Captains of the Week (9/1-9/6/26): Luke Fernandez & Victor Izturis

EASTLAKE, Ohio – For the week of Sept. 1-6, the Lake County Captains are recognizing RHP Luke Fernandez and 1B Victor Izturis as the 23rd and final set of Captains of the Week for the 2026 season for their impressive showings versus the Great Lakes Loons.

LUKE FERNANDEZ, RHP

Fernandez made an impressive relief appearance for the Captains this past week versus Great Lakes.

The 22-year-old made his High-A debut in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday, Sept. 4, throwing three strikeouts in two scoreless, hitless innings of relief in a 9-0 Captains defeat (seven innings).

Fernandez was promoted to the Captains from the Single-A Hill City Howlers on Sept. 2. The Cumming, Georgia native made 36 relief appearances for the Howlers this season, going 6-3 with a 4.63 ERA, three saves, 78 strikeouts to 58 walks, and a .233 opposing batting average in 68 innings pitched.

Fernandez was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the 16th round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Wallace State Community College in Alabama, where he was named the 2025 NJCAA Division I Pitcher of the Year. He began his pro career with the 2025 Single-A Carolina League Champion Lynchburg Hillcats (now Hill City Howlers), throwing 11 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched in seven relief appearances for Lynchburg during the 2025 regular season. The right-hander then earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning of relief in Game 2 of the 2025 Carolina League Championship Series versus Fredericksburg (WSH), throwing two strikeouts in a 5-4 Lynchburg victory.

VICTOR IZTURIS, 1B

Izturis logged one hit in two games played versus Great Lakes this past week.

The 21-year-old went 1-for-4 with an infield single in the Captains’ 2026 season finale on Sunday, Sept. 6, recording one of Lake County’s six hits in a 4-2 defeat. He also drew a walk in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday, Sept. 4, a 9-0 Captains defeat (seven innings).

Izturis was promoted to the Captains from the Single-A Hill City Howlers on Aug. 11. The Cabudare, Venezuela native recorded three hits, one double, and three walks in six games for Lake County this season. He also batted .182 with 20 hits, five doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, and 15 walks in 35 games for the Howlers this year.

Izturis was signed by the Cleveland Guardians as an international free agent on Jan. 15, 2022 out of Venezuela. The left-handed hitter spent the 2025 season with the Arizona Complex League Guardians, batting .242 with eight hits, two doubles, one home run, seven RBI, eight walks, and a .405 on-base percentage in 16 games. He is also the nephew of former MLB infielders César Izturis (2004 Gold Glove winner & 2005 MLB All-Star) and Maicer Izturis (11-year MLB veteran).

The 2027 campaign will mark the Captains’ 25th Anniversary season.

Lake County will open its 2027 season with a three-game road series against the West Michigan Whitecaps. First pitch for the Captains’ 2027 season opener is scheduled for Friday, April 2, 2027 at a time to be determined from LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park, Michigan.

Lake County will begin its 2027 home schedule with a six-game series versus the Dayton Dragons. First pitch for the Captains’ 2027 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2027 at a time to be determined from Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Tickets will be available for purchase at a later date at MiLB.com/lake-county/tickets.

Lake County’s 2027 games will be broadcast on the Bally Sports Live App, the MiLB App, MLB+, and StreamGuys, with social media coverage courtesy of @LCCaptains on X and Instagram.

About the Lake County Captains:

The Lake County Captains are the professional High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians located in Eastlake, Ohio. Our mission is to honor the rich history of our organization, while also introducing baseball to a new generation of fans through innovative means. We are committed to supporting our community, sports teams, and each other by demonstrating passion and having fun every day.