I forget to post, a few days ago, that Brock Hartson appeared in an Arizona league box score. 25 year RHP with a career ERA of under 3.00 last appeared in 2017 in Lynchburg, a contemporary of Thomas Pannone [traded], Matt Esparza [retired] and joined later in that season by newcomers Bieber and Civale in a rotation topped by McKenzie.
One of our typical strike throwing college draftees, 21st rounder, so probably won't get as far as Cleveland but nice to have him back.
Re: Minor Matters
9947Civale starting for Columbus tonight.
Other starters:
Akr - Paulson
Lyn - Hernandez
LC - Ponticelli
MV - Turner
Other starters:
Akr - Paulson
Lyn - Hernandez
LC - Ponticelli
MV - Turner
Re: Minor Matters
9948The Indians were expecting a huge haul of international signings today and they are well on their way. I’ve seen at least a dozen so far. When there is a complete list it’ll get posted.
One of their signees was not able to make it. He had Visa issues.
Brock Hartson was sent to Lake County today to continue his work back.
Eric Haase hit a monster home run early in Toledo today. Hit the top of and went over their big scoreboard in left field.
For more info on the signings as they come in I’d recommend visiting www.twitter.com/@indiansPro often. He is posting them as they come in, complete with pictures of them signing at Progressive Field.
One of their signees was not able to make it. He had Visa issues.
Brock Hartson was sent to Lake County today to continue his work back.
Eric Haase hit a monster home run early in Toledo today. Hit the top of and went over their big scoreboard in left field.
For more info on the signings as they come in I’d recommend visiting www.twitter.com/@indiansPro often. He is posting them as they come in, complete with pictures of them signing at Progressive Field.
Re: Minor Matters
9949https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indian ... e-pastrano
Indians to sign No. 25 int’l prospect Pastrano
By Jesse Sanchez @JesseSanchezMLB
The Indians have emerged as one of the most aggressive teams on the international market in recent years, and that trend is continuing during this year’s international signing period.
The Tribe announced the signing of 15 international free agents on Tuesday evening, but none of which were shortstop Jose Pastrano. According to industry sources, the club has agreed to a $1.5 million deal with shortstop Pastrano, ranked No. 25 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 International Prospects list. The club also has an agreement with outfielder Luis Durango of Panama, the son of former Major League player Luis Durango, for an estimated $550,000.
While the club has not confirmed the deal for Pastrano, it’s likely that he will sign with Cleveland this week.
At 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, Pastrano is best known as an agile middle infielder with a chance to be a good hitter. He already has quick feet, soft hands and solid defensive actions. Add a strong arm that could become above average and the teen has a chance to be a plus defender.
At the plate, he is a line-drive hitter who shows a good feel for the strike zone. He drives the ball to the opposite field particularly well and has enough bat speed to compete against average and slightly above-average fastballs. He’s a good runner now and is expected to be a plus runner in the future.
The 15 newest additions to the Indians' farm system include eight players from the Dominican Republic, four from Venezuela, two from Panama and one from Columbia.
“Really excited to be able to add 15 players to the organization today,” assistant general manager Matt Foreman said. “Our scouts worked diligently over the last several years, really to build history on this set of players and get to know them. And to be able to matriculate a group of 15 players to the organization today is obviously really exciting for the players, their families, their agents and for our scouting staff.”
Here are all 15 signees:
Juan Benjamin, Dominican Republic, SS
Maick Collado, Dominican Republic, SS
Angel Contreras, Columbia, SS
Jose Devers, Dominican Republic, SS
Luis Durango, Panama, CF
Victor Garcia, Dominican Republic, RHP
Jhoan Gomez, Venezeula, SS
Esteban Gonzalez, Venezuela, OFC
Danny Medina, Dominican Republic, RHP
Angel Mendoza, Venezuela, CF
Kenny Pinto, Panama, LHP
Adrian Rodriguez, Dominican Republic, RHP
Juan Rodriguez, Venezuela, CF
Erickson Sarita, Dominican Republic, CF
Adalberto Vargas, Dominican Republic C
The Indians also inked Collado, who’s brother Offerman is in the Royals’ farm system, and Devers, who’s cousin is Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers.
