(Cleveland) Guardians of the Future is back once again! Mike Mahoney joins Justin Lada to discuss:

• Parker Messick's MLB debut
• John Means' rehab
• Josh Hartle's promotion
• Khal Stephen's Guardians org deubt
• Braylon Doughty's unfortunate injury news
• Ralphy Velazquez's exploding development
• If George Valera needs to be called up.

Thanks to Mike for joining, the support and listening. Hope you enjoy!

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_WEa5TNVR0I

Guardians of the Future is back!

We're talking about the promotions in the Cleveland Guardians system including Travis Bazzana, Cooper Ingle, Ralphy Velazquez, Rafe Schlesinger and more.

The show also dives into the Guardians trading for RHP Khal Stephen at the trade deadline for Shane Bieber.

We also recap the 2025 MLB Draft Class by the Cleveland Guardians.

Wrapping up the show, we talk about the potential Arizona Fall League participants for the Cleveland Guardians.

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The Guardians are finally calling up Kyle Manzardo, but it comes at the expense of Steven Kwan.

But, what does Kyle Manzardo bring to the Guardians? What does he do well and what should we expect from his skill set and tools?

I dive into that, discuss the return of George Valera, as well as another injury to Chase DeLauter.

Also get into observations on Trenton Denholm, CJ Kayfus, and Alex Mooney from my latest trip to Lake County.

I also cover Matt Wilkinson and Alex Clemmey in Lynchburg, as well as what to look for on the ACL Guardians club.

And finally, I talked about why I like the day two college pitching in the 2024 MLB Draft.

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lKKGAcX-pn4

Justin Lada is joined by Willie Hood to split this week's Farm Report podcast up between the Cleveland Indians minor league system and 2021 MLB draft prep.

- Xzavion Curry's promotion

- Is Logan T. Allen not far from a promotion?

- Will Brennan and Trenton Brooks' power surge

- Jhonkensey Noel hurt again

- Angel Martinez stays hot

- Willie drops some names to watch out for in the 2021 MLB draft for Cleveland

Almost a month into the minor league baseball season. Justin Lada is joined by IBI's Columbus Clippers beat reporter Jacob Benge to dive into a number of topics in the Cleveland Indians system: - Columbus Clippers being swept by the Nashville Sounds - Nolan Jones' progress with the bat and in the outfield - The pitching carousel with Kirk McCarty, Logan Allen, Scott Moss and the bullpen mishmosh - Infielders Ernie Clement/Gabriel Arias/Andres Gimenez, Bobby Bradley - Lake County Captains swept by the Spencer Torkelson and the West Michigan WhiteCaps - More injuries in the system to George Valera, Jhonkensey Noel, Ramond Burgos, Matt Turner and more...

Justin Lada and Caleb Philips dive into the Akron RubberDucks early play and another weekly roundup of the Cleveland Indians farm system.

Topics covered

- Tyler Freeman's bat taking off

- Akron's big relievers Nick Mikolajchak, Francisco Perez, Dakody Clemmber

- Columbus' pitching woes with Logan Allen, Scott Moss and players leaving to play for team USA

- Update on Jhonkensey Noel's big bat and injury

- Will Brennan's consistency for the Lake County Captains

- George Valera's absence causing concern

Follow Justin at @JL_Baseball and Caleb at @CalebPhilips8

Justin Lada and Pat Ellington have a realistic conversation about getting Owen Miller to Cleveland, along with realistic expectations. They also cover the speed and base running acumen of Jose Tena, Raynel Delgado and the rest of the Lake County Captains infielders as well as struggles of Nolan Jones/Bobby Bradley and Tyler Freeman's hitting prowess. 

The Cleveland Indians continue to find ways to win despite a bottom of the league offense. Can they put together a more consistent offensive attack and take off? Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson debate that, Shane Bieber's high pitch counts, Zach Plesac's recent brilliance, is it time for Owen Miller, and the overuse of Bryan Shaw, James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase.

Minor league baseball is back and Justin Lada and Willie Hood are back to breakdown the first week of action in the Cleveland Indians farm system. From the pitching debuts of Tanner Burns, Logan T. Allen, Daniel Espino, Josh Wolf and more, to Jhonkensey Noel hitting balls to moon this week. 

The Cleveland Indians are in first place. Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson talk about how a frustrating April still kept the team .500 as the bats of Eddie Rosario and Josh Naylor get hot. Harold Ramirez has come to save centerfield. Jose Ramirez is somehow getting better. Is Nick Sandlin part of Terry Francona's circle of trust in the bullpen? And a surprising answer on a question about Albert Pujols?

With the announcement of the Cleveland Indians minor league rosters, Justin Lada, Willie Hood, and Joe Coblitz breakdown the rosters throughout the system, provide injury updates on Ethan Hankins, Carlos Vargas, and the future of Nolan Jones.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson are once again talking about the Cleveland Indians first base situation and a team that is getting more offensive production from it's pitchers. But they also stress patience with Josh Naylor, Logan Allen and talk about the debut of Sam Hentges as well as Jordan Luplow the full time leadoff hitter.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson discuss why Cleveland being no hit doesn't make the teams offensive woes any worse than they were, why Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Emmanuel Clase, James Karinchak and Bryan Shaw will keep the team in games. They also explain why service time isn't why Daniel Johnson and Bobby Bradley aren't in Cleveland.

