Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: Courtesy Lynchburg Hillcats

The Captains offense had quite a week, putting up a couple of touchdowns on Wednesday, Friday and again on Tuesday. George Valera and Bryan Lavastida remain red hot while Brayan Rocchio reached base six times in last Wednesday’s win thanks to three hits, a walk and two hit by pitches. The big news last week was that Daniel Espino got promoted to Lake County to reinforce the pitching staff, and had an electric first start. This week, Lake County loses Alex Royalty and Tanner Burns to the injured list with elbow soreness, which is especially bad news for Burns. The Captains will need a starter Thursday this week.

Their rotation this week is now:

Tuesday: RHP Kevin Coulter

Wednesday: RHP Xzavion Curry

Thursday: TBA
Friday: RHP Daniel Espino

Saturday: RHP Hunter Gaddis

Sunday: RHP Mason Hickman

Day by Day

7/14 W 17-10 at Lansing

7/15 L 4-0 at Lansing

7/16 W 13-9 at Lansing

7/17 L 7-6 at Lansing

7/18 W 4-2 at Lansing

7/20 W 7-5 vs Great Lakes

Player(s) of the Week

OF George Valera – 5-18, .278/.480/.889 – 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6BB/6K, SB

C Bryan Lavastida – 5-15, .333/.500/.600 – 4 2B, 7 RBI, 5BB/6K, 1-2 SB

There was no picking between these two for player of the week this week. Valera has three homers in the last five games and has five homers in the month of July so far and a .970 OPS. He’s been as advertised and lived up to all the hype since his oblique strain in May. Somehow he came right back and broke out in a big way.

Lavastida has also been on fire since June and owns a 1.056 OPS in July so far and he continues to steal bases, 11-for-13 on the year.

Who’s Hot

OF Victor Nova – 7-18, .389/.522/.556 – 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 5BB/2K

Nova seems to be figuring things out here. He was good for the first week or two but struggled after. He’s pretty much only played outfield at this point but this was a week that easily could have been the top performance of the week in any other week. The walks and strikeouts are a great sign for the young OF.

INF Jose Tena – 9-22, .409/.458/.524 – 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 6K/BB

Another performance that was Player of the Week worthy but Lake County had a lot of hot hitting this week. Tena is another young player still trying to figure things out as evidenced by his strikeouts and low walks, but he’s an aggressive hitter and when he has this weeks like this, the bat looks special.

SP Xzavion Curry – 6IP, 4H, ER, BB, 6K

Every start out, Curry is about as consistent as can be. Amazing considering he hasn’t pitched in games since 2018. Every outing he gets into the sixth inning, strikes out a batter per inning or so, and allows one or two runs.

Who’s Not

SP Tanner Burns – 3IP, 3H, 3ER, 2BB, 3K

Burns didn’t get deep into his last start but was more effective. At first, this just seemed like the same issue. But Burns is on the IL with elbow soreness, which isn’t a good thing to hear.

LHP Kellen Rholl – 0IP, 4ER, HBP, 3BB

Rholl has had tough nights this year but this was a tough week for him, not retiring a batter but having four runs charged to his line without allowing a hit because of three walks and a hit batsmen.

INF Aaron Bracho – .190/.261/.333, HR 

Outside of a few games here and there, Bracho has had a tough time with consistency this year. The power has been there and he’s still young, but there was sure more hope for a better High-A debut from his bat.

OF Quentin Holmes – 3-17 .176/.176/.176 RBI, 7K

Holmes was hot after coming off the IL himself but that has quickly faded.

Upcoming schedule

7/21 HOME vs Great Lakes 7 p.m.

7/22 HOME vs Great Lakes 7 p.m.

7/23 HOME vs Great Lakes 7 p.m. (Cleveland Sports History Night)

7/24 HOME vs Great Lakes 7 p.m. (Shane Bieber Bobblehead Night)

7/25 HOME vs Great Lakes 1:30 p.m.