With the MLB trade deadline now over, let’s take a look at some of the Cleveland Guardians’ top prospects and how they’re faring in the minor leagues.
Tugboat mania is at its peak.
The Guardians' No. 30 ranked prospect has been dominant in his second season with Cleveland's farm team. In the second half of the minor league season, the left-hander allowed just eight runs on 19 hits while striking out 51 batters.
#Guardian Promising 21-year-old left-handed pitcher Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson pitched 5.1 innings tonight for Lake County, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out six Dayton batters.
Wilkinson struck out 150 batters in just 97.1 innings pitched, for an impressive 1.94 ERA.
Line – 5.1(IP)… pic.twitter.com/X7pjW4hBti
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 9, 2024
Wilkinson was traded to High-A Lake County in May and has been performing well since. The 21-year-old has a 2.53 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with the Captains. Cleveland may have found a hidden gem in the former 10th-round pick.
Starting pitching remains a concern for the Guardians, but they are unlikely to find reinforcements in the minor league system.
Will Dion was expected to make the majors this season, but the left-hander has struggled this year with Triple-A Columbus. Dion had a big year in the minors last year and was expected to move quickly to Cleveland, but his performance has declined in 2024. The 24-year-old Dion has a 5.89 ERA and 53 earned runs in 20 starts.
Ranked as Cleveland's No. 22 prospect, he still has the potential to be a great pitcher at the next level, but he's unlikely to remain in Cleveland this season.
Continuing on the topic of pitching prospects, Andrew Walters is a name fans should know.
Walters, a former right-hander for the University of Miami, found his role in Triple-A Columbus and established himself as the Clippers' primary closer. In nine appearances in July, Walters posted a 2.89 ERA with 16 strikeouts and five saves.
#Guardian Right-handed relief pitcher prospect Andrew Walters, 23, struck out both Memphis batters to earn his fifth save with Columbus.
Walters has not allowed a run in his past 11 appearances.
Line – 1.0(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 2SO
Past 11 times – 10.2(IP) 3H 0R 0ER 8BB 17SO 0.00 ERA
In 2024… pic.twitter.com/ByNUAoNG9w
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) July 24, 2024
The Guardians have a talented bullpen, but there's also a chance Walters could be promoted to Cleveland this season, so having a strong bullpen never hurts.
High hopes were held for outfielder Wilfredo Antunez at the start of the season, but his hot start came to an end last month. The Guardians' No. 27 ranked prospect finished July batting .197 with Single-A Lynchburg.
The 22-year-old prospect hit three triples in July but still struck out a lot. If Antunez can maintain his consistency throughout the season, he could easily rise through Cleveland's farm system.
With so many pitchers on the list, why not give some extra love to catcher Cooper Ingle?
Cleveland's No. 28 ranked prospect is thriving this season for Lake County, batting .309 with 18 doubles and 54 RBIs. His 1.047 OPS in July shows just how efficient he has been at the plate.
#Guardian 22-year-old promising catcher Cooper Ingle reached base three times tonight (2-5, 3R HR, 3RBI BB) to help Lake County win Tuesday's suspended game against Dayton, including a three-run homer in the 11th inning, his ninth of the season. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/2pQpru7Q7j
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) August 8, 2024
Ingle is batting .341 against right-handed pitching this year with nine home runs and 44 RBIs. The Guardians have another catcher, Zack Cozart, selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, making their farm system even more fearsome in the catching department.
