News and Notes for Tuesday, February 18th, 2025
Guardians fans tend to hold some resentment toward FanGraphs’ projections systems. And, honestly, IF the Guardians can again beat their projected record from FanGraphs this year, maybe there will be enough sample size to cause some recalibration there. But with seven Guardians players making the FanGraphs Top 100 prospects list yesterday, Guardians fans can feel mollified by the leading baseball, public analytics site today.
Eric Longenhagen ranked Angel Genao 35th, Travis Bazzana 36th, Cooper Ingle 53rd, Chase DeLauter 55th, Parker Messick 67th, Juan Brito 78th and Welbyn Francisca 88th. Personally, I don’t get worked up about projections or prospect rankings – I celebrate the stuff that makes me feel optimistic, process the legitimate reasons to be skeptical and flush the rest. It is exciting to see Longenhagen bought in on Genao whom he says could be a top 15 prospect next year, Ingle whose defense he really likes, and Brito whom he has changed from saying isn’t viable as a defender at second to saying can play there in the bigs. He also really likes DeLauter just has justified doubts about his feet issues. Messick is obviously the surprise, especially while ommitting Jaison Chourio. Longenhagen thinks Messick’s fastball shape will offset its 92 mph velocity and he wants to see more lift, defensive steadiness, consistent speed and switch-hitting efficiency from Chourio. Don’t quite get that one, but hey, embrace the good and flush the rest.
The Guardians posted some pictures of their stadium renovations which look good.
Phase two of our renovations are taking shape. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/rtdTDIhtIl
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) February 17, 2025
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reported the terms of the John Means deal with Cleveland which is $1 million for 2025 and a club option at $7.5 million for 2026. It’s impossible to count on anything from Means as a certainty, but this is a very reasonable gamble on a very good pitcher which will not prevent the team from doing anything else to enhance their roster as needed.
MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince had a heartwarming story about Carlos Santana and his return to the Guardians today.