Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report: 4/8/26

Dayan Frias (3B, Columbus): 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 SB – Frias was basically most of the Clippers offense, who continues to stick around as a utility guy hitting low in the order.

Angel Genao (SS, Akron): 0-1, 4BB – I never would have guessed Genao would have a four walk game. His approach isn’t bad, but he’s not a guy who walks a ton so that was pretty shocking on a slow day offensively.

Matt Wilkinson (SP, Akron): 4IP, 3H, ER, 2BB, 6K – Strong Double-A debut for Tugboat throwing 61% strikes despite the loss.

“Tugboat” strikeouts have arrived in the Eastern League!
His first 6⃣ K’s in his 4-inning debut⬇️

8, 2026

Justin Campbell (SP, Lake County): 2.1IP, 2H, ER, BB, 3K – Campbell was pushed to 40 pitches and into the third inning after just going into the second last time. He was about 94-96, although in the third inning we saw some 92-93, not a surprise given that he was pushed a little deeper this time. But he showed off a strong fastball with velocity, changeup, cutter, curve and slider. The arsenal and stuff, control and velocity are shocking for someone who hasn’t thrown a competitive pitch since 2022.

Campbell pushed into the 40s this time around and 2.1 IP as opposed to 2IP in his first outing.
His fastball velo dropped a tad early in the 3rd inning from 94-97 to 92-94, which isnt shocking. But he finished throwing 95. The curve/slider/change/cutter all on display.

9, 2026

Nelson Keljo (SP, Hill City): 4IP, 2H, BB, 6K – A sterling pro debut for the Oregon State lefty who threw 40 strikes in 62 pitches. He was not a guy in college with a lot of control so that’s a nice development even if it’s just one game in Low-A so far.

Really strong pro debut tonight by Oregon State lefty Nelson Keljo for the Guardians

9, 2026

Miguel Flores (SP, Hill City): 4IP, H, 5K – The 21 year old Flores followed Keljo with an equally impressive performance in his second time on the mount in Low-A.

Kody Huff (1B, Columbus): 1-4, 2 RBI, BB, K – This has been a good season starting stretch for Huff, who is seeing a lot of time at 1B so far just due to Ingle’s presence and the lack other first base options besides Frias or Nunez.

Kahlil Watson (LF, Columbus): 0-3, 2BB – He’s not hitting a ton so far but you’ll take the two walks from Watson with his approach and needing to show more patience. That could pay off for him down the line.

Codi Heuer (RP, Columbus): IP, H – Ran his fastball up to 97 almost 98 and averaged almost 97 in the 12 pitch outing.

Steven Perez (RP, Columbus): 0.1 IP, H, 3 ER, 3BB, K – Perez managed five whiffs with a 95 MPH fastball but control eluded him just as I said the other day that he was starting to come around in Triple-A with the MLB baseball. Whoops.

Jaison Chourio (CF, Lake County): 1-5, 2B, BB, SB – Two times on base plus an extra base hit and steal is always a solid day from your leadoff hitter and we need to see more of this from Chourio, although he’s walked plenty in the past and the passive approach is something we need him to get away from.

Dean Curley (SS, Lake County): 2-5, 2K – It’s been a slow start offensively for Curley, and there have been some K’s, but a two hit day is hopefully a good jump point for him.

Aaron Walton (RF, Lake County): 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K – Walton looks interesting so far, showing some decent gap pop, the ability to walk and some speed. He also made a great catch in RF too that looked easier than it should have. It’s a nice toolset to keep an eye on.

Bennet Thompson (C, Lake County): 1-3, RBI, 2BB – Thompson had a big hit late in the game to help in the comeback win. He hit pretty well in Low-A last year and I do think the age/level thing is helping him succeed but for now the results are good.

Dauri Fernandez (SS, Hill City): 1-3, BB, SB – A nice two time on base day for the young Fernandez and added a steal, what you’d like to see more of from him.

Yerlin Luis (LF, Hill City): 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SB – Luis’ double was enough for Hill City and he added a stolen base to his line as he’s off to a nice start.

Robert Arias (CF, Hill City): 0-2, 2BB, 2 SB – Control and controlling the runner game in Low-A is often very dicey at best, so it’s hard to put stock into performances like this, but you have to give the young Arias credit for reaching base and trying to fill up the stat sheet without a hit.