Cleveland Sports Forum

Players that get large signing bonuses are given more time to show improvement. Teams usually spread the bonus money over a number of years. The end of the line for poor performers comes when the bonus money runs out.

Time for Holmes to get his ass in gear.

McKenzie Eyes Majors

Mandy Bell MLB.com

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Heading into the 2019 season, right-hander Triston McKenzie was ranked as the Indians’ top prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. And in a year where injuries plagued the big league club, it could’ve been a perfect opportunity for McKenzie to make his way onto the Tribe’s roster at some point during the year. Instead, he was stuck in Arizona.

The injury bug also spread throughout the Minor League system, as McKenzie was forced to stay behind in Goodyear, Ariz., at the end of Spring Training last year to rehab an upper back strain that he suffered toward the end of camp. Just as he was beginning to recover, he then suffered a pectoral strain that sidelined him for the rest of the year.

“On a whole, it was more of a learning experience,” McKenzie said. “It was obviously frustrating as a competitor, you’re not out there able to compete. But it was definitely a learning experience and I think this year, I’m better for it.

“ just kind of how much I miss the game, how much I love the game and how much I’m willing to do to make sure that never happens again.”

Just three short months after he completed all of his rehab exercises, McKenzie is a part of his first big league Spring Training camp as a member of the Tribe’s 40-man roster. In November, the club decided to protect its 22-year-old starter, along with outfielder Daniel Johnson and lefty Scott Moss, from the Rule 5 Draft.

“Last year was definitely a tough year,” McKenzie said, “but the fact that I get to be out here and be around the guys, especially watching a lot of the guys coming in, me being out here in the offseason. So watching [Mike] Clevinger come in, [Shane] Bieber come in, [Aaron] Civale, guys that I’ve been around, it’s really exciting for me.”

McKenzie spent almost the entire offseason at the club’s Spring Training facility in Arizona, even after he finished his rehab in November. And after all the hours sitting in the training room and all the drills and exercises he had to do to get himself back to full strength, McKenzie said he’s ready for the 2020 season.

“One hundred percent healthy,” McKenzie said with a big smile. “One hundred percent ready to go. I’m excited.”

The Indians’ starting pitching depth is their biggest strength, and the front office certainly believes McKenzie can still play a big role, considering they added him to the 40-man roster. He’ll need to get some games under his belt after missing all of the ’19 season before he gets thrown more into the big leagues conversation, and he’s only reached Double-A Akron thus far. But the right-hander who posted a 2.68 ERA in 16 starts for Akron in 2018 could become an option for the Tribe in the near future, and has found himself as one of the club’s top pitching prospects along with Moss and Logan Allen.

“To be honest, I’m not even focused on that,” McKenzie said of being one of the top starters in the organization. “I’m just excited to go out there and pitch. But it’s exciting to be in that conversation, in general.”

Naquin update

Tyler Naquin tore his right ACL in an attempt to avoid crashing into the outfield wall at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg last August and underwent surgery to repair it in September. He was originally given a seven-to-nine month timetable, which would mean he’d return between April and June, but the outfielder can’t help but work to be back for March.

“[The target is] always Opening Day,” Naquin said. “I’m not sure. I don’t see it being too far after that if it has to go past that. It’s exciting. I’m kind of anxious to see when it actually happens.”

When the calendar flipped to February, Naquin had already advanced to doing a little running and some light sprints, but he was holding off on adding any agility for the time being. Indians manager Terry Francona mentioned at Tribe Fest on Feb. 1 that the coaching and medical staffs were likely going to have to tell him to slow down in his rehab just to make sure everything heals properly.

“I’m just playing it by ear,” Naquin said. “I’m obviously extremely excited to get back out there, but what they say goes. I’m just kind of trusting the process. I’m just listening to my body. It’s not my first surgery, unfortunately, but just taking it day by day. I feel really good though, so I think we’re progressing quickly.”

Pérez’s ankle

After having surgery in October to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, Roberto Pérez has reported to camp and will be unrestricted as workouts begin for pitchers and catchers on Thursday.

