This is a fun squad
The Rubber Ducks went 80-58 and made the playoffs last year. As their season begins on Friday, what should we be watching for in the Double-A affiliate for the Guardians in 2025?
Here’s a potential starting lineup for the Akron Rubber Ducks to begin the season:
C: Cooper Ingle LHH
1B: CJ Kayfus LHH
2B: Travis Bazzana LHH
3B: Alex Mooney RHH
SS: Kahlil Watson LHH
LF: Jake Fox LHH
CF: Guy Lipscomb LHH
RF: Jorge Burgos LHH
DH: Joe Lampe LHH
Analysis: This is a very exciting group of players with Bazzana, Ingle, Kayfus and the injured Genao (mentioned below) leading the way as each are consensus top 10 prospects in the Guardians’ system. Obviously, every Rubber Ducks’ game will be notable to see what the Guardians’ number one overall pick Bazzana did, as he adjust to the professional enviroment. In addition, Ingle draws Kwan-comparisons with his bat and will focus on finding some more lift on his swing as well as mastering the defensive side of the game, and Kayfus will get time at first base and left field to see if his 157 wRC+ from his time in the minors last year is at all sticky. But, aside from those exciting names, there is intrigue with every other player on this list, each with varying levels of potential to be big league players someday. Watch to see if Mooney can cut his whiff rate enough to get to his surprising power, to see if Watson can cut it at shortstop or centerfield and capitalize on an increasing ability to pull fly balls, to see if Burgos can continue his assault on baseballs in spring training, to see if Lampe’s contact-heavy approach can make him an option as a left-handed stick, to see if Jake Fox’s ability to pull-fly balls can overcome a lack of notable power, and if Lipscomb is the centerfield option everyone is forgetting about with surprising speed and power. This is a very fun group well worth the trip down to Canal Park, which is the minor league stadium my group of four kids 5 and under most prefer to visit. Side note: LOTS of lefty hitters on this squad!
Bench:
Cameron Barstead, C LHH
Tyresse Turner, IF SH
Kyle Dernedde, IF RHH
Analysis: This bench is kind of thin, but there is some interesting speed in Turner and another Oregon State ballplayer in a shortstop from independent ball in Dernedde taking one last shot to make a career in the big leagues work before he heads to real estate.
Other Players of Note: Angel Genao, IF, appears to have possibly sustained some small injury, but should make his 2025 debut on this roster, while being a top five prospect in the Guardians’ system. Expect him to push Watson to centerfield and take over at shortstop in the most exciting double-play combo in the Guardians’ system with Bazzana.
Starting Rotation:
Austin Peterson, RHP
Aaron Davenport, RHP
Tommy Mace, RHP
Matt Wilkinson, LHP
Rodney Boone, LHP
Analysis: We haven’t had official word where Tugboat Wilkinson will start, but I’d assume here. He’s obviously a fun watch who gets tons of whiffs with an 89 mph fastball. Other than that, Peterson and Davenport are both excellent bets to be the next Cleveland pitching factory success story, without overwhelming stuff but good command and idealized pitch mixes putting them in position to breakout with even slight improvements. I am personally a big fan of Tommy Mace, a groundball artist who has flashed good whiff stuff as well. Boone doesn’t stand out much but that probably just means he will breakout and be the best of the bunch. I recommend checking out our Tommy Pecoraro’s recent article on Gaurdians’ pitching prospects for a deeper dive on why this rotation is an exciting group.
Bullpen:
Alaska Abney, RHP
Magnus Ellerts, RHP
Allan Hernandez, LHP
Zane Morehouse, RHP
Rorik Maltrud, RHP
Jake Miller, RHP
Tyler Thornton, RHP
Davis Sharpe, RHP
Analysis: I feel like this bullpen has more interesting arms than the usual Double-A relief corps does, but there is a lot of variability. The most fascinating players in the bunch – Magnus Ellerts, Allan Hernandez, and Tyler Thornton – all have minor league strikeout rates over 12 per nine, but each of them can veer off disastrously into command issues at the drop of a hat (walk-rates of 4-6 per 9 innings). Also, the always excellent Matan K has a great article on Alaska Abney’s potential here, so he’s another name to watch, and Rorik Maltrud had a 10.15/3.10 K/BB/9 in the minors last season.