Some other players to note:
Shawn Morimando 6 2/3--9---3--2--2--5
Josh Martin 1 --0--0--0--1--2 Ingraham called him our midseason most improved players. That's overdoing it, but..66K in 59 IP
since his 1st AB grand slam Nellie has struggled but he drew his first two AA walks last night; hitting 083 for Akron
yandy Diaz 0-5
Paulino returned to the lineup so not under suspension. walked once fanned 3 times.
We don't pay attention to catcher Eric Haase with Lynchburg but after his 3 triples last nigh, [ever been done by a catcher in professional baseball history??] he now has these interesting offensive numbers: 26 singles, 24 doubles, 7 triples, 9 homers
Hitting 240, but OPS is a fine 815. Way too many K's of course, 98 in 306 total ab
G Mejia is slowing down, but registered his 34th steal. May not catch up to Allen or Zimmer after all. A few weeks to go.
3 game streak for Wakamatsu, with 5-11 and 3 walks and 2 triples. 18 year old SS son of major leaguer Don [or? Dan]
McKenziie's line noted by Hillbilly. 4-2-1-1-1-7. He only turned 18 two weeks ago.
Re: Minor Matters
4952The thing about Giles was his great eye and patience. All through the minors he always had great BB/K ratio and great OBP. If I remember correctly he didn't really blossom into a great hitter until AAA or so, but he's the kind of guy I would point to as to not give up on if he's not putting up great numbers early. A great batting eye and patience will pay off in the long run.
Mike Papi for instance. While his BB/K and OBP is probably not as good as Giles at this point, he still has a lot of walks and a respectable .365 OBP. I'm still hoping a light bulb might switch on for him a little later too and he can start driving the balls he's waiting on.
Mike Papi for instance. While his BB/K and OBP is probably not as good as Giles at this point, he still has a lot of walks and a respectable .365 OBP. I'm still hoping a light bulb might switch on for him a little later too and he can start driving the balls he's waiting on.
Re: Minor Matters
4954Remember when the Indians had a pipeline of hitters like Joey Jimmy Manny Brian Richie Russell-How many decades ago was that? Seems like multiple lifetimes ago. Then came the great signability pick Danny Peoples and the rest was poop!
Re: Minor Matters
4957Made me go look, Seagull. His last year in Buffalo Giles hit .314 and had an OBP of .395. He hit 20 homers in 366 at bats.
He hit over 300 the 3 seasons prior to that too, had 15 and 16 homers the 2 seasons prior.
What I was referring to was early on. In '92 he hit 248 with 3 homers between A and AA. But he had more walks than K's and a solid OBP. He had seasons of 1, 4, and 3 his first 3 years in the minors. As he matured physically he started driving those good pitches he was so adept at waiting on.
I'm hoping Papi can do that.
He hit over 300 the 3 seasons prior to that too, had 15 and 16 homers the 2 seasons prior.
What I was referring to was early on. In '92 he hit 248 with 3 homers between A and AA. But he had more walks than K's and a solid OBP. He had seasons of 1, 4, and 3 his first 3 years in the minors. As he matured physically he started driving those good pitches he was so adept at waiting on.
I'm hoping Papi can do that.
Re: Minor Matters
4959Surprising MLB Prospects Making a Late Push for September Call-Ups
Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland Indians
2015 Stats (A+/AA): .300/.398/.501, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 82 R, 39 SB, .900 OPS
Bradley Zimmer has played fewer than 200 career minor league games, but the former first-round pick could get a taste of the big leagues much more quickly than expected.
Zimmer has been one of the top players in the minor leagues this season. The 22-year-old is slashing .300/.398/.501 with 16 homers and 62 RBI. When he's not driving in runs, Zimmer is getting on base at an extremely high clip, stealing bases and scoring runs.
The talented outfielder hasn't been in Double-A for long, but his .386 on-base percentage is impressive for a player with limited minor league experience. Zimmer may be moving quickly up the developmental ranks, but he believes the Indians brain trust is readily aware of what he can and can't handle.
“You want to move through the system as quickly as possible but at the right time,” Zimmer told Alex Hall of the New Hampshire Union Leader regarding his July promotion to Double-A. “I feel like the Indians have my best interests in mind at all times, and I think they knew I was ready so I was very excited to come join these guys.”
