Triple-A Columbus Clippers (1-5) vs. Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals)

Remember that oft-injured left-handed hitting corner outfielder top prospect in the Cleveland system?

Nope, not Chase DeLauter.

George Valera hit for the cycle on Aug. 22 on his way to an eight-hit week with two homers and two triples. He’s hitting a cool .323/.391/.547 in 23 games with Columbus since returning from his second injury of the season. Valera isn’t on the 40-man roster and is once again slated to be a minor-league free agent at the end of the season. With the Guardians’ season taking on water, is there a reason to see him in Cleveland for a little bit to see if he can be part of the future despite his CVS receipt injury history? They can’t afford to take at-bats away from CJ Kayfus or Kyle Manzardo at this point, but could he take former top prospect Nolan Jones’ diminishing at-bats?

🚨 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

Don’t expect 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana to be called up in September. Not only did his injury hold him back this year in terms of that chance, but Cleveland’s position in the playoff race was always going to dictate that as well. After a feeling-out period to start his Triple-A era, Bazzana has started to settle and swing a little more, as he has done at every minor-league stop he’s been at in his brief career. He came up with seven hits (two doubles) and eight walks (four strikeouts) this week, and just missed a pair of homers (one was a double) as well. If you want to see Bazzana play past the end of September, he might be a candidate for the Arizona Fall League.

Travis Bazzana starts the game with a hit and slides into second👏 pic.twitter.com/QXrPnprZWj

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 23, 2025

Joey Cantillo was optioned back down to Triple-A despite pitching solidly because of needs in a tired bullpen and a numbers game. He did strikeout nine and walk just one in 4 2/3 innings in his first start back in Triple-A. But he needed over 90 pitches to get into the fifth inning, and that remains part of what holds Cantillo back from being too good to option, as well as the gap between Triple-A and the majors among hitters — those who will swing and borderline pitches and strikeout, and those in the majors too good and will lay off. He’s out of options in 2026, so Cleveland won’t have this chance again with him next year.

Speaking of players out of options, Triston McKenzie returned to Columbus as a reliever this week. He walked four and allowed an unearned run in two outings (two innings) in his first week back. His velocity remains fine (93-96 mph) but control is still an issue. He can also be a minor league free agent this offseason. This feels like letting McKenzie throw in front of scouts to give him a chance to get a minor league contract this offseason somewhere else.

The Clippers will head to Louisville to take on the bats (Cincinnati Reds) this week.

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (3-3) vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays)

After leaving a path of destruction behind in Reading, Pa., last week, Ralphy Velazquez made his Akron debut at Canal Park, and not unexpectedly, he cooled off just due to the forces of nature when a tornado eventually runs out, and the bigger confines of Canal Park. The 2023 first-round pick had just a four-hit week and none for extra bases across the first six games.

The big story of the week in Akron was right-handed pitcher Yorman Gomez. The Venezuelan native has been turning in impressive outings since May. This time, it was one run over five innings with nine strikeouts and one walk. In April, Gomez allowed 10 runs across four starts, all 10 coming over two of them on his way to a 5.74 ERA.

Since May 1? A 2.02 ERA with 101 strikeouts across 89 innings. His 2.61 Fielding Independent Pitching (only measures strikeouts, walks and home runs — the three things pitchers have full control over) supports that run. He only stands 6-foot and sometimes struggles to hold his best stuff deep into outings, but Gomez throws 93-96 with a good breaking ball and may be one of the best international arms Cleveland has had in the system since Danny Salazar. He’s Rule 5 eligible this winter and is quickly making a case for 40-man protection.

Yorman was dealing tonight!

Final line: 5 innings, 1 run, 9 strikeouts 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/2l3mthLIxA

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) August 22, 2025

Josh Hartle got his long-overdue promotion to Akron this week. He also went on a long stretch — 31 innings over five starts with no earned runs — before the promotion. His debut only lasted four innings with three runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out two. The rotation spot for Hartle opened up because Dylan DeLucia, who was having a solid season himself and got a promotion to Double-A is on the IL with an elbow sprain. DeLucia had Tommy John surgery at the end of 2022 and didn’t debut until late 2024 and is also Rule 5 eligible this winter.

