Don't what all that means, perhaps someone here does. Cleveland is roughly in the middle of all those categories with the highest ranking in "CSw" which i defined elsewhere as "Called & Swinging Strike (CSW) Percentage"

There's more; by specific pitch type

Results By Specific Pitch Types
To get more granular, we also looked at overall metrics and performance of some of the primary pitch types, again grouped by organization.

Four-Seam Fastballs
Currently, the four-seam fastball is primary pitch in the minor leagues, making up about 40% of pitches thrown. Below are the weighted averages of each organization’s aggregated four-seamers from the player pool.

IVB = Induced Vertical Break, HB = Horizontal Break, VAA = Vertical Approach Angle, RelHt = Release Height (in inches from the ground), Ext = extension (horizontal distance ball is being released from pitching rubber).

org stuff+ Velo ivb hb vaa relHt ext whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 106 93.1 17.3 8.9 -4.9 71.8 6.3 27% 44% 25%
BOS 104 93.3 15.5 9.9 -4.8 68.2 6.3 27% 49% 23%
TB 104 93.3 16.4 8.1 -4.9 70.6 6.2 25% 43% 26%
CIN 103 93 15.8 9.5 -4.9 69.4 6.2 23% 42% 24%
CWS 103 93.1 16.5 8.8 -5 70.9 6 26% 43% 24%
NYM 103 92.9 16.1 8.3 -5 70.8 6.3 24% 43% 25%
COL 103 92.9 16 9.7 -5 70 6 24% 43% 25%
LAD 102 94.1 15.5 8.8 -5.1 71.1 6.1 24% 40% 23%
DET 102 93.3 15.5 8.8 -5 69.7 6.3 23% 44% 24%
PHI 102 92.9 16 9.1 -5.1 71.7 6.2 24% 42% 23%
NYY 101 92.8 15.7 8.5 -5 69.9 6.2 24% 44% 22%
TOR 101 92.4 16 9.2 -4.8 69.4 6.1 24% 40% 25%
CLE 101 92 15.7 9 -4.8 68.6 6.4 24% 42% 24%
MIN 101 92.8 16.1 8.8 -5.1 71.7 6.1 23% 44% 24%
STL 101 93.3 15.2 9.8 -4.9 69.8 6.2 22% 43% 26%
PIT 101 92.9 15.5 8.7 -5 70.7 6.4 23% 42% 25%
MIA 101 93.2 15.1 8.5 -4.9 69.3 6.2 25% 42% 25%
KC 100 93.1 15.7 8.6 -5.1 71.8 6.2 21% 41% 24%
MIL 100 92.5 15.2 8.1 -4.9 68.7 6.3 25% 43% 23%
HOU 100 92.4 16.1 7.8 -4.9 70.8 6.3 25% 43% 24%
SF 100 92.1 15.6 9.1 -5 70 6.3 24% 42% 24%
LAA 100 93 15.1 10.1 -5.1 69.8 6 23% 41% 24%
TEX 100 93.2 15 8.6 -4.9 69 6.1 26% 41% 23%
SEA 99 92.1 15.1 10.8 -5.1 68.6 5.8 21% 43% 24%
CHC 99 93.2 15 7.4 -5.1 70.6 6.4 23% 41% 24%
WSH 99 92.7 15.5 9.8 -5 71 6.2 22% 41% 24%
SD 99 93.1 14.8 8.9 -5 69.6 6.2 23% 42% 23%
OAK 98 93 15.6 8.1 -5.2 72.3 6.1 23% 41% 23%
ATL 97 92.5 14.7 8.3 -5 69.3 6.3 24% 43% 24%
AZ 96 92.7 14.7 8.5 -5.2 71.2 6.2 25% 41% 23%
Below is the same table, but instead of the raw number, it is scaled where 100 is average and a standard deviation is 10. Because it is not “better” to throw from a higher release height, scaling it to the “plus” scale is meaningless and therefore that column was omitted. Similarly, the Stuff+ is already on the “plus” scale and was untouched. Note also that a VAA+ of 110 corresponds to a fastball that is flatter than the average fastball by one standard deviation.