With that being said, it's extremely unlikely that Zimmer will be featured in Cleveland this season.
But that doesn't mean he's not applying pressure to the club's decision-makers. The Indians have already traded three outfielders—Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and David Murphy—which implies that there will be at least two openings next season aside the underrated Michael Brantley.
A team with an average payroll like the Indians is better suited to do its due diligence with an internal option like Zimmer before scouring the free-agent market. Is there a better time to see what a young player is capable of than in September?
Bradley Zimmer, Cleveland Indians
2015 Stats (A+/AA): .300/.398/.501, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 82 R, 39 SB, .900 OPS
Bradley Zimmer has played fewer than 200 career minor league games, but the former first-round pick could get a taste of the big leagues much more quickly than expected.
Zimmer has been one of the top players in the minor leagues this season. The 22-year-old is slashing .300/.398/.501 with 16 homers and 62 RBI. When he's not driving in runs, Zimmer is getting on base at an extremely high clip, stealing bases and scoring runs.
The talented outfielder hasn't been in Double-A for long, but his .386 on-base percentage is impressive for a player with limited minor league experience. Zimmer may be moving quickly up the developmental ranks, but he believes the Indians brain trust is readily aware of what he can and can't handle.
“You want to move through the system as quickly as possible but at the right time,” Zimmer told Alex Hall of the New Hampshire Union Leader regarding his July promotion to Double-A. “I feel like the Indians have my best interests in mind at all times, and I think they knew I was ready so I was very excited to come join these guys.”
With that being said, it's extremely unlikely that Zimmer will be featured in Cleveland this season.
But that doesn't mean he's not applying pressure to the club's decision-makers. The Indians have already traded three outfielders—Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and David Murphy—which implies that there will be at least two openings next season aside the underrated Michael Brantley.
A team with an average payroll like the Indians is better suited to do its due diligence with an internal option like Zimmer before scouring the free-agent market. Is there a better time to see what a young player is capable of than in September?
Re: Minor Matters
4960seagull wrote:You still in Connecticut, Ken?
Yes Farmington CT the one time preppy capital of the world
Re: Minor Matters
4961Naquin 4-4 with a walk too this evening.
Bradley only had one hit, *yawn*, another homer.
Bradley only had one hit, *yawn*, another homer.
Re: Minor Matters
4962Good night for lots of our outfielders.
Naquin included a double among the hits, added a walk, and lifted his AAA OPS over 800. He's pretty likely to arrive in September even if Zimmer gets a pass. But I'd be happy to have both.
Ramsay singled and doubled. He would've been expected in Sept but he's only hitting 234.
Bryson Myles singled, homered and walked for Akron. but he's probably going to peak right there, or maybe get a look in AAA.
Zimmer was on base only when hit by a pitch, which is one of his many skills. His AA OPS just about matches the Lynchburg number; lower avg in Akron but homering more frequently.
Lynchburg only got in a couple innings before rain. But Frazier had time for a base hit.
Big night for LF Anthony Santander in Lake County. Two homers and a single and 4 RBI. He's only 20 although he's been around awhile. 7 homers, 285 average, 803 OPS in about 200 at bats. Used to be considered a RF candidate, I thought, but he's been playing left exclusively with the Captains.
GMejia single and walk but no steal attempts.
Some non-OF performances: F.Mejia 3 singles, Y.Diaz 2 singles. C Li-Jen Chu back from DL with Mah Valley hit a 3 run homer. Wakamatsu single and double and 2 rbi.
Julian Merryweather in LC: 8--4--1--1--0--9 Great game. Has not shown nearly this much before.
CAsey Shane 6 2/3--4--3--2--1--5
Justin Hillman 3--4--3--2--1---4 not as impressive a career debut as McKenzie
And FWIW, Gavin Floyd worked 1 1/2 innings for Arizona allowed 4 runs. I thought he had had season-ending surgery.
Naquin included a double among the hits, added a walk, and lifted his AAA OPS over 800. He's pretty likely to arrive in September even if Zimmer gets a pass. But I'd be happy to have both.
Ramsay singled and doubled. He would've been expected in Sept but he's only hitting 234.
Bryson Myles singled, homered and walked for Akron. but he's probably going to peak right there, or maybe get a look in AAA.
Zimmer was on base only when hit by a pitch, which is one of his many skills. His AA OPS just about matches the Lynchburg number; lower avg in Akron but homering more frequently.
