Indians 2018 18th Round Pick: RHP Shane McCarthy

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:00 PM

At pick #553 in the 18th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected right-handed pitcher Shane McCarthy out of Seton Hall.

Born: 7/29/96 — Height: 6' 2'' Weight: 190 — Bats: Right — Throws: Right

Jeff Ellis: Shane McCarthy comes from Seton Hall where previous to his junior year he was a player who looked like a potential day two selection. After his first two years he had built up a strong resume of excellence in the Big East and even on the Cape. He regressed as a junior and decided to go back to school after being draft by the Cardinals in the 18th round, his senior year was closer to his junior year than his first two years so he was still on the board for the Indians in the 18th round. He is a young senior not turning 22 until July, and his control numbers outside of his junior year have been phenomenal. He has a career walk rate under two. The problem for him is the last two years is that all the sudden everyone could hit him and hit him hard. His hit rate went up by nearly four a game and his first two years he gave up just two home runs to a total of nine the next two years combined. He never missed many bats, and the low walk rate sometimes can be a negative as hitters can learn that a pitcher is always in the zone. It seems likely that after the first two years hitters realized that McCarthy lived in the zone and was a pitcher you could be very aggressive against. He is likely a depth arm for the Indians at this point.

Press Release: 2018 Big East Second Team and Preseason All-Big East Team...compiled a 16-19 record and 3.32 ERA (301.1 IP, 307 H, 145 R, 111 ER, 64 BB, 211 K) in four seasons at Seton Hall...earned Preseason All-Big East Team (2016-17), All-Big East First Team (2016), ABCA All-Region Second Team (2016) & Freshman All-American Team (2015) honors...selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th Round of the 2017 First Year Player Draft, but did not sign.

Indians 2018 19th Round Pick: OF Antoine Duplantis

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:04 PM

At pick #583 in the 19th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected outfielder Antoine Duplantis out of LSU.

Born: 9/9/96 — Height: 5' 11'' Weight: 180 — Bats: Left — Throws: Left

Jeff Ellis: Antoine Duplantis was a top 200 player on some boards. He can play all three outfield spots, is a plus runner, and an able hitter. His profile screams fourth outfielder with a chance at an average center fielder. In the 19th round there is a decent chance he decides to try and return to LSU to build up his value, and try and win a championship as virtually that entire roster of draft eligible juniors and sophomores look like they will return next year. He turns 21 in September making him an older junior for the class, and while he has done well in college he has never been a high level hitter. There is a chance he signs for those reasons, though as stated I would likely bet on him returning to school.

Press Release: Played three seasons at LSU, batting .324 (268-828) with 36 doubles, 13 triples, six homers, 150 runs scored and 148 RBI...earned various honors in his career, including 2017 College World Series All-Tournament Team, 2017 SEC All-Tournament Team, 2017 Second-Team All-Louisiana, 2016 Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA & Perfect Game Freshman All-American, 2016 Freshman All-SEC and 2016 First-Team All-Louisiana.

That 17th round pick sounds interesting... Coach him up, fellas.

Indians 2018 20th Round Pick: LHP Jake Miednik

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:15 PM

At pick #613 in the 20th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected left-handed pitcher Jake Miednik out of Florida Atlantic.

Born: 5/1/96 — Height: 5' 10'' Weight: 185 — Bats: Left — Throws: Left

Jeff Ellis: The Indians go back to Florida Atlantic to draft Jake Miednik, an undersized lefty. Miednik and Marman started the year as the Friday and Saturday starters before Marman’s injury. Miednik is a senior who was a starter the last two years for Florida Atlantic after he spent his first two years at a pair of JUCO school. I am sure you can guess that he had a walk rate under two this year, and a strikeout rate over 10. The draft felt like the Indians plugged every division one pitcher into a database and asked it to spit out players with wak rates under three strikeout rates over nine, and a height limit of 6’2”.

Press Release: Compiled a 15-5 record and 4.12 ERA (168.1 IP, 157 H, 95 R, 77 ER, 57 BB, 166 K) in 30 appearances (29 starts) across two seasons with Florida Atlantic...pitched at Walters State Community College prior to FAU, earning National JUCO Pitcher of the Year and TCAA Pitcher of the Year honors.

Here's a very short draft analysis by my friends at Baseball America:

Cleveland Indians

Story of Their Draft: C Noah Naylor (1) has a chance to be the best hitter of the prep class and also offers some defensive versatility with an arm and glovework that could fit at second or third, while RHP Ethan Hankins (1) was once a threat to become the first prep righty taken 1-1. The Indians doubled up on youthful flamethrowers with RHP Lenny Torres (1s) with their third pick on day one.

Keep An Eye On: RHP Nick Sandlin (2) could be a quick mover to the majors to help a struggling Indians bullpen. SS Raynel Delgado (6) has above-average power potential from both sides of the plate and has advanced defensive actions in the infield, though his defensive home could come at shortstop, third or second base.

One thing I like about this year's draft is that we have for a change not loaded up on second basemen. Overall an auspicious collection of talent, but since heavy on high schoolers the final verdict is far off.

Indians 2018 21st Round Pick: C Eric Rodriguez

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:16 PM

At pick #643 in the 21st round, the Cleveland Indians have selected catcher Eric Rodriguez out of George Wallace Community College.

