Cleveland Sports Forum

continuing with that site's ratings:

Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

4. Daniel Espino, RHP (4)
Opening Day Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: A- Mahoning Valley
2019 Stats: 23.2 IP, 2.80 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, 13.0 K/9, 3.8 BB/9

Espino proved the Indians made the right choice in drafting him with their top pick in the 2019 draft. His strikeout and walk rates are indicative of a pitcher with good control, and his ability to avoid hard contact bodes well for his future. If he can continue building out his secondary arsenal while maintaining a low walk rate, look for Espino to jump into Tier 1 by midseason. ETA: 2022
[It looks everyone reaches the majors at age 21]

5. Tyler Freeman, SS (5)
Opening Day Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A+ Lynchburg
2019 Stats: 123 G, 547 PA, .306/.368/.410/.778, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 19 SB, 9.7 K%, 4.8 BB%

Freeman finished the season how he started: by putting the ball in play. Across 547 PA, Freeman only struck out 53 times and walked 26 times. He’s proven he can hit, but I’d like to see Freeman bump his OBP with a few more walks this season. When he reaches Cleveland is anyone’s guess. 2021 is the best bet. With Cesar Hernandez on a one-year deal and Francisco Lindor potentially on the trading block, there will likely be an infield opening for Freeman. With a strong 2020 season, expect Freeman to be in the mix for the opening day roster in 2021. ETA: 2021

6. Brayan Rocchio, SS (6)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: A- Mahoning Valley
2019 Stats: 69 G, 295 PA, .250/.310/.373/.683, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 14 SB, 13.6 K%, 6.8 BB%

Rocchio’s first season in the US offered many glimmers of hope for the future. While it would be nice to see his BB% drive a higher OBP, he demonstrated he’s able to hit the ball over the fence while keeping his K% down. Expect to see Rocchio return to Mahoning Valley to start the season, with the ability to move up to Lake County with a strong performance. I’d like to see Rocchi’s power continue to develop as he grows, and I expect him to be in the mix for an infield spot in Cleveland in 2023. ETA: 2023

7. Triston McKenzie, RHP (7)
Opening Day Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: N/A
2019 Stats: N/A

McKenzie never saw the mound in 2019 due to a back strain suffered in Spring Training. When healthy, McKenzie is arguably the best pitching prospect in the Indians’ system. He has a fluid, repeatable motion he uses to deliver a full repertoire of pitches capable of fooling most hitters. 2020 will be a critical bounce-back year for McKenzie. If he can stay healthy, he’ll quickly rise through the Indians’ system and up this list. If injury fears continue to linger, McKenzie’s status as a prospect will suffer. ETA: 2021

8. Bo Naylor, C (8)
Opening Day Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A Lake County
2019 Stats: 107 G, 453 PA, .243/.313/.421/.734, 11 HR, 65 RBI, 7 SB, 23.0 K%, 9.5 BB%

Naylor firmly established his status as the Indians’ top catching prospect in 2019. At bat, Naylor showed good power for a catcher, putting up a .178 ISO. He also shined behind the plate, turning in a .985 Fielding% and 58.0 CS%. Given the premium paid for major league catchers, Naylor will control his own fate. Roberto Perez is under team control for three more years, but the Indians will not hesitate to trade him if Naylor proves himself ready for major league action. ETA: 2022 [BA also noted his excellent pitch framing]
[Catchers rarely move more than one level a year. So I'll accept 2023, since they won't be enlarging rosters in September like they used to]

More Tier 2:

9. Aaron Bracho, 2B (13)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: A- Mahoning Valley
2019 Stats: 38 G, 169 PA, .281/.402/.570/.973, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 4 SB, 17.2 K%, 17.2 BB%

Bracho is the first major mover up the list after a strong showing in his first US season. He put up an incredible .973 OPS while adding a .289 ISO, and he did so with a reasonable 17.2 K%. Considering his young age, expect Bracho’s power to continue to develop as he grows. With Tyler Freeman and Brayan Rocchio in the mix, expect to see Bracho find his home at second base in Cleveland. ETA: 2023