Lynchburg only got in a couple innings before rain. But Frazier had time for a base hit.
Big night for LF Anthony Santander in Lake County. Two homers and a single and 4 RBI. He's only 20 although he's been around awhile. 7 homers, 285 average, 803 OPS in about 200 at bats. Used to be considered a RF candidate, I thought, but he's been playing left exclusively with the Captains.
GMejia single and walk but no steal attempts.
Some non-OF performances: F.Mejia 3 singles, Y.Diaz 2 singles. C Li-Jen Chu back from DL with Mah Valley hit a 3 run homer. Wakamatsu single and double and 2 rbi.
Julian Merryweather in LC: 8--4--1--1--0--9 Great game. Has not shown nearly this much before.
CAsey Shane 6 2/3--4--3--2--1--5
Justin Hillman 3--4--3--2--1---4 not as impressive a career debut as McKenzie
And FWIW, Gavin Floyd worked 1 1/2 innings for Arizona allowed 4 runs. I thought he had had season-ending surgery.
Re: Minor Matters
4963A recent BA chat; I usually miss these since I don't know when they're coming. I guess I need to spend more time checking out their site, and less time working.
Ned (TX): Please tell us something...anything about Gabriel Mejia.
Ben Badler: Indians signed him as a shortstop but moved him to center field. He’s an 80 runner with an above-average arm who just makes plays on pure speed and athleticism. Still young and learning the game, doesn’t have any power, but the hitting ability and speed are an intriguing combo.
[that's more specific than last answer they provided]
Ned (TX): Please tell us something...anything about Gabriel Mejia.
Ben Badler: Indians signed him as a shortstop but moved him to center field. He’s an 80 runner with an above-average arm who just makes plays on pure speed and athleticism. Still young and learning the game, doesn’t have any power, but the hitting ability and speed are an intriguing combo.
[that's more specific than last answer they provided]
Re: Minor Matters
4964Wednesday lines:
CLE AA Rodriguez, Ronny 2B 4 0 1 0 .288 [not been playing middle IF much this year]
CLE AA Stamets, Eric SS 4 0 1 0 .182 [as advertised: can't hit a lick]
CLE AAA Aguilar, Jesus 1B 3 1 1 2 .256 HR (15), BB (35)
CLE AAA Gonzalez, Erik SS 4 0 1 0 .219
CLE AAA Naquin, Tyler CF 4 2 4 0 .270 2B (12), BB (23)
CLE AAA Ramsey, James DH 4 1 2 0 .234 2B (18)
CLE LoA Bradley, Bobby 1B 5 1 1 1 .261 HR (26) [14 more to catch Branyan]
CLE LoA Chang, Yu-Cheng DH 4 1 1 0 .235 3B (3), BB (24) {I still like him}
CLE LoA Mejia, Francisco C 5 0 3 1 .256 [ditto]
CLE MAJ Lindor, Francisco SS 4 0 1 0 .289 [everyone likes him]
CLE R Isaacs, Todd LF 5 1 1 0 .148 [who???]
CLE R Wakamatsu, Luke SS 5 1 2 2 .266 2B (3) 18 year old SS with power; that was Chang in AZ last year
CLE SS Marabell, Connor DH 4 1 1 0 .228 [please disregard all references to this guy]
CLE SS Mathias, Mark 2B 3 1 1 0 .262 2B (12)
CLE SS Tom, Ka’ai LF 5 1 1 1 .279 SB (13) [lots of walks, lots of steals]
CLE AA Clevinger, Mike 5 4 3 3 3 7 3.07
CLE AAA Armstrong, Shawn 1.1 0 0 0 0 3 2.53
CLE R Colegate, Ryan 2 4 2 2 1 1 7.50 L (0-1) [36th round pick. talk about irrelevant...]
