Scouting Report: Frazier can put on a show in batting practice, with his raw power rating a 70. He generates lightning-quick bat speed and takes short, quick swings. Like most teenage hitters, he will swing and miss too much at times. Frazier will have to get accustomed to pitchers throwing him a steady diet of breaking balls as he moves up, but the Indians believe he’ll be able to make the adjustment and will hit for solid averages. An infielder until his junior year in high school, he impressed the team with how quickly his outfield play progressed. His routes and angles need to get better, but he has the above-average speed to play center field. Some scouts believe he’ll eventually outgrow center, though his above-average arm would fit fine in right.

Scouting Report: Bauer takes an intellectual approach, studying biomechanics to carefully craft his delivery, but it got out of whack in 2013. His fastball features slight tailing movement, sitting in the low 90s and hitting 95 mph when he needs it to. Bauer still shows wipeout secondary stuff. He has two plus pitches in his curveball with late downward break and his sinking changeup. He can mix in a usable slider as well. However, Bauer relied too heavily on his breaking stuff in 2013, struggled to command his fastball and constantly fell behind in counts. He needs to trust his fastball more and get his delivery back in order so that he can command his heater down in the zone.

Scouting Report: Hailed as the best pure hitter in the 2012 draft class, Naquin has quick hands and exceptional bat control, allowing him to spray line drives all over the field. He spread out his stance in 2013 to give himself a stronger base and allow him to use his legs better. However, scouts would like to see him turn on inside pitches with more authority rather than looking to flick them the other way. He has below-average power but he can accumulate extra bases with his above-average speed and aggressiveness. That lack of home run pop makes it essential Naquin stay in center field. He was a right fielder in college, but he has the range and instincts to make a go of it center. His arm is also well above-average.

Scouting Report: From the beginning, the Indians believed in Anderson’s ability to be a starter thanks to his easy, repeatable delivery and variety of pitches. He generates nice downhill plane on his plus fastball that reaches 95 mph and sits in the low 90s. His slider and curveball are solid if unspectacular. The slider stepped forward last season once Anderson stopped trying to guide it into the strike zone and used it more aggressively, improving its bite and making it a swing-and-miss offering. His changeup needs the most work, but he does show some feel for it and has good arm speed with it. He doesn’t have any issues with his delivery and already has solid command

Anderson dabbled in pitching in high school but spent most of his time in the outfield. He moved to the mound full-time at Feather River (Calif.) JC, though only as a reliever, where his arm strength, frame and delivery attracted the Indians. His career took off in 2013, when he won pitcher of the year awards for both the high Class A Carolina League and the Indians organization.

Despite Paulino’s down year, the Indians remain excited about his upside. He has strong hands and can whip the bat through the zone. His hands are quick enough that he can let balls travel deep and smash line drives to all fields. He has some raw power, though it’s mainly to the gaps. When he’s going well, Paulino does a good job of staying inside the ball, but last season he pressed too much to get out of his funk and got over-aggressive. He’s a solid runner underway, but he lacks a quick first step. Paulino probably will face a move to second base at some point, though the Indians will keep him at shortstop for the time being. His arm is playable there but his range is fringy. He made 39 errors in 2013, the most among MWL shortstops, as he struggled with his footwork and internal clock.

One of the most sought-after bats on the 2011 international market, Paulino landed with the Indians for $1.1 million. He was among the youngest players in the low Class A Midwest League in 2013 at age 18 and struggled to adjust to the cold weather early in the season. His numbers fell into a hole, though he did recover to hit .281 in August.

Rodriguez has as much or more pure athleticism as any Indians middle-infield prospect, including Francisco Lindor, but he lacks polish. He has quick-twitch ability and generates plenty of bat speed. His home run output dropped markedly from 2012, though Cleveland chalks this up at least partly to Double-A Akron’s stingy Canal Park. Rodriguez is wiry strong and leverages balls well, and he should be capable of solid-average power. His inexperience shows in his overly aggressive plate approach. He has the bat-to-ball skills to make consistent contact to all fields, but he’s tough to walk and doesn’t show much ability to adjust with two strikes. Rodriguez played shortstop until moving over to second base upon Lindor’s arrival in Akron. He has the pure tools for shortstop, with plus range, quick hands and a strong-enough arm.

