[U7Gohan]

State of the Team

We enter the All-Star Break at 59-32, now 12 games up on the 2nd-place White Sox. The team ranks 4th in Runs Scored, 3rd in SP ERA, 1st in RP ERA, 1st in Team ERA, 4th in Defensive Efficiency, and 2nd in Zone Rating.

News Dump

C Austin Hedges (2.0, 2.0) headed to the 10-Day IL with an intercostal strain. He will return immediately once his required IL time passes. 1B Josh Naylor (2.0, 2.0) was recalled from AAA Columbus in a corresponding move, but immediately was sidelined for 5-6 weeks with a torn abdominal muscle. In a corresponding move, 1B Jhonkensy Noel (2.0, 3.0) was promoted to MLB Cleveland from AAA Columbus.

All-Stars

For the MLB All-Star Game, we had a whopping 7 representatives.

SP Sandy Alcantara
SP Shane Bieber
RP Brad Boxberger
RP James Karinchak*
CL Emmanuel Clase
3B Jose Ramirez*
SS Carlos Correa

* = lead vote-getter at their position

2B Andres Gimenez finished 2nd behind Brandon Lowe, just missing the roster.

For the Prospects All-Star game, we had 3 representatives.

2B Nolan McLean (0.5, 2.5) - R ACL
2B Brayan Rocchio (2.5, 3.5, #45 Overall) - AAA Columbus
SS Angel Martinez (2.0, 3.0, #39 Overall) - AA Akron

2023 MLB Draft

The Guardians had the 8th overall pick for this draft, a good spot to get premier talent. Unfortunately, it is a weak draft class.

Round 1: HS SP Ethan Robinson (0.5, 4.0) - 65 Stuff, 50 Control, Four 50 Pitch, 75 Slider Potential.

Round 2: HS C Zion Rose (0.5, 3.5) - Well-Rounded, Solid Hitter. 60 Game Power, 60 Eye Potential. 50 Catcher Ability, 60 Arm.

Round 3: HS SP Noble Meyer (0.5, 3.0) - 60 Stuff, Four 55 Pitch, 75 Slider Potential.

Round 4: HS SP Paul Wilson (0.5, 3.0) - 60 Stuff, Four 60 Pitch, 75 Changeup Potential.

Round 5: HS CF Christopher Diaz (0.5, 2.5) - 60 Contact, 65 Gap Power, 60 Game Power Potential. Profiles as a strong LF/RF and passable CF.

Round 6: HS SP Cal Randall (0.5, 3.0) - 55 Stuff, 50 Movement, 50 Control, Three 55 Pitch, Two 65 Pitch Potential.

Round 7: College SP Dylan DeLucia (2.0, 2.5) - 55 Control, Four 50 Pitch, Three 55 Pitch Potential.

Round 8: HS SP Chance Fitzgerald (0.5, 2.5) - 50 Stuff, 50 Control, Three 55 Pitch, Two 65 Pitch Potential.

Round 9: HS SS/P Tai Peete (0.5, 1.5) - Two-Way Player. Mediocre position player. Three 55 Pitch, 70 Changeup Potential.

Round 10: College SS Michael Brooks (0.5, 2.5) - Unimpressive hitter. Mediocre 2B defensively. Elite baserunner.

The rest is auto-drafted.

Trade Deadline Goals

The team has been elite in every category, but for the playoff push, my main focus will be acquiring another starter, and possibly another reliever and corner OF bat as well. 2B Brayan Rocchio (2.5, 3.5, #45 Overall) would be a name to watch in a potential blockbuster deal.

Around the League

Surprising All-Stars

AL:

SP Domingo Acevedo (OAK) - 1.82 ERA
SP Jhoan Duran (MIN) - 2.61 ERA, 11.5 K/9
SP Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) - 2.34 ERA, 3.1 WAR
SP Noah Syndergaard* (LAA) - 3.05 ERA, 6.9 K/9
RP Aaron Loup (SEA) - 2.25 ERA
RP Nathan Webb (KCR) - 2.49 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 1.7 WAR
C Gabriel Moreno (TOR) - 128 wRC+, 3.0 WAR in 279 PA
1B Jonathan Aranda (TBR) - 127 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
2B Vidal Brujan (TBR) - 142 wRC+, 20 SB, 2.6 WAR in 264 PA
3B Josh Donaldson (NYY) - 112 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
LF Mitch Haniger* (TEX) - 120 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
RF Teoscar Hernandez* (TOR) - 140 wRC+, 2.4 WAR

NL:

SP Lyon Richardson (CIN) - 4.06 ERA, 1.0 WAR
RP Jarlin Garcia (ARI) - 3.21 ERA
RP Steven Matz (STL) - 3.10 ERA
CL Yerry De Los Santos (PIT) - 3.16 ERA, 24 SV, 11.2 K/9, 1.4 WAR
CL Dinelson Lamet (SD) - 2.61 ERA, 28 SV, 10.2 K/9
C William Contreras (ATL) - 116 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
1B Elehuris Montero (COL) - 179 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
2B Luis Garcia (WSH) - 96 wRC+, 0.7 WAR
2B Ketel Marte (ARI) - 138 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (PIT) - 118 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
LF Alek Thomas (ARI) - 123 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
CF Trent Grisham (SDP) - 125 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Seiya Suzuki (CHC) - 141 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

All-Star Event Recap

The AL All-Stars defeated the NL All-Stars in a thrilling 8-7 victory. The AL took a 2-0 lead before a 3-run HR by J.T. Realmuto against Eduardo Rodriguez in the top of the 5th put the NL in front. The AL then responded with 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th, with Bo Bichette hitting a 3-run HR off of Jarlin Garcia as the biggest blow. The NL made it close again on a 3-run HR by Bryan Reynolds off of James Karinchak, putting 3 unearned runs on Karinchak's line. Alek Thomas homered an inning later to make it 8-7, and Trent Grisham led off the 9th with a single against Emmanuel Clase. Clase retired the next 3 batters to win it. Bo Bichette won MVP honors. Other notable performances by the Guardians include Jose Ramirez going 2-3 and Sandy Alcantara striking out 2 in a scoreless frame.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeated Joey Gallo in the HR Derby finals to win his 2nd-straight HR Derby crown.

The AL Prospects defeated the NL Prospects 9-4 in the Prospect All-Star Game. RF Heriberto Hernandez (TBR) (2.5, 2.5) took home MVP honors.

Major Trades

RP David Bednar (3.0, 3.0) and SP Jared Jones (2.0, 3.5, #34 Overall) to Phillies
SS Adalberto Mondesi (3.0, 3.0) to Cardinals
OF Chas McCormick (3.5, 3.5) to White Sox
RP Collin McHugh (3.5, 3.5) to Padres
SP Matthew Boyd (3.0, 3.0) to White Sox

Major Extensions

None



The Trade Deadline Roundup will be the next post.