CLE R Hillman, Juan 3 4 3 2 1 4 4.95
CLE R Meister, Christian 3 2 0 0 0 1 0.59 [if he weren't 21 in AZ I'd be excited]
CLE SS Shane, Casey 6.2 4 3 2 1 5 2.95
CLE AA Rodriguez, Ronny 2B 4 0 1 0 .288 [not been playing middle IF much this year]
CLE AA Stamets, Eric SS 4 0 1 0 .182 [as advertised: can't hit a lick]
CLE AAA Aguilar, Jesus 1B 3 1 1 2 .256 HR (15), BB (35)
CLE AAA Gonzalez, Erik SS 4 0 1 0 .219
CLE AAA Naquin, Tyler CF 4 2 4 0 .270 2B (12), BB (23)
CLE AAA Ramsey, James DH 4 1 2 0 .234 2B (18)
CLE LoA Bradley, Bobby 1B 5 1 1 1 .261 HR (26) [14 more to catch Branyan]
CLE LoA Chang, Yu-Cheng DH 4 1 1 0 .235 3B (3), BB (24) {I still like him}
CLE LoA Mejia, Francisco C 5 0 3 1 .256 [ditto]
CLE MAJ Lindor, Francisco SS 4 0 1 0 .289 [everyone likes him]
CLE R Isaacs, Todd LF 5 1 1 0 .148 [who???]
CLE R Wakamatsu, Luke SS 5 1 2 2 .266 2B (3) 18 year old SS with power; that was Chang in AZ last year
CLE SS Marabell, Connor DH 4 1 1 0 .228 [please disregard all references to this guy]
CLE SS Mathias, Mark 2B 3 1 1 0 .262 2B (12)
CLE SS Tom, Ka’ai LF 5 1 1 1 .279 SB (13) [lots of walks, lots of steals]
CLE AA Clevinger, Mike 5 4 3 3 3 7 3.07
CLE AAA Armstrong, Shawn 1.1 0 0 0 0 3 2.53
CLE R Colegate, Ryan 2 4 2 2 1 1 7.50 L (0-1) [36th round pick. talk about irrelevant...]
CLE R Hillman, Juan 3 4 3 2 1 4 4.95
CLE R Meister, Christian 3 2 0 0 0 1 0.59 [if he weren't 21 in AZ I'd be excited]
CLE SS Shane, Casey 6.2 4 3 2 1 5 2.95
Re: Minor Matters
4965Cleveland Indians Top 20 2015 PRE-SEASON prospects in review
By John Sickels on Aug 20, 2015, 3:27p 1
Francisco Lindor - Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Today we continue our summer reviews of the pre-season Top 20 Prospects lists with the Cleveland Indians.
This is a review of the pre-season list.
It is not a new list.
These are the pre-season grades.
This list was originally published December 20, 2014
1) Francisco Lindor, SS, Grade A: Solid major league debut, hitting .289/.324/.395 with five homers, 14 walks, 41 strikeouts in 228 at-bats. Strong defense drives fWAR value to 1.7 in 57 games. He should continue to improve from this successful base.
2) Bradley Zimmer, OF, Grade B+: Hitting .298/.397/.498 on the season split between High-A and Double-A, no drop in production after promotion, with 16 homers and 39 steals. Power, speed, on-base ability, defense, everything looks good.
3) Clint Frazier, OF, Grade B+/B: Slow start but has been on fire for several weeks, boosting numbers to .288/.382/.474, 32 doubles, 15 homers, 60 walks, 110 strikeouts in 437 at-bats in High-A at age 20, excellent wRC+ at 150. All that bat speed is turning into game power, strikeouts are trending down, walks trending up. He’s figuring it out.
4) Francisco Mejia, C, Grade B: Hitting .256/.340/.371 with nine homers, 37 walks, 64 strikeouts in 340 at-bats in Low-A at age 19. Defense is raw but the tools are there, will need time to refine them.
5) Bobby Bradley, 1B, Grade B: Hitting .261/.348/.537 with 26 homers, 46 walks, 131 strikeouts in 352 at-bats at age 19 in Low-A. He’s got strikeout issues but power looks outstanding and his production has been excellent for the pitching-dominated Midwest League.
6) Justus Sheffield, LHP, Grade B-/B: Another 19 year old with his career off to a good start, 3.86 ERA with 119/33 K/BB in 110 innings in Low-A. Throws three quality pitches for strikes and has been particularly effective over the last four weeks.
7) Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Grade B-: Hitting .230/.277/.340 with five homers, 12 walks, 41 strikeouts in 200 major league at-bats. Good glove at third, hasn’t hit much yet but that may come in time.
8) Tyler Naquin, OF, Grade B-: Hit .348/.419/.468 in Double-A (141 at-bats) then .270/.358/.443 in Triple-A (174 at-bats), 13 steals and 24 doubles combined. Should be a quality fourth outfielder.
