[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

The team has entered the All-Star Break with a 6-game winning streak, now sitting at 69-25. Pretty good.

News Dump

C Patrick Bailey returned from his rehab assignment. In a corresponding move, C Bo Naylor was optioned to AAA Columbus.

We agreed to terms with international amateur 17 year-old SS Rogelio Freiera (0.5, 5.0). Freiera profiles as an elite contact bat with decent power and discipline and can handle SS with the profile of an elite 2B. Only time will tell if he lives up to that.

We also completed a trade with the New York Yankees.

Outbound: RP Austin Aldeano (0.5, 0.5)

Inbound: RP Ken Giles (3.5, 3.5) (50% Retained)

Giles has posted strong ERA numbers over the last three seasons, but this year as his walk rate has improved drastically, his HR rate has ballooned. His strong production in spite of that makes me think that if he gets some better HR/FB luck he can be an elite reliever, and one that was available for little cost, as we only had to give up a zero-value prospect and are only on the hook for $4.4M/2yr. This could end up being our biggest move of the deadline, but we will continue to be opportunistic as the deadline gets closer.

All-Stars

We had a whopping 9 MLB All-Stars this season:

SP Shane Bieber*
SP Sonny Gray
SP Nick Lodolo
CL Jovani Moran
2B Andres Gimenez*
SS Carlos Correa*
3B Jose Ramirez*
CF Byron Buxton*
RF George Valera*

* = voted starter

We also had one Prospect All-Star:

SP Ethan Robinson (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL


First-Year Player Draft

This draft class was very weak, unfortunately.

33rd: HS RF Cannon Goldin (0.5, 3.0). Profiles as a solid all-around player. Well-rounded offensive profile with good contact and discipline and decent power. Good speed and defense as well.

64th: HS SP Chase Bentley (0.5, 3.0). Good four-pitch mix that can handle both RHB and LHB with decent control. Lackluster movement.

86th: HS SP Brett Crossland (0.5, 2.5). Big fastball-slider-changeup mix. Poor control and profiles as a reliever. Fastball velocity is already 93-95 with room to grow.

113th: HS C Mitchell Rodriguez (0.5, 2.5). Mediocre profile but could be a serviceable catcher. Power is his best attribute.

141st: CO SS Henry Kaczmar (0.5, 2.5). Decent contact bat. Elite 2B and baserunning profile. Makes up for mediocre speed with exceptional instincts. No power.

169th: CF John Wise Long (0.5, 2.5). Interesting profile with good contact and discipline. Good corner OF profile with great baserunning instincts.

197th: CO SP Ethan Voss (0.5, 2.5). Strong four-pitch mix but mediocre ratings. Innings-eater profile.

215th: CO SP Marco Fuentes (0.5, 2.5). Sits 94-96 with a big fastball-slider combo. Could profile as a reliever but lackluster stuff and movement. We'll see if those two pitches can take him further.

243rd: CO 3B Slate Alford (0.5, 2.0). Good power+discipline profile with poor contact and defense. Profiles as a 1B.

271st: CO 1B McKay Whitaker (0.5, 2.5). Overall decent offensive profile. No defensive or baserunning value.

The rest was auto-drafted.


Around the League

Surprising All-Stars

AL:

SP Keider Montero (DET) - 3.73 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.7 fWAR
C Max Stassi (LAA) - 104 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
3B Colt Keith (DET) - 130 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
LF Jarred Kelenic (SEA) - 152 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
CF Kyle Lewis (SEA) - 124 wRC+, 6 SB, 2.1 WAR
RF George Springer (TOR) - 132 wRC+, 2.3 WAR

NL:

SP Brusdar Graterol (LAD) - 2.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 2.0 fWAR
SP Tarik Skubal (COL) - 3.35 ERA, 9.2 K/9, 2.7 fWAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM) - 148 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
1B Tyler Callihan (CIN) - 164 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B C.J. Cron (MIA) - 136 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
3B Elly De La Cruz (CIN) - 193 wRC+, 5 SB, 2.4 WAR in 164 PA
LF Allan Cerda (CIN) - 173 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Mark Canha (MIL) - 146 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
RF Ramon Laureano (CIN) - 169 wRC+, 9 SB, 3.6 WAR

MLB All-Star Game

The AL All-Stars defeated the NL All-Stars 7-4 by scoring 7 in the first four innings. Rangers 3B Josh Jung won MVP, going 2-2 with 3 RBI including a 2-run HR.

Guardians performances:

Andres Gimenez: 0-4
Carlos Correa: 1-1, BB, 2 R
Jose Ramirez: 1-2, RBI
Byron Buxton: 1-2, K
George Valera: 1-2, K

Shane Bieber: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Sonny Gray: 0.1 IP, H
Jovani Moran: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K, SV

Homerun Derby

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated teammate George Springer 19-18 to win the HR derby.

Prospects All-Star Game

The NL Future Stars defeated the AL Future Stars 8-3 as Cubs SS Cristian Hernandez (2.0, 4.0, #23 Overall) won MVP going 1-2 with a 2-run HR.

Guardians performances:

Ethan Robinson: 1.0 IP, 2 K


Major Trades

White Sox RP Edwin Diaz (5.0, 5.0) to Cardinals
Dodgers C Will Smith (3.5, 3.5) to Mariners
White Sox SP Jordan Hicks (3.0, 3.5) to DBacks
Marlins 1B C.J. Cron (2.5, 2.5) to Dodgers

Major Extensions

3B Josh Jung (5.0, 5.0) signs with Rangers for $194.1M/8yr


The next roundup will be for the Trade Deadline. This one figures to be relatively inactive for the Guardians.