Back at the 2019 National Tournaments, the scouting report for C.J. Kayfus was full of future 50’s and 55’s.
He’s making even those lofty grades look potentially light.
The former Scorpions standout — who still made a name for himself that summer despite sharing a team with future big leaguers like Dylan Crews, Zac Veen and Drew Romo — has done nothing but hit since being selected in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians following a standout collegiate career at the University of Miami.
After slashing .364/.475/.591 in 18 games for Double-A Akron this year, the Guardians announced they were promoting the 23-year-old first baseman/corner outfielder to Triple-A Columbus for the first time on Monday, where he’ll join fellow FSS alum Petey Halpin on the Clippers roster.
“Solid baseball player period,” read one of the lines in that 2019 report.
“Solid all-around player who may have had the best swing at these games. Will eventually go on to play pro ball,” was another note from a second scout.
Now, he’s one step away from reaching the big leagues and playing with 2017 International Week alum Bo Naylor.
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz also had a huge week, earning South Atlantic League Player of the Week honors less than a month into his first year in a new organization.
Recently profiled by FSS Plus after a one-on-one interview in Hudson Valley, the Renegades pitcher was one strikeout shy of tying the High-A affiliate’s franchise record with 12 strikeouts in his most recent start, making him a no-brainer for the honors.
“Elmer is a high-talent arm with a great feel for pitching, and the work he’s putting in – both in his preparation and on the field – is really starting to show,” said Renegades pitching coach Demetre Kokoris in a team-issued press release on Monday.
“It was fun to watch him get all his pitches working on Friday, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh and finishing with 12 strikeouts and just one walk. His progress has been exciting, and we’re looking forward to seeing him keep building off this outing.”
NOTES: Braden Montgomery was promoted to High-A Winston-Salem on Monday after posting an .886 OPS in Low-A Kannapolis as a member of the White Sox organization. Montgomery, dealt to Chicago after being drafted by Boston just last year, was one of the top stars of the 2020 International Week event at Fenway Park as a two-way player at the time…One-time National Tournaments star Konnor Griffin is off to a hot start in Low-A Bradenton, posting an .859 OPS in his first 18 pro games…Raudi Rodriguez, who was seen at both the Main Event and Caribbean Classic, currently leads all of the minors with seven triples as a member of the Angels organization…2021 Ontario Scout Day standout Jonah Tong racked up his first 10-plus strikeout game of the season in Double-A Binghamton this past week, and already the fifth of his young career.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
- Alumni Focus: Kayfus promoted after hot start, Rodriguez-Cruz earns POTW honors - April 28, 2025
- Catching up with 2020 International Week alum Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz - April 26, 2025
- Spencer Jones leads Double-A Yankees squad; Schlittler shines - April 25, 2025