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo+ ivb+ hb+ vaa+ ext+ whiff+ csw+ chase+
BAL 106 105 129 100 106 110 120 106 114
BOS 104 109 99 114 118 111 123 137 91
TB 104 108 113 89 109 104 110 105 118
CIN 103 103 103 109 105 101 92 99 100
CWS 103 105 115 99 102 86 115 102 104
NYM 103 101 109 92 98 110 98 104 110
COL 103 100 107 111 97 81 101 101 109
LAD 102 128 99 99 92 93 99 84 88
DET 102 109 98 99 101 106 93 110 105
PHI 102 101 108 103 93 104 102 98 92
NYY 101 97 101 94 101 100 98 109 81
TOR 101 89 107 105 118 92 104 88 110
CLE 101 81 101 102 116 115 100 97 104
MIN 101 98 109 99 93 95 95 111 101
STL 101 108 94 112 105 98 88 101 120
PIT 101 100 98 97 95 113 92 99 107
MIA 101 108 92 95 109 103 104 98 112
KC 100 105 102 96 85 103 83 93 105
MIL 100 91 93 89 113 106 109 103 92
HOU 100 88 109 85 109 105 108 104 104
SF 100 81 100 103 94 105 99 98 95
LAA 100 103 91 116 93 87 97 90 98
TEX 100 106 90 96 108 92 111 93 88
SEA 99 81 91 126 92 72 82 105 99
CHC 99 108 89 80 92 112 92 92 98
WSH 99 96 98 112 99 102 87 89 97
SD 99 104 86 100 97 102 95 97 91
OAK 98 102 99 89 79 91 93 89 90
ATL 97 90 84 92 99 105 101 105 96
AZ 96 96 85 95 81 98 109 91 82
Below is the same table as above, but instead of the ordinal values, the cardinal rank is displayed:

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo ivb hb vaa ext whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 1 11 1 13 9 5 2 5 3
BOS 2 3 17 3 2 4 1 1 24
TB 3 5 3 26 7 13 5 8 2
CIN 4 13 10 7 11 18 26 16 15
CWS 5 9 2 14 12 28 3 12 11
NYM 6 17 6 24 17 6 18 10 6
COL 7 19 9 6 18 29 13 14 7
LAD 8 1 16 17 26 23 15 30 27
DET 9 2 20 16 13 7 23 3 10
PHI 10 16 7 9 24 12 11 17 22
NYY 11 21 13 23 14 19 17 4 30
TOR 12 26 8 8 1 24 10 29 5
CLE 13 30 12 11 3 1 14 21 12
MIN 14 20 5 15 23 22 21 2 14
STL 15 4 21 4 10 21 27 13 1
PIT 16 18 18 18 20 2 24 15 8
MIA 17 7 23 22 5 15 9 19 4
KC 18 10 11 20 28 14 29 22 9
MIL 19 24 22 28 4 8 6 11 23
HOU 20 27 4 29 6 9 8 9 13
SF 21 28 14 10 21 11 16 18 21
LAA 22 14 25 2 22 27 19 26 18
TEX 23 8 26 19 8 25 4 23 28
SEA 24 29 24 1 27 30 30 6 16
CHC 25 6 27 30 25 3 25 24 17
WSH 26 22 19 5 16 17 28 27 19
SD 27 12 28 12 19 16 20 20 25
OAK 28 15 15 27 30 26 22 28 26
ATL 29 25 30 25 15 10 12 7 20
AZ 30 23 29 21 29 20 7 25 29

Here's some comments in words rather than numbers:

The Rays and Guardians threw the most four-seam fastballs amongst the organizations, with Guardians fastballs having the biggest extension and the largest increase in perceived velocity. Last year, the Blue Jays had the flattest four-seam fastballs, per VAA, and in 2024 they again lead, with the Guardians a close second.

