Acquiring the 2024 Cleveland Guardian Franchise - Lower minors
Greetings fellow Guardians fans and other CTC lurkers, and all of you former LGT’ers. As we wrap up the regular season, it is time to post the annual "Degrees of Separation" post. This is my personal favorite to track all the transactions over the past year but was initially inspired back in 2008 to see how far back I could link current players on the roster. I was able to locate a transactional chain all the way back to Jerry Dybzinksi in 1977 (which is still in existence!). This covers only transactions from the end of the 2022 season through October 1, 2023.
First up is the Lower Minor Leagues. Then followed by the Upper Minors, and then finally to the MLB roster itself.
Cleveland maintains two Dominican Summer League (DSL) squads. The former Red squad is now Goryl, named for former Cleveland coach Johnny Goryl who coached in Cleveland from 1982-1988 and 1997-1998, as well as a longtime special advisor and player development for the minor league system. Unfortunately I could not easily locate information (thanks google/bing!) on the honoree for the former Blue team, now named Mendoza.
Dominican Summer League (DSL)
The Guardians Goryl finished first in the DSL North division by 3.0 games with a 35-19 record. They were knocked out in the DSL quarterfinals (first round) by the Red Sox Red. The top hitters included:
1B/C Reiner Herrera (274/397/981 in 141 PA)
IF Dauri Fernandez (287/370/407 in 167 PA)
RF Yeiferth Castillo (301/389/366 in 153 PA)
The top pitchers were:
LHP Miguel Flores (2.93 ERA, 1.261 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 in 46 IP)
RHP Alejandro Rivera (3 saves, 2.48 ERA, 0.931 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 in 29 IP)
The Guardians Mendoza were a middling squad, finishing in fourth in the DSL Northwest division at 26-24, 9.0 games back of the Orioles Orange. The Mendoza had two much better hitters than the Goryl squad:
OF Juneiker Caceres (340/425/504 in 167 PA)
SS Gabriel Rodriguez (276/510/398 in 145 PA)
The pitching staff was led by:
LHP Manuel Osorio (1.71 ERA, 1.035 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 47.1 IP)
Arizona Complex League (ACL)
The Guardians weren’t the worst team in league this year, but they were pretty close, finishing last in the Central Division at 27-33, 13 games behind the ACL Dodgers (who won the title). Only the ACL Athletics and White Sox were worse, at 24-36. Of the hitters who had a decent amount of PA, the top two hitters were:
SS/2B Welbyn Francisca (328/418/523 in 201 PA; 11 SB)
1B Luis Merejo (250/417/421 in 200 PA)
There weren’t a lot of pitchers with a lot of innings, but the top two were:
LHP Jacob Bresnahan (2.54 ERA, 1.043 WHIP, 12.3 K/9 in 46 IP)
RHP Jervis Alfaro (3.38 ERA, 1.055 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 in 42.2 IP)
Carolina League
Lynchburg was also a middling team in 2024. They finished 67-62 overall, 11 games back of Carolina (MIL). They did pretty well in the first half (37-29; second place) but slumped badly in the second half (30-33; fifth of 6 teams). The hitting star was Angel Genoa, but Luis Merejo did well after his promotion from ACL. Also Jaison Chourio (yes Jackson’s little brother) played pretty well.
SS Angel Geneo (341/383/553 in 196 PA; 12 SB)
1B Luis Merejo (282/372/466 in 121 PA),
CF Jaison Chourio (270/414/398 in 432 PA; 44 SB)
OF Esteban Gonzalez (287/348/464 in 299 PA; 37 SB)
Not counting the departed Alex Clemmey, the top starters and reliever were:
RHP Yorman Gomez (3.81 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 in 104 IP)
RHP Kyle Scott (3.00 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 96 IP)
Steven Perez (4 saves, 2.20 ERA, 1.122 WHIP, 12.7 K/9 in 41 IP)
Notes: I have included compensation draft picks as being more than one degree as Cleveland obtained that pick based on a player they formally held rights to. Also, when I have identified a free agent year, it is the year they signed for (i.e. December 05 would be 2006). Additionally, whenever I could not find confirmation of an amateur free agent signing, the year defaults to their first appearance. [aFA = amateur free agent, mFA = minor league free agent, iFA = international amateur free agent (these sign for the higher $$ out of the international bonus pool money]
All data is through the end of the 2024 seasons (Sep 29); any transactions that occur after this season will be captured next year.
