Acquiring the Cleveland 2022 Franchise - Lower Minors
Greetings Guardians fans to playoff baseball in the Land. As the regular season has completed, 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. This covers only transactions from the end of the 2021 season through October 5, 2021.
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 Red and Blue. Both are located in the North Division. We will start with Red squad first.
The DSL Guardians Red were not the worst team in the DSL this year with a record of 17-42, but they were dang close, just 0.5 game ahead of the KC Stewart. They actually hit ok, 250/375/353, which was a 18th (out of 49) in OPS, but as that slash shows, virtually no power to speak of. Christopher Espinola (CF) was the stud hitter at 336/396/521 with 5 triples and 3 bombs. Jason Chourio (CF) was the only other regular OPS over 800. But it was the team pitching staff that was absolutely dreadful. The staff ERA was dead last at 6.48 and allowed a staggering 7.73 runs/game, along with a 1.797 WHIP!! Javier Tovar was the lone bright spot at 1.04 ERA over 17.1 innings. But 11 of the pitchers with over 10 IP had ERAs over 5.00, and 6 of those were above 8.00. Yikes.
The DSL Guardians Blue did mange to finish above 0.500 at 31-29, but they actually OPS’ed less than the Red, 246/359/338. Jose Gomez (CF) was the stud hitter at 287/422/521 with 7 triples. Also, catchers Jose Cedeno and Nelson Aranguren both had an OPS over 800 but only a single home run each. The pitchers were significantly better then the Red, but not great overall. The 4.75 team ERA aligned with a 1.570 WHIP. Julio Zapata, Evelio Hernandez and Austin Aldeano (1.82, 2.16 and 2.31 ERA respectively) led the way.
The Arizona Complex League (ACL) Guardians were another middling team in 2022. They did finish 3rd in the Central Division only 4.5 games of the pace, but were a lackluster 28-24. They were the fourth youngest squad (19.1) and hit 243/360/347 which placed them 10th in OPS. Wuilfredo Antunez (982 OPS) and Juan Benjamin (932 OPS) led the way. It is tough to get a read on the pitching staff, as a lot of rehab assignments are sprinkled in at ACL, but of the pitchers who had twenty or more innings, Alonzo Richardson, Victor Soteldo and Wardquelin Vasquez had the best ERAs on the staff, with Vasquez and Soteldo each having a WHIP less than 1.000.
Lynchburg also had a fairly poor season, finishing tied for last in the North division with a 28-37 record. This was mainly due to the lack of hitting. Only one regular, Milan Tolentino (857 OPS) broke 800 OPS on the season. Isiah Greene (from the Lindor trade) did swipe 39 stolen bases in 43 attempts. His OBP was a robust 393, but he also had 114 Ks to go along with 97 BBs in about 500 PAs. The pitching was pretty good overall, with Will Dion (2.26 ERA, 1.03 WHIP in 115.1 IP) and Jack Leftwich (2.39 ERA, 0.88 WHIP in 60 IP) leading the way. Elvis Jerez did have 9 saves and struck out 40 (17 BB) in 28.1 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 usually sign for the highest $$ out of the international bonus pool money]
All data is through the end of the 2022 seasons (Oct 05); no transactions after this season, those will be captured next year.
Lynchburg Hillcats (A - Low-A East League, North Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2017: Marlin Made
iFA 2018: Dayan Frias; Junior Sanquintin
aFA 2018: Brauny Munoz; Samuel Vazquez; Wardquelin Vazquez; Miguel Vinicio; Juan Zapata; Richard Paz; Victor Planchart
mFA 2018: Yeury Gervacio (originally aFA by Mets in 2017)
Draft 2019: Jordan Brown (6); Will Bartlett (9); Allan Hernandez (12)
iFA 2019: Juan Benjamin
aFA 2019: Elmson Candelario; Hugo Villalobos; Wuilfredo Antunez; Jorge Burgos
Draft 2020: Carson Tucker (1)
iFA 2020: Angel Genao
aFA 2020: Alonzo Richardson; Joe Donovan; Lexer Saduy
Draft 2021: Jake Fox (3); Ryan Webb (4); Franco Aleman (10); Trenton Denholm (14); Zach Pettway (16); Reid Johnston (19); Jake Miller (20); Tyler Thornton (21)
Draft 2022: Joe Lampe (3)
Four Degrees
Josh Wolf (originally drafted 2 by Mets in 2019)
1. Trade 2020 Mets with Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario and Isaiah Greene for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco
2. A. Lindor - Draft 2011 (1)
B. Carrasco - Trade 2009 Phillies with Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Jason Knapp for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco
3. A. Francisco - Draft 2002 (5)
B. Lee - Trade 2002 Expos with Lee Stevens, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew
4. A. Colon - aFA 1993
B. Drew - Draft 1997 (1)
Isaiah Greene (originally drafted 2-C by Mets in 2020)
1. Trade 2020 Mets with Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario and Josh Wolf for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco
2. A. Lindor - Draft 2011 (1)
B. Carrasco - Trade 2009 Phillies with Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Jason Knapp for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco
