CLE Boxscore Beat

I had a chance to speak with Wooster Fighting Scots baseball coach, Aaron Swick , following their home opener today. It was a double-header against SUNY Oneonta . The Scots split the two games, losing the first 8-1 and winning the second 10-0 . Here's my interview with Coach Swick:   JW : Michael Scarpelli was cruising in Game 1 and then things kind of slipped away. What did you see in Game 1 that led to the loss?  Coach Swick : They took advantage of some free bases. A hit batter, then an error, and the sac fly where the guy dropped the ball. So there's some free bases there. And I didn't make a good selection in terms of the pitch call and that guy put a good swing on the pitch. They did a really good job pitching-wise and playing good defense. So, kudos to them for having good plans at the plate and good sequencing on the mound. And then, they strung together some hits in the eighth inning there. We just didn't have our best game offensively, but proud of the way ...

Cooper Ingle , C , 24, Triple-A Ingle has carved out a reputation as one of the minors’ most disciplined hitters. Across three minor-league seasons, he’s posted more walks (168) than strikeouts (149). That has led to an elite .407 OBP. He rarely chases with a nearly even 16.9% walk and 16.7% strikeout rate and an impressive 83.7% contact rate, but he can be slightly passive. 2025 saw Ingle post a 139 wRC+ and 10 homers over 510 plate appearances. Behind the plate, Ingle’s athleticism and quick exchange help compensate for a below-average arm. However, his ability to control the running game remains a concern. He only threw out 19% of runners last season, which could limit him to a backup long-term if he doesn't improve. After earning Double-A All-Star honors and a promotion to Triple-A, Ingle stumbled against upper-level pitching, managing just a .207/.383/.329 line. He’s expected to open 2026 back in Columbus, and with continued development, he could make his MLB debut later this ...

Ralphy Velazquez , 1B , 20, Double-A Velazquez looks like the power bat the Guardians have been waiting for. He showed a mix of pop, patience, and contact skills in 2025. After hitting 17 home runs and driving in 63 runs in High-A, Velazquez was promoted to Double-A Akron where he exploded for a .330/.405/.589 slash line and a 188 wRC+ over 28 games. His contact rate held steady, his strikeouts dropped, and he kept hitting against both lefties and righties. That’s impressive for a 20-year-old in just his second full pro season. 2025 Stat Comparison : Guardians exec Chris Antonetti recently praised Velazquez’s feel for the strike zone and “some of the best exit velocities of anyone.” He's likely limited to first base on defense, but with continued offensive growth, he could fill the middle-of-the-order hole in Cleveland as soon as 2027. Even if his average is closer to .250 in the majors, his power and patience stand out. Could Ralphy be the next Kyle Schwarber? We can only hope! Ho...

Rafe Schlesinger , LHP , 23, High-A Schlesinger might not have cracked the Fangraphs Top 45 for the Guardians , but he’s making a strong case that he belongs. The 6’3”, 200-pound southpaw put together an impressive first pro season tossing 103.2 innings mostly with Single-A Lynchburg. He flashes a fastball that touches 95 and has a sharp slider that gives hitters fits, especially lefties. For a look at his delivery and stuff in action, check out this post from Justin Lada at Next Year in Cleveland and Locked on Guardians. Schlesinger’s elite 54.5% ground ball rate and 3.30 xFIP hint at a pitcher who knows how to keep hitters off balance and the ball in the park. His 1.35 WHIP leaves some work to do, but the big question is whether he can develop a reliable third pitch (changeup) to round out his arsenal. If not, his future probably lies in the bullpen, which isn't the worst thing. I mean, a lefty who can get outs coming out of your pen? We'll take it! Brian Hemminger at Coveri...

Josh Hartle , LHP , 22, Double-A Hartle was acquired by the Guardians from the Pirates in the Luis Ortiz trade in December 2024 and has quickly become one of Cleveland’s more intriguing pitching prospects. A tall lefty at 6'6" 207 pounds, he uses a low three-quarters delivery and already shows an advanced feel for pitching. Hartle frequently draws Andrew Heaney comparisons thanks to his slender frame and deceptive mechanics. His fastball typically sits in the low 90's and is complemented by a plus slider, solid cutter, and fading changeup. In 2025, he posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 22 High-A starts, striking out 24% of batters and walking just under 9%. What really stands out is his ability to generate ground balls. Hartle had an elite ground ball rate of 62%. Anything over 50% is considered very good. In fact, only 9 MLB pitchers hit that mark last season. Hartle’s modest velocity does limit his margin for error, so adding some velo would go a long way. Like all pit...

Jacob Cozart , C , 23, Double-A Cozart, the Guardians’ 2024 second-round pick out of NC State, is a glove-first catcher with the kind of leadership, strong arm, and reliable glove that have drawn Austin Hedges comparisons. He split his 2025 season between High-A and Double-A, finishing with 340 at-bats, including a small sample of 82 at-bats in Double-A where he turned in a 256/.330/.390 slash line. Cozart’s plate discipline stood out across both levels: he posted a solid 22.1% strikeout rate and 12.2% walk rate. However, his below average 73.9% contact rate - although improved from his first year of pro ball - still leaves some concerns. Currently ranked #17 in the Guardians’ system by MLB Pipeline , Cozart’s defense and makeup give him a real shot to carve out a role in the majors, especially if his bat continues to develop. Do you think Cozart’s glove alone is enough to make him a future big league regular, or will he need to make bigger strides with the bat? Leave a comment bel...