Tony Wolters is being converted to a catcher. Have to say, I find this move a little strange.

Me, too. We have already moved SS Jose Martinez to LF. Dorsyss Paulino could wind up at 3rd.

Wolters' move is a strong vote of confidence for Jose Ramirez who has displaced Wolters in the pecking order of 2nd basemen and apparently is going to leap over Carolina and start the season in Akron.

The Indians signed Wolters for $1.35 million out of Rancho Buena Vista High School in California. Last year the 20-year-old left-handed hitter batted .260 (126-for-485) with 30 doubles, eight triples, eight homers and 58 RBI at Carolina switching between short and second with Ronny Rodriguez.

Wolters was scheduled to open this season at second base in Carolina playing alongside shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Indians No. 1 pick in 2011. Wolters hit .291 (73-for-251) with 17 doubles, seven homers and 31 RBI in the second half last season.

Lindor leads an impressive group of middle infielders in the Indians organization. Juan Diaz is establishing himself at shortstop at Class AAA Columbus with Cord Phelps at second. Rodriguez and Jose Ramirez are scheduled to be the keystone combination at Class AA Akron this year. Lindor will start at shortstop at Carolina, while Dorssys Paulino, the best hitting prospect in the organization, will start at shortstop at Class A Lake County.

At the big-league level, the Indians have two-time All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis at second. Cabrera could be gone after the 2014 season, but Kipnis is starting just his second season in the big leagues.

Ross Atkins, Indians director of player development, said the glut of middle infielders didn't dictate the move.

"We're looking to give Tony a chance to do something exceptional . . . not just be an everyday major league player, but an everyday All-Star," said Atkins. [Don't get carried away, Ross.]

Wolters caught some in high school.

"Tony is so athletic we don't think the transition will take long," said Atkins. "We think his experience as an infielder will help him at catcher. It certainly helped catchers like Victor Martinez and Carlos Santana."

Wolters, 5-10 and 177 pounds, will spend some time in extended spring training making the switch before joining Carolina.

NOTES:

Jose Ramirez is going to open the season at Double-A Akron, and it is well deserved. A big reason for this is not just his impressive winter ball performance, but also the Indians wanting him to get considerable time at shortstop. That obviously is impossible with Francisco Lindor getting 90%+ of the time at shortstop at High-A Carolina, so Ramirez and Ronny Rodriguez should do a good amount of swapping back and forth between shortstop and second base this season at Akron.

NOTES:

I just want to note that catcher Francisco Mejia had yet another extra base hit. I don't have the complete stats in front of me for this spring, but he has been an extra base hit machine. What a spring for this young fellow.

Francisco Mejia (C) - 1-2, 1 2B

-Tony

I like the fact that Jose Ramirez will open the season at Akron but I guess I don't like the fact that they are breaking up the combination of Ramirez and Lindor.

Those two had something very special going. This could have been the most exciting tandem of up the middle defense we've ever experienced in Cleveland. I'm comparing the combo to Omar Vizquel and Brandon Phillips, at least defensively. If they develop and continue to grow, could be the best in baseball.

Good luck to Ramirez in Akron. I think he's capable of getting that job done. Double A shouldn't be too much different from what he experienced in the Dominican over the winter.

He should be used to the switching between short and second. He did the same during the winter playoffs and the Series del Caribe.

Cleveland Indians trade catcher Brian Jeroloman to Pirates for cash

by Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

3/29/2013 10:09 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

The Indians traded catcher Brian Jeroloman late Friday to Pittsburgh for cash.

Jeroloman was in big-league camp with the Indians on a minor league deal. He appeared in 16 games, hitting .136 (3-for-22) with one double and one RBI. The Indians told Jeroloman on Monday that he would not make the club, but did not send him to minor league camp.

The Indians liked him as a solid defensive catcher, who can run a pitching staff and control the running game. Offensively, he was challenged.

In 2011, the Pirates claimed him on waivers from Toronto. Five days later the Blue Jays reclaimed him on waivers.

Jeroloman spent 36 days in the big leagues with Toronto, but never appeared in a game.

This could have been the most exciting tandem of up the middle defense we've ever experienced in Cleveland.

Joe, I though Omar and Robbie were a pretty fair pair.

Robbie and Omar were pretty good Civ.

I don't think enough people have seen the shows or highlight films for the clinic Phillips has put on in a Reds uniform.

During our "lean" times, I've probably seen as many if not more Reds games (because of Phillips) than I had Indian games. Very impressive coverage of the second base position. I think they could put together a rather lengthy highlight film package for Phillips.

Pretty good your ass Joe. Omar is the best defensive shortstop that has ever played the game. Wake up you old coot !

Phillips blows defensively compared to Robbie Alomar. You are so full of crap.

Keep repeating the same crap but just because you post it again does not make it right. Sad !!!!!!

What is for certain is that by skipping Ramirez over Carolina, after less than half a season in Lake County, the Indians are clearly on board with Joe about Ramirez' potential.

Tony reports:

Former #Indians minor leaguer lefty T.J. McFarland will open season in the #Orioles bullpen. Was a Rule 5 Draft pick in December.

Tony has posted the rosters for all teams, but available only to subscribers. Baseball America and/or minorleaguebaseball.com should have them very soon, too

I think this Aeros roster is accurate. I was wrong about JoseRam, he's 20 as is his SS companion, RonnieRod. Alex Lavisky is listed here,which is strange since he also never played in Carolina but hasn't been very good in Low A.

The OF is terrible. The IF is interesting with Aguillar and Urshela on the corners. The rotation will include Salazar and House and Packer. Shawn Armstrong is a prospect in the bullpen. Bryce Stowell returns yet again. Ditto Kyle Landis and yet again Paolo Espino.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/statisti ... 019&y=2013

This cannot be up to date for the Clippers since it includs Rayburn and Kazmir. If the rest is correct, then Rob Bryson has disappeared; Trey Haley makes his AAA debut. And the OF here also is awful, but I think Hermida is here although not on the following roster, not that he makes a big difference.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/statisti ... 060&y=2013