I've learned . . . how much I’m willing to do to make sure that never happens again

Which means what? Get in shape?

MLB is raising the salaries of minor leaguers starting next year.

Players at rookie and short-season levels will see their minimum weekly pay raised from $290 to $400

Players at Class A will go from $290 to $500.

Double-A will jump from $350 to $600

Triple-A from $502 to $700.

The regular season for full season teams is about 22 weeks; about 11 for the short season; not sure if they include spring training, they ought to since those are weeks the guys aren't available for their shifts at McDonald's or their hometown gyms.

Players at rookie and short-season levels will see their minimum weekly pay raised from $290 to $400
So for their season that means something approaching $5000

Players at Class A will go from $290 to $500. $11,000 without spring pay

Double-A will jump from $350 to $600 $13,500 or so.

Triple-A from $502 to $700. Maybe $16,000.

In return do the major leagues require the elimination of those dozens of teams they want disappeared?

Indians Prospective @indiansPro Feb. 13
Coming in the near future I will be putting out in the following order my #Indians 2020.....
- Top 5 prospects at every position
- Top 50 prospects in organization
- Individual tweets on all top 50 prospects w/ video

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 Catching prospects heading into 2020

1) Bo Naylor
2) Bryan Lavastida
3) Yainer Diaz
4) Kungkuan Giljegiljaw
5) Micael Ramirez

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 First (1B) prospects heading into 2020

1) Bobby Bradley
2) Jhonkensy Noel
3) Joe Naranjo
4) Will Bartlett
5) Wilson Garcia

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 (2B) prospects heading into 2020

1) Aaron Bracho
2) Richie Palacios
3) Andrew Monasterio
4) Jesus Lara
5) Dayan Frias

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 (3B) prospects heading into 2020

1) Nolan Jones
2) Yu Chang
3) Ray Delgado
4) Marcos Gonzalez
5) Jordan Brown

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 10 (SS) prospects heading into 2020

1) Tyler Freeman
2) Bryan Rocchio
3) Gabriel Rodriguez
4) Angel Martinez
5) Junior Sanquintin

6) Jose Fermin
7) Ernie Clement
8) Jose Tena
9) Yordys Valdes
10) Jose Pestrano

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 (OF) prospects heading into 2020

1) George Valera
2) Daniel Johnson
3) Alexfri Planez
4) Will Benson
5) Oscar Gonzalez

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 10 starting RHP prospects heading into 2020

1) Daniel Espino
2) Ethan Hankins
3) Triston McKenzie
4) Lenny Torres Jr.
5) Carlos Vargas

6) Luis Oviedo
7) Jean Carlos Mejia
8) Cody Morris
9) Hunter Gaddis
10) Eli Morgan

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 5 starting LHP prospects heading into 2020

1) Logan Allen
2) Scott Moss
3) Sam Hentges
4) Raymond Burgos
5) Adam Scott

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My list of the Cleveland #Indians top 10 Relief prospects heading into 2020

1) James Karinchak
2) Emmanuel Clase
3) Nick Sandlin
4) Kyle Nelson
5) Robert Broom

6) Cam Hill
7) Dalbert Siri
8) Jared Robinson
9) Aaron Pinto
10) Argenis Angulo

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Indians Prospective @IndiansPro

Cleveland #Indians 2020 Preseason top 50 rankings

1. (3B) Nolan Jones
2. (OF) George Valera
3. (RHP) Daniel Espino
4. (RHP) Ethan Hankins
5. (2B) Aaron Bracho
6. (SS) Tyler Freeman
7. (RHP) Triston McKenzie
8. (C) Bo Naylor
9. (SS) Brayan Rocchio
10. (RHP) James Karinchak

11. (RHP) Emmanuel Clase
12. (OF) Daniel Johnson
13. (LHP) Logan Allen
14. (SS) Gabriel Rodriguez
15. (RHP) Lenny Torres Jr.
16. (1B) Bobby Bradley
17. (INF) Yu Chang
18. (RHP) Carlos Vargas
19. (SS) Angel Martinez
20. (2B) Richard Palacios