Lynchburg Hillcats (A - Low-A East League, North Division)
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2019: Juan Benjamin; Luis Durango
aFA 2019: Reny Artiles
iFA 2020: Robert Lopez [Development List]; Manuel Mejias; Fran Alduey
iFA 2021: Melkis Hernandez; Jaison Chourio
Draft 2022: Jackson Humphries (8); Jacob Zibin (10)**; Jack Jasiak (12); Logun Clark (16)
iFA 2022: Welbyn Francisca; Luis Merejo
aFA 2022: Jogly Garcia; Kendeglys Virguez
Draft 2023: Christian Knapczyk (5); Tommy Hawke (6); Kyle Scott (15); Barret Riebock (17)
aFA 2023: Jervis Alfaro; Jake Berry
Draft 2024: Rafe Schlesinger (4); Caden Favors (6); Donovan Zsak (8); Garrett Howe (11); Sean Heppner (12); Bennett Thompson (13); Ryan Cesarini (14); Izaak Martinez (18); Cam Schuelke (19)
aFA 2024: Robert Wegielnik
mFA 2024: Deretd Parra (originally aFA by Rangers in 2019)
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Players with a mysterious status
iFA 2019: Adrian Rodriguez (MiLB has him as Lynchburg Active, but is not listed on the roster)
Draft 2022: Geo Rivera Jr. (19) (MiLB has him as Lynchburg 60-IL, but is not listed on the roster)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2018: Samuel Vazquez [2023 Rule 5-minors round 1-WAS; WAS-A]; Miguel Vinicio [2024 release - FA]; Richard Paz [2024 release - FA]
mFA 2018: Yeury Gervacio (originally aFA by Mets in 2017) [2024 release - FA; MEX- Conspiradores de Queretaro; Bravos de Leon]
iFA 2019: Jose Pastrano [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2019: Hugo Villalobos
Draft 2020: Carson Tucker (1) [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Bienvenido Polanco [2024 release - FA]; Abel Brito [2024 release - FA]; Lexer Saduy [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2021: Zach Pettway (16) [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2021: Rafael Ramirez [2024 trade w AClemmey, JTena for Lane Thomas; WAS-A]
aFA 2022: Marc Filia [2024 release - FA]
ACL Guardians (Rookie, Arizona Complex League, Central Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2020: Austin Aldeano; David Leon; Christopher Espinola; Carlos Gutierrez
aFA 2020: Jose Contreras*
iFA 2021: Jose Cedeno; Victor Izturis; Yanki Jean-Baptiste; Alberto Mendez; Jeffrey Mercedes
Draft 2022: Justin Campbell (1-CB)**
iFA 2022: Jonathan Martinez; Yaikel Mijares; Mason Bolivar; Yerlin Luis; Jose Pirela; Heribert Silva
aFA 2022: Eudry Alcantara; Luis Flores; Elvelio Hernandez; Jose D Ramirez; Julio Zapata
Draft 2023: Keegan Zinn (12)
aFA 2023: Ezequiel Jimenez; Raudy Rivera
Draft 2024: Braylon Doughty (1-CB)*; Joey Oakie (3)*; Cameron Sullivan (7)*; Chase Mobley (10)*
aFA 2024: Javi Torres**
* Did not appear in any games; ** Did not appear in any games; injured
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2018: Frederic Garcia [2024 release - FA]; Victor Soteldo [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2019: Albert Breton [2024 release - FA]; Elmson Candelario [2024 release - FA]; Miguel Cordones [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2020: Miguel Lopez [2024 release - FA]; Emerson Purroy [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Pedro Almanzar [2024 release - FA]; Nelson Aranguren [2024 release - FA]; Wilmer Hernandez [2024 release - FA]; Oscar Cedeno [2024 release - FA]; Samuel Parra [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2021: Tommy Ventimiglia (18) [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2021: Jose Gomez [2024 release - FA]
Draft 2022: Javier Santos (7) [2024 release - FA]
DSL Guardians Mendoza (Rookie, Dominican Summer League, Northwest Division); formerly [Blue]
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2021: Abrahan Tejada; Nomar Velasquez
iFA 2022: Manuel Osorio; Jose Marcano
aFA 2022: Neiver Acosta; Franklin Bolivar**; Algeni Mejia; Rodarni Salvador; Sebastian Cadiz; Pedro Dalmargo
aFA 2023: Yatner Cristomo; Daiher Hernandez; Harrison Ruiz
iFA 2024: Wilinyer Ardiles; Hector Castillo; Edelvis Perez; Erich Tovar; Santiago Ustariz; Dariel Arias; Randy Martinez; Robert Arias; Juneiker Caceres; Carlos Caripa; Osmar Torrealba
aFA 2024: Rey Feliz; Alexander Garcia; Jodainy Henriquez; Oscar Melgarejo; Jonaikel Meza; Angel Perez; Carlos Garces
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Players with a mysterious status
aFA 2023: Carlos Lopez (Catcher; never appeared in any DSL games)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2018: Adauri Vicente [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2020: Reyden Hidalgo [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Diego Navarro [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2021: Pedro Hernandez [2024 release - FA]; Yorfran John [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2022: Yelserth Ayala [2024 release - FA]; Juan Frances [2024 release - FA]
DSL Guardians Goryl (Rookie, Dominican Summer League, North Division); formerly [Red]
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2022: Javier Abreu; Estarlin Cruz; Santiago Peraza; Joelvis Perez; Erigaldi Perez; Renil Ramos; Eriberto Vasquez; Pablo Arosemena; Reiner Herrera; Jhorvic Abreus
aFA 2022: Diovel Mariano; Erick Padilla
aFA 2023: Joswal Betancourt
iFA 2024: Miguel Flores; Alejandro Rivera; Raul Trujillo; Delni Uribe; Wuinder Torres; Alejandro Blasco; Steven Cruz**; Luis De La Cruz; Dauri Fernandez; Johan Rodriguez; Gabriel Rodriguez; Yeiferth Castillo; Estivel Morillo; Romer Taveras
aFA 2024: Luilli Cabrera; Carlos Lopez; Abrahan Milan
** Did not appear in any games; injured
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2020: Ronald Pena [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Javier Tovar [2024 release - FA]; Luis A Garcia [2024 release - FA]; Emilio Tavares [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2021: Gueile Borrome [2024 release - FA]; Brayan Guedez [2024 release - FA]; Moises Molero [2024 release - FA]
iFA 2022: Jonathan Taveras; [2024 release - FA]
aFA 2022: Wagner Castillo [2024 release - FA]; Luis Aparicio [2024 retired]