A sinker/slider reliever, Lee throws from a low-three-quarters slot with deception. He has plus velocity on his fastball, ranging from 92-96 mph with late sinking and running life. His slider doesn’t have a ton of depth but its good, late bite makes it tough for righthanders to handle. Coming off elbow surgery, Lee was a bit tentative with his slider early in the year, but it looked impressive by the end. He does have a little splitter he can use against lefties, but he’s primarily a two-pitch pitcher. Control isn’t a problem, but he does need to tighten his fastball command to give himself a better chance against lefthanders.

Ramirez’s speed and on-base skills are his biggest assets. He has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and sprays line drives to all fields. He does have some pull-side power, more so as a righthanded hitter, but home runs aren’t part of his game. He excels at working counts and rarely chases. Though Ramirez has plus speed and led the Eastern League in steals (38), he tended to be too aggressive. He has the athleticism and versatility to play second base, third base or shortstop, but second is the only spot where he profiles as a regular. His hands work well and he has smooth actions, but he lacks the arm for shortstop or power for third. The game never speeds up on Ramirez, and the major league staff raved about his energy.

After he finished 2012 at low Class A Lake County, Ramirez went on to hit .312 over the winter in the Dominican League, which spurred the Indians to skip him over high Class A and send him straight to Double-A Akron to start the 2013 season. Cleveland called him up in September in the heat of the playoff race, using him mainly as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.

Adams returned in fine form at Double-A Akron in 2013, amassing a strikeout rate of 12.4 per nine innings. The high-90s velocity he showed before his injury has come all the way back, and he pitched with his fastball at 95-97 mph with cutting action. Adams still has the depth to his repertoire from his days as a starter. His curveball and changeup have the best chances to be quality offerings from among his secondary pitches, and he can mix in an early-count slider as well. He’s a good athlete but isn’t overly physical. The Indians believe Adams will have better command than his walk figures from 2013 suggest (4.7 per nine), but he has effort to his delivery, and his ability to locate never will be more than average.

The Brewers liked Adams enough as a shortstop prospect to take him in the 27th round in 2008, but he passed on signing to continue playing both ways at NAIA Faulkner (Ala.). Cleveland’s fifth-round pick in 2009, he rated as one of the Indians’ best pitching prospects after the 2011 season, but shoulder surgery cost him all of 2012 and his road to the majors has been rerouted to the bullpen.

Another TOP 10, this is from Bleacher Reports. With video!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1909 ... 14/page/11

1. Lindor, of course
2. Frazier, of course
3. Anderson, rather high, but no other starting pitcher did anything last year
4. Mejia, rather high, but a very high ceiling teenage catcher can defend and hit well in 2013 too
5. Naquin. some like him, some don't
6. Paulino, last year's teenage sensation; this year he's still a potential big hitter
7. Kime. top pitching pick in 2013 draft; hardly pitched after signing
8. BAuer. How the mighty have fallen. Maybe he'll listen to someone and pitch well
9. Ronnie Rodriguez, another middle IF, who probably will change positions
10. Aguillar, on this list in place of Jose Ramirez; Tribe's sole power prospect besides Frazier

Just discovered the official Civ Ollilavad Top 10 list in a pile of totally unrelated papers.

