Pitching reinforcements already needed

Triple-A Columbus

The Guardians might need some pitching reinforcements with the lack of length the starting rotation is giving them. Xzavion Curry went 4 1/3 innings in his second rehab start as he is rebuilding his pitch count after missing time in spring training with a viral illness. He allowed a run and walked three, and only struck out one on April 10 in a 3-2 loss for Columbus. Curry will get the start April 15 in Boston.

That spot could have gone to Ben Lively, who threw 5 1/3 innings on April 9, allowing three runs on four hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out one. He tossed 55 pitches in what has been his only rehab start so far. He will join the rotation in Boston on April 17.

Connor Gillispie, a minor league Rule 5 pick over the winter, struck out nine on April 12, went five innings, didn’t allow a run, and walked just one.

Newly acquired pitcher Zak Kent (Texas Rangers) was the opener for the Clippers’ rotation after four scoreless innings out of the bullpen with seven strikeouts. He went one inning, allowing a hit and a walk with a strikeout on April 14.

The Clippers’ bullpen has been good so far if the Guardians’ bullpen gets overtaxed. Nic Enright hasn’t allowed a run in six appearances this year, striking out 13 and walking just one. He struck out three in two outings this week. Anthony Gose tossed three perfect innings this week with three strikeouts.

Kyle Manzardo was off to a bit of a slow start but had five hits in games April 13-14, and went 6-for17, hitting .353/.478/.471.

Jhonkensy Noel went 4-for20 last week but with two homers and eight RBI. Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez also homered and went 6-23 with a .940 OPS as he looks to make a case for a major league opportunity in the outfield at some point this year.

Columbus comes back home to host Buffalo (Toronto Blue Jays) April 16-21.

Double-A Akron

In the early pitching development department in 2024, 2021 second-round pick, LHP Doug Nikhazy has changed his arm slot to a more wide three-quarter release, down from his high over-the-top delivery. He tossed five scoreless innings April 11 in a 2-1 RubberDucks loss. Nikhazy fanned eight and walked only two in the start, giving him 13 strikeouts in 10 innings this year against four walks, which looks to be an improvement for him for now.

Fellow 2021 draft pick with previous control issues, RHP Aaron Davenport, threw five innings of one-hit ball on April 9, a 6-3 Akron win. The Hawaii product struck out six and walked one. Davenport started again April 14 and walked three, but only allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings in Akron’s 5-1 loss.

A pitcher who could be coming to a bullpen near you soon, if you live in Columbus, or Cleveland, is 2023 competitive balance pick RHP Andrew Walters. He has 10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings and has allowed just a walk and a run in an aggressive assignment at Double-A to begin his pro career.

Everyone is looking for Chase DeLauter to take off this year, but in the early going at Akron, Petey Halpin has been the best-hitting outfielder so far. In two games, he went 4-for12 this week, and has a double and a triple, as well two

RBI and two walks. The 2020 draft pick is hitting .393/.485/.679 to start his second stint in Double-A.

Catcher Kody Huff, acquired in the offseason from Colorado in the Cal Quantrill trade, was more known for his glove. But so far Huff is hitting .350/.435/.550 with a homer and a double, after going 5-13 this past week.

Akron returns home April 16-21 to host the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers).

High-A Lake County

Rain didn’t want the Captains to get into too much of a groove to start 2024, already being hit with three rainouts in the first two series of the year.

2023 draft pick, infielder Alex Mooney, has been the Captains’ early leader offensively, socking two homers and a double, hitting .357/.357/.857 this week at Fort Wayne. The Guardians worked hard to get the Duke product signed as part of last year’s draft class.

Fellow 2023 draft pick, first baseman CJ Kayfus also hit his first homer of 2024 this week, a two-run shot in the Captains 4-3 loss in game one on April 13.

Cooper Ingle has been the hottest Captains hitter to start the year, hitting .389 with an OPS of 1.006 after a 3-5 game on April 14 with two doubles in Lake County’s 8-7 loss where it once led 5-0.

LHP Parker Messick, a 2022 draft pick, continues to dominate High-A like he did at times last year. He struck out seven and walked two in 4 2/3 innings on April 13, including striking out Padres top prospect, 17-yearold catcher Ethan Salas a pair of times. Messick has 15 strikeouts and three walks in 9 2/3 innings so far this year and could be due a promotion soon with RHP Ethan Hankins going on the injured list at Akron with a strained shoulder.

RHP Austin Peterson, also drafted in 2022, is off to a great start in High-A. He struck out eight in the Captains 3-0 loss in game two on April 13, giving him 17 for the year in 10 innings across two starts. Peterson only struck out 102 in 117 innings at Low-A in 2023.

The Captains start their first six-game home stand April 16-21 hosting the Lansing Lugnuts (Oakland Athletics).

Single-A Lynchburg

It’s been a rough start to the year, wins-wise, for the Hillcats. They didn’t collect their first win until game six, a 12-7 win April 12. 18-year-old outfielder Jaison Chourio, who is the younger brother of highly regarded Milwaukee prospect, Jackson Chourio, who is already in the majors, went 3-for-3 with two walks in that 12-7 win. Chourio also hit his first homer of the year on April 13 in a 4-2 Hillcats win in game one of a double-header. Chourio is hitting ..364/.481/.591 to start the year.

2023 first-round pick, 1B/DH Ralphy Velazquez, is also off to a terrific pro start. Looking like he’s already moved from being a catcher as an amateur to first base as a pro, has two homers and two doubles, with eight RBI in six games. The 18-year-old is hitting .348/.385/.696 so far.

Fellow 2023 draft pick, infielder Christian Knapcyzk, hit the first homer of the year for the Hillcats, especially impressive after just hitting one homer in his final college season in 2023 and just three overall. He’s hitting .273/.360/.500 in the early going.

Angel Genao hit a threerun homer in the Hillcats’ 7-5 win and is hitting .286 with an OPS of .781 so far this year. He had a threehit game April 12.