Guardians Baseball Insider

The Columbus Clippers finished up a rough series against the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate last week, going 1-5 against the Buffalo Bison. The only win of the week belonged to reliever Alex Young. Starting pitcher Tobias Myers, who has struggled since coming over from Tampa Bay, suffered his fifth loss of the season. Peyton Battenfield, who has established himself as the Clippers’ ace early this season, fell to 3-3 after a tough luck loss on Sunday afternoon. Offensively, the Guardians recalled infielder Richie Palacios, and promoted outfielder/designated hitter Oscar Gonzalez for his first taste of major league action. This left some holes in the lineup against Buffalo. Outfielder Will Brennan was promoted from Double-A Akron, but did not get much going in his first look at Triple-A pitching. Infielder Tyler Freeman has not hit much since being activated from the IL, but began to show sings of life this week. Hopefully the arrow is pointing up for Freeman as he finished up his first month of Triple-A ball.

Week in Review

Tuesday, 5/24: L, 1-0 (L: Tobias Myers, 1-5)

Wednesday, 5/25: L, 5-4 (L: Tim Herrin, 0-1)

Thursday, 5/26: PPD

Friday, 5/27: L, 5-3 (L: Robert Broom, 2-1)

Saturday, 5/28 Game 1: W, 4-3 (W: Alex Young, 2-0)

Saturday, 5/28, Game 2: L, 4-2 (Kirk McCarty, 1-1)

Sunday, 5/29: L, 7-5 (L: Peyton Battenfield, 3-3)

Player of the Week

OF Will Benson – 5-21, 4 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 5 SO

Benson started the series off with a hot bat, before cooling off a bit to end the series. A former first round pick with incredible athleticism, Benson hit his seventh home run of the season this week and knocked in four RBI to bring his season total to 16. The biggest weakness to Benson’s game is his swing and miss. This week he had five strikeouts to go along with four walks. Benson’s size/speed combination offer five-tool potential, and one would think that the Guardians could give him a look at some point with their need for power on the big league roster. Benson is now slashing .234/.338/.426 with an .801 OPS over 180 plate attempts.

Who’s Hot

RP Nick Mikolajchak – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, BB, SO

Another series, two more scoreless innings for reliever Mikolajchak. In two appearances against Buffalo Mikolajchak did not give up a hit or a run. He had only one strikeout to go along with one free pass, but at this point it is simply a waiting game for the young reliever until his inevitable call-up to the big league bullpen.

RP Anthony Castro – 3.0 IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, 7 SO

As good as Mikolajchak has been out of the Clippers’ bullpen this season, Castro was the star this week, giving up only one hit and one run in three appearances. Castro struck out seven and did not walk a batter over 3.0 innings pitched. It was a great series for Castro, and nice to see multiple options available to the Guardians as June fast approaches.

OF Alex Call – 6-21, R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB, 5 SO

Call had a great week at the plate, hitting two home runs and going 6-21 against Bison pitchers. The 27-year-old outfielder is hitting .277/.390/.491 (.881 OPS) with five HR and 14 RBI on the season and has offered stability to an often changing lineup.

Who’s Not

INF Tyler Freeman – 2-20, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 SO

It was a rough week at the plate for the young infielder, who is still rounding into form after coming off the IL. However, one of his two hits was a home run, and he added four walks to go along with four strikeouts. Freeman is recovering from labrum surgery while adjusting to Triple-A pitching for the first time in his career. Patience should pay out as Freeman has hit everywhere he has played and should hit for the Clippers as he gets more PAs.

1B Bobby Bradley – 3-18, R, 2B, RBI, BB, 10 SO

After clearing waivers and returning to the Clippers, Bradley has had a rough go of it. Against the Bison Bradley struck out 10 times in 18 ABs and walked just once to go along with three hits. The Clippers’ depth at first base is shallow so at the moment Bradley is not blocking anyone from playing the position. But Nolan Jones needs to get his primary playing time at either first base or the outfield once he returns from injury. Bradley’s presence should not block Jones from logging innings there – assuming, of course, the Guardians decide to give Jones a shot at first base.

Transactions

5/28 – Clippers activated RHP Justin Garza from the 7-day injured list

5/26 – Clippers released LF Anthony Alford

5/26 – CF Will Brennan assigned to Clippers from AA Akron RubberDucks

5/26 – Guardians recalled INF Richie Palacios from Clippers

5/26 – Guardians selected the contract of OF/DH Oscar Gonzalez from Clippers

5/26 – Guardians recalled LHP Konnor Pilkington from Clippers

5/24 – RHP Luis Oviedo assigned to RubberDucks from Clippers

5/24 – RHP Brett Daniels assigned to RubberDucks from Clippers

5/24 – LHP Tim Herrin assigned to Clippers from RubberDucks

Up Next

The Clippers open a five-game home series against the Toledo Mud Hens on Tuesday, June 1, at Huntington Park.

6/1 – 7:05 p.m. first pitch

6/2 – 7:05 p.m. first pitch

6/3 – 7:05 p.m. first pitch

6/4 – 7:05 p.m. first pitch

6/5 – 1:05 p.m. first pitch