10. Daniel Johnson, OF (15)
Opening Day Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AAA Columbus
2019 Stats: 123 G, 547 PA, 290/.361/.507/.868, 19 HR, 77 RBI, 12 SB, 21.6 K%, 9.5 BB%

Johnson also moves up and into Tier 2 after finishing a breakout performance in 2019. Johnson improved his OBP and SLG, and his K% and BB% both trended in the right direction. His ISO reached new heights, and he improved his LD %. I’d like to see Johnson’s BB% increase slightly to offset his high 2019 BABIP, but given the current composition of the Indians’ outfield, I suspect Johnson will be given the opportunity to work on this at the major league level this season. ETA: 2020

Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor

11. Lenny Torres, RHP (10)
Opening Day Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: N/A
2019 Stats: N/A

Torres missed the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 15. Prior to his injury, the Indians’ 2018 41st overall pick pitched well in a brief stint in Mahoning Valley in 2018. Upon his return, expect Torres to continue building out his secondary arsenal to go along with his highly rated fastball. The Indians will likely be cautious with his recovery plan, so look to see Torres back on the mound in the second half of the season. ETA: 2023

12. Yu Chang, 3B/SS (12)
Opening Day Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 Stats: 96 G, 367 PA, .236/.313/.393/.706, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB, 24.3 K%, 10.4 BB%

Chang had a difficult year in 2019. He spent most of the first two and a half months of the season on the IL with a sprained thumb. 10 days after his return, he was called up to Cleveland and promptly sent back down. He returned to Cleveland in late August, only to see sporadic playing time. Chang still possesses the tools to be a productive major league infielder. Expect to see him get additional playing time, likely in a utility role, in 2020. If he can establish himself as a utility player, Chang may be involved in a mid-season trade given the Indians’ infield composition throughout the system. ETA: 2020
[ETA should be 2019, he's already made his debut]

13. Bobby Bradley, 1B/DH (14)
Opening Day Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 Stats: 122 G, 502 PA, .255/.331/.546/.877, 34 HR, 78 RBI, 0 SB, 34.5 K%, 10.4 BB%

Bradley also [also? who's he being compared with here? not the previous two] turned in a stellar 2019 season. He made a major league slugger: He turned in a .567 SLG and .303 ISO for the entire season. Bradley figures to encounter the same situation he did last year. He’ll be blocked by Franmil Reyes at DH (unless the Indians try to put Reyes in RF) and Carlos Santana at first base. If Bradley can reduce his K% and keep putting the ball over the fence at 2019 levels, he’ll force the Indians’ hand one way or another. ETA: 2020 [was in 2019]

14. Logan Allen, LHP (9)
Opening Day Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 Stats: 107.6 IP, 5.94 ERA, 5.55 FIP, 1.63 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 4.0 BB/9

Allen had a somewhat unlucky 2019 season, but his numbers are troubling going forward. He had a combined .345 BABIP across the four teams he pitched for, and his HR/FB% spiked to 18.4%. Allen still has the stuff to be a solid major league pitcher – His K/9 and BB/9 rates are reasonable. He still may become a front-line starter, but at this point he’s starting to look like more of an innings-eater. ETA: 2020

15. Luis Oviedo, LHP (9)
Opening Day Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A Lake County
2019 Stats: 87.0 IP, 5.38 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 4.1 BB/9

Oviedo got off to a decent start, but the back injury that derailed his 2018 season did the same in 2019. When healthy, Oviedo continues to possess the arsenal to put batters away. If he’s able to stay healthy for a full season, Oviedo could be a strong 2-3 starter. He must stay healthy in 2020 to warrant consideration in dynasty leagues. ETA: 2023

16. Ray Delgado, IF (17)
Opening Day Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: A Lake County
2019 Stats: 70 G, 291 PA, .242/.299/.337/.636, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 6 SB, 25.1 K%, 8.6 BB%

