GOODYEAR, AZ. — It’s time to start the SportRelay.com Cleveland Guardians Top 100 Countdown, a look at the Cleveland Guardians’ plentiful farm system.
We have ranked the top 100 prospects in the organization and will provide a synopsis of each over the next couple of weeks. Our criteria are based on a number of factors with the primary one being actually watching the players in spring camp, during past minor seasons, or on video. Other input comes from speaking with scouts. We generally use age 25 as a cutoff point. If a player is older, even if he has yet to play in the majors but is considered a call-up possibility, he usually won’t make our list.
Growing prospects is more vital to the Guardians than most teams because the organization seldom will break the bank for a high-priced free agent and also will lose some star players instead of paying huge bucks. The lifeline must continue to churn out good players. In recent years, that has certainly been the case,
But First: Guardians 4, Giants 3
Before getting to today’s set of 10 prospects, let’s look at Cleveland’s 4-3 spring win Thursday over the San Francisco Giants.
First baseman Josh Naylor, whose brother Bo Naylor we shall preview in detail later as one of the very top prospects, had two doubles and two RBI to help Cleveland take a 3-1 lead. Third baseman Jose Ramirez also had two hits and drove in a run. Cleveland starter Cal Quantrill threw all 14 of his pitches for strikes over two innings, fanning three and giving up two hits and a run. Lefty Caleb Baragar and Phillip Diehl each yielded a run as the Giants tied it at three. Both are in camp as non-roster free agents and trying to claim a spot in the Guardians bullpen.
Cleveland went back ahead in the eighth. Minor-league infielder Juan Brito, acquired this winter from Colorado, reached on an error, and minor-league first baseman Joe Naranjo followed with an RBI double.
Minor-league lefty Kyle Marman fanned one in the ninth and got the save.
Hall of Fame Name Kicks off List of Top 100 Guardians’ Prospects
100. Luis Aparicio, OF 2022 International free agent (Venezuela) 5-9” 160 B: L T: R 1/11/2005
The squat grandson of the legendary Hall of Fame shortstop signed with Cleveland last year at age 17 and made a quick impression in his professional debut, going 2-for-3 with a walk and stolen base. In 26 games overall, the best that could be said was he had more walks than strikeouts (12 to 10) and looked fluid in the field with a very good arm. There is loads of work to be done to make him a viable prospect. This Little Louie sometimes looks a little lost at the plate and is ranked far too highly here – except it gives me the chance to write a bit about one of my favorite ballplayers.
THE Luis Aparicio was the 1956 American League Rookie of the Year with the White Sox. He got 22 of 24 votes. Cleveland slugger Rocky Colavito and Baltimore outfielder Tito Francona (yep, Terry’s dad) got the other two. Louie led the AL in steals his first nine years, including a career-high 57 for the Orioles in 1964. He was a terrific shortstop with great range and an extremely strong, accurate arm.
Aparicio was fun to watch going to his right, digging out a ball in the hole, and making a laser-like throw to first. He was the very best I saw at shortstop until Omar Vizquel put his unique stamp on the position in the 1990s. Vizquel had even better range and the best hands ever, though his arm did not come close to measuring up to Aparicio, who was one of Omar’s childhood heroes. Vizquel made himself into a more reliable hitter, and from both sides of the plate. But Aparicio, now age 88, will forever be a legend to those who got the chance to see him play.
99. Javier Santos, RHP 7th-round pick (211 overall) in 2022 6’0” 190 B: R T: R 6/2/2003
The Dominican native is the second right-hander with an elite fastball to be selected by Cleveland from the Georgia Premier Academy, joining Daniel Espino (drafted 24th overall in 2019). Signed for $125,000, Santos is slated to make his pro debut in 2023, most likely in either Arizona or The Dominican Summer League. Scouts love his 95-99 mph fastball as well as the high spin rate on a 77-80 mph, big-breaking curve. His slider and changeup are ordinary at best for now. Some forecast him as a closer due to his short stature and big velocity. His raw athletic ability got him drafted. The ability to take instruction and make necessary adjustments will be key to advancement.
