Smoke Signals

Akron RubberDucks broadcaster Marco LaNave joins host Justin Lada for this week's episode of the podcast. Marco gives some insight into Joey Cantillo's efforts to attack the zone and be more consistent following his 13 strikeout performance a few weeks ago, as well as looking into what has Aaron Bracho off to a potentially resurgent start to the season. Also discussed is the tandem starter group of Doug Nikhazy and Jack Leftwich that is loaded with potential, how Bryan Lavastida can respond from his removal from the 40 man roster, what has helped Cade Smith become the top closer in the Eastern League, and getting Angel Martinez turned around. Justin also discusses the return of George Valera, the differences between Brayan Rocchio and Amed Rosario as prospects, what's holding Bo Naylor back, Parker Messick winning Pitcher of the Week in the Carolina League, and the return of Ethan Hankins, including two interviews with Hankins before his start back and following his second start last week. Subsc

This week on the Guardians of the Future podcast, we check in on the Double-A Akron RubberDucks. What does the pitching depth look like in Akron with Gavin Williams up to Double-A?How will Akron replace Williams' innings? What's with Angel Martinez's slow start and the lack of hitting so far by the prospects on the RubberDucks? We also review the impressive rookie debuts of Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee, discuss why the Guardians decided to give David Fry a try in their three catcher experiment. We discuss the return of Ethan Hankins to an affiliate for the first time since 2019, Bryan Lavastida's future now that he cleared waivers. I also give as many injury updates on guys as I can, talk a little bit about the pitching pipeline looking suspect below Double-A and answer some listener questions. Make sure you're subscribing to the newsletter - https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ You can watch the podcast as well: https://youtu.be/_LYNevuGWSc

It was a weird week in Columbus with rainouts and promotions and callups. Logan Allen was called up to make his debut with the Cleveland Guardians Sunday, so on this week's episode, we get into his debut and where's been first. While talking about the Clippers we also talk about Tanner Bibee's first start where he "struggled" by his standards and what's next for him. We also get into:- Jhonkensy Noel's slow start and struggles - David Fry's future - Brayan Rocchio's brief call-up - The Touki Toussaint Experiment - Micah Pries slowing down after a strong start We also check in on Akron to talk about another dominant start by Gavin Williams, the decision to designate Bryan Lavastida for assignment, Tanner Burns' most recent solid start At Lake County, also discussed is Juan Brito looking like a good hitter that belongs right away, a live look at Trenton Denholm for the first time, Joe Lampe's hot start and Tyler Thornton's stuff. In Lynchburg, we talk abou

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Lynchburg Hillcats broadcast Jason Prill joins Justin Lada to talk about the Hillcats mature offense and pitching staff, as well as: Jason's background growing up in Cleveland and becoming the Hillcats broadcaster Nate Furman moving into the leadoff spot, being a sparkplug and leader Wuilfedo Antunez's mature approach Manuel Mejias being the youngest position player at a Guardians affiliate this year so far Guy Lipscomb's chances of an early promotion to Lake County Parker Messick dominating early What to look for coming up in Lynchburg Jason also sticks around to talk about: Reid Johnston being underrated Will Dion and Trenton Denholm off to good starts in '23 Joe Lampe's early season success Yordys Valdes' offensive improvement Justin also discusses why it's likely you will see Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee before Joey Cantillo in 2023 despite Cantillo being on the 40 man roster, Allen'

The Guardians of the Future podcast is back with another epsiode before the start of the minor league season this week! Topics discussed this week: Guardians acquire LHP Steven Hajjar to complete the Will Benson trade with the Reds Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis make the opening day roster out of the bullpen Taking your prospect questions My Guardians prospect predictions for 2023 https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, we give the reminder about how Bo Naylor's role was always going to play out in 2023,  how Cleveland might handle the injuries to Sam Hentges and Cody Morris with regards to Tim Herrin's case in the short and long term, what role we could see for Joey Cantillo in 2023. We also look at the possible role for Peyton Battenfield. Some good news on Ethan Hankins and how Micah Pries and Petey Halpin are getting noticed in spring training. And of course an update on prospects playing in the World Baseball Classic. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/  https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/cody-morris-may-find-spot-in-guardians-bullpen  https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-prospect-petey-halpin-gets-spring-opportunity  https://theathletic.com/4281077/2023/03/07/guardians-spring-training-observations/

On this episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, I'm joined by new Lake County Captains owner Alan Miller to talk about the exciting changes coming to the Captains franchise and Classic Park this season. We talk about what got Alan into baseball, specifically minor league baseball, his history in marketing and working in baseball and sports, as well as some of the cool changes and promotions we'll see at Classic Park in 2023. I'll also give some spring training thoughts and observations on players making noise right now and some players I think have a chance to be in Lake County this year. https://www.milb.com/lake-county/tickets/promotions https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

This week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast is a solo venture. - Breaking down the Will Benson/Justin Boyd trade with the Cincinnati Reds - Notable Cleveland Guardians minor league coaching assignments - Cleveland's non-roster prospect invitees to spring training - Guardians prospects playing in the World Baseball Classic and the impact of that on those prospects - And which Guardians prospects could benefit from other players on the team playing in the World Baseball Classic https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ https://linktr.ee/JLCLE

