Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have experienced just one full season at the professional level.
“Both of them are young puppies, but you will continue to see them progress,” Pendleton said. “If they continue to grow the way they have, I think you will see them in the big leagues.”
Gil, who ranks as the Braves' No. 14 prospect, and Guanipa, who ranks No. 15 on the same list, were the two highest ranked Braves position player prospects to participate in this year’s event. Both should begin this season where they ended last season, with Single-A Augusta.
Both prospects produced a near .800 OPS in the Florida Complex League before receiving a promotion. With the elimination of short-season Rookie-level teams, they made the jump to the Single-A ranks and struggled. Guanipa had a .450 OPS in 32 games and Gil had a .552 OPS over 39 games.
This was a humbling experience for Guanipa, who received a $2.5 million signing bonus. Gil has successfully played the underdog role since receiving a far more meager $110,000 signing bonus.
“We knew what we were sending there,” Pendleton said. “We knew it was going to be kids that weren't going to get crushed by this. Some kids lose confidence and they're done. You have to be real sensitive with certain kids. You can't send them there knowing that if they fail or don't succeed, they're done. These two kids will fight you, too, until they’ve got nothing left, you know? We knew they would bounce back if they had success or didn't have success.”
Gil started at shortstop on Sunday and went 1-for-3 with an infield single. He exited under his own power after seemingly pulling a left leg muscle while attempting to beat out a grounder in the sixth. Guanipa batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout while playing center field.
Three of Sunday’s pitchers ranked among the Braves’ Top 12 prospects. Here is a look at how they did:
RHP JR Ritchie (Braves No. 8 prospect): The 21-year-old right-hander’s parents were among the friends and family members who flew from the Seattle area to see him start this game. They were treated to seeing him work a perfect first inning against three players from MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list -- Max Clark (No. 6), Kevin McGonigle (No. 28) and Thayron Liranzo (No. 81).
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Ritchie ended the first inning by striking out Liranzo with a 97 mph fastball. The young hurler, who was taken with the 35th overall selection in the 2022 MLB Draft, allowed two runs, surrendered five hits and recorded a pair of strikeouts in three innings of work. He missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“It was a great experience all around,” Ritchie said. “I loved it and I felt great. It was everything I thought it would be.”
RHP Garrett Baumann (Braves No. 9 prospect): The 6-foot-8 pitcher towers over Isaiah Drake, his 6-foot roommate last year. Drake playfully got under Baumann’s skin in the dugout last year. The tall pitcher responded with an impressive performance over the remainder of that outing.
“He wasn’t happy about what [Drake] did, so I asked him a question,” Pendleton said. “'Why don’t you take that to the mound with you?' You could tell what he has to offer. At times, it seemed like he wasn’t sure of himself. I said, ‘Hey we need to see that bulldog on the mound.'”
Baumann’s inexperience and nerves were on display as he walked five of the 10 hitters he faced on Sunday. He flashed his potential with a 98 mph fastball that he will try to harness as he likely begins the upcoming season with High-A Rome.
RHP Didier Fuentes (Braves No. 12 prospect): The 19-year-old hurler was added to Atlanta’s roster Sunday and he took advantage of the chance to shine. He flashed an upper 90s fastball while recording three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh and added two more strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. He finished his outing with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, finishing his day with a game-high 7 K's.
Supervising Club Reporter Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.
RubberDucks announce New Additions to the Extreme Foods in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the addition of three new items to the Extreme Food Menu for the 2025 season. The WONE Base on (Meat)Balls is hollowed out French Bread layered three times with spicy giardiniera marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and four meatballs topped with
RubberDucks announce multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade at Canal Park
(AKRON, OHIO) April 2, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the completion of a multi-million dollar videoboard upgrade to improve fan experience for the 2025 season. The Canal Park videoboard project was privately funded by Fast Forward Sports Group as part of the more than $14 million of private investments
April 11: Ducks fall to Curve 8-1
RubberDucks Game Recap Altoona Curve (3-4) 8, Akron RubberDucks (5-2) 1 WP: Jaden Woods (1-1) LP: Zach Jacobs (0-1) Save: Nick Dombkowski (1) Summary Austin Peterson fanned four over five scoreless, but the Altoona Curve used two late big innings to defeat the Akron RubberDucks 8-1 at Canal Park on
April 10: Ducks take no-hitter into the seventh but fall to Curve 2-0
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Altoona Curve (2-4) 2, Akron RubberDucks (5-1) 0 WP: Valentin Linarez (1-0) LP: Tommy Mace (1-1) Save: Cam Sanders 2 Summary Despite strong pitching, the Akron RubberDucks fall to the Altoona Curve 2-0 at Canal Park on Thursday night. Turning Point Altoona cracked the
RubberDucks announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
(AKRON, OHIO) February 12, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the 2025 promotional schedule presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219, which once again features a theme for all 69 regular season home games. The RubberDucks open the 2025 season at Canal Park on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:35 p.m.