After a slow start, some Lynchburg Hillcats bats are catching fire.

Ralphy Velazquez, Jaison Chourio and Angel Genao are hitting everything in sight, which has promoted some talk about promotions.

But when is the right time to promote prospects up a level and what goes into that?

This episode ponders when those three will be promoted, and what has to happen for them to get to the next level.

Also discussed is the return of an injured pitching prospect, Guardians relief prospects that are surging and Kyle Manzardo's big weekend.

We wrap up this episode with part of an interview I did with Guardians 2023 pick Alex Mooney from Lake County over the weekend.

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Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson banter about early season exit velocites for Jake Bauers and Josh Naylor, getting fired up over lineup construction, Ben Gamel and Tyler Naquin.

On the eve of the 2021 season, Justin Lada, Willie Hood, Spencer Carlson, and Joe Coblitz give their Cleveland Indians predictions and MLB postseason and awards predictions.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson discuss the injury to Eloy Jimenez, Bryan Shaw and Trevor Stephan making the bullpen, the CF quandary and can Franmil Reyes have a breakout season. Random stats on Adam Dunn. Plus we rate Spencer's fantasy baseball team.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson debate the impacts and potential of Amed Rosario's move to CF, other roster decisions and why baseball can't get it's sport on tv en masse.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson reminisce about Joe Tait and other Cleveland legends that have passed lately, Franmil Reyes posting his haircut on instagram, and death to spring training stats.

Justin Lada and Spencer Carlson on on the Cleveland Indians rotation situation jobs Logan Allen, Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie are vying for, Bryan Shaw and a bunch of veteran relievers are hoping for spots, and the Indians over/under win total and how many outfielders play for them in 2021.

Indians Baseball Insider has released it's 2021 top prospect rankings 1-70. Justin Lada, Willie Hood and Joe Coblitz talk over this year's rankings, the changes to how IBI evaluates players and a lot more on the Cleveland Indians farm system.

Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss the surprising and good signings of Cesar Hernandez and Eddie Rosario including the impact on the MLB roster and prospects. Speaking of prospects, they also debate the obsession over players being ranked top-100 prospects.

2021 starts off with Cleveland finally trading Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco as well. Justin Lada and Willie Hood go through another tough day in one of the final chapters of Cleveland Indians history and the return from the New York Mets.

Justin Lada, Willie Hood and Joe Coblitz go off script talking about a number of Cleveland baseball related topics including how to add revenue with the name change in some... different ways.

The Lynchburg Hillcats will be must see-tv when it comes to the Cleveland Guardians farm system and prospects in 2024. Hillcats broadcaster and Cleveland native, Jason Prill, joins Guardians of the Future to talk about the exciting young Hillcats roster, some exciting insights into players like Jaison Chouio, Ralphy Velazquez, Alex Clemmey, Matt "The Tugboat" Wilkinson and Rafael Ramirez, and more.Jason also lets us know what's going to be going on in Lynhcburg this year in promos and new, great ways to watch and listen to the Hillcats this year! Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/siX4VfwDLpI

Justin Lada, Willie Hood and Joe Coblitz discuss the Cleveland Indians 40 man roster additions of Nolan Jones, Gabriel Arias, Eli Morgan, Carlos Vargas and Ernie Clement and the game of musical chairs that will be the teams roster from now till next winter.

The off-season isn't officially underway but Justin Lada and Willie Hood look at the reality of a Francisco Lindor trade, the 2021 payroll & roster decisions as well as some news from Cleveland Indians Instructs in Arizona, 40 man roster news to get you ready for an offseason of change in Cleveland.

Justin Lada and John Fanta put the dirt on the coffin of the Cleveland Indians 2020 season, discuss the future of Francisco Lindor and the 2021 season and beyond.

Justin Lada and John Fanta recap the Tribe's final crazy week of the 2020 season and get you ready for the Cleveland Indians matchup in the 2020 Wild Card series against the New York Yankees. Breakdowns of the rotation, offense, bullpen, x-factors and more.

Justin Lada and John Fanta rant about how the Cleveland Indians managed to lose 8 games in a row, the potential playoff matchups in spite of that and how the Indians need to lineup their rotation, get Carlos Santana and Franmil Reyes hot and play mistake free baseball over the final 10 games

Justin Lada and Willie Hood finish talking about IBI's new Cleveland Indians top prospect rankings #30-#1 from Angel Martinez, Cody Morris, Petey Halpin, Tyler Freeman, Daniel Espino and more.

Justin Lada and Willie Hood give their insights into new bullpen call-up Kyle Nelson, the Tribe's newest prospects Gabriel Arias, Joey Cantillo and Owen Miller. They also get into the freshly updated IBI top prospect rankings from 54-30 with a part II coming soon 29-1.

