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Rodriguez showing power for Clippers | Guardians minor-league roundup for Aug. 15

Ethan Hankins delivers for the Captains against South Bend on Aug. 10. (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald)
Ethan Hankins delivers for the Captains against South Bend on Aug. 10. (Tim Phillis – For The News-Herald)
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Triple-A Columbus Clippers (2-3) at Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers)

Despite the constant roster shuffling due to injuries at the major-league level, the Columbus offense has been consistent thanks to the boost from outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez’s promotion. Cleveland’s 2017 third-round pick now has five homers in his 14 games since the promotion, with three coming this week alone. He homered in Columbus’ 10-2 win on Aug. 10 and accounted for five RBI. He hit a pair of homers in a 10-7 loss on Aug. 12, one of which was 464 feet. Rodriguez also added a triple, two RBI and two walks on August 8, a 5-3 Columbus win. Showing his weaknesses, Rodriguez did strikeout five times in five at-bats on Aug. 9, all on fastballs.

Jhonkensy Noel’s two homers on Aug. 9 and 10 put him up to 20 on the year. The 22-year-old has struggled this year but currently has a .805 OPS through August, his best of any month at this point.

The Guardians may have added Ramon Laureano and Kole Calhoun at the major-league level to fill spots, but mostly because Noel and George Valera haven’t been ready to promote this year. In five games this week through August 12, Valera struggled through a 2-for-16 stretch with two singles and eight strikeouts but five walks.

With three rookies already in the rotation, it’s possible the Guardians won’t want to add a fourth, but Joey Cantillo continues to make a strong case for an opportunity. On Aug. 10, Cantillo went 5 1/3 strong innings where he allowed just a run on four hits, a walk and struck out seven. It was the second consecutive start for Cantillo going 5 1/3 innings. Over those two starts, the left hander has struck out 13 and walked just three while allowing a run, and throwing 93-95 and hitting 98.

Despite their bullpen woes, the Guardians continue to try to stretch Cody Morris into more starters like innings. He walked four in 1 2/3 innings this past week and allowed three runs on two hits on Aug. 11, a 4-1 loss for the Clippers.

The Clippers stay on the road next week to visit Syracuse (Mets) on Aug. 15-20.

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (1-5) at Harrisburg Senators (Nationals)

Akron’s offense struggled most of the week at Harrisburg, but Aaron Bracho homered in three straight games, Aug. 10-12, giving him four in August and 13 overall this year. The Ducks won just one of those games, 5-3 on Aug. 11. In the first two games, the homers were Bracho’s only hits. He went 3-for-4 on August 12 in the Ducks’ 5-4 loss and 0-for-2 with two walks in the finale loss Aug. 13.

Juan Brito returned this week after missing a few games with a minor finger issue and drove in five runs, going 6-for-23 with two doubles and a homer for the week.

Connor Kokx had a good week serving as the leadoff hitter and the ninth hitter in the lineup at times. He went 7-for-19 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI.

Akron didn’t get a lot of great pitching against a tough Harrisburg lineup, but Jack Letwich did strike out four and allowed a run in four innings following Will Dion’s five innings of two run ball on Aug. 11 in the Ducks’ only win.

Franco Aleman continued his dominance at Double-A, throwing two perfect innings Aug. 12 and striking out two hitters, throwing 94-99 again.

Akron comes home to host Erie (Tigers) August 15-20.

High-A Lake County Captains (2-1) vs. South Bend Cubs (Cubs)

Mother nature didn’t cooperate with the weekend slate of games this series, cancelling one game and forcing a doubleheader Aug. 13.

Ryan Webb came back to pitch two innings in the suspended game Aug. 11, striking out two after missing time with an oblique injury.

Parker Messick didn’t cooperate with the South Bend Cubs talented lineup, striking out a career-high 11 in five shutout innings Aug. 9 in the Captains’ 10-4 win. Messick allowed just three hits, but did walk a batter and hit two. He’s thrown 10 straight shutout innings now between his last two starts.

The Captains’ bullpen struggled in a 9-1 loss Aug. 10, but Ethan Hankins allowed just one run in four innings, striking out five and walking two. Hankins has now allowed just one earned run in his last three starts, spanning 11 2/3 innings.

Chase DeLauter backed Messick’s strong start with a 4-5 afternoon Aug. 9 and drove in three runs, all on singles. Jake Fox added three hits and two RBI in that win and also had an RBI in the Captains’ 7-5 win on Aug. 8.

Newcomer Kahlil Watson went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts last weekend to end the Captains’ series with Wes Michigan. He had a single and two RBI on Aug. 8 and then went 1-for-3 with two walks on Aug. 9.

In an aggressive move, the Guardians assigned 2023 draft pick, catcher Cooper Ingle, to High-A to make his debut. He fit right in right away going 2-for-2 with two walks in two games played.

Lake County will continue its homestand, hosting the Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals) on Aug. 15-20.

Single-A Lynchburg Hillcats (3-2) vs. Fredericksburg Nationals (Nationals)

The Hillcats got most of the reinforcements this past week with several 2023 draftees being assigned to Lynchburg. 1B/OF CJ Kayfus went 3-for-12 in his first three pro games and popped his first homer Aug. 12 in the Hillcats’ 8-6 win. Infielder Alex Mooney went 4-for-14 in his first four contests. Catcher Johnny Tincher started two games and went 1-5, but came out of his second game early and hasn’t played since.

The only pitcher from the 2023 class promoted up from Arizona, RHP Matt Jachec, made his High-A debut August 11 and gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings, but did strike out three.

2022 eighth-round pick, lefty Jackson Humprhies, was also promoted to Lynchburg, but his debut on Aug. 12 lasted just 1 2/3 innings, as he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks.

Infielder Angel Genao broke out of an 0-for-12 snap going 2-for-5 with a homer in the Hillcats’ 6-5 loss on Aug. 9. He followed that up by going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI in a 7-6 win on Aug. 11. Genao added two more doubles in the finale on Aug. 13.

Fellow infielder Jose Devers has been hot and cold at times this year, but drove in four of the Hillcats’ runs this week though Aug. 12. He went 3-for-5 with a homer on Aug. 9 in the Hillcats’ 6-5 loss. He added an RBI single on August 10, then a 2-for-4 performance Aug. 11 with a double and two RBI.

Yorman Gomez turned in the best pitching performance of the week for the Hillcats, allowing two runs (one earned) in six innings on August 11 in a 7-6 win for Lynchburg.

The Hillcats head out on the road August 15-20 to face the Fayetville Woodpeckers (Astros).

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