“The fact they grew up around the game is evident in the way they play and kind of their personalities, character and make up,” Foreman said. “In each of those cases, they have a really advanced feel for the game, a really good baseball IQ, and it’s pretty neat to see the passion they have for the game that runs in their family bloodlines.”
Of the Indians' Top 30 Prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, three have come from the international market over the last few years: No. 5 George Valera, No. 7 Brayan Rocchio and No. 14 Aaron Bracho.
“The international market is incredibly complex and incredibly challenging to navigate,” Foreman said. “And our scouting group led by Paul Gillispie and our scouts throughout the world do an incredible job of building history on players.
“That’s really been a disproportionate focus of ours to see players in game settings over an extended period of time, so we have a track record of performance and a track record of how they handle themselves as individuals. So, considering the market dynamics, it’s been impressive to see the work that our scouts have done in navigating the landscape to be able to add impactful players through the international system.”
According to the rules established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, clubs like the Indians that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round B of the Rule 4 Draft have the most money with a pool of $6,481,200 for spending on international prospects, while clubs that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A of the Rule 4 Draft receive the second most at $5,939,800.
Teams are allowed to trade as much of their international pool money as they would like, but can only acquire 60 percent of a team's initial pool amount. Additionally, signing bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count toward a club's bonus pool, and foreign professional players who are at least 25 years of age and have played in a foreign league for at least six seasons are also exempt.
Under the previous system, teams were penalized for exceeding their bonus pools with consequences that ranged from taxes on their spending to the maximum penalty, which was being prohibited from signing any prospect for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods. That’s no longer the case and there are no longer penalties. Teams can only spend their allotted bonus pools and the monies acquired via trade.
Indians to sign No. 25 int’l prospect Pastrano
By Jesse Sanchez @JesseSanchezMLB
The Indians have emerged as one of the most aggressive teams on the international market in recent years, and that trend is continuing during this year’s international signing period.
The Tribe announced the signing of 15 international free agents on Tuesday evening, but none of which were shortstop Jose Pastrano. According to industry sources, the club has agreed to a $1.5 million deal with shortstop Pastrano, ranked No. 25 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 International Prospects list. The club also has an agreement with outfielder Luis Durango of Panama, the son of former Major League player Luis Durango, for an estimated $550,000.
While the club has not confirmed the deal for Pastrano, it’s likely that he will sign with Cleveland this week.
At 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds, Pastrano is best known as an agile middle infielder with a chance to be a good hitter. He already has quick feet, soft hands and solid defensive actions. Add a strong arm that could become above average and the teen has a chance to be a plus defender.
At the plate, he is a line-drive hitter who shows a good feel for the strike zone. He drives the ball to the opposite field particularly well and has enough bat speed to compete against average and slightly above-average fastballs. He’s a good runner now and is expected to be a plus runner in the future.
The 15 newest additions to the Indians' farm system include eight players from the Dominican Republic, four from Venezuela, two from Panama and one from Columbia.
“Really excited to be able to add 15 players to the organization today,” assistant general manager Matt Foreman said. “Our scouts worked diligently over the last several years, really to build history on this set of players and get to know them. And to be able to matriculate a group of 15 players to the organization today is obviously really exciting for the players, their families, their agents and for our scouting staff.”
Here are all 15 signees:
Juan Benjamin, Dominican Republic, SS
Maick Collado, Dominican Republic, SS
Angel Contreras, Columbia, SS
Jose Devers, Dominican Republic, SS
Luis Durango, Panama, CF
Victor Garcia, Dominican Republic, RHP
Jhoan Gomez, Venezeula, SS
Esteban Gonzalez, Venezuela, OFC
Danny Medina, Dominican Republic, RHP
Angel Mendoza, Venezuela, CF
Kenny Pinto, Panama, LHP
Adrian Rodriguez, Dominican Republic, RHP
Juan Rodriguez, Venezuela, CF
Erickson Sarita, Dominican Republic, CF
Adalberto Vargas, Dominican Republic C
The Indians also inked Collado, who’s brother Offerman is in the Royals’ farm system, and Devers, who’s cousin is Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers.
