[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team sits at 88-50 after going 18-11 in August, extending their AL Central lead to 15.0 games. The team ranks 4th in Runs Scored, 4th in SP ERA, 1st in RP ERA, and 1st in Team ERA in the AL. Of the deadline acqusitions, Nick Martinez has been the clear standout, with a 1.57 ERA since the trade, while Sean Hjelle has struggled to find his footing and Michael Brantley has struggled with the injury bug.

News Dump

SS Carlos Correa returned from the injury list, and with Bo Naylor's August struggles, Brandon Crawford took over full-time DH duties. SS Jermaine Palacios (2.5, 2.5) was optioned to AAA Columbus in a corresponding move. Michael Brantley is currently on the IL with a mild abdominal sprain, but should return in a week. OF Matt Vierling (2.5, 2.5) was recalled from AAA Columbus in a corresponding move. With active rosters expanding to 28 players, SS Jermaine Palacios (2.5, 2.5) and SP Cody Morris (2.5, 3.0) were recalled from AAA Columbus.

Notable Performances

Hitters:

C Austin Hedges: .214/.276/.425, 91 OPS+, 3.7 WAR in 362 PA
C Bo Naylor: .191/.263/.335, 65 OPS+
1B Vinnie Pasquantino: .256/.323/.472, 117 OPS+
2B Andres Gimenez: .291/.344/.437, 116 OPS+, 27 SB, 4.4 WAR
SS Carlos Correa: .278/.368/.453, 127 OPS+, 4.4 WAR in 366 PA
SS Brandon Crawford: .189/.245/.295, 50 OPS+, 0.2 WAR since the trade
3B Jose Ramirez: .278/.354/.542, 144 OPS+, 12 SB, 4.6 WAR in 477 PA
LF Michael Brantley: .254/.296/.403, 92 OPS+ since the trade
CF Michael A. Taylor: .221/.279/.352, 74 OPS+, 1.7 WAR
RF George Valera: .273/.349/.503, 133 OPS+, 2.5 WAR in 436 PA

Pitchers:

SP Shane Bieber: 3.81 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 11.5 K/9, 3.8 WAR
SP Sandy Alcantara: 3.38 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 8.9 K/9, 3.8 WAR
SP Sean Hjelle: 5.74 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.4 WAR since the trade
SP Zach Plesac: 3.79 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Nick Martinez: 1.57 ERA, 3.57 FIP, 6.8 K/9, 0.7 WAR

CL Emmanuel Clase: 0.70 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 9.7 K/9, 45/47 SV/OPP,
2.8 WAR
RP James Karinchak: 2.21 ERA, 2.79 FIP, 14.1 K/9, 1.8 WAR
RP Jakob Hernandez: 3.17 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 12.0 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Brad Boxberger: 2.42 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 11.1 K/9, 1.6 WAR
RP Nick Sandlin: 3.02 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 12.5 K/9, 0.5 WAR
RP Denny Bentley: 1.77 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 9.9 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Seranthony Dominguez: 3.74 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 9.3 K/9, 0.6 WAR
RP Joey Cantillo: 3.81 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.6 WAR


Minor League Report

With both George Valera and Bo Naylor having graduated from prospect status, the Guardians now sit at 23rd in the farm system rankings, with four Top 100 prospects.

SS Angel Martinez (2.5, 3.0) - #32
SP Ryan Murphy (2.5, 3.0) - #66
SP Nazier Mule (0.5, 3.0) - #77
SP Tanner Burns (2.5, 3.0) - #89

Other emerging prospects to watch are:

C Cooper Kinney (0.5, 2.5) - A Lynchburg

Player Development

MLB SP Zach Plesac (2.5, 2.5) - > (3.0, 3.0)
MLB C Bo Naylor (2.5, 4.0) - > (3.0, 4.5)
MLB 2B Andres Gimenez (3.5, 5.0) - > (5.0, 5.0)
MiLB SS Angel Martinez (2.0, 3.0) -> (2.5, 3.0)

Around the League

Standings

The Angels, with their big trade to acquire Michael Conforto and Cooper Hjerpe, sit at 74-64, good enough to be 4.5 games up on the A's in the AL West. The Mets have run away with the NL East, now sitting at an impressive 80-57 and a whopping 13 games up on the Phillies. The Dodgers, at 92-44, have already clinched playoffs, an impressive feat. The Yankees, at 72-66, are up 2.5 games on the A's for the 3rd AL Wild Card spot, while the Phillies at 67-70 lead the Cubs by a game for the 3rd NL Wild Card spot, with the Pirates in the mix as well. The NL has a dreadful total of 4 teams over .500, making for a hilarious playoff race.

League Leaders

AL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 6.4
2. Josh Jung (TEX) - 6.1
3. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - 5.5

AVG:

1. Adam Frazier (LAA) - .329
2. Vidal Brujan (TBR) - .319
3. Bo Bichette (TOR) - .308

OPS:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 1.016
2. Adley Rutschman (BAL) - .954
3. Josh Jung (TEX) - .922

HR:

1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) - 48
2. Yordan Alvarez (HOU) - 34
3. Nick Pratto (KCR) - 33

SB:

1. Vidal Brujan (TBR) - 37
2. Julio Rodriguez (SEA) - 36
3. Cedric Mullins (BAL) - 32

Pitcher WAR:

1. Lucas Giolito (CWS) - 4.1
2. Shane McClanahan (TBR) - 3.9
3. Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) - 3.8

ERA:

1. Shane Baz (TBR) - 2.57
2. Joe Ryan (MIN) - 2.68
3. Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) - 2.83

SV:

1. Emmanuel Clase (CLE) - 45
2. Jeffrey Springs (TBR) - 38
3. Matt Barnes (SEA) - 35

NL:

Hitter WAR:

1. Shohei Ohtani (LAD) - 7.1
2. Joey Gallo (LAD) - 6.2
3. Francisco Lindor (NYM) - 6.1

AVG:

1. Alek Thomas (ARI) - .318
2. Eric Hosmer (SDP) - .299
3. Bryan Reynolds (PIT) - .299

OPS:

1. Shohei Ohtani (LAD) - 1.040
2. Bryce Harper (PHI) - 1.036
3. Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) - .940

HR:

1. Shohei Ohtani (LAD) - 43
2. Bryce Harper (PHI) - 41
3. Kyle Schwarber (PHI) - 37

SB:

1. Manuel Margot (MIL) - 31
2. Dylan Carlson (STL) - 30
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA) - 30

Pitcher WAR:

1. Max Fried (ATL) - 4.5
2. Zack Wheeler (PHI) - 4.3
3. Max Scherzer (NYM) - 4.1

ERA:

1. Jacob deGrom (NYM) - 2.73
2. Logan Webb (SFG) - 3.00
3. Pablo Lopez (MIA) - 3.33

SV:

1. Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 41
2. Ryan Pressly (LAD) - 41
3. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) - 37

Major Extensions

None

1 more month to see how everything shakes out. There are some exciting (and simultaneously comedic) races. For the Guardians, let's just hope no one gets seriously injured before the playoffs...