Smoke Signals

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

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

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

The 2024 D1 college baseball season starts Friday, February 16. And in case you haven't heard, the Cleveland Guardians are picking #1 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.So we get the D1 college season talking 2024 MLB Draft with Willie Hood. We talk about the Guardians strategy at 1-1, how to view early season college baseball performances, and of course the three impact bats at 1-1: JJ Weatherholt, Nick Kurtz, and Travis Bazzana. We also dig into if any college arms that could force their way into the 1-1 conversation, if Jac Caglione has any chance, and our favorite lower round college bats. Check the watch list: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/cleveland-guardians-mlb-draft-coverage Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WA05AkQ8faM

It's been a busy offseason for Guardians pitching prospect Will Dion. He got married, spent some time working out with Driveline, and caught up on some of his favorite hobbies. He was nice enough to take a half hour of his time to talk to us this week about all of that, the change in his delivery away from the Clayton Kershaw motion late last year, getting closer to his major league debut, what he's working on and what he thinks of his teammates music choice. Thanks to Will for making time for us on the podcast.Subscribe to the Next Year in Cleveland newsletter for more on Dion and other Guardians prospects heading into spring training: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube and subscribe: https://youtu.be/ocq8LbQ9WLo

It's a new year, and it's a big year for the Cleveland Guardians farm system. Not only did they win the draft lottery to pick #1 in the 2024 MLB draft, but there are a number of prospects in the farm system who are down to their last option season, who are Rule 5 eligible coming in November that need a big year, and a number of big name prospects coming off of injured 2023 (and 2022 in some cases) seasons that need a big 2024. On the first 2024 episode of the Guardians of the Future podcast, we discuss all these names and storylines of who needs a big year and why. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

Perhaps the biggest news of the baseball offseason for the Cleveland Guardians is winning the draft lottery for the 2024 draft, picking # 1 overall. On this episode of Guardians of the Future, Justin Lada is joined by Joe Werner (@ JoletinJoey on Twitter/X) of the self-published Prospect Digest Handbook to talk about the Guardians options at the #1 pick in 2024 as well as some historical looks at the draft for Cleveland and MLB in general. They also discuss the Guardians picking a lottery-type player in the Rule 5 draft in Deyvion De Los Santos. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Follow Joe: https://twitter.com/JoltinJoey https://www.amazon.com/2023-Prospect-Digest-Handbook/dp/B0BW38DFBY

Justin Lada and Willie Hood react live to the Guardians 40 man roster decisions ahead of the Rule 5 protection deadline on Nov. 14, 2023, running through who will or won't be added, the Cal Quantrill news and Daniel Espino and Cade Smith being added

The voice of Huntington Park and the Columbus Clippers, Matt Leinginger, joins the podcast to share what powers he does and doesn't have over the Columbus Clippers roster, working in minor league baseball and social media, why he's optimistic about Jhonkensy Noel, Angel Martinez, Kyle Manzardo, Cade Smith and others. And we also discuss what makes a good minor league ballpark experinece, and why he never settles for just good enough. https://x.com/CLBClippers?s=20 https://www.tiktok.com/@clbclippers https://www.milb.com/columbus/schedule/2024-04 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/heNIGFVAxYc

Akron RubberDucks broadcaster Marco LaNave joins the podcast to put the bow on the 'Ducks 2023 season. Even though Akron didn't make the playoffs, there was plenty to talk about from Chase DeLauter's brief stint at the end of the season, Franco Aleman's incredible run in Double-A, and what he needs to work on. We talked about Will Dion's impressive output at Double-A and how he's able to keep it up despite the low velocity. We also talked about Juan Brito's future in Cleveland, Aaron Bracho's resurgence, Tanner Burns' move to the bullpen, Ross Carver being an underrated pitcher, and what may be ahead for the RubberDucks in 2024. Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WInH_QRwniU Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Follow Marco on Twitter: https://x.com/LaNaveMarco?s=20 Link to Jim Clark articles: https://www.milb.com/indianapolis/news/akron-rubberducks-broadcaster-calls-3500th-game https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2

The Lynchburg Hillcats finished the 2023 season over .500 for the firs time since 2018, despite making the playoffs in 2022. They did it with interesting hitters between Jose Devers' surprising power at the end of the year, Guy Lipscomb's wheels, Wuilfredo Antunez's tenacity and more. Hillcats broadcaster Jason Prill stops by to put a bow on the Hillcats 2023 season.We get into Devers' season, Jaison Chourio's brief stint, why strikeouts and walks are inconsistent at the Low-A level, if Yorman Gomez is going to be an interesting international pitching prospect, and what the 2024 Hillcats will look like. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

