The Akron RubberDucks kicked off their 2026 season at home this past weekend against the Reading Fightin Phils. Even with almost two inches of rain before the opener and a weather-related schedule change for Game 2, the teams managed to get all three games in. Akron took care of business, sweeping the series to start the year 3-0.
🧹🧹🧹#QuAkron #GuardsBall #SeriesSweep pic.twitter.com/M4WduDqRIG
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 4, 2026
This year’s RubberDucks roster includes 12 of Cleveland’s top-50 prospects, according to Prospects1500. Headlining this group are Ralphy Velazquez, Angel Genao, and Khal Stephen. There’s plenty of exciting young talent for fans to watch and cheer on this season, and so far, the results on the field look promising.
What’s New in 2026 for the Ducks?
There are a few changes for Akron this year:
- New Ownership: 2026 will be the first season under the Prospector Baseball Group, which bought the team from Ken Babby in December.
- New Ballpark Name: For the first time in its 29-year history, Akron’s home stadium has a new name. This year the team is playing at 7 17 Credit Union Park. The naming rights deal lines up with the Warren-based credit union opening its first branch in Akron.
- New Additions to Extreme Foods: Seven new items are part of the Extreme Food Menu this season. The standout might be the WONE Smokestack—a layered sandwich with smoked brisket, pork belly, pepperjack cheese, crunchy chips and chipotle honey mustard, with $1 of each sale going to Valor Home. Other new options include loaded nachos, several stuffed “Dugouts,” a patty melt, and loaded pierogies.
- New Faces: There are 21 players on the initial roster that have previously played for Akron, but there are also 9 new faces this year. Six pitchers: Jack Carey, Jay Driver, Caden Favors, Reid Johnston, Carter Rustad, and Matt Wilkinson. And three position players: Juan Benjamin, Jose Devers, and Nick Mitchell.
Opening Series Breakdown
Here’s how the opening series played out:
Game 1: Velazquez Goes Deep
Akron opened the season with a 3-1 win over Reading. Genao singled in the third and Velazquez followed with a two-run bomb to center for the early lead. The 20-year-old first baseman now has 5 home runs in 6 career games against Reading. Stephen started on the mound and threw 4 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. The bullpen combined for 8 more strikeouts and allowed just one run. Akron added an insurance run in the seventh on a Reading error.
Wreck-It-Ralphy went no-doubt to center in Thursday’s game.
The 2-run HR is your @Charbroil Opening Series Highlight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WFxUCOkGQ8
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 6, 2026
Game 2: Rosario Breaks Out
Akron beat Reading 9-3 behind 2 home runs and 5 RBI from Alfonsin Rosario. The Ducks put up 4 runs in the third, capped by Rosario’s first homer, and broke it open with 5 runs in the fifth that included a 3-run shot from Rosario. Lefty Josh Hartle was the starting pitcher and allowed just one run over 4.2 innings with 5 strikeouts. The bullpen finished it off with scoreless work from Driver, Rustad, and Johnston.
FONSI 💣
Alfonsin Rosario launches a two-run shot!!! pic.twitter.com/nH1zhqcaGC
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) April 4, 2026
Game 3: Angel Seals the Series
Akron finished the sweep with a 5-0 win. Wuilfredo Antunez, Genao, and Mitchell all homered. Favors made his Double-A debut with 4 scoreless innings. Genao’s 3-run homer in the seventh broke the game open, and Mitchell added his first Double-A homer in the eighth. Four relievers combined for 5 more scoreless innings.
CLE No. 4 prospect @Prospects1500 Angel Genao belted a 3-run HR Saturday for the #RubberDucks. In 11 at-bats so far, Genao is batting .364 with a 1.053 OPS. He’s an exciting #GuardsBall prospect on the 40-man roster. 📽️🔽 #MiLB #QuAkron @NEOSportsInside
Video: @AkronRubberDuck pic.twitter.com/ov5GFDc78Z
— CLE Boxscore Beat (@CLEBoxscoreBeat) April 5, 2026
Players to Watch in ‘26
The first series gave us a glimpse of how good some of Cleveland’s prospects could be for Akron this year. Velazquez, Genao, and Stephen top the list, but a couple other names could step up as the season goes on. Jacob Cozart, for example, is a glove-first catcher who showed solid plate discipline last year. If he continues to develop offensively, he could make a splash. Righty reliever Dylan DeLucia, who pitched well for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, also has a chance to show he can handle a future role in the big leagues. How these players and others develop is not only important for Akron this season, but for the Guardians organization as a whole.
Tremendous outing by DeLucia!
Cleveland #Guardians RHP prospect Dylan DeLucia’s final line today for Team Italy vs Puerto Rico.
Line – 4.0(IP) 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 3SO
(58 Pitches 38 Strikes)
He topped out at 94.1 mph.#WBC2026 pic.twitter.com/gUDZNdRSDj
— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 14, 2026
What’s Next?
The RubberDucks will look to keep their early season winning streak going as they travel to Harrisburg (Nationals affiliate) for a six-game series starting Tuesday evening, April 7. After that, they’ll be back in Akron for another six-game set against Binghamton (Mets affiliate) starting April 14.
Tickets for all RubberDucks games are available for purchase by calling the RubberDucks Ticket Office at (330) 253-5153 or visiting akronrubberducks.com.
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