1. Lindor, of course
2. Frazaier, of course
3. Salazar, oops not allowed on the list anymore, everyone moves up a notch
3. therefore is Bauer, he still has talent, right?
4. Paulino, I was very impressed with the way he bounced back in the second half of 2013
5. Luis Lugo, maybe I overrate him. He is big lefthanded gets good results but apparently doesn't throw hard enough, but he is projectible to improve the velocity
6. Naquin. Good 4th OF, in my opinion; great defense I don't see enough power, steals or walks
7. Ronnie Rodriguez. It looks like everyone ranks him around this level
8. CC Lee.
9. Dylan Baker; but he slumped later in the season after I last revised this, so let me replace him here with Mejia here who I didn't notice until late in the summer
10. Anderson

Indians set to tutor prospects in week-long program

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 1/24/2014 10:43 A.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

Spring Training is meant to prepare players of every level for the season ahead. The Indians are also doing what they can to help prepare young players for all aspects of life in the big leagues.

Each offseason, the Indians hold their winter development program, which serves as a week-long Major League clinic split between Arizona and Cleveland. Beginning on Monday, the Tribe will host 15 of its prospects -- a group of Minor Leaguers nearing the big leagues -- at Progressive Field as part of the annual event.

Outfielder Tyler Naquin, who was selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, highlights this year's class of participants.

The purpose of the program, which features seminars and an assortment of guest speakers while in Cleveland, is to help acclimate the players to the stadium, the city and the club's training facilities. The program was originally created by team president Mark Shapiro and is in its 19th year.

Here is a glance at the players participating in the program this winter:

1B Jesus Aguilar
Acquired: Signed as non-drafted free agent in 2007
On 40-man roster? Yes
Briefly: The 23-year-old, who will be in camp with the Tribe this spring and is ranked the club's No. 17 prospect, posted a .275/.349/.474 slash line to go along with 16 home runs, 28 doubles and 105 RBIs in 130 games for Double-A Akron last season. His RBI total set a franchise record.

RHP Cody Anderson
Acquired: 14th round in 2011 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: Anderson, 23, took home the organization's Bob Feller Award last season, honoring him as the system's top pitcher. In 26 starts between Class A Advanced Carolina and Double-A Akron, the organization's sixth-best prospect went 9-6 with a 2.65 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 136 innings.

RHP Tyler Cloyd
Acquired: Claimed off waivers from Phillies on Oct. 2
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The Indians claimed, released and re-signed the 26-year-old Cloyd, who will be in camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. In parts of two big league seasons with the Phillies, the righty has posted a 5.98 ERA in 93 1/3 innings.

RHP Joseph Colon
Acquired: 12th round in 2009 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The 23-year-old Colon split his time between Class A Lake County and Class A Advanced Carolina last season, going 5-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 17 starts. Along the way, he compiled 76 strikeouts against 27 walks in 92 innings.

LHP Kyle Crockett
Acquired: Fourth round in 2013 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: After being taking in last summer's Draft, the 22-year-old lefty soared through Class A Short-Season Mahoning Valley and Class A Lake County, reaching Double-A Akron. In 21 games overall, the Tribe's 15th-ranked prospect had a 0.36 ERA with 32 strikeouts and five walks in 24 2/3 innings.

INF Erik Gonzalez
Acquired: Signed as non-drafted free agent in 2008
On 40-man roster? Yes
Briefly: The 22-year-old Gonzalez was added to Cleveland's roster this winter after turning in a solid season in 2013. In 132 games between Lake County and Carolina, the infielder posted a .254/.293/.417 slash line, with nine homers, 32 doubles, 12 triples, 76 RBIs and 75 runs.

LHP Colt Hynes
Acquired: Acquired via trade from Padres on Oct. 31
On 40-man roster? Yes
Briefly: Hynes, 22, turned in a 9.00 ERA in 22 games for San Diego last season, but he had an impressive showing at Double-A and Triple-A in the Padres' system. Across 41 appearances, Hynes fashioned a 1.52 ERA with 58 strikeouts and only two walks in 47 1/3 innings.

C Jake Lowery
Acquired: Fourth round in 2011 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The 23-year-old Lowery was extended an invitation to Spring Training by the Indians earlier this week. Between Carolina and Akron last summer, the catcher hit .264/.359/.437 with seven homers, 23 doubles, two triples, 33 RBIs and 26 runs scored.