Delgado had an underwhelming year in many aspects. His batting average wasn’t terrible, but his 25.1
% kept his OBP under .300. It will be important for Delgado to improve his on base numbers and flash some more of the power the Indians saw when they drafted him in the sixth round in 2018. Considering he’s good at all three infield positions but not great at one, Delgado profiles as a utility infield at this stage of his development. ETA: 2023

17. Jhonkensy Noel, IF (N/A)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: AZL Indians
2019 Stats: 47 G, 209 PA, .287/.349/.455/.804, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 5 SB, 18.7 K%, 8.6 BB%

At 6’1”, 180 lbs. (with some sources putting him closer to 6’ 3”, 230 lbs.), Noel has the build of a major league power hitter. Did I mention he’s only 18 years old? Signed at 16, Noel has put up solid numbers in the DSL and AZL, with the all-important K% trending in the right direction. While he’s played all over the infield, look for Noel to settle in at first base or DH. He’s still several years off, but Noel’s raw talent and power make him a very exciting prospect to watch in the coming years. ETA: 2024

18. James Karinchak, RHP (18)
Opening Day Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 Stats: 35.2 IP, 1.14 ERA, 5.55 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 20.7 K/9, 4.6 BB/9

Karinchak made the most of his 2019 season. Despite an early hamstring injury that limited his innings pitched, Karinchak proved himself as the heir apparent to the Indians’ closer role. He made five appearances in Cleveland in September, putting up a 1.69 ERA and striking out eight. Look for Karinchak to break camp with the Indians and work in high-leverage situations. ETA: 2020

19. Nick Sandlin, RHP (19)
Opening Day Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AAA Columbus
2019 Stats: 26.1 IP, 2.39 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.25 WHIP, 13.0 K/9, 5.8 BB/9

Sandlin’s season ended July 1 when he went on the IL with a forearm strain. Prior to that, he put up solid numbers, striking out over a batter per inning while avoiding hard contact (14.6 LD%). Health with be the key factor to monitor with Sandlin in 2020. If he’s able to stay on the mound, expect to see him in Cleveland later in the summer. ETA: 2020

20. Will Benson, OF (16)
Opening Day Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: A+ Lynchburg
2019 Stats: 123 G, 514 PA, .230/.331/.454/.785, 22 HR, 78 RBI, 27 SB, 29.4 K%, 13.6 BB%

Benson continues to be incredibly difficult to project. After an excellent first half in Lake County, Benson could never put it together in Lynchburg. Despite his poor numbers in A+, he still put up a respectable OPS, buoyed by a .454 slugging percentage. It will be interesting to see if Benson can adjust to High-A ball in 2020 like he did to A ball in 2019, but as he moves up, he won’t have the luxury of a half season to adjust to new leagues. Benson remains a high-risk, high-reward pick going into 2020. ETA: 2022

21. Angel Martinez, IF(N/A)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: DSL Indians
2019 Stats: 70 G, 291 PA, .306/.402/.428/.830, 1 HR, 27 RBI, 11 SB, 11.1 K%, 11.1 BB%

Martinez made a splash in his first year as a pro, showing he’s ready for a promotion to Mahoning Valley. All numbers point to a great talent foundation: His average and OBP are exceptional, the power is there and his K% is extremely low for a prospect his age. Don’t be surprised to see Martinez join the Freeman/Rocchio/Bracho conversation before long. ETA: 2024

22. Alexfri Planez, OF(N/A)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: AZL Indians
2019 Stats: 6 G, 25 PA, .333/.360/.542/.902, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 28.0 K%, 4.0 BB%

While he missed most of the year with a broken hamate bone, Planez projects as a fast outfielder with excellent power and contact skills. Conservative team owners should keep a close eye on Planez this year. Aggressive owners should sign him today. ETA: 2024 So is this is a list for fantasy players? Does that mean these ratings are based on projected offensive stats much more than defense?

