves more prospect hype. https://indiansbaseballinsider.com/prospect-rankings-reports/ https://tangibleuno.medium.com/random-baseball-rambling-1-ss-gabriel-arias-cleveland-indians-triple-a-affiliate-d4f871ea044c 

Joe Coblitz joins Justin Lada from soggy Arizona to talk about the Arizona Complex League Cleveland Indians such as Isiah Greene, Junior Sanquintin, Milan Tolentino and more. Also discussed - When and where will Nolan Jones debut? - Alex Call's future - Will Francisco Perez get a call-up? - Futures for Steven Kwan and Richie Palacios - George Valera not being a top 100 prospect? - Is Bryan Lavastida catching up to Bo Naylor? And your questions... Please subscribe and leave a review if you enjoy the show.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson banter about a ton of topics surrounding the Cleveland Indians heading into the 2nd half - Trading deadline - Why the team isn't a buyer or a seller - What to do with Eddie Rosario and Cesar Hernandez - The future of the team in Cleveland and the future of Jose Ramirez - The complexity of trading for a long term outfielder And a bunch of other random topics