Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: TCP Photography/Courtesy Lake County Captains

For the first time this year, the Lake County Captain’s offense showed up somewhat consistently on their road trip to play the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The Captains scored 27 runs in their 4-2 week at Cedar Rapids staying out west to start their series with the Peoria Chiefs and a wild win to start that series. The Jekyll and Hyde offense scored four runs in the first inning a Peoria in the series opener, then didn’t get a hit the rest of the game, winning in the 11th inning on a bunt and an error. Lake County got another great start from Tanner Bibee at Cedar Rapids, a few unlikely offensive heroes, and a much needed solid start from Doug Nikhazy in a win.

Results

5/17/22: W 5-2 at Cedar Rapids
5/18/22: W 4-2 at Cedar Rapids
5/19/22: L 11-2 at Cedar Rapids
5/20/22: W 5-1 at Cedar Rapids
5/21/22: W 12-4 at Cedar Rapids
5/22/22: L 6-1 at Cedar Rapids
5/24/22: W 6-4 at Peoria(F/11)

Prospect of the Week

1B Joe Naranjo: 9-24, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4K/2BB – .375/.423/.750

It’s hard to make much of Naranjo’s profile right now. He came into the year as a first basemen who might have had a better hit tool than power, for a small, first base only profile. This year, his average hasn’t been as good, although it wasn’t great for his profile type a year ago. But there’s more power now. He was hot early in the season, went through a bit of a lull, and now he’s turned it back on. This year, he now has eight homers in 34 games, vs. six in 109 games. His average is better this year, though still lower than you’d like for his hit tool/profile, but overall, everything is still ticking up a little for the 21 year old.

Who’s Hot

OF Petey Halpin: 5-15, 2B, RBI, BB/K – .333/.375/.400

It wasn’t a huge week, but it was an improvement for the 19 year old outfielder who is still hitting .191/.273/.252 on the year. He left Sunday’s loss early and didn’t play again Tuesday, so it’s possible something is up with him, as he was starting to hit this week and then had an off day Monday followed by not being in the lineup Tuesday.

Bullpen: 17.1 IP, 1ER, 25K/3BB

The combination of Alaska Abney, Raymond Burgos, Damon Cassetta-Stubbs, Zach Hart, Cade Smith, and Matt Turner put up a great effort in Cedar Rapids.  Burgos has struck out five in his last four scoreless innings, Zach Hart has three innings and four strikeouts in his last two outings. When Abney throws strikes, now that Burgos is healthy, and Hart is back, this bullpen has been pretty dominant. Cade Smith allowed the lone run but has been solid all year.

Who’s Not

RHP Lenny Torres Jr.: 2.2IP, 6H, 6R (5ER), 3BB/5K

Torres has had a hard time turning in consistent starts again this year in Lake County, the same way he did in Lynchburg last year. He has flashes of good stuff every start, but the consistency and dominance hasn’t been there yet for the former first CBA pick.

INF Aaron Bracho: 2-16, HR, 3RBI, 4K/1BB – .133/.188/.333

Bracho hasn’t earned consistent playing time yet and he’s quickly falling off as a prospect and into the unknown realm as a minor league player. There were once high hopes for his bat, but he’s not hitting enough to warrant playing time everyday right now.

Transactions

05/21/22: RHP Nathan Ocker assigned to Lake County Captains from ACL Guardians.
05/20/22: Lake County Captains activated OF Alexfri Planez from the 7-day injured list.
05/19/22: Lake County Captains placed RHP Tommy Mace on the 7-day injured list.
05/17/22: RHP Zach Hart assigned to Lake County Captains from ACL Guardians.

On-Deck

5/25-5/29 AT Peoria
5/31-6/5 HOME vs. West Michigan