Similar tables rating Sliders

Sliders
The second most-thrown pitch—and arguably the most important pitch in the modern game—is the slider, making up about 24% of pitches thrown.

Note that, because the release height and extension of a pitcher’s slider is essentially the same as their release height and extension of their four-seam fastball, these columns were omitted.

Below are the weighted averages of each organization’s aggregated sliders from the player pool.

IVB = Induced Vertical Break, HB = Horizontal Break, VAA = Vertical Approach Angle, RelHt = Release Height (in inches from the ground), Ext = extension (horizontal distance ball is being released from pitching rubber).

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo ivb hb vaa whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 119 82 1.7 9.3 -7.8 37% 45% 29%
HOU 117 82.6 1.7 8.3 -7.6 34% 45% 27%
SEA 116 81.8 0.3 9.8 -7.6 33% 45% 31%
NYY 115 82.8 1.1 8 -7.7 34% 45% 29%
CHC 115 83.2 0.6 7.8 -8 39% 45% 28%
MIA 115 82.7 0.6 7.8 -7.9 37% 48% 30%
CIN 114 83.4 1.1 6.8 -7.6 36% 46% 27%
LAD 114 84.6 1.2 6 -7.4 39% 47% 29%
TEX 114 83.4 0.8 7.1 -7.5 39% 50% 31%
KC 114 83.5 1.5 6.1 -7.8 36% 47% 30%
TOR 114 82.9 2.2 6.6 -7.4 34% 46% 30%
NYM 113 82.6 1.3 6.5 -7.7 36% 45% 28%
CLE 113 82.9 1.7 7.1 -7.5 35% 48% 30%
BOS 113 84.2 2 5.2 -7.5 34% 46% 29%
PIT 113 82.9 1.6 6.7 -7.7 36% 46% 30%
MIN 112 83.4 1.5 6.3 -7.7 34% 47% 30%
SD 112 83.2 1.4 5.7 -7.6 37% 46% 30%
PHI 112 83 0.9 6.6 -7.8 35% 46% 29%
TB 112 84.2 2.4 4.7 -7.5 37% 48% 32%
MIL 112 82.7 0.6 7.1 -7.7 35% 46% 30%
LAA 112 83.5 0 6.7 -7.7 39% 45% 31%
DET 112 83.3 0.5 6 -7.9 40% 49% 32%
WSH 110 82.7 0.9 5.6 -8 36% 46% 29%
OAK 110 83.1 0.5 5.8 -8 37% 45% 30%
STL 110 82.8 0.3 5.7 -7.8 38% 45% 30%
CWS 110 83.3 0.8 5.5 -7.8 37% 48% 31%
ATL 110 83.5 1.8 5.1 -7.7 37% 47% 32%
COL 109 82.9 0.7 5.1 -7.8 37% 46% 30%
AZ 109 83.4 0.5 5.6 -7.8 39% 47% 31%
SF 109 82.2 -0.6 6.9 -8.1 36% 46% 30%
Below is the same table, but instead of the raw number, it is scaled where 100 is average and a standard deviation is 10. As with the four-seam fastballs, Stuff+ is already on the “plus” scale and was untouched. Note also that a VAA+ of 110 corresponds to a slider that is flatter than the average slider by one standard deviation. A slider with an IVB+ of 110 resists gravity more than the average slider by more than one standard deviation (though, that does not mean that it is “better” than a slider with a lower IVB).

