Guardians Prospects: Travis Bazzana continues to rake, Chase DeLauter to play in AFL

Just because the end of the major league season is almost here doesn’t mean that things are beginning to calm down in the minor leagues for the Guardians.

In fact, it’s just the opposite. High-A Lake County is in the middle of the postseason, the Clippers have a little less than two weeks left in their season and the Arizona Fall League is right around the corner. 

With that, there are some recent updates regarding some of the top prospects in the system like Travis Bazzan and Chase DeLauter. 

Travis Bazzana continues to get closer to making major league debut

While Bazzana may not get his first major league call-up this season, it’s looking more and more like a forgone conclusion that’ll be with the Guardians next April. 

The 23-year-old is now slashing .230/.427/.448 in 25 games at Triple-A with four home runs, 14 RBI and 29 walks compared to just 30 strikeouts. He also cranked a walk-off homer last week that featured a reaction that you could hear in Cleveland.

All four of those home runs have come in the eight games he’s played in September, which is a span where he’s posted a 1.237 OPS. 

The Guardians’ middle-infield is a bit compromised right now thanks to Gabriel Arias’ injury, but it seems like they’re prepared to let Arias play through the injury as opposed to calling up another middle infield option like Bazzana. 

Bazzana is one of three Clippers who have hit better than .300 in September (alongside Kahlil Watson and Kody Huff), along with having seven (7) relievers who haven’t allowed an earned run all month. 

The Guardians have quietly become one of baseball’s best organizations when it comes to developing MLB-ready relievers, and their bullpen’s performance this month is a tangible example of that. 

The Clippers may not make the International League postseason, but they’re finishing the season strong and have multiple players who are working on staking their claim to next year’s roster. 

On the other side of the country, DeLauter is set to play in the Arizona Fall League for the third straight year. 

The 23-year-old played in 34 games at Triple-A this year and was trending toward making his major league debut later this year before he got hurt once again in July. We haven’t seen him in a game since.

DeLauter’s hit .313 with six home runs and 38 RBI in 35 Fall League Games in his career, but his performance in Arizona last year wasn’t a complete win in the eyes of some evaluators. 

While DeLauter losing another season to injury is a bit discouraging, it’s a roller coaster the Guardians seem content to ride given his prestigious power and ability to be the answer in right field.