Born: 7/28/98 — Height: 6' 1'' Weight: 188 — Bats: Right — Throws: Right

Jeff Ellis: Eric Rodriguez was one of the more difficult players for me to find information on in this draft. He is a sophomore from Wallace CC, and before that came from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. When you look at the statistics nothing he did last year really stands out, and for a JUCO player you need them to stand out because of the level of competition they face. He is very young for his class, and won’t be turning 20 till later this summer. He seemed to be a match for the Indians who have scouted that Puerto Rico baseball Academy very heavily, and I know during his high school draft year of 2016 the Indians were singled out as a team that were there the most. So the Indians likely have known Rodriguez for a few years and he fits their profile as a young for class up the middle talent.

Indians 2018 22nd Round Pick: LHP Eli Lingos

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:20 PM

At pick #673 in the 22nd round, the Cleveland Indians have selected left-handed pitcher Eli Lingos out of Arizona State.

Born: 5/21/96 — Height: 6' 0'' Weight: 192 — Bats: Left — Throws: Left

Jeff Ellis: Eli Lingos was an important pitcher for Arizona State for four straight years. He worked out of the pen as a freshman and then was a starter the last three years. He racked up over 261 innings of college baseball experience. If you guessed he is undersized and had a walk rate under three for his career, well you would be correct. He has a chance as a reliever if his stuff can play up. He has a weird delivery which allows for some deception which could also help. The best outcome is likely a LOOGY, though he will likely be given the chance to start.

Press Release: Pitched four seasons at Arizona State, compiling a 17-18 record and 4.21 ERA (263.0 IP, 297 H, 154 R, 123 ER, 86 BB, 206 K)...2014 Perfect Game California Region Honorable Mention All-American.

Indians 2018 23rd Round Pick: CF Cody Farhat

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:26 PM

At pick #703 in the 23rd round, the Cleveland Indians have selected center fielder Cody Farhat out of Texas Tech.

Born: 9/26/96 — Height: 6' 1'' Weight: 185 — Bats: Right — Throws: Right

Jeff Ellis: Cody Farhat will have to travel decently far to go from Texas Tech to Cleveland to get his new hat. Farhat saw his average take a plunge this season along with his slugging percentage. He did have a big jump in hit by pitches, walks, and steals this year. The 60 point drop in average along with a 15% drop in extra base hit percentage really hurt him in terms of the draft. As I mentioned he made strides in other areas, but overall it was a down year. Farhat likely will be an everyday outfielder in Mahoning Valley, with this year to try and prove he should be a starter in low A next year.

Press Release: Batted .301 (108-359) in three seasons at Texas Tech, with 17 doubles, nine triples, nine home runs, 83 runs scored, 64 RBI and a .474 slugging percentage...2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American (Texas - All Region 2nd Team).

Great, I wanted some Mustangs and the Indians draft a Pinto.

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Indians 2018 24th Round Pick: RHP Aaron Pinto

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:27 PM

At pick #733 in the 24th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected right-handed pitcher Aaron Pinto out of SUNY Stony Brook.

Born: 5/23/96 — Height: 6' 0'' Weight: 200 — Bats: Left — Throws: Right

Jeff Ellis: Aaron Pinto is another senior who is on the young side. He is the age of sme of the juniors in this class. He has been low 90’s with his fastball, while also showing a slider and change. If you guessed he was undersized with a walk rate under three this year and a strikeout rate over 10 well then you have figured out the Indians approach this year. Pinto has been dominate in the American East for three years in a row and even had some success on the Cape in limited innings over the summer. He is a solidly built kid, who should go right into the pen in Mahoning Valley.

Press Release: Recorded a 1.05 ERA (5 ER/43.0 IP) with 50 strikeouts in 23 relief appearances in 2018...pitched four seasons for Stony Brook, compiling a 13-7 record and 2.72 ERA (37 ER/122.1 IP) in 68 games (two starts).

Indians 2018 25th Round Pick: LHP Kellen Rholl

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:48 PM

At pick #763 in the 25th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected left-handed pitcher Kellen Rholl out of Angelo State.

Born: 5/13/96 — Height: 6' 3'' Weight: 200 — Bats: Left — Throws: Left

Jeff Ellis: Kellen Rholl was the closer at Angelo State this past season. He is a 6’3” senior lefty who pitched at the D2 level. He was not a control specialist like a lot of the other arms in this class, and he is also bigger than most of them too. He did strike out a lot of batters, and teams can always use more lefties so he looks like an interesting development lefty late in the draft, who will give them a lefty in the pen in Mahoning Valley if they have Lingos start for them. Sometimes picks are taking a guy that you like to fill a role in the minors, and that could be the case here.

Press Release: Named 2018 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team after leading the team with 25 relief appearances, fanning 40 batters in 29.0 innings...went 3-3 on the season with a 3.72 ERA (12 ER/19.0 IP).

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
Indians have signed 2018 4th Round Draft Pick 22yr old 6'4 220lbs College Senior LHP Adam Scott out of Wofford College (SC)

Thanks for all the reports! I'll keep them for reference as the guys turn pro, start their careers, and head on to Cleveland.

Of all the late round picks I've read about so far the really interesting one to me is Liam Jenkins, 17th rounder. 6'8" 255# and throws 98 already. Has had control issues, but get those straightened out and may have something there.

Indians 2018 26th Round Pick: RHP Gunner Halter

ByIBI Staff Reports Jun 6, 1:50 PM

At pick #793 in the 26th round, the Cleveland Indians have selected RHP Gunner Haltr out of Seminole State (OK).

Born: 3/18/98 — Height: 6' 2'' Weight: 180 — Bats: Right — Throws: Right

Jeff Ellis: Gunnar Halter was draft as a pitcher and he was also a shortstop out of high school. He is a big kid at 6’3 and 200 pounds who was drafted for the second year in a row but seems unlikely to sign. He has three years of eligible left and is heading to Mississippi State where he can be groomed to go much higher in two years as a two way player for them.