98. Braunny Munoz, RHP 2018 International free agent (Dominican Republic) 6’1” 187 B: R T: R 8/20/2000
Signed at 17, he showed a nice touch as a starter in three seasons in the lower levels before transitioning to relief in 2022 at Low-A Lynchburg, where he went 3-4 with a 3.82 ERA. Pitchers such as Munoz have developed in the Cleveland system for years under the tutelage of men like Tony Arnold and others. Arnold has been doing it for Cleveland since 1992 and is noted for helping develop pitchers such as Cy Young Award winners Shane Bieber, Corey Kluber, Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia, Bartolo Colon, and stars like Charlie Nagy, Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, Cody Allen, Rafael Betancourt, Danys Baez, Jake Westbrook, and others.
Munoz has maintained a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio throughout his career and is likely to open 2023 at Lake County, where he worked in two games after a late-season call-up in 2022. His overall repertoire is good, but no one pitch is outstanding. To continue his advancement, he’ll need to keep his ratios while developing a reliable out pitch and maybe add a touch of velocity through improved delivery mechanics.
97. Luis Durango, OF 2019 International free agent (Panama) 5’10” 145 B: L T: L 4/8/2003
The son of former MLB outfielder Luis Durango has a similar skill set. Pop had 355 steals and 7 homers in 1,255 pro games, 39 of them with the Padres (2009-10) and Astros (2011). Dad hit .298 over 13 (mostly minor-league) seasons. Junior batted only .189 at Lynchburg in 2022 after a fine (.308, 20 steals, 3 homers in 46 games) debut in the 2021 Arizona Complex League.
Junior gained notice immediately in spring training a year ago as an accomplished outfielder and top-of-the-order prospect. Now, he must display development in a likely return trip to Low-A ball in 2023 at age 20. He hopes to someday join dad as one of 78 natives of Panama to play in the majors, including Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Mariano Rivera and the late utilityman Chico Salmon, a Cleveland fan favorite (1964-68) who won a World Series with Baltimore in 1970. Salmon was known for his fear of ghosts and snakes. Because of that, he was often subject to practical jokes by teammates.
96. Yefri Rivera, INF-OF 2021 International free agent (Dominican Republic) 5’8” 160 B: S T: R 2/12/2004
Cleveland loves switch-hitting shortstops and gave Rivera a $500,000 birthday bonus one month before he turned 17. He improved in his second season for Cleveland’s “Red” team in the Dominican Summer League in 2022. In only four more plate appearances over 2021, he had 8 more hits, 11 more RBI, and 8 more walks, lifting his average from .207 to .280 and OPS from .545 to .702. In a small sample size overall, just 239 official at-bats, he has fared much better as a lefty hitter (.262) than right-handed (.167).
Curiously, though it may mean absolutely nothing, he hit .309 in home games and just .121 on the road in 2021 then reversed it with a.226 mark at home and .323 on the road in 2022. It shows once again that no matter how much ability a young player displays, they invariably are maddeningly inconsistent. The Guardians seem to be searching for a place to put his talent, too. He’s played every position except catcher, pitcher, and surprisingly center, where he has the speed to roam. He’s made 6 errors in 14 games at third base; 4 in 16 games at short, 3 in 13 games at second; and none in 26 games everywhere else.
95. Nate Furman, 2B 4th-round pick (121 overall) in 2022 5-8” 180 B: L T: R 7/23/2001
He has top-of-the-lineup skills — good speed and makes contact at the plate. Furman boosted his stature by hitting .400 with 25 steals in 29 games in the 2021 Valley Summer League. He batted .351 over two seasons while playing third, short, and second at UNC Charlotte with 71 walks and only 41 strikeouts. He’s the first player from that school drafted by Cleveland although LHP Jason Stanford was signed as an undrafted free agent after playing there. Stanford pitched in 23 games across three seasons for Cleveland.