“The fact they grew up around the game is evident in the way they play and kind of their personalities, character and make up,” Foreman said. “In each of those cases, they have a really advanced feel for the game, a really good baseball IQ, and it’s pretty neat to see the passion they have for the game that runs in their family bloodlines.”
Of the Indians' Top 30 Prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, three have come from the international market over the last few years: No. 5 George Valera, No. 7 Brayan Rocchio and No. 14 Aaron Bracho.
“The international market is incredibly complex and incredibly challenging to navigate,” Foreman said. “And our scouting group led by Paul Gillispie and our scouts throughout the world do an incredible job of building history on players.
“That’s really been a disproportionate focus of ours to see players in game settings over an extended period of time, so we have a track record of performance and a track record of how they handle themselves as individuals. So, considering the market dynamics, it’s been impressive to see the work that our scouts have done in navigating the landscape to be able to add impactful players through the international system.”
According to the rules established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, clubs like the Indians that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round B of the Rule 4 Draft have the most money with a pool of $6,481,200 for spending on international prospects, while clubs that receive a Competitive Balance Pick in Round A of the Rule 4 Draft receive the second most at $5,939,800.
Teams are allowed to trade as much of their international pool money as they would like, but can only acquire 60 percent of a team's initial pool amount. Additionally, signing bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count toward a club's bonus pool, and foreign professional players who are at least 25 years of age and have played in a foreign league for at least six seasons are also exempt.
Under the previous system, teams were penalized for exceeding their bonus pools with consequences that ranged from taxes on their spending to the maximum penalty, which was being prohibited from signing any prospect for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods. That’s no longer the case and there are no longer penalties. Teams can only spend their allotted bonus pools and the monies acquired via trade.
Re: Minor Matters
9950Clippers won 4-1 and Civale was impressive again. 8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. ... Allen 1-5 with a homer. ... Chang 2-4 with a double. ... Johnson 2-4. ... Haase 1-3, a monster HR.
Akron won 7-2. ... Broom 2 shutout innings, 3 K. ... Clement 2-4 with a triple.
Lynchburg was rained out.
Captains lost 10-5. ... Hartson was lit up. 6 runs, 4 earned, in 1.1 IP. ... Naylor 1-4 with a homer. ... Cardenas 2-4, both hits doubles. .. Engelmann 2-4.
Scrappers took em to the woodshed, 7-0. ... Rocchio 2-3 with a double and a SB. ... Delgado 2-4. ... Valera 1-3, double.
AZL Red won 10-6. ... Diaz 0-5. Bum drops to .447.
AZL Blue won 10-8. ... Bracho 2-4, HR, SB.
DSL Indians lost 12-8. ... Martinez 2-5 triple. ... Burgos 3-5 triple.
DSL Coop lost 9-8. ... Gomez 4-5, double. ... Sanquintin 0-4.
Akron won 7-2. ... Broom 2 shutout innings, 3 K. ... Clement 2-4 with a triple.
Lynchburg was rained out.
Captains lost 10-5. ... Hartson was lit up. 6 runs, 4 earned, in 1.1 IP. ... Naylor 1-4 with a homer. ... Cardenas 2-4, both hits doubles. .. Engelmann 2-4.
Scrappers took em to the woodshed, 7-0. ... Rocchio 2-3 with a double and a SB. ... Delgado 2-4. ... Valera 1-3, double.
AZL Red won 10-6. ... Diaz 0-5. Bum drops to .447.
AZL Blue won 10-8. ... Bracho 2-4, HR, SB.
DSL Indians lost 12-8. ... Martinez 2-5 triple. ... Burgos 3-5 triple.
DSL Coop lost 9-8. ... Gomez 4-5, double. ... Sanquintin 0-4.