As minor league baseball winds down for the 2023 season, the Lake County Captains season has come to a close. It was an interesting year with the biggest story being Chase DeLauter's exciting second half once he was healthy, showing why he was a first round pick. On this week's Guardians of the Future, Michael Mahoney, a game day operator for the Captains, joins Justin Lada to talk about the Captains roster in 2023 including Chase DeLauter, Parker Messick, Ethan Hankins, Dayan Frias, Jake Fox, Kahlil Watson, Franco Aleman, Steven Hajjar, Cooper Ingle and more. Follow Mike on social media https://twitter.com/MMahoney157?s=20 and subscribe to the Next Year in Cleveland newsletter https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CzTbsMNub8I

On this episode of the Guardians of the Future, we discuss the recent rehab games from new prospect Kyle Manzardo and if he could and will come up before the end of the year. We also talk about if George Valera should come up in September for Cleveland, what prospects could be promoted in the system like Jaison Chorio and Ralphy Velazquez. We talk about who's hot and who's not in the minors for the Guardians, why they didn't make Bryan Lavastida the backup option when Cam Gallagher got hurt, and I chat with Parker Messick after his 10 strikeout performance last week in Lake County. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7pfq43LvsQ

The Cleveland Guardians had an interesting and somewhat controversial trading deadline. On this episode of Guardians of the Future, we discuss why the Guardians decided to move Aaron Civale now, why Kyle Manzardo could solve a long term need for the team, and how the Guardians got a lot of potential out of the Josh Bell deal. We also discuss some the 2023 draft class debuting in the minors this week and why the Guardians are suddenly having these guys play in games in their draft year. This week's episode wraps up with an interview with Guardians OF Jake Fox after his 4-4 day two weeks ago and how he's improved a the plate and in the field throughout the year. And our final interview with Akron manager Rouglas Odor, who discusses Will Dion's ability to pitch, the current roles of Tanner Burns and Jack Leftiwch, Juan Brito's success and health, Franco Aleman's breakout, and what got Angel Martinez and Jose Tena promoted. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/

Justin Lada and Willie Hood run through the Cleveland Guardians 2023 draft class, their thoughts on first round pick Ralphy Velazquez, high upside high school arm Alex Clemmey, interesting day two and day three players and answer your draft questions. https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube

Justin Lada, Jared Sziber and Joe Werner banter about the first round of the 2023 MLB draft leading up to the Guardians pick at 23 and then react to the pick. A long one, but plenty of fun draft and Guardians banter.

Just before the 2023 MLB draft, Justin Lada and Willie Hood look at the latest mock drafts from over at Next Year in Cleveland, the big outlets and look at possibilities for the Guardians at pick 23, 534 and 62, and then deeper in the draft. A deep dive on the Guardians draft philosophies, strengths, weaknesses, what to know, tyes like Brock Wilken, Nolan Schaunel, Colt Emerson, some of our favorite pitchers and deep sleeper hitters. If you love the Guardians and the MLB draft, this one's for you! Latest Next Year in Cleveland mock draft: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/next-year-in-clevelands-2023-mock Next Year in Cleveland draft coverage: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/p/cleveland-guardians-mlb-draft-coverage Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J6_4srC3dOo

For the first time this year, Willie Hood is back to join Justin Lada to recap the highlights and lowlights from the first half of the minor league baseball season from the Cleveland Guardians minor league system and then a whole lot of 2023 MLB Draft talk and who the Guardians could take at 23/58/96. Subscribe to the newsletter for more: https://nextyearincleveland.substack.com/ Subscribe and watch on YouTube

Former Guardians Baseball Insider intern and current Baseball Prospectus/Red Black Green Baseball writer Pat Ellington joins Justin Lada on this week's episode of Guardians of the Future to discuss Cleveland Guardians prospects in High-A Lake County. Topics/players discussed: Juan Brito and the unfair comparisons to Jose Ramirez Ethan Hankins' first few starts back Other standout players in Lake County Which Lake County starter deserves a promotion Sleeper pitcher Reid Johnston Gavin Williams' dominance but a deeper question about his arsenal and pitch usage Joey Cantillo's promotion to Triple-A Can Bo Naylor finish off his development at the big league level? Will George Valera continue to have little injuries? Should Gabriel Arias be the next shortstop or is he better utilized in other roles? Parker Messick is ready for a promotion Gabriel Rodriguez's recent power surge and how he can do it more often Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Z6qy9yYOiM Subscribe to N

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