2026 May Farm Report: AL Central

The Guardians saw Travis Bazzana make his way up to the Majors earlier in the regular season — and he may not be the only notable middle infielder to make it to Cleveland this season.

Switch-hitting Angel Genao has been brilliant between Double-A and Triple-A this season, with a .813 OPS across 43 contests, a low strikeout rate, and the ability to get on base. Genao has already surpassed his home run high (6) from last year in just two months, and the prospect stock has soared.

Ralphy Velazquez hit .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs in Double-A before a promotion to Triple-A. It’s been a slow go of things from his time in Triple-A to this point but it’s just an eight-game sample size.

Jaison Chourio may not have the type of power that his brother, Jackson, does. However, Jaison, who was promoted earlier this month to Double-A, knows how to put the ball in play.

As for Jace LaViolette, he can drive & elevate the ball when he can get a hold of it. But that’s when he does, as there’s a ton of swing-and-miss in his game. The same can also be said for Nolan Schubart, who did plenty of that in High-A, as well, during the opening month.

Royals

Look up at that last chart, because it is important.

Blake Mitchell has shown that plus pop that’s been clearly there in his pro career. The walks are also a plus. But to make it to the Majors, Mitchell will need to make more contact. And for the early parts of his pro career, that has been an issue.

Josh Hammond (.818 OPS through 46 Low-A games) has outperformed his peer Sean Gamble in Columbia this season. But for the Fireflies, the real story has been 18-year-old Kendry Chourio, as the right-hander struck out 32 over 31.2 IP and a sparkling 1.71 ERA across eight starts this season.

Tigers

Max Clark played very well in April, as the Tigers outfielder slashed .298/.358/.436 over 23 games with Triple-A Toledo. But in May, the OPS dipped thanks to fewer hits and fewer walks.

Clark showed discipline at the dish, which is very good to see after what was a tough spring camp. But for the 21-year-old, he’s going to need some more time.

Thayron Liranzo hit seven home runs for Double-A Erie this month. Liranzo, who had trouble making contact last season, was acquired two years ago from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One name to watch and who is rising is 2025 third-round pick Ben Jacobs. The former ASU standout pitcher had a 42% Whiff% in the Florida State League, which helped earn him a promotion to High-A West Michigan.

Twins

It’s time to do a wellness check on some notable prospects in the Twins’ system.

Kaelen Culpepper had a good May with seven home runs and 12 total extra-base hits in 23 games with Triple-A St. Paul. With Brooks Lee now at third, and Royce Lewis back in the Minors, there’s a spot for Culpepper whenever the Twins feel he is ready for the next level.

Ryan Gallagher had a great April, one that saw him force his way to Triple-A after opposing hitters in the Texas League didn’t handle him too well. A swing-and-miss rate of 37.3% and 20 strikeouts over 18 games was proof of that.

But in May, Gallagher — who doesn’t throw too hard — gave up four home runs and posted an ERA north of 7.00 with the Saints.

As for the 2025 MLB Draft picks, Marek Houston picked up 13 stolen bases and 14 extra-base hits in his first two months with Cedar Rapids. Riley Quick joined him in Cedar Rapids late in April after an outstanding run with Low-A Fort Myers. And Quentin Young, who had 80 strikeouts over 42 contests, has a problem at the dish.

White Sox

As we noted when Jacob Gonzalez was called up, the White Sox have needed to dip into the reserves this year for help. Noah Schultz, David Sandlin, and now Gonzalez, who ripped up Triple-A, have all made their MLB debut this season.

But one other player who also made his MLB debut this season for the Sox is Rikuu Nishida, a flashy contact hitter with speed and someone who did nothing but hit in the first two months this season. The lowest swing-and-miss rate (7%) in the Double-A Southern League back in April. And in May, Nishida picked up 26 hits in 20 games.

Hagen Smith walked 15 over 19.1 IP this month for Triple-A Charlotte. But on the other side, he struck out 25 batters.