Guardian Apprentices

[Guardians]

BA hot sheet

1. Brice Matthews, SS, Astros
Team: Triple-A Sugar Land (Pacific Coast)
Age: 23
Why He’s Here: .429/.500/.929 (12-for-28), 11 R, 1 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 SO, 4 BB, 2-for-2 SB
The Scoop: No one in the minors had a hotter week than Matthews. The Astros’ 23-year-old shortstop recorded multi-hit performances in four of six games, including back-to-back three-hit outings in which he homered in both contests. Matthews also showed discipline at the plate, drawing four walks. His dynamic mix of power, speed and plate awareness is making noise in the Pacific Coast League and strengthening his case for a potential big-league callup this season. (JC)

Helium
Juneiker Caceres, OF, Guardians
Signed for $300,000 out of Venezuela in January 2024, Caceres has been on fire since coming stateside in 2025. Over 25 games in the Arizona Complex League, Caceres has hit .312/.444/.545 with three home runs and a 19.2% walk rate to a 13.1% strikeout rate. Last week, his power broke out, as he slugged his first three home runs of the season. The outfielder shows strong bat-to-ball skills with promising underlying exit velocity data, hinting at more unrealized power in his profile. One of the top complex league players to begin 2025, Caceres should see a full-season affiliate before long. (GP)