Cleveland Sports Forum

MInor League Transactions through last Wednesday. Lots more followed.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/m ... rch-21-27/

Names you'll recognize:

Released by Tampa: Weglarz; by; Rockies: Garko; by Reds: Jeff Stevens; by Twins: Scott Elarton (I thought he was a coach by now); optioned to AAA: by O's Canzler; by Nats: Carlos Rivero; by Rockies: Pomeranz.

In the agate type in today's paper I see Alex White went on the 60-day DL which means major injury by Houston.

It seems like the big deadline deal was a dud for both sides.

Remember when Carlos Rivero was the next big thing.

Whatever happened to Abner Abreu and his brother?

Here we go:

Edward Salcedo, 3b, Braves
Edward Salcedo

Proper Name: Edward Starlin Salcedo

Born: July 30, 1991 in La Vega, Dominican Republic

High School:

Ht.: 6-3 Wt.: 195

Bats: R Throws: R
Mississippi Braves
Career Statistics 2012 Game Logs 2012 Splits
Year Age Club Lg Class AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS GDP OBP SLG OPS
2010 18 Braves DSL R .297 23 74 16 22 5 1 1 11 18 19 8 1 1 .453 .432 .885
2010 18 Rome SAL LoA .197 54 193 23 38 5 4 2 16 11 56 6 5 4 .239 .295 .534
2011 19 Rome SAL LoA .248 132 508 83 126 27 6 12 68 41 105 23 10 10 .315 .396 .711
2012 20 Lynchburg CAR HiA .240 130 471 65 113 26 2 17 61 33 130 23 14 10 .295 .412 .707
Minor League Totals .240 339 1246 187 299 63 13 32 156 103 310 60 30 25 .306 .388 .694

Bleacher Reports updates is top 50 prospects, including:


23. Trevor Bauer, RHP, Cleveland Indians
Hi-res-7173840_display_image
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Position: RHP

DOB: 1/17/1991 (Age: 22)

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011 (UCLA)

ETA: 2013

2012 Stats



Overview: The third overall selection in the 2011 draft, Trevor Bauer opened the 2012 season at Double-A Mobile and posted a 1.68 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 48.1 innings. He promptly moved up to Triple-A Reno in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, where he registered a 2.82 ERA over eight starts.

Arizona called Bauer up to the majors in late June, and he registered a 6.06 ERA with 13 walks in 16.1 innings. Command issues and general tentativeness, as well his unwillingness to make the mechanical changes requested by the Diamondbacks, resulted in a trade to the Indians this offseason.

Mechanics/Delivery: 6’1”, 190-pound right-hander is limber and athletic; employs an unorthodox, torque-oriented delivery; well-documented training regimen includes pole-to-pole long toss before starts; cerebral hurler who utilizes physics to optimize delivery; head pulls off to glove side and prevents consistent release point; explosive, quick arm; everything masked with deception.

Arsenal/Control: Fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s with some late arm-side action; flattens out when left up in the zone; curveball is an absolute hammer and a second plus pitch; delivery makes it especially deceptive and difficult to recognize out of his hand; loaded arsenal also features a tumbling splitter, slider and above-average changeup.

Struggled in majors as he tried to nibble at the strike zone; didn’t trust his pure stuff; tried to fool hitters with deep arsenal; more concerned about executing perfect pitches; concerns about his makeup and coachability, shaky relationship with organization contributed to disappointing showing.

Spring Update: Receiving a fresh start with the Indians, Bauer entered camp as one of several candidates vying for a spot at the back end of the team’s starting rotation.

However, because he spent the first portion of camp working to improve his endurance by eliminating some of the effort in his delivery, the organization ultimately decided to option the right-hander to Triple-A for further seasoning. With no need to rush him back to the major leagues, expect the Indians to proceed cautiously with their new top pitching prospect.

2013 Opening Day Level: Triple-A

12. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Indians
Hi-res-148247829_display_image
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Position: SS

DOB: 11/14/1993 (Age: 19)

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 175

Bats/Throws: S/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011 (Montverde HS, Fla.)

ETA: 2014

2012 Stats



Overview: Francisco Lindor received an aggressive promotion to Low-A for his full-season debut last season, where the switch-hitter batted .257/.352/.355 with 24 doubles, 27 stolen bases and 78/61 K/BB in 122 games. His stats took a dive over the second half of the season, though, as he was noticeably worn down and running on fumes.

Offense: Works deep counts and demonstrates feel for strike zone; advanced pitch recognition and approach; will collect plenty of extra-base hits, below-average power; potential for above-average hit tool from both sides; present bat control; above-average speed; advanced and instinctual base stealer; mature secondary skills.