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo+ ivb+ hb+ vaa+ whiff+ csw+ Chase+
BAL 119 83 109 122 93 101 90 96
HOU 117 92 110 114 109 88 87 81
SEA 116 79 89 126 108 80 92 109
NYY 115 96 101 111 103 87 92 92
CHC 115 101 93 110 86 114 89 88
MIA 115 93 93 110 91 101 112 99
CIN 114 105 101 102 107 98 100 80
LAD 114 125 102 95 117 112 101 95
TEX 114 105 96 104 110 112 129 112
KC 114 107 107 96 96 100 103 98
TOR 114 97 117 100 116 86 98 98
NYM 113 92 104 99 99 99 89 88
CLE 113 97 109 105 114 92 115 100
BOS 113 118 113 88 110 86 95 91
PIT 113 96 108 101 101 100 100 100
MIN 112 105 107 97 102 85 108 105
SD 112 102 105 93 106 104 101 102
PHI 112 99 98 100 92 94 97 92
TB 112 118 120 85 115 105 109 115
MIL 112 94 94 104 99 91 95 103
LAA 112 107 85 101 102 115 89 107
DET 112 103 91 96 90 117 118 118
WSH 110 93 98 92 85 96 97 90
OAK 110 100 92 94 85 102 89 100
STL 110 96 89 93 95 107 93 98
CWS 110 104 97 91 97 103 113 110
ATL 110 107 112 88 102 102 106 120
COL 109 97 95 88 94 106 97 99
AZ 109 106 91 92 97 115 101 112
SF 109 85 76 103 79 100 96 104
Below is the same table as above, but instead of the ordinal values, the cardinal rank is displayed:

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo ivb hb vaa whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 1 29 6 2 23 14 25 21
HOU 2 27 5 3 7 25 30 29
SEA 3 30 27 1 8 30 23 7
NYY 4 22 15 4 11 26 24 23
CHC 5 14 23 6 27 4 26 28
MIA 6 24 22 5 25 15 5 17
CIN 7 9 14 11 9 20 13 30
LAD 8 1 13 20 1 6 11 22
TEX 9 10 19 9 6 5 1 5
KC 10 4 9 18 20 16 9 18
TOR 11 17 2 14 2 28 15 20
NYM 12 26 12 16 16 19 27 27
CLE 13 18 7 7 4 23 3 15
BOS 14 2 3 27 5 27 20 25
PIT 15 20 8 12 15 18 14 13
MIN 16 8 10 17 12 29 7 9
SD 17 13 11 22 10 10 12 12
PHI 18 16 16 15 24 22 17 24
TB 19 3 1 30 3 9 6 3
MIL 20 23 21 8 17 24 21 11
LAA 21 5 29 13 13 2 29 8
DET 22 12 25 19 26 1 2 2
WSH 23 25 17 24 29 21 16 26
OAK 24 15 24 21 28 12 28 14
STL 25 21 28 23 21 7 22 19
CWS 26 11 18 26 18 11 4 6
ATL 27 6 4 29 14 13 8 1
COL 28 19 20 28 22 8 18 16
AZ 29 7 26 25 19 3 10 4
SF 30 28 30 10 30 17 19

Next: Two Seam Fastballs

Two-Seam Fastballs
The third most-thrown pitch from the examined minor league pitching pool was the two-seam fastball, comprising 12% of pitches thrown, half the frequency of sliders.

Again, for the same reasons as above, the release height and extension columns were omitted.

Below are the weighted averages of each organization’s aggregated two-seam fastballs from the player pool.

IVB = Induced Vertical Break, HB = Horizontal Break, VAA = Vertical Approach Angle, RelHt = Release Height (in inches from the ground), Ext = extension (horizontal distance ball is being released from pitching rubber).