There are a few guys down at their Tier 4 and 5 who show up much higher on other lists, e.g.

23. Richie Palacios, 2B (20)
Opening Day Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: N/A
2019 Stats: N/A

Palacios missed the 2019 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. It will be worth watching to see if he can regain the power that saw him reach Lake County as a 20-year-old. ETA: 2023

28. Gabriel Rodriguez, IF (22)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: AZL Indians
2019 Stats: 56 G, 243 PA, .231/.321/.361/.682, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 4 SB, 20.2 K%, 7.8 BB%

The Indians’ top international signing from 2018 put up decent stats in 2018, but there’s room for improvement. The BB% is reasonable, but the K% is too high. Given his stature (6’ 2”, 174 lbs.), I’d like to see Rodriguez increase his power numbers as he develops. The good news: he turns 18 on February 22. As Rodriguez fills out his frame, look for that boost in power, and look for him to move through the system. ETA: 2024

29. Scott Moss, LHP (33)
Opening Day Age: 25
2019 Highest Level: AAA Columbus
2019 Stats: 130.2 IP, 2.96 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, 11.0 K/9, 4.8 BB/9

Moss also raised his stock with a solid 2019 performance. Much like Eli Morgan, Moss is a control pitcher who effectively uses his repertoire to get batters out. Also like Morgan, Moss needs to get more groundball outs. Moss has limited upside as a starter and projects as a back-of-the-rotation or long relief pitcher in Cleveland. ETA: 2021

30. Oscar Gonzalez, OF (25)
Opening Day Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: AA Akron
2019 Stats: 125 G, 502 PA, .293/.315/.418/.733, 9 HR, 70 RBI, 7 SB, 16.5 K%, 3.0 BB%

Gonzalez was Rule 5-eligible this offseason, but he remains in the Indians’ system. Gonzalez struggled in his 29 games in Akron, but still put up solid overall numbers. The relatively high K% and miniscule BB% will need to be corrected if Gonzalez is going to have a shot at breaking into the Indians’ outfield rotation. ETA: 2022

31. Johnathan Rodriguez, OF (23)
Opening Day Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A- Mahoning Valley
2019 Stats: 66 G, 258 PA, .247/.318/.424/.742, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 4 SB, 26.0 K%, 8.1 BB%

The power is there for Rodriguez, but the OBP suffers due to the K%. A decent outfielder with above average speed, Rodriguez is worth following to see if he can reduce the strikeouts this season. ETA: 2023

32. Jose Tena, IF (35)
Opening Day Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: AZL Indians
2019 Stats: 44 G, 199 PA, .325/.352/.440/.792, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 6 SB, 22.1 K%, 3.0 BB%

Tena is a small, free-swinging infield prospect from the Dominican Republic. Somewhere, Jose Ramirez is smiling. If Tena can learn to be patient at the plate, he could find himself quickly rising through the Indians’ system. Also like Ramirez, Tena can play any position well. ETA: 2024

34. Carlos Vargas, RHP (24)
Opening Day Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A- Mahoning Valley
2019 Stats: 77.2 IP, 4.52 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.8 BB/9

Vargas has been used as a starter to this point, but look for the Indians to quickly transition him to the bullpen. Vargas has a strong two-pitch mix, including a fastball that touches 100 mph at times. He’ll have to learn to miss bats, but absolutely has the talent to be a major league reliever. ETA: 2023



43. Cody Morris, RHP (34)
Opening Day Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: A Lake County
2019 Stats: 89.0 IP, 4.35 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 1.37 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 2.7 BB/9

Morris is another thrower trying to develop into a pitcher. While he’s not walking many batters, his .271 BAA indicates batters are hitting his pitches. Morris has solid stuff with a mid-90s fastball and respectable slider and changeup. The 6’5” righty will move up this list quickly if he can continue to improve his command. ETA: 2023

44. Jean Carlos Mejia, RHP (32)
Opening Day Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: A+ Lynchburg
2019 Stats: 33.0 IP, 4.09 ERA, 2.11 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9