Defense: Wizard in the field; potential to be elite defensive shortstop in the major leagues; does things at the position that no teenager should be able to do; plus glove; soft hands; above-average range; always gains momentum toward target; accurate, above-average arm; defense could play in the major leagues right now; could have a long career in majors even if bat doesn’t pan out; outstanding make-up and instincts.

Spring Update: After spending his entire full-season debut as an 18-year-old in Low-A, Lindor has turned in an impressive spring in his first major league camp. Although he’s appeared in only 10 games thus far, the switch-hitting shortstop has made the most of his three starts, going 6-for-14 with a double and triple.

Ticketed to open his age-19 season in High-A, Lindor is already on the fast track to the major leagues and should arrive before celebrating his 21st birthday.

2013 Opening Day Level: High-A

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Rusty

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

Could you go back and read my post again??

I never mentioned the fact that Omar was not the best defensive shortstop in the game.

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 !!!!!!

Rusty

I don't think I ever mentioned the fact that Phillips was a better second baseman than Alomar although he has developed into one of top second basemen in baseball.

In fact, I will give you a chance to apologize

Robbie was a natural second baseman starting at age 20 until he retired 16 years later (2004). Phillips was a natural shortstop that was converted into a second baseman and didn't assume full time duties at that position until 2005 at age 25. His career took off and the career has not been a shabby on so far. All-star, Gold Glove winner, the only second basemen in the history of baseball to have a 30-30 season..........I shouldn't have to go on should I ? Well! Maybe! He puts on a defensive clinic and has enough highlight plays to fill an entire 15 minute segment on Baseball Tonight


Seriously, comparing Alomar and Phillips defensively through their same age periods (25 - 31), and considering that Alomar had 5 years experience on Phillips, Brandon actually had better defensive numbers than Alomar. Phillips hardly blows Dude! I think you should give in, admit I am right about Brandon Phillips, and shake hands. What do you think?

Check out the stats! I just threw in the offensive stats for shits and grins. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I think maybe you meant to say that Phillips blows offensively compared to Alomar ?!!?!?!

This may be the Mudcats' roster. It is up to date showing Wolters as a catcher. The starters appear to be:

C Lowery and Wolters and Valerio
1b Sabourin
2b Wendle
ss LINDOR
3b ??
OF: Myles, NAQUIN, Smith

Starting rotation? I can't 5 guys here who deserve to be starters. The only one or two of any consequence are Cody Anderson and maybe Shawn Morimando. Other starters could be Michael Goodnight, Will Roberts, J.D. Reichenbach, Francisco Jiminez.

Pretty crumby looking team.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... 9&sid=milb

This may be the Lake County roster

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... 7&sid=milb

I don't see Elvis Aquino anywhere; is he hurt again? There are a few interesting players here:

C Eric Haase (5th round pick a couple years ago) and Martin Cervenko, both age 20'
1b Nelson Rodriguez (age 18) power bat. Maybe he'll do better than past budding starts like Curtis Gay
2b Robel Garcia, age 20, was one of my breakout picks in 2012 and had a terrible year
ss DORSYSS PAULINO, age 18, best Tribe hitting prospect since (it's been ages) ?Manny
3b Castillo, age 19, awful last year
OF: Levon Washington, he's 21 now and it's time for him to put up
OF: Luigi Rodriguez, he makes top prospect lists, but he's back here again
OF: Jorge Martinez, age 20, former SS/3b, power hitter

Rotation: last year top picks Mitch Brown (18) and Dylan Baker (21), prior year top prospects who've fizzled: Felix Sterling (age 20) and Jake Sisco (21). Prior year big deal prospect Dillon Howard who was very bad last year is not starting on a full season team this year.

There's some decent offensive potential on this team, and a group of starting pitchers with talent.

Notably absent:

D'Vone McClure and Anthony Santander, OFs. McClure age 19 was 4th round pick and had an OPS of 594 in Arizona League. Santander is my breakout pick; only age 18 he has an OPS of 875 in Arizona last summer. BA projected both for Lake County, and Luigi Rodriguez (No. 7 prospect) for Carolina.

BA only rated Wolters as NO. 17 prospect and did say he has "above average arm and clean hands" but "fringy speed limits his range". Maybe that means he could be a catcher. Especially since only Yan Gomes among all our catchers was rated as one of our Top 30 prospects.

Also absent among high prospects are pitchers Luis Lugo and Kieran Lovegrove, but BA expected neither teenager to start the year on a full-season team.