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo ivb hb vaa whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 108 92.5 7.8 16.5 -5.6 19% 48% 24%
SEA 108 92.2 8.3 16.8 -5.5 18% 44% 21%
CIN 106 92.9 8.7 15.4 -5.7 18% 43% 26%
MIA 106 93.2 9.4 15.3 -5.6 17% 44% 24%
LAD 106 93.0 8.6 15.3 -5.6 17% 41% 22%
NYM 105 92.8 9.5 15.2 -5.5 17% 43% 23%
WSH 105 92.5 9.1 15.4 -5.9 18% 43% 28%
TB 105 93.5 9.5 14.8 -5.4 18% 43% 23%
SF 105 92.2 7.8 15.3 -5.8 16% 43% 23%
CWS 105 92.1 8.2 15.5 -5.6 17% 41% 21%
DET 105 92.6 7.9 14.9 -5.8 17% 45% 24%
STL 104 92.1 9.6 15.4 -5.6 18% 44% 26%
BOS 104 92.5 7.9 14.9 -5.9 19% 44% 26%
AZ 104 92.2 8.6 14.9 -6.0 18% 40% 24%
LAA 103 93.1 9.6 14.8 -5.6 20% 40% 23%
MIL 103 92.0 9.3 15.0 -5.5 17% 44% 22%
HOU 103 92.5 8.1 14.7 -5.7 20% 42% 25%
NYY 103 92.2 9.2 15.0 -5.7 20% 46% 23%
KC 103 93.0 9.8 14.4 -5.6 19% 43% 26%
COL 103 92.9 10.2 15.0 -5.6 20% 43% 26%
PHI 103 92.3 11.1 14.9 -5.5 17% 41% 25%
PIT 102 92.1 8.3 14.5 -5.8 18% 37% 23%
MIN 102 92.2 8.5 14.6 -5.8 18% 47% 22%
TOR 102 91.5 9.2 15.0 -5.3 25% 45% 24%
CLE 101 91.4 9.3 14.7 -5.0 18% 45% 25%
SD 101 92.3 10.1 14.3 -5.4 19% 42% 21%
TEX 101 91.8 6.9 14.3 -5.7 17% 42% 23%
ATL 100 91.4 8.5 14.5 -5.6 18% 45% 25%
OAK 100 91.5 8.8 14.5 -6.0 17% 39% 25%
CHC 98 92.3 9.7 13.0 -5.8 20% 41% 22%
Below is the same table, but instead of the raw number, it is scaled where 100 is average and a standard deviation is 10. As with the four-seam fastballs, Stuff+ is already on the “plus” scale and was untouched. Note also that a VAA+ of 110 corresponds to a two-seam fastball that is flatter than the average two-seam fastball by one standard deviation. A two-seam fastball with an IVB+ of 110 resists gravity more than the average two-seam fastball by more than one standard deviation (though, that does not mean that it is “better” than a two-seam fastball with a lower IVB or less flat VAA).

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo+ ivb+ HB+ vaa+ whiff+ CSW+ chase+
BAL 108 102 87 123 100 104 120 103
SEA 108 96 93 127 107 101 104 81
CIN 106 110 98 107 97 101 100 115
MIA 106 115 105 104 101 90 104 101
LAD 106 112 97 105 102 93 91 92
NYM 105 108 107 104 107 91 100 94
WSH 105 103 102 107 86 97 99 122
TB 105 122 107 97 111 98 101 96
SF 105 97 87 106 90 88 101 97
CWS 105 95 91 108 101 93 91 86
DET 105 104 89 99 94 91 111 103
STL 104 96 108 106 104 98 104 112
BOS 104 103 88 99 88 106 104 114
AZ 104 98 97 98 83 99 89 99
LAA 103 114 108 98 101 109 87 93
MIL 103 94 104 101 108 92 106 87
HOU 103 102 91 96 97 110 97 104
NYY 103 98 103 101 98 110 112 93
KC 103 112 110 91 101 103 102 112
COL 103 111 114 101 103 109 99 113
PHI 103 99 124 100 105 90 93 107
PIT 102 95 93 93 90 100 74 94
MIN 102 96 95 95 93 101 118 88
TOR 102 83 104 100 115 140 109 103
CLE 101 82 104 96 130 96 108 105
SD 101 98 114 90 113 103 95 85
TEX 101 90 77 90 95 95 97 98
ATL 100 83 95 93 100 96 110 105
OAK 100 84 99 94 83 90 84 107
CHC 98 99 108 71 95 107 91 91
Below is the same table as above, but instead of the ordinal values, the cardinal rank is displayed:

Filter by...
Reset
org stuff+ velo ivb hb vaa whiff% csw% chase%
BAL 1 13 28 2 16 8 1 14
SEA 2 21 23 1 7 11 9 30
CIN 3 7 17 5 19 12 16 2
MIA 4 2 10 9 13 27 10 15
LAD 5 4 18 8 11 23 26 24
NYM 6 8 8 10 6 25 17 21
WSH 7 10 15 4 28 18 19 1
TB 8 1 9 20 4 17 14 19
SF 9 19 29 7 25 30 15 18
CWS 10 23 24 3 14 22 25 28
DET 11 9 26 16 23 26 4 12
STL 12 22 6 6 9 16 11 5
BOS 13 11 27 17 27 7 12 3
AZ 14 17 19 18 29 15 27 16
LAA 15 3 7 19 15 4 28 22
MIL 16 25 12 13 5 24 8 27
HOU 17 12 25 21 20 2 21 11
NYY 18 18 14 12 18 3 3 23
KC 19 5 4 27 12 10 13 6
COL 20 6 2 11 10 5 18 4
PHI 21 14 1 15 8 29 23 7
PIT 22 24 22 25 26 14 30 20
MIN 23 20 20 23 24 13 2 26
TOR 24 28 13 14 2 1 6 13
CLE 25 30 11 22 1 20 7 9
SD 26 16 3 29 3 9 22 29
TEX 27 26 30 28 21 21 20 17
ATL 28 29 21 26 17 19 5 10
OAK 29 27 16 24 30 28 29 8
CHC 30 15 5 30 22 6 24

Just like with their four-seam fastballs—which were the first and third flattest amongst organizations—the Blue Jays and the Guardians interestingly have the two flattest collection of two-seam fastballs in the league. This suggests that they may not emphasize distinction between the two main types of fastballs.

No more tables on curve balls or changeups or what is that pitch Skenes throws?

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Cleveland Guardians Prospect Report 11/13/24
Matthew Kennell
Nov 14






READ IN APP

Scoreboard:
Arizona Fall League - Surprise Saguaros 8, Salt River Rafters 5
Colombian League - Caimans de Barranquilla 11, Vaqueros de Montería 9
Premier12 - Japan 9, Australia 3
Guardians Prospects:

Travis Bazzana (2B, Australia): 2-4, 1 R, 2 K, 1 SB - Bazzana was one of the stars of Australia’s tournament-opening loss to Samurai Japan, recording the Southern Thunder’s lone multi-hit performance of the night.

Milan Tolentino (3B, Surprise): 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBIs - Tolentino made a rare appearance at third base after a majority of games played at shortstop for Surprise. His triple drove in two runs in the midst of a six-run bottom of the second inning.

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Allan Hernandez (RP, Surprise): H (1), 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BBs, 2 Ks - Hernandez struck out two in his inning of relief work on Wednesday.

Dayan Frias (SS, Vaqueros): 1-for-3, RBI, BB, HBP - Frias reached base three times in the game with a hit, walk and hit by pitch and drove in a run. He had a chance to do further damage in the ninth but recorded an out.

maybe Allan Hernandez is a major league bullpen possibility in a year or two? He's not pitched beyond A ball so he certainly will not be added to the 40 man roster; he was signed in 2019 so he's eligible for the rule 5 draft but would be stunned if anyone picked him

rosters need to be set already by 5 p.m. next Tuesday. Cleveland usually announces all moves at the very last second

THE four players on our top 30 prospect list subject to Rule 5 draft. No one too high on the list. The 3 pitchers are pretty likely to be protected if two ore spots are opened on the roster; should be easy to remove Strezleck and Gilespie


Cleveland Guardians
Doug Nikhazy, LHP (No. 24)
Petey Halpin, OF (No. 26)
Ryan Webb, LHP (No. 27)
Franco Aleman, RHP (No. 30)

Cleveland Guardians 2024 Rule 5 Protection Primer
Who will Cleveland protect for today's 40 man Rule 5 Protection deadline?
Justin Lada
Nov 19




Over the last couple of years, Cleveland has run into some interesting decisions to make to add to its 40 man roster in protecting prospects from the Rule 5 draft. However, in each of the past few years, the Guardians roster crunch has sort of come back to earth.