21. (RHP) Luis Oviedo
22. (RHP) Jean Carlos Mejia
23. (OF) Alexfri Planez
24. (LHP) Scott Moss
25. (RHP) Cody Morris
26. (RHP) Hunter Gaddis
27. (OF) Will Benson
28. (SS) Junior Sanquintin
29. (SS) Jose Fermin
30. (LHP) Sam Hentges

31. (LHP) Raymond Burgos
32. (INF) Jhonkensy Noel
33. (RHP) Eli Morgan
34. (SS) Ernie Clement
35. (INF) Ray Delgado
36. (SS) Jose Tena
37. (SS) Yordys Valdes
38. (RHP) Nick Sandlin
39. (LHP) Kyle Nelson
40. (OF) Oscar Gonzalez

41. (OF) Ka'ai Tom
42. (C) Bryan Lavastida
43. (INF) Marcos Gonzalez
44. (LHP) Adam Scott
45. (SS) Jose Pestrano
46. (RHP) Robert Broom
47. (OF) Steven Kwan
48. (OF) Johnathan Rodriguez
49. (1B) Joe Naranjo
50. (INF) Christian Cairo

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#50 Christian Cairo - INF (Miguel Cairo's son)

Age: 18
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 5' 10" Weight: 170 lbs
Drafted: 2019, 4th (130)

High baseball IQ & advanced instincts. Handles the bat well, understands the zone, repeats line-drive contact. Quick hands and solid arm, can play 2B/SS/3B, average speed

Nothing out of the ordinary on that list, other than perhaps Pastrano who has not played a pro game yet perhaps should be higher based on his skills alone.

#49 Joe Naranjo - 1B

Age: 18
Bats: L Throws: L
Height: 6' 0" Weight: 180 lbs
Drafted: 2019, 3rd (101)

Can use all fields w/ solid bat control, good eye for the zone one of the most polished prep bats in 2019 Draft. Needs to add strength show more power to be an impact prospect.

BA rates him as one of their top picks outside the top 30 to break out.

[BTW what ever happened to the Tony Lastoria Top 500? Everyone on his list, as I recall, had great approach and terrific intangibles.

That was when Wedge was manager. He wanted the gritty intangible guys. Ask Ken, he’s never bashful about mentioning it.

When I consider where our top prospects will be playing this season, I'm excited about baseball in Eastlake, Ohio
With Rocchio at SS; Bracho at 2nd; Valera in RF they have 3 big bats to start with. Espino and Hankins will be at the top of their rotation.
Add in some other decent prospects like Delgado and Palacios in the infield; Lavastida behind the plate; J. Rodriguez and the faster than a speedy bullet but can't hit a bit Quentin Holmes in the outfield that's an awfully impressive collection.

BA today ranks "10 Possible Prospect Super Teams" for 2020. I'll be pissed if the Captains aren't among them. Let's see:

The answer is NO, they list the Captains on the "others to watch" list along with 4 other Low A clubs. Only 2 of the "top 10" are Class A, one in HIgh A, one in Low A: Midwest league rivals in Kane County, Illinois. with 2 of the top 100 prospects on a Diamondbacks farm club.

You guys should like this one - be sure to read ALL the way down for a surprise:

Top 20 Relief Pitching Prospects for 2020 Fantasy Baseball
February 19, 2020 | Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 37 Comments
by: The Itch

Which position would you say has gained the most value over the past decade?

In Major League Baseball?

In fantasy baseball?

Maybe it’s shortstop. 2020 might be the best shortstop season of all time, whatever that means.

And that’s pre Wander. (Year -1 B.W.)

But this winter saw Emmanuel Clase traded for Corey Kluber. I know Delinosaur Jr. is feeling the pain of everyone there, too, and the old Klubot has been in the shop for a hot minute, but to say this trade made waves is an understatement.

The conversation began in alarmist, anti-ownership fashion and ended in hushed admiration of Clase’s cutter and consideration of the relative values of their contracts and remaining innings, especially in the context of a team with a pitching surplus such as Cleveland’s.

