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Saturday, January 20th 2024

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Noel hits well, Cantillo continues impressing | Guardians minors roundup for July 16

Jhonkensy Noel stretches out to make a catch during a Guardians-White Sox spring training game March 1 in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin – The Associated Press)
Jhonkensy Noel stretches out to make a catch during a Guardians-White Sox spring training game March 1 in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin – The Associated Press)
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Triple-A Columbus Clippers (1-1) vs. Iowa Cubs

Maybe a sign of encouragement after the four-day break as 1B/OF Jhonkensy Noel doubled, homered and drove in three runs in the Clippers’ 7-3 loss on July 14, and then celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 15 with another double and RBI. He walked once and only struck out once in the two games, so a good birthday celebration overall for Noel, who really needs to start showing consistent power at Triple-A.

Micah Pries had a torrid start to July before the break, but was 0-for-4 on July 14. He came back on July 15 with a double, two RBI and two walks in the Clippers’ 4-0 win.

After an impressive short stint in Seattle for the Futures Game last week, Joey Cantillo went 2 2/3 innings, throwing 51 pitches, allowing a hit and one walk while striking out five. It was a lot of pitches for just six outs for Cantillo, but he’s now pitched more innings this year than has had in 2021 and 2022 combined. The Guardians will be very careful about his innings and pitch count. Still, with Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill all out for an undetermined amount of time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Cantillo get a shot sometime in the next month or so, at least by September.

Oscar Gonzalez hit a big homer on July 16, his 10th of the year. But he swung 11 times against 15 pitches and swung and missed at three of the five sliders he offered at, as the Guardians continue to have him work on his approach.

Not a prospect anymore, but James Karinchak struck out all three batters he saw on July 15 on 15 pitches. He has 19 strikeouts in eight innings back at Triple-A as Cleveland’s bullpen may need some help. It’s interesting that they didn’t turn to him on July 15 and instead called up Michael Kelly.

The Clippers conclude their series with the Iowa Cubs on July 16 and then head to Louisville to face the Bats (Reds).

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (1-1) vs. Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

The ‘Ducks came out of the break prepared to hit Juan Brito, who continues to handle Double-A pitching with ease despite being just 21 and new to the level. Brito homered, doubled and stole two bases while driving in two runs in the ‘Ducks 8-6 win on July 14.

Johnathan Rodriguez continued his July (and summer) tear with two hits, a double and homer with three RBI in the July 14 win. Rodriguez is now second in the Guardians farm system with 15 homers behind Noel.

2020 first-rounder Tanner Burns made those runs on July 14 stand up with 3 2/3 innings, allowing a run on four hits and struck out six. Burns’ outing was behind Ross Carver in a piggyback role as Cleveland continues to monitor Burn’s workload with prior injuries.

Franco Aleman remains lights out at Double-A Akron with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief on July 14 and struck out three.

Doug Nikhazy limited Bowie to just one run in four innings on July 15, but only lasted four innings and walked four. That one run was enough as the ‘Ducks were shut out.

Davis Sharpe was sharp in relief, allowing just a hit in two innings while striking out one. The 23-year-old should be due a promotion to Triple-A sometime this half.

Akron wrapped up its series with Bowie on July 16 and comes home to host Richmond from July 18-23. Angel Martinez hit a homer in the finale for Akron.

High-A Lake County Captains (1-1) vs. Dayton Dragons (Reds)

2022 first-round pick, OF Chase DeLauter, continued to stay hot after the break, going 2-for-3 with a double, single and two walks on July 14 as the Captains beat the Dragons, 8-2. DeLauter added an RBI single in the Captains’ 6-2 loss in Game 1 of their doubleheader on July 16.

DeLauter is hitting .486/.514/.800 with eight doubles, a homer, five strikeouts and two walks through nine games at High-A, an encouraging sign after missing all year so far and the second half of his college season in 2022 with a foot injury and playing against non-power 5 competition in college as well.

Steven Hajjar fanned four, showing a low 90s fastball, good curve and change, in his three innings against Dayton on July 14. He allowed two hits and a run with two walks in the win. Aaron Davenport picked up the bulk of the outing with five one-hit innings with five strikeouts, and most importantly for him, no walks.

Ethan Hankins made just his second appearance since coming off the IL earlier this month on July 16 and struck out five in two innings. He allowed a hit and a walk.

Lake County wrapped up the series with Dayton with a doubleheader on July 16 and then heads to Fort Wayne (Padres) to see the TinCaps yet again.

Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (1-1) at Fredericksburg Nationals (Nationals)

Angel Zarate remains the stabilizing force in the Lynchburg outfield. The 24-year-old, who celebrated his birthday July 16, had two hits and an RBI in the Hillcats’ 7-4 win on July 14, then added two more on July 15, including a triple, along with three RBI and a walk. Zarate is long overdue for a promotion to Lake County, but a lack of at-bats here keeps him in Low-A.

Lynchburg and Fredericksburg combined for 22 runs in just six innings in a rain-shortened July 15 win for the Hillcats 12-10. Zarate had three RBI, while Juan Benjamin had three hits and scored three runs, catcher/DH/first baseman Zac Fascia had three hits and two RBI, outfielder Jordan Brown had a double and scored three times, and Lexer Saudry had two hits, and two RBI.

Austin Peterson allowed nine runs in 4 2/3 innings in that July 15 start, but was bailed out by the Hillcats’ offense.

Lynchburg finished its series at Fredericksburg on July 16 and comes home to host Fayetville (Rangers) July 18-23.

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