9) Mitch Brown, RHP, Grade B-: Dominant on days when his control is working, ineffective on days when it is not, unfortunately balancing out to disappointing numbers overall since he’s had more bad days than good (4.99, 89/63 K/BB in 124 innings, 127 hits in High-A). Durable horse who stays healthy and is young at 21, but he doesn’t have the stuff to thrive without sharper command.
10) James Ramsey, OF, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .234/.315/.372 with 12 homers, 48 walks, 122 strikeouts in 406 at-bats in Triple-A. Will battle Naquin for fourth outfield role.
11) Nellie Rodriguez, 1B, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .262/.345/.476 with 33 doubles, 18 homers, 53 walks, 132 strikeouts in 424 at-bats between High-A and Double-A. Brute force bat who can beat any park with his power, provided he makes enough contact.
12) Yu Cheng Chang, INF, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .232/.296/.370 with nine homers, 24 walks, 90 strikeouts in 332 at-bats in Low-A. Big jump from AZL where he hit .346 last year, has shown some pop but production limited by contact issues. Strong arm.
13) Mike Papi, 1B-OF, Grade C+: Former University of Virginia star struggling to hit pro pitching, batting .235/.362/.342 with 33 doubles, two homers, 71 walks, 104 strikeouts in 366 at-bats in High-A. Drawing walks, as expected, but homers have been almost zero, which was NOT expected after college track record and scout reports of plus power.
14) Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Grade C+: Hitting .256/.316/.414 with 15 homers, 35 walks, 95 strikeouts in 445 Triple-A at-bats. Hit .304/.395/.511 at the same level last year. This has happened before: A) guy dominates Triple-A, B) doesn’t earn major league job, C) slumps in second Triple-A year. A very common historical pattern, perhaps due to psychological effects of players pressing to prove themselves.
15) Erik Gonzalez, SS, Grade C+: Hit .280/.304/.421 in Double-A (yay!) but .219/.271/.272 in Triple-A (boo!), combining for eight homers, 14 steals. Good glove but not in Lindor’s class, likely a utility guy or trade bait.
16) Austin D. Adams, RHP, Grade C+: 3.96 ERA with 18/12 K/BB in 25 major league innings, 28 hits. Plausible middle relief option if he can tighten command.
17) Grant Hockin, RHP, Grade C+: Tommy John surgery.
18) Luis Lugo, LHP, Grade C+: 4.34 ERA with 100/45 K/BB in 104 innings in High-A, 108 hits, at age 21. Good size and arm strength, results don’t quite match natural talent yet but has time at age 21.
19) Adam Plutko, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent season, 2.21 ERA with 115/22 K/BB in 142 innings, 105 hits between High-A and Double-A. Doesn’t throw hard but has full arsenal of pitches and knows how to use them.
20) Cody Anderson, RHP, Grade C/C+: 1.89 ERA with 54/14 K/BB in 71 innings in Double-A/Triple-A led to big league promotion, 4.31 ERA with 20/8 K/BB in 48 innings until going on DL with oblique injury. I think he’s a fourth/fifth starter.
MUST READS
Cleveland Indians Top 20 Prospects for 2015
John Sickels
The Indians are an inadequate 55-64 and in fifth place in the American League Central. Despite this disappointment, there is more good news than bad on the player development front. Francisco Lindor has established himself as a quality major league shortstop who will continue to improve. Most of the other top prospects have performed well and several should be ready for trials sometime in 2016, including Bradley Zimmer, Tyler Naquin, James Ramsey, Nellie Rodriguez, and Adam Plutko. Clint Frazier is in the middle of a breakout summer in High-A.
Deadline trades added a pair of prospects: slick-fielding shortstop Eric Stamets from the Angels, and lefty Rob Kaminsky from the Cardinals. Stamets is a utility type but Kaminsky is actually an excellent prospect, among the top LHP prospects in baseball in my view. Getting him for a fading veteran like Brandon Moss is quite a coup.
The 2015 draft went well too. Brady Aiken is a gamble due to the Tommy John surgery, but if he recovers properly he could be a top-of-the-rotation arm, a huge payoff. Supplemental first rounder Tristan McKenzie has exceptional projectability, while second rounder Juan Hillman was receiving first round buzz at one point. Getting all three of those arms was another coup. Infielder Luke Wakamatsu was a third round talent who fell to the 20th round but still signed.