RubberDucks games are live this season on iHeartMedia’s 640 WHLO
(AKRON, OHIO) April 3, 2025 – As the Akron RubberDucks open the 2025 Eastern League season in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, April 4, their games will return to their radio home, NewsRadio 640 WHLO, continuing a longstanding partnership with iHeartMedia Akron/Canton. RubberDucks games will also be available to stream online
RubberDucks 2025 Single Game tickets are on sale now
(AKRON, OHIO) December 16, 2024 – Single game tickets are now on sale for all 69 Akron RubberDucks regular season home games from April 8-Sept. 7, 2025 at Canal Park. Fans can purchase single game tickets at akronrubberducks.com/tickets or by calling 855-97-QUACK. Single game ticket prices start as low as
RubberDucks to honor Donna Kelce and Stacy Carroll with bobbleheads in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) March 27, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks announce the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by MCA of Akron/UA Local 219 on June 7 will be of Cleveland native Donna Kelce, and the mystery bobblehead giveaway presented by Distillata on Aug. 2 will be of actress Stacy Carroll. Kelce graduated
Habitat For Humanity 50/50 Raffle Winning Numbers
Past Winning Numbers for the Habitat For Humanity of Summit County Raffle at Canal Park: - April 9: A-5663883 - April 8: A-1897367
RubberDucks and State & Federal Communications expand partnership
(AKRON, OHIO) April 7, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and State & Federal Communications announce the expansion of their longstanding partnership. As part of this continued partnership, State & Federal Communications will be presenting RubberDucks Opening Night at Canal Park on Tuesday, April 8. On Opening Night and all season
RubberDucks and FirstEnergy to team with Akron-Canton Foodbank in 2025
(AKRON, OHIO) March 20, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and FirstEnergy will team with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank on Friday, April 11 to help provide food for the families struggling with hunger in our area. Before the RubberDucks take on the Altoona Curve on April 11, fans can bring three
RubberDucks team up with Swensons Drive-In Restaurants to become the Akron Galley Boys for two games this season
(AKRON, OHIO) February 26, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Swensons Drive-In Restaurants announce a partnership for the Akron Galley Boys nights on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. “Much like two great middle infielders make an amazing double play tandem, we are excited to partner with Swensons for
RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant to partner for Akron Cheese Salads night
(AKRON, OHIO) March 18, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks and Luigi’s Restaurant announce a partnership for the Akron Cheese Salads night on Friday, July 11. “We are thrilled to work together with Luigi’s to make our Akron Cheese Salads night even better,” RubberDucks President and General Manager Jim Pfander said.
Hit the ice with Matt Doherty at Canal Park August 9th for the Hum Goalie Goalie VIP Package
Purchase VIP Package (AKRON, OHIO) February 3, 2025 – Matt Doherty, the actor best known for his role of Lester Averman in The Mighty Ducks franchise, will be at Canal Park on Saturday, August 9. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Doherty that includes a
Strike the Heisman pose with Troy Smith at Canal Park September 6th for the Scarlet & Gray VIP Package
PURCHASE VIP PACKAGE (AKRON, OHIO) March 3, 2025 – Ohio State legend and 2006 Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith will be at Canal Park Saturday, September 6. Tickets are available now for a special pregame VIP meet-and-greet with Smith that includes a picnic and guaranteed Troy Smith bobblehead presented by
April 9: Kayfus drives in three to pace Akron attack in 13-1 win
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (5-0) 13, Altoona Curve (1-4) 1 WP: Jake Miller (1-0) LP: Alessandro Ercolani (0-1) Save: N/A Summary Akron first baseman CJ Kayfus picked up four of Akron’s 15 hits as the RubberDucks overpower the Altoona Curve 13-1 at Canal Park on Wednesday
April 8: Burgos homers again, Ducks rally to win 6-5
RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (4-0) 6, Altoona Curve (1-3) 5 WP: Davis Sharpe (1-0) LP: Jaden Woods (0-1) Save: Zane Morehouse (1) Summary Akron right fielder Jorge Burgos hit his fourth home run in as many games in the fourth and scored the go-ahead run in
April 6: Burgos hits 3rd homer, Ducks sweep Richmond, 5-4
April 6, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (3-0) 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels (0-3) 4 WP: Trenton Denholm (1-0) LP: Tyler Myrick (0-1) Save: Magnus Ellerts (1) Summary Akron left fielder Jorge Burgos hit a two-out, go-ahead, three-run home run in the seventh inning, giving him homers
April 5: Bazzana homers in first pro 4-hit game; Ducks beat Richmond, 8-3
April 5, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (2-0) 8, Richmond Flying Squirrels (0-2) 3 WP: Ross Carver (1-0) LP: Manuel Mercedes (0-1) Save: none Summary Akron second baseman Travis Bazzana had his first professional four-hit game, including his first Double-A home run, while first baseman Jorge
April 4: Ducks strike Squirrels early, win 7-4 opener
April 4, 2025 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score Akron RubberDucks (1-0) 7, Richmond Flying Squirrels (0-1) 4 WP: Tommy Mace (1-0) LP: John Michael Bertrand (0-1) Save: Zane Morehouse (1) Summary Akron right-hander Tommy Mace worked five innings of one-run ball, while second baseman Travis Bazzana and first baseman
Quack Open a Book and Read presented by FirstEnergy to start on February 17
(AKRON, OHIO) February 10, 2025 – The Akron RubberDucks will kick off their 2025 reading program: Quack Open a Book and Read presented by FirstEnergy on Feb. 17. Quack Open a Book and Read presented by FirstEnergy rewards students with a free ticket to a RubberDucks game for reading four
RubberDucks to feature four of Top 30 Guardians Prospects, 17 Returners on 2025 Opening Day roster
(AKRON, OHIO) March 28, 2025 – The Cleveland Guardians and the Akron RubberDucks announced that 2024 No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft Travis Bazzana will be one of the 28 members of the RubberDucks 2025 roster. Infielder Bazzana is Cleveland’s No. 1 prospect (No. 10 prospect in all
Guardians announce Greg DiCenzo to return to lead 2025 RubberDucks Field Staff
(AKRON, OHIO) January 30, 2025 – The Cleveland Guardians announced their 2025 Player Development staff assignments, returning seven members of the 2024 coaching staff to Akron. Greg DiCenzo returns for his second season as RubberDucks manager. Returning to the staff alongside DiCenzo from 2024 will be Jordan Becker as a