Mejia missed the majority of 2019 after spending a significant portion of 2018 on the IL. When healthy, he has the stuff to get batters out, but he has to prove he’s able to stay healthy for a full season before he gets serious consideration as a future bullpen arm. ETA: 2024

45. Junior Sanquintin, IF (48)
Opening Day Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: DSL Indians
2019 Stats: 41 G, 209 PA, .249/.316/.370/.686, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 4 SB, 21.4 K%, 7.1 BB%

Sanquintin put up reasonable numbers in his trip through the DSL. The potential is there for Sanquintin to develop into a utility infielder that’s good at many things, but great at none. ETA: 2025

Here are MLB's Top 10 3B prospects for 2020

MLB Pipeline will reveal its 2020 Top 100 Prospects list with a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com, which will be broadcast on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Leading up to the release of the Top 100, we'll examine baseball's top 10 prospects at each position.

Each of the top-three-ranked players on last year’s Top 10 third base prospects list graduated to the Major Leagues in 2019, though none arrived with as much hype as Blue Jays phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

After headlining this list, as well as MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, a year ago, Guerrero made his highly anticipated debut in late April and went on to slash .272/.339/.443 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs over 123 games to finish sixth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Cincinnati’s Nick Senzel, No. 2 on the 2019 list, also enjoyed a strong rookie campaign, albeit without playing a single game at the hot corner. Serving as the Reds’ everyday center fielder, he compiled a .256/.315/.427 line with 12 homers and 14 steals before requiring season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

Austin Riley announced his arrival in Atlanta by homering nine times in his first 18 games in the Majors, including his big league debut, and finished his rookie season with 18 homers. Michael Chavis, who claimed the final spot on last year’s Top 10, had a similar impact on Boston’s offense, clubbing 18 homers in 95 games.

While the graduation of the aforementioned players has led to some turnover on this year’s list, there still are plenty of familiar faces.

Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm assumes Guerrero’s spot atop the list, up from No. 6 a year ago, after hitting his way up to Double-A in his first full season, while the Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes is back for a fourth time in five years. Nolan Jones, Nolan Gorman and Jonathan India round out the rest of returnees.

Three first-round picks from the 2019 Draft (Josh Jung, Brett Baty and Kody Hoese) are among the newcomers this year, and, overall, all but two spots on the Top 10 belong to former first-rounders.

The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Alec Bohm, Phillies (2020)
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates (2020)
3. Nolan Jones, Indians (2020)
4. Nolan Gorman, Cardinals (2022)
5. Josh Jung, Rangers (2021)
6. Brett Baty, Mets (2022)
7. Bobby Dalbec, Red Sox (2020)
8. Jonathan India, Reds (2021)
9. Abraham Toro, Astros (2020)
10. Kody Hoese, Dodgers (2022)

Top tools

Hit: Bohm, Hayes, Jung (60)

Bohm, whom the Phillies took with the third-overall pick in 2018, has done nothing but hit as a pro. Climbing three levels up to Double-A in his first full season, he batted .305/.378/.518 with 21 homers and 30 doubles and then continued to hit well in the Arizona Fall League. Hayes regressed offensively in his first full Triple-A campaign, but the 22-year-old has a long track record of hitting in pro ball, with a .279 career average in 461 games. Jung was viewed by scouts as one of the more polished hitters in the 2019 Draft before the Rangers selected him eighth overall. The Texas Tech product spent most of his pro debut at Class A Hickory, batting .287 in 40 games. All three players are praised for their ability to control the strike zone and hit to all fields.

Power: Jones, Gorman, Dalbec (60)

Jones followed up his 19-homer full-season debut by hitting 15 homers in 2019, including eight in 49 games after a mid-season promotion to Double-A. His patient approach, bat speed and leveraged swing could translate into 30 homers per season at maturity. Gorman, whose power was among the best in the 2018 Draft class, has similar power potential and went deep 15 times in his first full season after a 17-homer pro debut. Dalbec is the most accomplished slugger in the group, having totaled 59 homers since the start of the 2018 season, and there’s little concern about his power translating in the big leagues.