Other players of interest include RHP Mike Cleavinger (3.00, 125/38 K/BB in 138 innings in Double-A), LHP Sean Morimando (2.97, 108/57 K/BB in 136 innings in Double-A), LHP Sean Brady (3.77, 110/24 K/BB in 129 innings in Low-A), OF Greg Allen (.270/.365/.389 with 40 steals, 50 walks, 53 strikeouts in Low-A) and OF Luigi Rodriguez (.293/.335/.492 with 24 steals until going on suspension list for PED this month). RHP Shawn Armstrong has been strong in Triple-A (2.53, 72/24 K/BB in 46 innings, 14 saves) and is ready for a big league trial. All of these guys have seen their stock rise this year.
Overall, the Indians farm system looks on the upswing. There is power, there is speed, there is defense, and there is pitching.
By John Sickels on Aug 20, 2015, 3:27p 1
Francisco Lindor - Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
TWEET (2) SHARE (1) PIN
Today we continue our summer reviews of the pre-season Top 20 Prospects lists with the Cleveland Indians.
This is a review of the pre-season list.
It is not a new list.
These are the pre-season grades.
This list was originally published December 20, 2014
1) Francisco Lindor, SS, Grade A: Solid major league debut, hitting .289/.324/.395 with five homers, 14 walks, 41 strikeouts in 228 at-bats. Strong defense drives fWAR value to 1.7 in 57 games. He should continue to improve from this successful base.
2) Bradley Zimmer, OF, Grade B+: Hitting .298/.397/.498 on the season split between High-A and Double-A, no drop in production after promotion, with 16 homers and 39 steals. Power, speed, on-base ability, defense, everything looks good.
3) Clint Frazier, OF, Grade B+/B: Slow start but has been on fire for several weeks, boosting numbers to .288/.382/.474, 32 doubles, 15 homers, 60 walks, 110 strikeouts in 437 at-bats in High-A at age 20, excellent wRC+ at 150. All that bat speed is turning into game power, strikeouts are trending down, walks trending up. He’s figuring it out.
4) Francisco Mejia, C, Grade B: Hitting .256/.340/.371 with nine homers, 37 walks, 64 strikeouts in 340 at-bats in Low-A at age 19. Defense is raw but the tools are there, will need time to refine them.
5) Bobby Bradley, 1B, Grade B: Hitting .261/.348/.537 with 26 homers, 46 walks, 131 strikeouts in 352 at-bats at age 19 in Low-A. He’s got strikeout issues but power looks outstanding and his production has been excellent for the pitching-dominated Midwest League.
6) Justus Sheffield, LHP, Grade B-/B: Another 19 year old with his career off to a good start, 3.86 ERA with 119/33 K/BB in 110 innings in Low-A. Throws three quality pitches for strikes and has been particularly effective over the last four weeks.
7) Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Grade B-: Hitting .230/.277/.340 with five homers, 12 walks, 41 strikeouts in 200 major league at-bats. Good glove at third, hasn’t hit much yet but that may come in time.
8) Tyler Naquin, OF, Grade B-: Hit .348/.419/.468 in Double-A (141 at-bats) then .270/.358/.443 in Triple-A (174 at-bats), 13 steals and 24 doubles combined. Should be a quality fourth outfielder.
9) Mitch Brown, RHP, Grade B-: Dominant on days when his control is working, ineffective on days when it is not, unfortunately balancing out to disappointing numbers overall since he’s had more bad days than good (4.99, 89/63 K/BB in 124 innings, 127 hits in High-A). Durable horse who stays healthy and is young at 21, but he doesn’t have the stuff to thrive without sharper command.
10) James Ramsey, OF, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .234/.315/.372 with 12 homers, 48 walks, 122 strikeouts in 406 at-bats in Triple-A. Will battle Naquin for fourth outfield role.
11) Nellie Rodriguez, 1B, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .262/.345/.476 with 33 doubles, 18 homers, 53 walks, 132 strikeouts in 424 at-bats between High-A and Double-A. Brute force bat who can beat any park with his power, provided he makes enough contact.