Speed is Furman’s best tool. Between college and summer ball, he stole 61 bases in 70 tries. “This guy has a really advanced feel to it,” said Scott Barnsby, the Guardians’ director of amateur scouting. “He can consistently find the barrel. (It’s) a lot of fun watching him hit. A lot of fun to watch his approach. He’s currently playing second base. He’s a plus runner. He can move to the outfield. We feel good about his versatility defensively.” Why didn’t he play college ball at … Furman? Ex-Cleveland pitcher Tom Mastny and RHP Jay Jackson (Cubs pick 2008) are the only two Paladins to make it to the majors out of 22 draftees. Good thing this Furman was not at Furman. The South Carolina school discontinued the program after the 2020 covid outbreak.
94. Jackson Humphries. LHP 8th-round pick (241 overall) in 2022 6-1” 200 B: R T: L 7/20/2004
He helped his high school to a 2021 North Carolina state championship as a junior and was touted as a top prospect. In 2022, he regressed and dropped in the draft. Still, Cleveland gave him a $600,000 signing bonus– $400,000 more than any other player chosen in the eighth round in 2022. That kept him from fulfilling a commitment to Campbell University.
Humphries has a four-pitch mix with a fastball in the 90-95 mph range, a 12-to-6 curve, and an okay changeup but scouts like his biting slider the best. Gurus talk of his good spin rate on all pitches and Cleveland has a history of taking smooth-throwing hurlers and “coaching up” their stuff. “He’s a durable body with feel to pitch and we think he’s going to have a plus fastball,” said Scott Barnsby, the Guardians’ Director of Amateur Scouting. “He can really spin the breaking ball and just misses a lot of bats.” Barely out of high school, it will take time and should be fun to watch.
93. Welbyn Francisca, SS 2023 International free agent (Dominican Republic) 5’8” 150 B: S R: R 5/17/2006
Guess what, Francisca is a switch-hitting shortstop, one of about 32 trillion signed by Cleveland of late. Ranked No. 24 by MLB.com among international prospects this winter, he signed for $1.375 million. Scouts give big grades to a rather small player due to his plus agility and instincts. He has good bat speed and great speed on the bases. He has a big leg kick from both sides of the plate as he swings and appears pull-happy. Some say he may be better suited to playing second base though not to ever expect Jose Altuve-like power and that because of his speed, he should try to hit to all fields. Could he be another Sandy Alomar? That’s Sandy SENIOR, the once-spritely second sacker now age 79 and father of Cleveland fan favorites Roberto and Sandy Jr. He, too, was a speedy switch-hitter and solid fielder.
92. Jose Pastrano, INF 2021 International free agent (Venezuela) 5-10” 170 B: L T: R 7/23/2001
Signed for $1.5 million at 18, he’s been youthfully erratic in 54 games in the low minors except for decent strike-zone judgment, His body type is similar to that of Dorssys Paulino, who got $1.1 million in 2011 from Cleveland and was called “the best young hitter in the organization since Manny Ramirez” by a veteran coach. Verdict: Nope. Paulino hit .333 with a .938 OPS and 11 steals in a 56-game debut at age 17. By 23, he was done, sporting a paltry .727 career OPS and 77 errors, 24 after being sent to the outfield. The good news: Pastrano has soft hands, quick feet, a strong arm, and a desire to excel on defense. A line-drive hitter, he needs to focus more on offense to advance along the organization’s crowded infield pipeline.
91. Rafael Ramirez Jr., INF 2022 International free agent (Dominican Republic) 6-0” 159 B: L T: R 7/22/2005
Born in New Jersey, the son of 13-year MLB veteran infielder Rafael Ramirez (Braves, 1980-97; Astros, 1988-92) signed for $800,000 a year ago. He played 47 games at age 16 last summer, batting .247 with 11 steals in the Dominican Summer League. Not too bad. He also made an alarming 15 errors (12 in 25 games at short). Not too good. Spoiler alert: that’s along the lines of papa, charged with an astounding 148 errors in 332 games in the minors including a whopping 58 in 117 games in 1978. Dad also made 30 or more in each of his first five full seasons for Atlanta and had 30 at age 31 for Houston in 1989. Junior is still only 17 and should be a junior in high school. Lineage portends potential. Let’s see what he does by age 20.
NEXT: Prospects 90 to 81 and continuing coverage of the Cleveland Guardians spring games. Friday they play host to the Milwaukee Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark.
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