Run: Hayes (55)

Hayes is one of two players on this year’s list who have at least average speed. Excellent instincts help him get the most from his above-average wheels on the basepaths, and he’s been successful in 78.6 percent (66 of 84) of steal attempts as a pro, posting double-digit steals in three straight years.

Arm: Dalbec (65)

Dalbec operated with a low-90s fastball and logged 194 2/3 innings in three seasons at the University of Arizona. That type of arm strength gives him a cannon from the hot corner, where he’s also viewed as a quality defender.

Field: Hayes (65)

The son of Charlie Hayes, Ke’Bryan was recently named to MLB Pipeline’s All-Defense Team for a second straight year after a 2019 season in which he made all but three plays en route to his third consecutive MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The second leading vote-getter in MLB Pipeline’s executive poll, Hayes has committed just 17 errors while recording a .974 fielding percentage in 331 professional games.

Superlatives

Ceiling: Bohm

Bohm’s bat could be special. He’s hit for both average and power as a pro, producing a .293/.368/.474 line with 21 homers and 30 doubles over his first 125 games, and scouts believe he’ll tap into even more power as he faces better pitching and learns to turn on the ball more consistently. He already does a good job managing the strike zone and drives the ball with authority to the opposite field. Bohm’s glove comes with more question marks than his bat does, and there’s a decent chance he’ll end up a first baseman, but even then his lofty offensive profile should fit the position’s demands

Floor: Hayes

Hayes' superb defense comes with built-in value and will make him an immediate Gold Glove Award contender when he finally reaches the Majors. His hitting ability has scaled up nicely as he’s climbed through the Minors, but also has left something more to be desired, especially with regards to his power potential. If it all clicks for him at the plate, Hayes could end up being much, much more than a defensively gifted player.

Rookie of the Year candidate: Dalbec

While half of the players on this year’s list are expected to debut in 2020, Dalbec, with his prodigious right-handed power and upper-level experience, has perhaps the clearest path to playing time. He’s expected to compete with Chavis for Boston’s first-base job during Spring Training.

Highest riser: Toro

Unranked on Houston’s Top 30 Prospects list heading into 2019, Toro finished the season ranked as the organization’s No. 5 prospect. The 23-year-old switch-hitter had a breakout campaign in the upper Minors, slashing .324/411/.527 with 52 extra-base hits between Double- and Triple-A, then had an OPS of .688 in 25 games with Houston after debuting late in August.

Humblest beginnings: Toro

One of two non-first-rounders on this year’s list, Toro signed for $250,000 in 2016 after the Astros selected him in the fifth round out of Seminole State JC in Florida.

Most to prove: India

The fifth-overall pick in the 2018 Draft, India posted respectable numbers and reached Double-A in his first full season, batting .259/.365/.402 with 11 homers across two levels. His overall consistency was lacking, though, and a rough showing in the Arizona Fall League didn’t exactly help his stock. But the Reds still very much believe in India’s upside at the plate and attribute some of his 2019 struggles to a nagging wrist issue. With a clean bill of health, the 23-year-old could start to put up the numbers expected from a top pick.

Keep an eye on: Mark Vientos, Mets

The 2017 second-round pick has big-time power potential with his blend of bat speed, physical strength and leverage from a 6-foot-4 frame that oozes projection. He clubbed 12 homers at Class A Columbia as a 19-year-old last season, overcoming a sluggish first half to hit .271/.315/.462 with seven homers over his final 52 games. Vientos’ defense at the hot corner is a work in progress, but he has the hands and plus arm strength -- not to mention the offensive profile -- required for the position.

Mike Rosenbaum is a reporter for MLB.com.