12) Yu Cheng Chang, INF, Grade C+/B-: Hitting .232/.296/.370 with nine homers, 24 walks, 90 strikeouts in 332 at-bats in Low-A. Big jump from AZL where he hit .346 last year, has shown some pop but production limited by contact issues. Strong arm.
13) Mike Papi, 1B-OF, Grade C+: Former University of Virginia star struggling to hit pro pitching, batting .235/.362/.342 with 33 doubles, two homers, 71 walks, 104 strikeouts in 366 at-bats in High-A. Drawing walks, as expected, but homers have been almost zero, which was NOT expected after college track record and scout reports of plus power.
14) Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Grade C+: Hitting .256/.316/.414 with 15 homers, 35 walks, 95 strikeouts in 445 Triple-A at-bats. Hit .304/.395/.511 at the same level last year. This has happened before: A) guy dominates Triple-A, B) doesn’t earn major league job, C) slumps in second Triple-A year. A very common historical pattern, perhaps due to psychological effects of players pressing to prove themselves.
15) Erik Gonzalez, SS, Grade C+: Hit .280/.304/.421 in Double-A (yay!) but .219/.271/.272 in Triple-A (boo!), combining for eight homers, 14 steals. Good glove but not in Lindor’s class, likely a utility guy or trade bait.
16) Austin D. Adams, RHP, Grade C+: 3.96 ERA with 18/12 K/BB in 25 major league innings, 28 hits. Plausible middle relief option if he can tighten command.
17) Grant Hockin, RHP, Grade C+: Tommy John surgery.
18) Luis Lugo, LHP, Grade C+: 4.34 ERA with 100/45 K/BB in 104 innings in High-A, 108 hits, at age 21. Good size and arm strength, results don’t quite match natural talent yet but has time at age 21.
19) Adam Plutko, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent season, 2.21 ERA with 115/22 K/BB in 142 innings, 105 hits between High-A and Double-A. Doesn’t throw hard but has full arsenal of pitches and knows how to use them.
20) Cody Anderson, RHP, Grade C/C+: 1.89 ERA with 54/14 K/BB in 71 innings in Double-A/Triple-A led to big league promotion, 4.31 ERA with 20/8 K/BB in 48 innings until going on DL with oblique injury. I think he’s a fourth/fifth starter.
MUST READS
Cleveland Indians Top 20 Prospects for 2015
John Sickels
The Indians are an inadequate 55-64 and in fifth place in the American League Central. Despite this disappointment, there is more good news than bad on the player development front. Francisco Lindor has established himself as a quality major league shortstop who will continue to improve. Most of the other top prospects have performed well and several should be ready for trials sometime in 2016, including Bradley Zimmer, Tyler Naquin, James Ramsey, Nellie Rodriguez, and Adam Plutko. Clint Frazier is in the middle of a breakout summer in High-A.
Deadline trades added a pair of prospects: slick-fielding shortstop Eric Stamets from the Angels, and lefty Rob Kaminsky from the Cardinals. Stamets is a utility type but Kaminsky is actually an excellent prospect, among the top LHP prospects in baseball in my view. Getting him for a fading veteran like Brandon Moss is quite a coup.
The 2015 draft went well too. Brady Aiken is a gamble due to the Tommy John surgery, but if he recovers properly he could be a top-of-the-rotation arm, a huge payoff. Supplemental first rounder Tristan McKenzie has exceptional projectability, while second rounder Juan Hillman was receiving first round buzz at one point. Getting all three of those arms was another coup. Infielder Luke Wakamatsu was a third round talent who fell to the 20th round but still signed.
Other players of interest include RHP Mike Cleavinger (3.00, 125/38 K/BB in 138 innings in Double-A), LHP Sean Morimando (2.97, 108/57 K/BB in 136 innings in Double-A), LHP Sean Brady (3.77, 110/24 K/BB in 129 innings in Low-A), OF Greg Allen (.270/.365/.389 with 40 steals, 50 walks, 53 strikeouts in Low-A) and OF Luigi Rodriguez (.293/.335/.492 with 24 steals until going on suspension list for PED this month). RHP Shawn Armstrong has been strong in Triple-A (2.53, 72/24 K/BB in 46 innings, 14 saves) and is ready for a big league trial. All of these guys have seen their stock rise this year.
Overall, the Indians farm system looks on the upswing. There is power, there is speed, there is defense, and there is pitching.