Producer John makes an impassioned case that the Guardians should call up power prospect Ralphy Velazquez immediately and let him play everyday over Nathaniel Lowe at first base, while Ken and Anthony push back that a looming 2026 labor lockout makes it smarter to protect his service time and keep him in Triple-A. The debate spirals into questions about scouting, whether hot minor-league streaks translate to the majors, and Ken's prediction that games won't resume until midseason if a lockout hits. It closes with Ken conceding that if the Guardians' lineup struggles in October, John will get to say "I told you so."
Should the Guardians Have Called Up Ralphy Velazquez?
Ralphy Velazquez #22 of the Cleveland Guardians bats in the MLB All-Star Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images
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By The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Published Sep 01, 2026, 08:42 AM ETUpdated Sep 01, 2026, 08:40 AM ET
The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
The only place to talk about the Cleveland sports scene weekday mornings is with Ken Carman and Anthony Lima from 6-10a! The show guides you through…