Where are the top 30 picks opening:

in Cleveland Allen (4)
in AAA Bauer (1A) Chen Lee (10,on dl?) Barnes (11) Haley (14) Fedroff (19) Adams (24,dl?) Gomes (27)
in AA Salazar (6) RonnieRod (8) Aguillar (9) Armstrong (20) Urshela (22) JoseRamirez (23)
in High A Lindor (1) Naquin (3) Wolters (17) Anderson (29) Smith (30)
in Low A Paulino (2) Brown (5) LuigiRod (7) Baker (16)
in extended ST Lugo (12) Santander (13) McClure (15) Lovergrove (21) Howard (25) Araujo (26)
out of the system McGuinness (18) Neal (28)

CIV- What happened to Carrera? Any info?

Haven't seen anything. He's not listed on Columbus roster. A google search doesn't find anything after his DFA.

Thanks, Civ.

Well kazmir is already injured

Akron Aeros pitcher Paolo Espino works out at Canal Park on Tuesday. Espino will be part of the starting rotation for the Aeros to open the season. (Paul Tople/Akron Beacon Journal)


With blend of youth, experience, Akron Aeros optimistic about 2013 season

By Michael Beaven

Beacon Journal sports writer

Published: April 2, 2013 - 11:24 PM | Updated: April 3, 2013 - 11:44 AM

The boys of summer are back in Akron.

The Aeros held their annual media day Tuesday after practice at a remodeled Canal Park and everyone in a uniform was optimistic about the 2013 baseball season, which starts at home at 6:35 Thursday night against the Binghamton Mets.

“I think this team is pretty balanced,” Aeros manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “We have experienced guys who were here last year and won the [Eastern League] championship. We also have very young guys, too. The whole infield is very young. First base, second base, third base, shortstop, I think they average 21 years old. That is very young for this level. With that combination, I think we will have a pretty solid team.”

Rodriguez said right-hander Danny Salazar will get the ball as the Opening Day starter Thursday.

“I am definitely excited,” said Aeros catcher Alex Lavisky, who is a graduate of Lakewood St. Edward High School and a lifelong Indians fan.

“They kind of set the bar really high last year with such a great season here and we will try to keep that winning tradition they established last year.

“So far, being close to home has been awesome and been a blessing for me and my family. Hopefully, my parents, family and friends can make it to a bunch of games down here like they did in Lake County last year. This should be fun. It is definitely exciting around here with new ownership.”

Ken Babby purchased the Class-AA Aeros last year and has proven to be a go-getter in the community to drum up fan interest.

He has also spearheaded projects to enhance the fan experience, including a large new video scoreboard beyond the fence in right field.

“There is definitely a buzz around here,” Lavisky said. “People are excited, especially with the big-league club being in the same state. With all the new acquisitions they have with [Nick] Swisher, [Michael] Bourn and all those guys, that definitely trickles down to the guys down here. There is a big buzz going through the organization and I feel like that will be very beneficial for us this year.”

Rodriguez also discussed the Aeros’ lineup. Tentatively, center fielder Tyler Holt will lead off and be followed by second baseman Jose Ramirez and right fielder Carlos Moncrief.

First baseman Jesus Aguilar will hit cleanup, followed by designated hitter Chun Chen and catcher Roberto Perez. The bottom third of the order will have third baseman Giovanny Urshela, shortstop Ronny Rodriguez and either Quincy Latimore or Delvi Cid in left field.

Rodriguez, Salazar, Ramirez, Aguilar, Chen and Urshela are all among the Indians’ top 20 prospects, according to MLB.com.

Rodriguez is No. 4 on the list behind High Class-A shortstop Francisco Lindor, Triple-A pitcher Trevor Bauer and Low Class-A shortstop Dorssys Paulino.

“I am working hard for this and I am ready to go,” Rodriguez said. “I am working hard to stay there and be a prospect. I play hard every day.

“I bring the same Ronny, a big smile every day to the field. I am Ronny Ro. I bring leadership. I will try to play the same way in 2013 as I played in 2012.”

Infielder Matt Lawson and Lavisky are expected to play reserve roles.

Edwin Rodriguez also revealed his five-man starting pitching rotation. Salazar tops the list and will be followed by lefties T.J. House and Matt Packer. Righties Paolo Espino and Toru Murata round out the five.

Bullpen roles remain unsettled, but the Aeros have options. Shawn Armstrong, Brett Brach, Cole Cook, Jose Flores, Kyle Landis, Fabio Martinez and Bryce Stowell all pitch from the right side. Edward Paredes is the lone left-hander.

Edwin Rodriguez brings a veteran presence to the dugout. He managed Puerto Rico to a runner-up finish to the Dominican Republic in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and previously managed the Florida Marlins in 2010 and 2011 and several minor-league teams. He also briefly played in the major leagues for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres in the 1980s.

“It is more about developing than winning [at this level], but you try to establish a combination of both,” Edwin Rodriguez said. “You can develop players at the same time that you teach them how to win. The bottom line is they have to learn to compete and find ways to win ballgames.”