Felt like a signpost to me.

As did Tampa Bay’s trade of top 50 echo chamber prospect Jesus Sanchez for erstwhile bartender Nick Anderson.

As have the contracts dolled out every off-season, even in the miserly winters of 2017-18, when bullpen pitchers were signed early in the cycle for near-record middle-relief contracts.

I might be kicking the horse a bit at this point when all I really want to do is share my work-intensive relief prospect rankings. More and more leagues are incorporating holds, either as its own category or a combination category with saves. Given the dominance of hot relievers, all these guys gain a lot of value in saves+holds leagues, where their barrier to helping you in that category is all but erased. In the dynasty game, they can be swapped in and out of your minor leagues to expand your active roster and suppress your ratios while snagging some strikeouts and the occasional win.

Without further ado because we’ve had plenty of ado because hey I worked on this one all winter, the following humans are my top 20 relief prospects for 2020.

Note: I refrained from speculation in that a prospect still being treated as a starter within his organization was ineligible for this list.
Note pt. 2: I don’t have Estimated Times of Arrival on here because all these guys should be up at some point in 2020–most of them right away.


Player | Age as of 5/1/2020 | Team

1. RHP James Karinchak | 24 | CLE

2. RHP Brusdar Graterol | 21 | LAD

3. RHP Andrés Muñoz | 21 | SD

Brusdar was a late addition to the list, and I had him first for the last few weeks, but a quick review of Karinchak flipped that.



4. RHP Emmanuel Clase | 22 | CLE

5. LHP Alex Vesia | 23 | MIA

6. RHP Kevin Ginkel | 26 | ARI

7. LHP Joely Rodriguez | 28 | TEX

When anyone from this group goes off a draft board to a team that’s not mine, a little piece of me dies.

Clase is something of a known quantity as a closer-level talent now, but I’m eager to see if Cleveland might be able to help him make another leap.

The highest ranked guy we haven’t seen in the bigs, Alex Vesia makes life tough on lefties and righties alike with his deception and command of a plus-plus change up.

Skinamarinky dinky Gink– . . . I’m sorry, I just can’t. Kevin Ginkel is too good for that. We’re talking about a guy who locked down a primary set-up role in fewer than 25 MLB games after rocking an 19.66 K/9 in AAA and being pretty much untouchable since he was drafted in 2016.

Joely Rodriguez is a nasty lefty who threw the hardest left-handed pitch in Japanese baseball history and won the league’s highest accolades. Could find himself closing by July. *Velocity trivia nugget courtesy of Tim McCleod via the Goin’ Deep Podcast hosted by B_Don and Donkey Teeth.



8. RHP Bryan Abreu | 23 | HOU

9. RHP Rowan Wick | 27 | CHC

10. RHP Art Warren | 27 | SEA

With some of the game’s highest spin rates, Bryan Abreu hasn’t struggled to miss bats. Finding the zone has been an entirely different proposition, but relief pitching seems to have . . . relieved some of the strike-throwing pressure and unlocked his confidence.

Rowan Wick might be a little higher if he weren’t behind a high-dollar closer, but there’s a non-zero chance Craig Kimbrel can’t rebound from a wacky 2019.

Art Warren’s got an angle on a closer’s gig in Seattle and a fastball slider curveball combination that’s been suppressing home runs and piling up strikeouts since his days in A ball before his command took a step forward in 2017.



11. RHP Hunter Harvey | 25 | BAL

12. RHP Michel Baez | 24 | SD

Couple of converted starters here. Baez is 6’8” and Harvey is a giant white rabbit who’s partly invisible but almost as tall. Baez will have to keep pace with a lot of great relievers just to get innings, while Harvey could become Baltimore’s best pitcher this year and would be in the previous tier if I didn’t fall in love with this bunny bit. I really like that story though. Might not be a must-see but certainly worth a read/watch any day.



13. RHP Demarcus Evans | 23 | TEX

14. LHP Jose Castillo | 24 | SD

15. RHP Cody Stashak | 25 | MIN

If you haven’t seen Demarcus Evans, he too is worth a watch any day. A huge righty with a dominant fastball curveball combination, he should be up in 2020 and could be truly dominant with even a half-tick more command, which he might not even need to succeed.

