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Guardians Prospects Watch | 5 Akron RubberDucks who could be in Cleveland by September
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- Guardians Prospects Watch | 5 Akron RubberDucks who could be in Cleveland by September
If you've watched the Guardians as of late, the pipeline from Akron to Cleveland in terms of prospects is strong.
Expect that to continue. The RubberDucks open the season at Richmond on Friday, and the 2024 Eastern League Southwest Division champions have a plethora of top prospects within an eyelash of making it to Progressive Field.
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Here are five players the USA Today Network thinks could get the call-up by September:
Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana throws the ball during the second inning against Kentucky, June 9, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Travis Bazzana, second base
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How acquired:No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft
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Birthday:Aug. 28, 2002
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Bats/Throws:Left/right
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2024 Batting Stats:.238 batting average/.369 on-base percentage/.396 slugging percentage, three home runs, 12 RBIs
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Why be excited:Bazzana's numbers were through just 27 games for the Midwest champions Lake County Captains. His bat-to-ball skills are off the charts. He's the No. 1 prospect in the Guardians organization and is ranked ninth overall by MLB Pipeline. He left Oregon State with single-season school records in home runs (28), runs (84) and slugging percentage (.911) and tied the single-season record with 74 walks. Bazzana batted .407, had 87 hits, drove in 66 and had a .568 on-base percentage. He added 16 stolen bases, 16 doubles and four triples on top of that.
Catcher Cooper Ingle listens to a question during the RubberDucks media day at Canal Park in Akron on Wednesday April 2, 2025.
Cooper Ingle, catcher
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How acquired:No. 125 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (Fourth round, Pick No. 23)
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Birthday:Feb. 23, 2002
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Bats/Throws:Left/Right
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2024 Batting Stats:.305/.419/.478, 11 home runs, 67 RBIs
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Why be excited:Ingle's incredible control at the plate means he's going to connect with the pitch more often than not. The seventh-ranked prospect in the Guardians organization isn't going to go crazy at the plate in terms of home runs, but he will produce a lot of hard hit groundballs that will drive in plenty of runs as his numbers from Lake Erie and Akron showed last season. Ingle is a potential gold glover at the next level (just one passed ball in 74 games) and he's got a strong arm as well, to keep runners honest.
Akron RubberDucks first baseman CJ Kayfus fields a grounder against the Harrisburg Senators on Aug. 20, 2024, in Akron, Ohio.
C.J. Kayfus, first base/outfield
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How acquired:No. 93 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (Third round, Pick No. 23)
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Birthday:Oct. 28, 2001
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Bats/Throws:Left/Left
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2024 Batting Stats:.291/.429/.542, 17 home runs, 92 RBIs
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Why be excited: Kayfus doesn't vary in his approach at the plate, which makes him attractive to the big league club. He's got solid power to his pull side, which could lead to consistent 20-plus home run seasons at the major league level. While undersized for a first baseman at 5-foot-11, his athleticism and quickness makes him a solid glove to have at the corner. He fits the Guardians' scheme well. He's the eighth-ranked prospect in the organization. Look for Kayfus to continue to grow from a solid Lake Erie/Akron campaign last season.
Austin Peterson, pitcher
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How acquired:No. 271 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft (Ninth round, Pick No. 15)
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Birthday:Sept. 19, 1999
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Bats/Throws:Right/Right
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2024 Pitching Stats:14-4, 2.64, 159 strikeouts, 0.89 WHIP
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Why be excited:The right-hander is the 30th-ranked prospect in the Guardians organization. He went 7-2 in a combined 27 starts for Lake Erie and Akron last season. The thing that jumps out were his 160 innings pitched, which ranked second among starters in all of minor league baseball. At 6-foot-6, he's rather menacing on the mound. Peterson has added velocity to his fastball, which now clips 95 mph. He also has a nasty slider and above average curveball and changeup, which should play at the higher levels.
Aaron Davenport, pitcher
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How acquired:No. 186 pick in 2021 MLB Draft (Sixth round, Pick No. 24)
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Birthday:Jan. 25, 2000
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Bats/Throws:Right/Right
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2024 Pitching Stats:7-4, 2.85, 135 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP
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Why be excited:The right-hander played all of 2024 for the RubberDucks and finished as the Eastern League's leader in ERA. He was third in opponents' batting average (.221) and WHIP as well as fifth in innings pitched (142⅓) and strikeouts. What's more, Davenport is a gamer, earning Akron's only playoff win against eventual league champion Erie. He's got a solid fastball that can hit 94 mph at times, but it's an above average curveball that baffles hitters.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @ bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 5 Guardians prospects in Akron who could be in Cleveland by September