Aeros Press Release on Opening Day Roster

By Stephanie Storm Published: March 31, 2013

Here's the Aeros press release announcing their Opening Day Roster:

Defending EL Champs Welcome Back 15 Players from ’12 Club

The Aeros begin defense of their 2012 Eastern League championship this Thursday, April 4th, at 6:35 p.m. when they host the Binghamton Mets at Canal Park in the first game of a four-game series.

The Aeros roster features a mix of youth and experience. A total of 15 players return from last year’s club. Of the 10 newcomers, six will be making their debut at the Double-A level. The initial 25-man contingent also sports six of the top 20 prospects in the Indians organization as ranked by MLB.com.

The pitching staff features returning starters TJ House and Danny Salazar, both of whom are on the Tribe’s 40-man roster. House made a team-high, 23 starts last season, going 8-5, with a 3.98 ERA, while Salazar was a perfect 4-0, with a 1.85 ERA in six starts after a promotion from Class-A. Other starting candidates include righthander Paolo Espino, who has 22 career wins in an Aeros uniform, lefty Matt Packer, righthander Brett Brach and righthander Toru Murata, who was the winning pitcher in the Aeros’ pennant-clincher against Trenton last September.

In the bullpen, righthanders Shawn Armstrong, Kyle Landis and Bryce Stowell all return from last year’s squad. Landis appeared in 41 games and was a member of the Western Division All-Star team at midseason. Armstrong went 1-0, with a 0.89 ERA in 17 games after spending the first half of the season at Class-A Carolina. Stowell, one of the hardest throwers in the organization, was limited to 25 games due to an arm injury, but recorded 44 strikeouts and walked only nine in 29 innings. Rounding out the bullpen are righthanders Cole Cook and Jose Flores, as well as free agents Fabio Martinez and Edward Paredes.

Catching duties will be handled initially by returner Roberto Perez and Double-A rookie Alex Laviskey. Perez appeared in 95 games for the Aeros last season, and threw out 41 percent of potential base-stealers, which ranked third in the EL. Laviskey, a native of Northeast Ohio, who played his high school baseball at powerhouse St. Edward High School in Lakewood, hit .246 with 12 homers and 49 RBI in 93 games at Class-A Lake County last season.

The Aeros infield will feature some of the youngest and brightest prospects in the Indians organization. First basemen Jesus Aguilar and Chun Chen will split duties at first base and DH. Aguilar made his Double-A debut late last season and clubbed three homers in 20 games. Chen, back for his third season in Akron, made a position switch from catcher to first base last year, and hit .308, which ranked fifth in the EL. A pair of 20-year-olds will anchor the middle of the infield with Ronny Rodriguez at shortstop and Jose Ramirez at second. Rodriguez emerged as a prospect last season, blasting 19 home runs and 20 doubles at Class-A Carolina. He spent the postseason with the Aeros, and scored one run in a pinch-running appearance. Ramirez, a switch-hitter, played the second half of the season at Class-A Lake County, where he hit .354 in 67 games. Third base will be manned by 21-year-old Giovanny Urshela, who smacked 14 homers while playing alongside Rodriguez at Carolina last year. Matt Lawson, who hit .327 for the Aeros last year and then added a homer and five RBI in the playoffs, rounds out the infield corps.

In the outfield, centerfielder Tyler Holt returns for his second season with the Aeros. After starting the season with Carolina last year, Holt came to the Aeros, and hit .250 with 13 stolen bases in 55 games. He was a key contributor in the playoffs, hitting .333 (11-33) in the postseason. Delvi Cid will make his regular-season Aeros debut. Cid enjoyed a breakout year at Class-A Carolina, hitting .281, with a career-high five homers. As a member of the Aeros playoff roster last year, Cid appeared in five games, going hitless in one at-bat. Rightfielder Carlos Moncrief continues his climb through the organization. A lefthanded hitter, Moncrief hit .249, with 15 homers and 53 RBI’s at Carolina last season. Newly acquired Quincy Latimore will round out the Aeros’ outfield contingent. Latimore was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in the Jeanmar Gomez trade. A versatile defender who can play all three outfield positions, Latimore played in the EL for Altoona last season, hitting .252, with 15 home runs and 71 RBI.

Members of the Aeros who are listed on MLB.com’s ranking of the Indians "Top 20" prospects include Rodriguez (4), Salazar (8), Ramirez (9), Aguilar (12), Chen (19), and Urshela (20).

The Aeros will be managed by Edwin Rodriguez, who enters his second season in the Indians organization. Rodriguez managed at Carolina last year, and recently served as the manager for his native Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Rodriguez will be assisted by pitching coach Greg Hibbard and hitting coach Jim Rickon.