Re: Minor Matters
9951Speaking of Burgos, Raymond Burgos was my breakout pitcher and he did OK for awhile in Lake County but has been on the IL for a couple months. So has J.C. Mejia, well rated starter with Lynchburg. With Oviedo and Hentges highly erratic and McKenzie AWOL, the pitching has not developed as expected.
Of course, Plesac was not expected to be anywhere near the major league rotation! Civale doing great. Hankins off to a good start.
Of course, Plesac was not expected to be anywhere near the major league rotation! Civale doing great. Hankins off to a good start.
Re: Minor Matters
9952MILB.com or maybe it was MLB.com graded the Indians farm system A- for the first half of the season, citing Mercado and Plesac; Jones and Freeman; and the quality collection in Mahoning Valley.
Re: Minor Matters
9953Why does it copy like this today?? Sorry
CLE
AA
Clement, Ernie SS
4
0
2
2
0.292
3B (3), CS (6)
CLE
AAA
Chang, Yu SS
4
1
2
0
0.230
2B (5), BB (7)
CLE
AAA
Haase, Eric C
3
1
1
1
0.267
HR (21), BB (31)
CLE
AAA
Johnson, Daniel RF
4
0
2
1
0.304
BB (17)
CLE
LoA
Holmes, Quentin CF
5
1
1
0
0.190
2B (9)
CLE
LoA
Naylor, Bo C
4
1
1
2
0.245
HR (6), BB (25)
CLE
MAJ
Bradley, Bobby DH
3
0
0
0
0.111
CLE
MAJ
Mercado, Oscar CF
5
0
0
0
0.304
CLE
R
Bracho, Aaron 2B
4
2
2
2
0.176
HR (2), BB (8), SB (3)
CLE
SS
Delgado, Raynel 2B
4
1
2
0
0.295
CS (3)
CLE
SS
Rocchio, Brayan SS
3
3
2
1
0.241
2B (2), BB (5), SB (4)
CLE
SS
Rodriguez, Johnathan RF
3
0
1
1
0.224
CLE
SS
Valera, George CF
3
0
1
1
0.300
2B (4), BB (9)
CLE
AAA
Civale, Aaron
8
4
1
1
1
7
1.75
W (3-0)
CLE
AA
Clement, Ernie SS
4
0
2
2
0.292
3B (3), CS (6)
CLE
AAA
Chang, Yu SS
4
1
2
0
0.230
2B (5), BB (7)
CLE
AAA
Haase, Eric C
3
1
1
1
0.267
HR (21), BB (31)
CLE
AAA
Johnson, Daniel RF
4
0
2
1
0.304
BB (17)
CLE
LoA
Holmes, Quentin CF
5
1
1
0
0.190
2B (9)
CLE
LoA
Naylor, Bo C
4
1
1
2
0.245
HR (6), BB (25)
CLE
MAJ
Bradley, Bobby DH
3
0
0
0
0.111
CLE
MAJ
Mercado, Oscar CF
5
0
0
0
0.304
CLE
R
Bracho, Aaron 2B
4
2
2
2
0.176
HR (2), BB (8), SB (3)
CLE
SS
Delgado, Raynel 2B
4
1
2
0
0.295
CS (3)
CLE
SS
Rocchio, Brayan SS
3
3
2
1
0.241
2B (2), BB (5), SB (4)
CLE
SS
Rodriguez, Johnathan RF
3
0
1
1
0.224
CLE
SS
Valera, George CF
3
0
1
1
0.300
2B (4), BB (9)
CLE
AAA
Civale, Aaron
8
4
1
1
1
7
1.75
W (3-0)
Re: Minor Matters
9954Indians acquired INF/OF Andrew Velazquez from the Rays for international bonus pool money.
Velazquez, 24, is a career .182/.250/.273 hitter in parts of two seasons (24 total plate appearances) at the major league level. He has been assigned to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate in Columbus.
Jul 3, 2019, 12:42 PM E
Velazquez, 24, is a career .182/.250/.273 hitter in parts of two seasons (24 total plate appearances) at the major league level. He has been assigned to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate in Columbus.
