​COLUMBUS, OHIO – JUNE 18, 2026: Ralphy Velazquez #35 of the Columbus Clippers bats during the first inning against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at Huntington Park on June 18, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images My philosophy as a fanalyst writer is to write things that I want to read. Right now, I want to read an article that tells me if things are going to get better for the Guardians as they lose a bunch of gut-wrenching games in the post-All-Star break era.I will leave aside the pitching for now. I think we can generally still trust the Guardians will iron out their current bullpen trouble and manage to have a good starting rotation. The depth is a bit thin, but I’m optimistic about Justin Campbell, Braylon Doughty, post TJ-Kahl Stephen and Franklin Gomez, and Harrison Bodendorf. Gotta hope Liam Peterson and them boys from the current draft class hit the ground running to be ready for when Gavin Williams is traded. It’s the hitting that’s the issue and I need to know if this much ballyhooed “next wave” of hitters are gonna help or not.Player Comp 1:Ralphy Velazquez, 21 years old, Reaching Triple-A, 94 wRC+, 22.4/9.4 K/BB%, 33.7% chase rate, 15.6% whiff rate at Columbus. 89.6 mph average exit velo, 37% hard-hit rate.Kyle Manzardo, 22 years old, first year of Triple-A, 96 wRC+, 19.3/13.3 K/BB%, 23.3% chase rate, 8.1% chase rate. 90.6 mph average exit velo, 48% hard-hit hit rate.Analysis: As our friend and CtC writer Matt Seese pointed out… shoulder and back problems seem to have really messed up our boy Kyle Manzardo. Ralphy’s numbers are good and I suspect they will look a good deal better by the end of the season but Manzardo was still a better hitting prospect when the Guardians acquired him. Ralphy has four things going for him over 2023 Kyle: 1. Younger when reaching Triple-A, 2. No shoulder or back injuries so far, 3. Plays a good first base and may be able to play left field, 4. Has mostly even splits so doesn’t need platooned. But, the jury is still very much out here because of Ralphy’s whiff and chase issues.Player Comp 2: Angel Genao, 22 years old, first year of Triple-A, 123 wRC+, 16.1/14.4% K/BB%, 26.5 chase rate, 7.2% whiff rate. 89.5 mph average exit velo, 45% hard-hit rate.Brayan Rocchio, 21-22 years old, first year of Triple-A, 123 wRC+, 12.6/10.4 K/BB%, 86.7 average exit velo, 31.6% hard-hit rate.Analysis: Hey, Genao is a clearly better hitting prospect than Rocchio was… and Rocchio is a solid major league player. Good news! Genao also has pretty even splits as a switch-hitter (Rocchio was always significantly worse vs. LHP). I am not sure where they should play him, but Genao should be promoted fairly soon.Player Comp 3:Cooper Ingle, 24 years old at Triple-A, 168 wRC+, 21/17 K/BB%, 89.8, 44%, 19.7% chase rate, 6.7% swinging stike rate, 78.5% contact rate.Bo Naylor, 23 years old at Triple-A, 124 wRC+, 19.3/18.1 K/BB%, 90.8 mph