In some ways, they’ve had some developmental wins as this year would have been the year that Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams would have been Rule 5 eligible. Instead they were both pitching in playoff games for the Guardians. Logan Allen would have been eligible last winter but he was one of the bright spots on the 2023 pitching staff, though he has some ways to claw back trust in 2025. Cleveland also had to add Daniel Espino through his issues with shoulder troubles so no team could select him and stash him on the injured list.

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In 2022, they had a big chunk to add, choosing to protect Joey Cantillo, Angel Martinez, and Tim Herrin. Bo Naylor was added in September that year, ahead of when he would have needed protection, along with Johnathan Rodriguez needing to be added would have been a minor league free agent. That year they did lose Kevin Kelly to the Rays in the Rule 5 draft, who deserved protecting.

2021 was the big roster crunch year due to issues from the 2020 lost minor league season due to the pandemic. That year, Cleveland added Bryan Lavastida, Brayan Rocchio, Cody Morris, Richie Palacios, George Valera, Jhonkensy Noel, Steven Kwan, Tyler Freeman and Konnor Pilkington. They also chose to trade for Tobias Myers that November, who also needed Rule 5 protection.

This year, the 40 man candidates that will need to be added today are much fewer. WIlliams and Bibee were already on the 40, so that would have been two spots had their development taken longer.
No Doubt Adds

RP Franco Aleman: He would have likely already be on the roster and made his major league debut in 2024 if not for a lat injury that kept him out all of June and July. Aleman is a slam dunk add because of his 95-97 fastball/sinker combination. Both are elite pitches with the four seamer getting a lot of ride and plays above its velocity due to Aleman’s extension. The sinker bores in on right handers and away from lefties at a high velocity, making it tough to square. Aleman’s slider is just above average with a little more vertical break to it. On it’s own it’s not a good pitch but does bride nicely between his fastballs. Aleman has a big leg kick and long arm swing, so holding runners and fielding his position are where his development still needs to come from. Cleveland has also said they would like him to work on his availability more, being available less often in the minors in 2022, sometimes only pitching twice in a five or six game span as a reliever. Still, he’s a setup relief candidate with high-octane heat and an intimidating presence on the mound that would get snagged.
On the Bubble

LHP Ryan Webb: I think Webb is the next most likely candidate to be added. He’s a little older and does have some starter like stuff, though his durability and lighter fastball are question marks. But some team would maybe like to take a chance on Webb and he could serve as important depth for the Guardians in 2025. Still, they might need a roster spot to add him and he is still does have fringe-starter qualities

LHP Doug Nikhazy: Nikhazy should be neck-and-neck with Webb to be added to the roster, but control is still a bit of an issue. His delivery changes helped some this year and he did add some to the bottom line of his heat. He’d also make an interesting reliever where his fastball could tick up. Does Cleveland want to risk that? Is Allen/Webb/Cantillo/Messick/Peterson more than enough in 2025 as pitching depth or do they need Nikhazy in that mix? He would go to the bullpen as a Rule 5 pick, I think. And that might be his best role going forward, but I still think he’s on the bubble here at best.
Left Out

RHP Allan Hernandez: Was the Captains’ closer and pitched well in the Arizona Fall League. Has a high 90s, high-spin fastball but I don’t think he’s quite advanced enough to stick in the majors eve in the bullpen quite yet.

LHP Will Dion: His light fastball didn’t play at Triple-A. Maybe it was getting used to a different ball and 2025 will be better, but I can’t see Cleveland clearing a spot for Dion above everyone above and I don’t see anyone taking him in the Rule 5.