Jose Castillo is a little like Harvey in that he’d be higher (graduated from prospect status, actually) and a little like Baez and that San Diego’s bullpen is incredibly talented and deep.

Command is a major strength for Cody Stashak, and I think his stuff’s good enough to push into Minnesota’s closer group sometime in 2020 if a window cracks open via injury or performance via Romo or Rogers. The Graterol trade helps Stashak’s fantasy topside.



16. RHP Isaac Mattson | 24 | BAL

17. RHP Tyler Zuber | 24 | KC

18. RHP Connor Brogdon | 25 | PHI

19. RHP Dany Jimenez | 26 | SF

20. LHP Kyle Nelson | 23 | CLE

Isaac Mattson climbed three levels in 2019 and wound up traded for Dylan Bundy. Baltimore pitchers enjoyed huge bounces last year, which we have to think was related at least a little bit to the hiring of Houston’s brain trust. Mattson will get a chance to pitch late in games this year.

The shortest man on the list at 5’11”, Tyler Zuber employs a diverse arsenal and maximizes a mind for tinkering and sequencing. With Ian Kennedy pitching himself into a trade chip and on the way to free agency, Zuber stands to inherit a crucial role in Kansas City.

A few years back, Brogdon sold his carwash to Walter White and picked up a baseball. He’s now a 6’6” hurler who’s dominated since he was drafted in 2017. His worst WHIP was 1.15 in his draft year. Last year he logged a 0.80 WHIP and a 44.3 percent K rate in 23.2 AA innings and a 1.08 WHIP and 33.1% in 32.1 innings in AAA.

A Rule 5 pick who has to be rostered or returned to the Blue Jays, Dany Jimenez might wind up closing in San Francisco this year, and it might happen early. He’s 26, he’s been flirting with dominance the past few years, and nobody of note is standing between him and a prominent back-end role.

Solid command and a plus slider propelled Kyle Nelson through three levels last year, and even in Cleveland’s stacked bullpen, there’s always room in the late innings for a talented lefty.

Thanks for reading!

Many happy returns on your quests for relief!

I’m @theprospectitch on Twitter in case you’re curious.

For Fantasy purposes Karinchak's Krazy K rate makes him a logical top choice. Nice to see Kyle Nelson on there too. Not sure if he's a spring invitee but could be a summer addition.

while Lake County will be stacked, Lynchburg is going to a weak link. Bo Naylor behind the plate will be the one to watch. Will Benson hopefully can make a second year quantum leap as he did with his second chance with the Captains.
Otherwise there are plenty or organizational kids to fill in: infielders Berardi and Schneerman [who had pretty decent stats when you look at him] and Wilbis Santiago [who had the best batting avg in the system last year] Mitch Reeves 1B might rise to Akron otherwisethey'll bring up Englemann.
In the OF they could get aggressive and let Quentin Holmes try the Carolina League; he has not come close to 200 but did start showing power second half of the year. I assume Jodd Carter will go to Akron. Cody Farhat has some talent. I've liked Austen Wade but he missed nearly all of 2019. Hosea Nelson didn't do much for the Captains, but someone else will be needed.

Pitching: Justin Garza doesn't necessarily deserve a promotion but he's 25, so probably moves up to Akron with Brock Hartson and Juan Hillman, who had his first pro season.
Kirk McCarty should return after only getting in 56 innings after injury; impressive hard thrower Cody Morris could lead the staff; Shand McCarthy could get his debut and continue confusion with lefty Kirk without the H; Luis Oviedo is young, missed half of 19 and wasn't too effective so I assume he'll stay in Lake County to start; lefty Matt Turner did well in his time in Lake County, only 20, may start there again and get his promotion later; Zach Draper another Lefty could make the step up, he's started and he's relieved, he's one of those guys who gets bounced around to fill temporary. I guess I'd suppose to the rotation could be McC, McC, Morris, Draper, and maybe Garza.