BA Top 100: Jones 50 and Freeman at 69 are the only Indians prospects included.
The list of guys who made at least one BA participant's top 150 include Valera, Rocchio, Espino, Naylor, McKenzie, Bracho [I didn't write down Hankins but he must be on there too? No he's not, I guess since his fastball gets a lower rating than Espino's]

So for all of our good feelings about the current state of the farm system, we have very few top prospects at this point. The hope is that as the Rookie League and Class A kids develop we can start seeing a batch of them among the elite. Hoping for lots of impressive performances in Lake County this summer. And for Bo Naylor to wow them in Lynchburg.

I'm not as down on our system.

First of all, if McKenzie hadn't got hurt (and it's not a structural arm injury) he would be deep on the list.

That would give us 3 in the top 100, which is average. There are 30 teams after all.

You could say we don't have anybody extremely high on list, but that is because we have been a contender the last several seasons. No top draft picks. We still have some very good young talent though.

Secondly, these rankings mean nothing anyway. It doesn't take into effect the great job developing young starters our organization has been doing. I mean, you never saw Bieber on any of those lists. You never saw Clevinger there. Or Plesac, or Civale. I mean, I have had all those guys ranked higher on my top prospect list the last 3 or 4 years than any of the so called expert sites, and I have been right almost every time. (Pannone let me down. Went downhill after he left our coaches and program)

The only thing I am really disappointed in is our inability to draft and develop good power hitting OF'ers.

Sure, the lists are based on "tools" and not on the ability of the coaches to develop talent. I am enthused with the system and expect many of those kids to move up impressively.
Outfielders have been a challenge; the team has spent a batch of 1st and 2nd round picks on OFs who've either run into too many wall, strike out too much, or were simply overdrafted in the first place. In the past decade: Naquin, Frazier, Zimmer, Benson and Holmes have not yielded much at all.

Local boy Mitch Longo has been invited to major league camp. 1 of 19 non-roster invitees. At least he'll get a little taste of what it's like being a Cleveland Indian.

The list also includes pitchers, Angulo, Siri, Martinez, & Hill.

OF'ers Tom and Marabell.

Infielders Clement, Krieger, and Freeman.

Catchers Gavin Collins, Taylor, and the player formally known and Jen-Lu Chen, or something like that. He has decided to start going by his Taiwanese Tribal name, Kungkwaun Giliegiljaw. ... Ummm, not so sure that was a wise move.

Among others...

Look, if you have any reservations at all about the system, please re-read this I posted earlier - an Eric Cross article on the system:

CLEVELAND INDIANS 2020 TOP-25 PROSPECTS
NOVEMBER 22, 2019 BY ERIC CROSS | ERICCROSS04

What a system. This is my 9th top-25 of this offseason and probably the most enjoyable so far. This Cleveland system is as loaded and deep as you’ll find in baseball right now and can nearly rival the San Diego system. Yeah, this system is THAT good. On top of that, everyone you talk to praises the player development team Cleveland has, which has been evident with all the homegrown talent on the Indians roster, both in the field and on the mound. Having this type of player dev. team in places makes you feel just that much better about an already strong top-25 Cleveland Indians prospects list.

Couldn't be more glowing.

So that has to play into the organization's long term strategy going forward. They do have a "loaded" system- and those are not my words.

This model has worked so well for Tampa. And they are in the freaking AL East!

Well, we actually have 4 prospects in Baseball America's new Top 100 prospect list. That is above average.

Indians Prospective @indiansPro 28m

Four #Indians make Baseball America's 2020 top 100 prospect list:

44) 3B Nolan Jones
69) SS Tyler Freeman
80) RHP Triston McKenzie
82) OF George Valera

Hmm, I read the list differently. No matter, we know Valera and Rocchio and Espino and Bracho and others have a lot of upside and will be represented on that list soon enough.

Leone appears to be the only minor free agent they added other than Mike Freeman and the catcher they signed the day they gave away Haase. Usually they'd be bringing a good half dozen no chancers to spring training to fill out the Columbus roster. I guess they're going to let Longo and Marabell and Tom hold down the fort for the Clippers.