CLE Boxscore Beat

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...

Jonah Advincula , OF , 25, Double-A Advincula split time in 2025 between High-A Lake County and Double-A Akron. Drafted in the 8th round out of Washington State in 2023, the speedy left-handed hitter made a strong impression at Lake County, batting .278 with a .431 OBP, swiping 26 bags, and earning Midwest League Player of the Week honors after a hot stretch to begin June. Promoted to Akron on June 23, he faced a steep learning curve - his average dropped to .187 and his power disappeared, as he managed just a .228 slugging percentage in 123 Double-A at-bats. Despite those struggles, Advincula finished with 43 stolen bases across both levels and maintained a solid contact rate (81% at Double-A). The question now is whether he can adjust to upper-level pitching. If he can, his profile - a high-contact, high-OBP outfielder with plus speed but limited power - makes him a potential "Steven Kwan lite." How do you see Advincula’s game translating as he climbs to the higher levels -...