3. A. Francisco - Draft 2002 (5)
B. Lee - Trade 2002 Expos with Lee Stevens, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew
4. A. Colon - aFA 1993
B. Drew - Draft 1997 (1)
Players with a mysterious status
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2013: Luis Jimenez (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current Lynchburg roster)
Two Degrees (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current Lynchburg roster)
Andres Melendez (originally iFA by Brewers in 2017)
1. Trade Brewers 2019 for Mark Mathias
2. Mathias - Draft 2015 (3)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2016: Miguel Jerez [2022 release - FA]
iFA 2017: Wilfri Peralta [2022 release - FA]
aFA 2017: Daritzon Feliz [2022 release - FA]
aFA 2018: Skeiling Rodriguez [2022 release - FA]
Draft 2018: Liam Jenkins (17) [2022 release; CHW-ACL]
Draft 2019: Serafino Brito (28) [2021 release; OAK-A-]; Alec Wisely (34) [2022 release - FA]; Jacob Forrester (37) [2021 release - FA]
Three Degrees
Damon Casetta-Stubbs (originally drafted 11 by Mariners in 2018) [2022 release - FA]
1. Trade 2021 Mariners (PTBNL) for Jake Bauers
2. Bauers - Trade 2019 Mariners/Rays with Carlos Santana [SEA] for Edwin Encarnacion [SEA], Yandy Diaz [TBR], Cole Sulser [TBR]
3. A. Encarnacion - FA 2017
B. Diaz - aFA 2014
C. Sulser - Draft 2013 (25)
ACL Indians (Rookie, Arizona Complex League, Central Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2018: Jose Baez; Sterling Romero
aFA 2018: Daniel Figueroa; Darlin Noboa; Steven Perez; Tomas Reyes; Victor Soteldo
iFA 2019: Adrian Rodriguez; Maick Collado; Angel Contreras; Jose Devers; Jose Pastrano; Luis Durango; Esteban Gonzalez; Angel Mendoza
aFA 2019: Luis Almonte; Reny Artiles; Albert Breton; Felipe Santos
iFA 2020: Austin Aldeano; Robert Lopez; Manuel Mejias; Fran Alduey
aFA 2020: Abel Brito; Yorman Gomez; Bienvenido Polanco; Wilmer Hernandez; Erick Caripa; Simon Rodriguez
Draft 2021: Tommy Ventimiglia (18)
Draft 2022: Adam Tulloch (15); Zach Jacobs (18)
mFA 2022: Edgar Gamargo (originally aFA by Cubs in 2019)
Players with a mysterious status
iFA 2018: Jesus Lara (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current ACL roster)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2016: Luis D Garcia [2021 release - FA]
Draft 2017: Michael Cooper (33) [2021 release - FA]
aFA 2017: Diarlin Jimenez [2021 release - FA]
aFA 2018: Euclides Lopez [2021 release - FA]; Jhon Vergara [2022 release - FA]
Draft 2019: Joab Gonzalez (24) [2021 release - FA]; Eric Mock (25) [2022 release - FA]; Landy Pena (27) [2021 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Juan Mateo [2021 release; ATL-A-]
DSL Indians Blue (Rookie, Dominican Summer League, North Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2018: Frederic Garcia; Yonaiker Garcia; Roberto Hernandez;
iFA 2019: Danny Medina; Kenny Pinto; Erickson Sarita
aFA 2019: Miguel Cordones; Jose Ruviera; Christain Sosa
iFA 2020: David Leon; Reyden Hidalgo; Miguel Lopez; Jesus Montilla; Carlos Gutierrez;
aFA 2020: Bryant Capellan; Luis A Garcia; Frank Lopez; Diego Navarro; Nelson Aranguren; Samuel Parra;
iFA 2021: Melkis Hernandez; Jose Cedeno; Guile Borrome; Brayan Guedez; Yorfran John; Alberto Mendez; Jeffrey Mercedes; Nomar Velasquez; Jose Gomez; Moises Molero
aFA 2022: Neiver Acosta; Wagner Castillo; Luis Flores; Elvelio Hernandez; Jose D Ramirez; Juan Sosa; Julio Zapata
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
iFA 2018: David Flores [2022 release - FA]
iFA 2019: Jhoan Gomez [2022 release - FA]
iFA 2020: Luis Perez [2022 release - FA]; Adonis Cepeda [2022 release - FA]
DSL Indians Red (Rookie, Dominican Summer League, North Division)
Players on the roster
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2018: Robert Cruz; Logan Franco; Adauri Vicente
iFA 2019: Victor Garcia;
aFA 2019: Dahan Batista; Felix Polanco
iFA 2020: Lerwin Andrade; Richard Polanco; Emerson Purroy; Yefri Rivera; Christopher Espinola; Ronald Pena
aFA 2020: Pedro Almanzar; Alexandro Castro; Jose Contreras; Olmandi Diaz; Elian Quezada; Javier Tovar; Dielmon Urena; Alan Romero; Emilio Tavares; Oscar Cedeno; Kevin Rivas
iFA 2021: Victor Izturis; Pedro Hernandez; Yanki Jean-Baptiste; Rafael Ramirez; Jaison Chourio
aFA 2022: Eudry Alcantara; Franklin Bolivar; Jogly Garcia; Diovel Mariano; Algeni Mejia; Erick Padilla; Rodarni Salvador; Abrahan Tejada; Kendeglys Virguez; Alex Paredes; Luis Aparicio
Players with a mysterious status
aFA 2018: Daniel Aguilar (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current DSL rosters)
iFA 2019: Juan Rodriguez (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current DSL rosters)
aFA 2020: Maikol Flores (did not play in 2022 and was not on the current DSL rosters)
Players who have moved on
One Degree (drafted or signed by Cleveland)
aFA 2017: Luis Peguero [2022 release - FA]
aFA 2020: Jansel Cuevas [2022 release - FA]; Junior Caminero [2021 trade-TBR for TMyers; TBR-A-/FCL]