Triple-A Columbus Clippers (1-4) at Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)

A top outfield prospect — well, a former top outfield prospect — is finally getting the call to the majors for September. Just like we all thought in 2025, George Valera, not Chase DeLauter or Travis Bazzana, will join the Cleveland Guardians when rosters expand on Sept. 1.

Once considered the organization’s top position player prospect and formerly on the 40-man roster, Valera tore his patella tendon about a year ago and became a minor league free agent. He re-signed with Cleveland, rehabbed his knee, came back for one game and incurred a side muscle injury. On Aug. 22, Valera hit for the cycle, and this past week he’s only had four hits since, so the cycle has sort of skewed his numbers. That being said, Valera has battled back from wrist, hamstring, core muscle and knee injuries since joining the organization as a 16-year-old back in 2017.

🚨 CYCLE ALERT 🚨@CleGuardians prospect George Valera becomes the first @CLBClippers player to complete the milestone since Oscar Gonzalez in 2023. pic.twitter.com/3ndLGD3WNf

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) August 23, 2025

It remains to be seen where Valera’s at-bats will come in the majors on the roster and what his future will be in Cleveland. There’s not enough time or bats for the Guardians to decide on him for 2026, and he will have one option year available in 2026 to see what happens.

Speaking of Bazzana, he drew five more walks and doubled once as he continues to look to settle in at Triple-A and make better swing decisions. On his walks, it does seem like he’s not getting many borderline pitches to hit, so he appears passive — and he is. But in the majors, he would be forced to swing and better pitches, and that might be what he needs. That won’t come until 2026.

Bazzana ties things up with a 351-foot RBI-double!@CLBClippers #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/jUMl3XsYrk

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 30, 2025

John Means should be on the verge of joining the Guardians’ roster, where his spot in the rotation fits in remains to be seen. He allowed four runs in three innings in his most recent rehab start in Columbus thanks to three home runs allowed. He was still 88-91 mph with his fastball and is making another rehab start on Aug. 31 first.

Triston McKenzie’s hopes for a comeback seem to be quickly hitting the skids. He walked four in two-thirds of an inning on Aug. 20 with two runs allowed and two strikeouts. He cannot control his fastball, and seems to have no confidence in his secondaries.

The Clippers’ penultimate homestand begins on Sept. 2, hosting Indianapolis (Pittsburgh Pirates).

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (1-4) at Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants)

Though he hasn’t kept up the torrid pace he got off to in Reading, which is not a surprise, Ralphy Velazquez is still producing at an exciting level in Double-A. He homered off another lefty on Aug. 29 and had six hits for the week. Even better, he’s walked four times and only struck out three times. The contact and pitch recognition are big steps forward for him this year to allow him to get to all of his exciting power.

Ralphy Velazquez hammers HOME RUN #⃣5⃣ in the Eastern League & #22 overall – leading the #GuardsBall system!@GuardsInsider
TOP 1 | Akron 1 | Richmond 0 pic.twitter.com/QIWuIqFPiz

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) August 30, 2025

Shortstop Angel Genao only had three hits this week but drove in a total of six runs thanks to a grand slam. He also walked twice and struck out three times. It’s been an inconsistent season for Genao, which isn’t unexpected given it started off with an injury for him. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in the Arizona Fall League in October before needing to be added to the 40-man roster in November.

ANGEL GENAO!!
GRAND SLAM!!

101 mph🚀391 feet

His 2nd EL homer! (and our first grand slam since 6/5/24 by CJ Kayfus)@GuardsInsider
TOP 6 | Akron 7 | Richmond 1 pic.twitter.com/JMW4S8UrpN

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) August 27, 2025

Josh Hartle’s scoreless streak ended in his first Double-A start, but in his second start, he allowed only two runs on six hits with five strikeouts with no walks as his rebound from a tough 2024 draft year continues.

Khal Stephen made his second Guardians organization start on Aug. 31 and it wasn’t quite as good as his first — six runs on six hits and didn’t get out of the first inning, only getting one out.

In Akron’s final home stand, the ‘Ducks will host the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets) this week.

High-A Lake County Captains (3-3) at Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics)

The bat is finally coming around for outfielder Jaison Chourio. He had a solid week last week and built on that this week, going 8-for-21 in five games with a three-run homer on Aug. 31, winding down the year on a promising note.

Jaison Chourio slugs a 3-run bomb to extend the @LCCaptains lead! pic.twitter.com/fRszdJGvyO

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 31, 2025

Fellow OF Ryan Cesarini, a 2024 draft pick, had a slow start in Lynchburg this year but has hit well for Lake County since arriving. He also homered in Lansing this week with four RBI, and also walked four times and stole a base.

CESARINI CRUSHING ‼️🚀

LF Ryan Cesarini’s 3rd home run as a Captain gives us the lead! pic.twitter.com/49NYDGUMhf

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) August 26, 2025

The Lake County outfield was very productive all around all week, with Nick Mitchell picking up 10 hits with three triples, four walks and two steals, showing all the skills the Guardians liked when they got him from Toronto in the Andres Gimenez swap.

The Captains currently hold a playoff spot by half-game a game over the Great Lakes Loons, who come to town this week for a six-game series to decide that spot in the final regular season series of the season.

Low-A Lynchburg Hillcats (4-2) vs. Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals)

Joey Oakie delivered the most brilliant performance of his young career, firing five no-hit innings this week. He walked four but struck out 11 against a very talented Fredericksburg lineup that included three draft picks by the Nationals. Oakie was 95-97 with his fastball most of the start and had a wicked slider, showing the talent the Guardians believed in from the third round from 2024 out of high school in Iowa.

Career night for #Guardians 2024 3rd round pick RHP Joey Oakie.

5IP, 0H, 0ER, 4BB, 11K

His fastball was ELECTRIC. 95-97 all night, even in the 5th inning as he was able to get to nearly 80 pitches.

Control was an issue but special stuff against a good Fredericksburg lineup pic.twitter.com/Wtqh0nknUh

— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) August 29, 2025

2025 ninth-round pick, LHP Ryan Prager started his pro career this week with two solid innings, allowing a run with a walk and three strikeouts.

On the offensive side, Nolan Schubart delivered two more homers to add to his first pro season with five RBI, five walks and five strikeouts. Fitting as he profiles a three true outcome (walk, strikeout, homer) type player.

Certainly no doubt about Nolan Schubart’s power. 106 off the bat here for 409 feet for a homer for the #Guardians 2025 4th rounder pic.twitter.com/Nq0pqSuxw3

— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) August 29, 2025

The Hillcats already clinched a playoff spot and will hit the road to Delmarva this week to face the Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles) in the final regular-season series of the year.