Jul 3, 2019, 12:42 PM E
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
9955He was put on the 40 man. Here is a write up from John Sickels in 2014
Andrew Velazquez came into the spotlight this past season as he set the consecutive games reaching base record with 74 games. The diminutive switch hitting middle infielder is listed at 5'8 and 175 pounds and was taken in the seventh round of the 2012 draft out of Fordham Prep in New York. 2014 saw him repeating the Midwest League with Low A South Bend and playing short stop exclusively for the first time. He hit .290/.367/.428 this year with a 129 wRC+ and .366 wOBA. In his first full season at age 19, Velazquez stole 50 bases with nine home runs, 15 triples, and 18 doubles. He scored 94 runs and worked 62 walks (10%) with 136 strike outs (21.9%). In 1,075 professional plate appearances, Velazquez has posted a .283/.356/.407 line with 72 extra base hits and 79 stolen bases.
The 50 steals jumps off the page when you look at his stats but he doesn't do it with pure footspeed, as he shows great instincts on the bases with plus speed. He's got enough pop to put it in the gaps and can take advantage of a cookie over the plate but double digit home run totals are unlikely. His game is more line drive oriented while using his speed to get the extra base when possible. With the leather he drew plenty of praise, being named the best defensive short stop in the Midwest League by the league's managers. They also called him the most exciting player in the league. He's got a plus arm with enough range to stick at short.
Andrew Velazquez came into the spotlight this past season as he set the consecutive games reaching base record with 74 games. The diminutive switch hitting middle infielder is listed at 5'8 and 175 pounds and was taken in the seventh round of the 2012 draft out of Fordham Prep in New York. 2014 saw him repeating the Midwest League with Low A South Bend and playing short stop exclusively for the first time. He hit .290/.367/.428 this year with a 129 wRC+ and .366 wOBA. In his first full season at age 19, Velazquez stole 50 bases with nine home runs, 15 triples, and 18 doubles. He scored 94 runs and worked 62 walks (10%) with 136 strike outs (21.9%). In 1,075 professional plate appearances, Velazquez has posted a .283/.356/.407 line with 72 extra base hits and 79 stolen bases.
The 50 steals jumps off the page when you look at his stats but he doesn't do it with pure footspeed, as he shows great instincts on the bases with plus speed. He's got enough pop to put it in the gaps and can take advantage of a cookie over the plate but double digit home run totals are unlikely. His game is more line drive oriented while using his speed to get the extra base when possible. With the leather he drew plenty of praise, being named the best defensive short stop in the Midwest League by the league's managers. They also called him the most exciting player in the league. He's got a plus arm with enough range to stick at short.
Re: Minor Matters
9956Sickels in 18 Andrew Velazquez, INF-OF; .262/.318/.416 with 10 homers, 24 steals in 332 at-bats in Triple-A; very versatile glove, has a chance as utility type.
Also had this in that write up
5) Jake Bauers, 1B-OF, Grade B/B+: Age 22, hit .279/.357/.426 in Triple-A, then .237/.354/.484 in 190 major league at-bats; isolated power has improved as the Rays had hoped, I think he’ll stabilize as a .250-.260 hitter with high OBP.
Also had this in that write up
5) Jake Bauers, 1B-OF, Grade B/B+: Age 22, hit .279/.357/.426 in Triple-A, then .237/.354/.484 in 190 major league at-bats; isolated power has improved as the Rays had hoped, I think he’ll stabilize as a .250-.260 hitter with high OBP.
Re: Minor Matters
9957"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
9958Looks like a freebee. That International Bonus Money is Use it or Lose it. Guess they're done signing International players.
Re: Minor Matters
9959Probably filler at AAA but they saw something they might like.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Minor Matters
9960I wouldn’t discount the move. Looks like a better version of Michael Martinez to me. Speed off the bench. Can play a number of positions. Looks like he has more pop than Martinez. May end up a useful utility guy.