Shane Bieber had a terrific debut for Toronto this past weekend (nine strikeouts in six innings) and Cleveland’s return for Bieber, Khal Stephen, made his Cleveland affiliate debut on Aug. 21 with two strikeouts and two hits in three scoreless, walkless innings pitched. He threw 27 of his 38 pitches for strikes.

Pretty darn good #Guardians affiliate debut for Khal Stephen.pic.twitter.com/Z2YinKyLPR

— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) August 24, 2025

Akron heads back out on the road to Richmond (San Francisco Giants) this week.

High-A Lake County Captains (3-3) vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres)

He probably won’t do what Matt Boyd did for the Guardians last season (mostly because it’s unlikely Cleveland will be in the playoffs at this point), but John Means turned in another solid rehab start. The 33-year-old left-hander tossed 3 2/3 innings and allowed a hit and two walks with four strikeouts. His fastball continues to sit 88-92 mph with a good changeup and should at least make one more rehab start this week before the Guardians consider activating him on the 40-man roster and likely add him to the roster in September when active rosters expand to 28.

John Means was ON FIRE for Los Picantes tonight! 🔥🌶️

The Guardians left-hander had another strong rehab start for Lake County! ⬇️

3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

51 pitches, 34 strikes pic.twitter.com/2LuLnlWMMS

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) August 21, 2025

It’s been a tougher road in 2025 for last year’s breakout pitcher, Matt Wilkinson. But Tugboat looks to be coming out with a better finish to the year with a strong August. He allowed one run in a career-high seven innings with six strikeouts and a walk this week and has only allowed two earned runs in three August starts (1.04 ERA). His velocity remains 88-90 mph but command and secondaries haven’t been as sharp for the big lefty at times this year.

Jaison Chourio is another player who broke out in 2024 and has had an even tougher 2025. Dealing with a shoulder issue most of the year, Chourio has been inconsistent and passive at the plate. He only had five hits in this six-game series, but his swing decisions and quality of contact are looking better after a frustrating season.

Guardians prospect Jaison Chourio, how healthy, showing sign of development

Lake County heads to Lansing for its final road trip of the 2025 season.

Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (2-4) at Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers)

The Lynchburg roster is now full of 2024 and 2025 draft picks. However, its best player this season and 2024 CompA draft pick, Braylon Doughty, has hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation. The 19-year-old right-hander had 99 strikeouts and just 23 walks in 85 1/3 innings in his first pro season. The Guardians supposedly don’t think it’s a serious issue, but it could put an early end to his season.

Taking his spot in the rotation is 2024 10th-round pick RHP Chase Mobley. The 19-year-old made his affiliate debut on Aug. 23 after pitching in the Arizona Complex League all year and allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. Mobley was a 10th-round pick but got a $1 million signing bonus.

2024 third round pick, RHP Joey Oakie tossed 4 2/3 innings this week in one start, and allowed two runs on three hits, walking four and striking out three.

On the offensive side of things, 2025 draft picks, infielder Luke Hill (third round), OF/1B Nolan Schubart (fourth round), outfielder Aaron Walton (Comp-B pick), first baseman Riley Nelson (fifth round) all hit their first pro homers this week. Hill also added three hits, including a triple and two steals on Aug. 24.

Luke Hill and Aaron Walton each hit their first pro home run in tonight’s Lynchburg win! pic.twitter.com/qDdGrx5j8N

— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) August 23, 2025

Third baseman Dean Curley (2025 second round) and first baseman Anthony Martinez (2025 eighth round) were all assigned to Lynchburg this week as well to make their pro debuts.

The Hillcats come home to host the Fredericksburg Nationals in their final homestand of the regular season before the playoffs. The Hillcats are the only team with a playoff berth in the Guardians system as of now.

Originally Published: August 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM EDT