RHP Aaron Davenport: Davenport pitched exclusively out of the stretch this year and it did improve his control some, but like Dion, the fastball is too light and it’s hard to see them making a spot for him on the roster this year. I wouldn’t be stunned if he was taken in the Rule 5 and be used as a relief/bulk innings guy, but I think that would be a stretch and it depends on who else is available.

RHP Tommy Mace: Mace also has a light fastball and either works better in a relief role, which could make him attractive to a team in the Rule 5, but he hasn’t made enough progress to be added above the aforementioned group.

RHP Trenton Denholm: Out of this entire group, I like Denholm the most. His fastball has some carry and would play better in the pen, but he has a good curve and change, but it just smaller in stature, so I think that hinders his overall upside. Another guy i wouldn’t be shocked by being taken, but it's hard to believe Cleveland can find room for him right now.

RHP Alaska Abney: He’s got his fans with his unique metrics thanks to his release point, but I just don’t see the overall stuff being worth protecting at this time. He’s not going to help this bullpen. Maybe the Guardians trade him and someone else values him a little more. He might get taken in the Rule 5 but I doubt it since he’s below Triple-A and I don’t see much more than an Adam Cimber type at best here.

OF Petey Halpin: Repeated Double-A in 2024 and had a mixed year at best, finishing on the injured list. He’s tired multiple versions of his stance but hasn’t found consistent power or any kind of offensive upside to get added to the 40 or go in any meaningful trade.

INF Milan Tolentino: Similar to Halpin, a 2020 pick that is glove first and never really got his footing offensively after moving up from Single-A. Could profile as a utility infielder for someone with some pop and ability to walk, but it would be a stretch.

OF Wuilfredo Antunez: Hasn’t been above High-A yet, but has interesting pop and a big arm. I don’t think where he’s at developmentally would allow him to stick in the majors, and he’s healthy, so that would go against it too. But I thought his sleeper skill set was worth mentioning here.
Who’s Out?

Aleman is the only slam dunk of the group this year and I think at least one, if not both Nikhazy and Webb will be added. Currently, the Guardians 40 man roster sits at 39. So that leaves room for Aleman.

How would they make room for either Webb or Nikhazy?

RHP Connor Gillaspie still occupies a roster spot as does RHP Peter Strzelecki. Both did come through with some clutch innings last year but are definitely the 39th and 40th guys on the roster to create two spots.
Other moves

Cleveland loves to make trades on the 40 man protection day (see Tobias Myers, Nolan Jones for Juan Brito, etc). I don’t know who is on the verge of another team’s 40 man roster bubble, but if the Guardians deem that player worth protecting and another team doesn’t feel like they will and want to get something for them or would rather cash in on the value, Cleveland has jumped in there. They have a serious dearth of catching depth in the upper minors, so keep an eye on a 40 man catcher possibly, especially with David Fry’s injury and basically nobody to catch in Triple-A with Kody Huff to start 2025. Starting pitching could always be an option as well as a corner infielder, particularly first base.

MLB.com lists Hernandez as a guy on the bubble. I would think Cleveland would like to protect some left handed possible starting depth with Nikhazy and Webb; although neither is a slam dunk prospect by any means.

8 teams have to date protected a total of 17 players; everyone else has 1:40 to complete their rosters.
One familiar name is not available this year

Dayvison De Los Santos was a Rule 5 pick last year by the Guardians before they returned him to the D-backs and he became part of the Marlins’ expansive trade deadline haul. The 21-year-old has age and massive power on his side—he hit 40 homers between two levels and three teams in 2024—but also significant strikeout risk. De Los Santos had the highest chase among any Marlins minor league hitter with more than 50 plate appearances. He’s likely either a first baseman or designated hitter in the big leagues.

Cleveland #Guardians additions to 40-man roster:

RHP Franco Aleman
RHP Nic Enright
LHP Doug Nikhazy
OF Petey Halpin

The following players were designated for assignment:

RHP Peter Strzelecki
RHP Connor Gillispie
OF George Valera
6:16 PM · Nov 19, 2024
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