OF Bryson Myles
Acquired: Sixth round in 2011 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The 24-year-old Myles spent all of last season with Class A Advanced Carolina, where he hit .285/.357/.427 for the Mudcats. In those 92 games, the outfielder piled up eight homers, 20 doubles, two triples, 15 stolen bases, 52 RBIs and 55 runs.

OF Tyler Naquin
Acquired: First round in 2012 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: Naquin, 22, will be in camp with the Indians as a non-roster invitee this spring. He posted a .269/.334/.405 slash line in 126 games between Carolina and Akron last season, piling up 10 homers, 30 doubles, six triples, 48 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 78 runs. He is ranked the Indians' No. 5 prospect .

RHP Bryan Price
Acquired: Acquired via trade from Red Sox on July 31, 2009
On 40-man roster? Yes
Briefly: Price, 27, was dealt to the Tribe, along with Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone, in the 2009 deal for Victor Martinez. In 47 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year, the reliever put up a 2.04 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 16 walks in 75 innings.

INF Jose Ramirez
Acquired: Signed as non-drafted free agent in 2009
On 40-man roster? Yes
Briefly: Ramirez, 21, hit .333 (12 at-bats) with the Indians in September after being promoted straight from Double-A. The infielder hit .272/.325/.349 with 25 extra-base hits, 38 RBIs, 38 stolen bases and 78 runs in 113 Minor League games. Cleveland's No. 12 prospect underwent left thumb surgery in December.

RHP Will Roberts
Acquired: Fifth round in 2011 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The 23-year-old Roberts split his season between Class A Advance Carolina and Double-A Akron last year. In 27 games, the right-hander went 8-12 with a 4.77 ERA, posting 107 strikeouts against 36 walks in 154 2/3 innings.

INF Giovanny Urshela
Acquired: Signed as non-drafted free agent in 2008
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The 22-year-old Urshela spent all of last season with Double-A Akron, turning in a .270/.292/.384 slash line. In 116 games at that level, the third baseman posted eight homers, 23 doubles, two triples, 43 RBIs and 42 runs scored.

2B Joe Wendle
Acquired: Sixth round in 2012 First-Year Player Draft
On 40-man roster? No
Briefly: The Indians have invited the 23-year-old Wendle to Spring Training as a non-roster player after he won the organization's Lou Boudreau Award, honoring him as the system's top position player. In 107 games at Carolina, he hit .295/.372/.513 with 16 homers, 32 doubles, 64 RBIs and 73 runs.

Also Colt Hynes is 28 years old, not 22

Indians extend deal with Class A Mahoning Valley

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 1/30/2014 6:25 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

The Indians have served as the parent ballclub for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers since the team's creation, and Cleveland has agreed to continue the partnership for at least three more seasons.

On Thursday, the Indians announced that they have extended their player development contract with Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley by two years, running through the 2016 campaign. The Scrappers -- owned by HWS Baseball and located in Niles, Ohio -- have been affiliated with Cleveland since being founded in 1999.

"We are thrilled to extend our affiliation with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the community of Niles," Ross Atkins, the Indians' vice president of player development, said in a release. "HWS Baseball and the Scrappers provide our players with the support and resources to develop into winning Major Leaguers, while the community and fans create an environment that prepares our players to play just an hour down the road in Cleveland.

"We look forward to the continued relationship and to many more cornerstone Cleveland Indians starting their careers in Mahoning Valley."

Last season, Mahoning Valley went 30-44, finishing in fourth place in the Pinckney Division within the New York-Penn League. Cleveland often uses the short-season affiliate for players taken in the First-Year Player Draft in June, or for players in the 19-24 age range.

Tony Lastoria's team has started his Top 50 countdown. For a thin farm system like ours that means the first couple dozen, or perhaps the first 40, will be pretty much longshots. Anyway here goes:

The IBI's 2014 Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown begins with right-handed pitcher Will Roberts. Roberts is a big, durable arm that the Indians felt made some good strides in 2013 and has been overlooked in their system.

Civ's take: Uck. A 4.57 ERA for Akron. BA against 286