Justin Lada and John Fanta discuss Cleveland's trade deadline deal to trade Mike Clevinger to the Padres for six players and break it all down. Padres wrapup show host Jim Russell of 1360 Fox Sports San Diego joins us to talk about Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, Austin Hedges, Gabriel Arias, Joey Cantillo, and Owen Miller.

Lake County Captains broadcaster Andrew Luftglass joins Justin Lada and John Fanta to talk about Triston McKenzie's time in Lake County in 2016 and some time at the Tribe's Alternate Training site as well some other great insight and notes on the Cleveland Indians pitching development and the arms that have come through Lake County over the last four seasons.

Justin Lada and John Fanta discuss the Cleveland Indians dominance over the Detroit Tigers, the six game winning streak, how ridiculously good Shane Bieber continues to be and how he's kept getting better every year since college. They also touch on how big the series with the Minnesota Twins will be next week and if we could see a resolution to the Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac situation soon.

The Guardians of the Future podcast is back for the 2024 season!

The 2024 minor league season is sort of underway. The Columbus Clippers have a few games under their belt though mother nature is holding them back some, and Akron, Lake County and Lynchburg will all get started this week.

This week's episode looks at the most fun rosters in the Guardians system and thoughts on where certain prospects are starting.

How much will Ralphy Velazquez catch or play first? Why Lynchburg's roster is the most fun, and we look at the rotations and lineups throughout the system. We also look at the impact of major injuries to Daniel Espino, Joey Cantillo and Justin Campbell.

And at the end, we talk about how Braden Montgomery is putting himself into the 1.1 discussion quickly.

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ or watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o83Lnzy1oXM

Justin Lada, John Fanta and Willie Hood discuss Zach Plesac's ill-advised Instagram bashing of the media, the situation in the Indians clubhouse because of Plesac and Mike Clevinger's decisions, the anemic offense and how critical the next week might be for the team.

Justin Lada and Willie Hood talk about the Tribe's pitching staff, the evolution of Shane Bieber and Zach Plesac, Mike Clevinger's inconsistencies, the 2.6 runs a game the team was averaging through 12 games and the surprisingly good bullpen.

On this episode of Smoke Signals, Justin Lada and Willie Hood are joined by Matt Trueblood from Baseball Prospectus, Penning Bull, and Twins Daily to get a rundown on the Tribe's biggest competition in the Al Central and how they're prepared for the 60 game sprint. Justin and Willie also discuss the Tribe's rotation, bullpen and the battle for the final infield and outfield spots.

Follow Matt on Twitter, read him at Baseball Prospectus, check out his newsletter, Penning Bull and read him at Twins Daily.

Justin Lada and IBI's Tribe beat reporter John Fanta go over the latest developments in Summer Camp, if Yu Chang's hot streak matters, and the outfield situation.

Veteran sports PR pro Adam Liberman, most recently with the Akron RubberDucks, joins Justin Lada to talk about the minor league season being cancelled and the impact that will have. Adam also shares his experience and stories from his time working with the Atlanta Braves as well as Akron. We also touch on team name changes, what it's like to work in sports and a lot more.

Justin Lada is joined by John Fanta to talk about his role with IBI covering the Tribe the vibe around the team at the start of Summer Camp, some pitching strategy, the news about changing the team name and the 2020 MLB schedule

Justin Lada and Willie Hood look at the roster rules and stipulations for baseball in a pandemic in 2020, how the Indians put together their roster and how they'll utilize it.

Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss the details of MLB's 2020 season that is going to happen during the pandemic, what players might be on the taxi squad and details about the Indians undrafted free agents

Sleep-deprived Justin Lada and Willie Hood recap the Indians 2020 draft class and throw out some names the Indians could sign as UDFA on Sunday

Justin Lada and Willie Hood quickly debate the MLB owners non-offer to have a 2020 baseball season and then turn their attention to the draft. We go deep on players mocked to the Indians and other names to know, breaking all of them down.

Fresh off of a trip to Guardians spring training in Arizona and two days at the player development facility, here are my observations from the backfields of Guardians spring training and some prospects in big league camp as well.

Players and storylines discussed:

What has to happen for Chase DeLauter to debut in the majors

Angel Martinez's adjustments have him as a prospect to watch this spring

Deyvison De Los Santos is having a rough camp

How can Kyle Manzardo making the Opening Day roster?

Kahlil Watson in CF?

Rafael Ramirez Jr.'s exciting physical build

Alex Clemmey looks big and impressive

Injury updates on George Valera and Daniel Espino

Subscribe for more coverage https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/cleveland-guardians-mlb-draft-coverage

Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss the fight between MLB and the MLBPA on having a 2020 season, players the Tribe cut recently and bringing the draft into focus.

Willie Hood and Justin Lada talk about news and notes about the upcoming MLB draft, how the Indians are affected by the new 'rules' and some other Indians draft strategy and targets.

Justin Lada and Willie Hood debate the latest proposal from the MLB to the MLBPA for a potential 2020 season and who's benefits would be sacrificed? We also give our 15 Indians players we would protect in a hypothetical expansion draft in a recent series done by MLB Trade Rumors