On this episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, 2022 Cleveland Guardians draft pick Nate Furman was gracious enough to join us to talk about a lot of different things. We talked about his Philadelphia Eagles playing in the Super Bowl, his time in the Cape Cod League and why teams like the Guardians may value players who have had success playing there, his draft day experience, what he's working on as a player and how he approaches the game, all the way to his walkup song and what he's been watching on Netflix, and how important his family is to everything he does.   Find more about Guardians prospects over at Next Year in Cleveland - https://nextyearincleveland.substack. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JL_Baseball  Listen to the show wherever you get podcasts and subscribe while you're here: https://youtu.be/TTzqy-lLbzc https://www.audacy.com/podcast/guardians-of-the-future-34dc9 https://open.spotify.com/show/7cF00JyLELzHAQrthDJYje https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guardians-of

The Guardians of the Future podcast is back. You can now find my Cleveland Guardians minor league coverage over at the newsletter, Next Year in Cleveland (https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com). On the first episode of Guardians of the Future in 2023, I went over some housekeeping items about the podcast and coverage of the Cleveland Guardians farm system at Next Year in Cleveland. Find all about what you can expect from this podcast going forward as well as my writing about the Cleveland Guardians farm system.   I also put out a call for some prospect questions for the podcast, and we did answer a few of those on the 2022 draft picks, Tanner Bibee, and Chase DeLauter.   Towards the end, I talked about one of the writing projects I have been working on, which is the prospect report reviews of 2022 Cleveland Guardians that exhausted prospect eligibility last year. The ones that are still in Cleveland are Steven Kwan, Oscar Gonzalez, Richie Palacios and Konnor Pilington (and I will touch on Kirk

Justin Lada and Willie Hood speculate live about who the Cleveland Guardians will protect from the Rule 5 draft on the roster deadline day, November 15 at 6PM ET.  The guys live react to news of the Carlos Vargas for Ross Carver swap with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and then the other 3 additions of Angel Martinez, Joey Cantillo, and Tim Herrin. The Nolan Jones to Colorado trade for Juan Brito was announced after we finished live recording, so you won't hear that reaction here.

The Guardians of the Future podcast is back. Justin Lada and Willie Hood breakdown the Cleveland Guardians 2022/2023 offseason ahead. What moves the Guardians will make to open spots on the 40 man roster A deep, deep dive on the Guardians will protect ahead of the Rule 5 draft and who they won't Talking trade and free agent targets for the Guardians

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss: Bo Naylor's callup and why now What does Naylor's arrival say about Bryan Lavastida's future? Will Brennan's hot start and his future The shape of the postseason roster And we take a look back at our preseason prospect draft.

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss: The Guardians prospects help lead them to an improbably division title Will Brennan's call-up and future What it means for Nolan Jones and George Valera Playoff roster  Players of the Year in the minors at each level for the Guardians Revisiting our pre-season predictions 

On this episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Justin Lada and Willie Hood disucss The Guardians delivery of a knockout blow to the Minnesota Twins Cody Morris' future role The future catching tandem How to fit Will Brennan on to the roster Guardians Arizona Fall League 2022 participants Lake County Captains and Lynchburg Hillcats playing for championships. 

On this week’s episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Willie Hood joins Justin Lada to talk about: The Guardians pitching plans to cover Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac’s innings Which pitching prospect should come up to start this week Prospects in the Guardians org impacted by the new rules (shift ban, specifically) Rodney Boone and Will Dion’s arsenal and success Ryan Webb’s late season success Carlos Vargas’ timeline Will Brennan’s 16 hit series and future

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, IBI/GBI's first Carolina League reporter, Josiah Elmore, joins Justin Lada to discuss: Basically every player who played in Lynchburg this year Will Dion Jack Leftiwch Rodney Boone Jake Fox The bullpen Isaiah Greene Carson Tucker Dayan Frias We also run through Cody Morris' first start in the majors, Cleveland's pitching plans with Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale down, and other players debuts at new levels.

On this week's episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Justin Lada and Willie Hood discuss: An Amed Rosario extension vs. the Guardians shortstop prospect group Promotions of Doug Nikhazy, Will Dion, Angel Genao and Joe Lampe Who will join Cody Morris as a September callup Which Guardians prospects will be playing in the AFL? Minor league is unionizing? Finally!

On this 8/22/22 episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, Will Cunningham (https://twitter.com/willocunningham) joined Justin Lada to talk about: - The Lake County Captains 2022 season thus far - Promotions of Johnathan Rodriguez, Angel Martinez and Mason Hickman - Mason Hickman taking off as a reliever? - Why Rodriguez>Planez - Petey Halpin's late season run of success - What players have stood out for Will this season - Other moving parts in the Guardians system including Nolan Jones, Richie Palacios and Cody Morris

This week on the Guardians of the Future podcast, Guardians Baseball Insider's Akron RubberDucks beat reporter John Elrod joins Justin Lada to discuss: - Debuts of Xzavion Curry and Hunter Gaddis - George Valera and Johnathan Rodriguez's promotion - Tanner Bibee's impressive run at Akron - What they learned about Micah Pries - The health of Joey Cantillo - Who might make the next MLB debut for Cleveland - What will the roster in Cleveland look like a year from now