Cleveland Sports Forum

And the winners are:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians added five minor leaguers to their 40-man roster on Friday. The team also cut ties with reliever C.C. Lee.

Clubs faced a deadline Friday for protecting players from being available in the Rule 5 Draft, which will take place at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., in less than three weeks. The Indians selected the contracts of outfielders Tyler Naquin and James Ramsey and pitchers Mike Clevinger, Shawn Morimando and Dylan Baker. Thus, those five players cannot be selected by another team.

The Indians' 40-man roster is now full, because the team sold Lee's contract to the Saitama Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan. Lee, a native of Taiwan, posted a 4.50 ERA in parts of three seasons with the Tribe. He appeared in two games with Cleveland in 2015. He registered 28 innings with the club in 2014.

Naquin, Ramsey and Clevinger all finished the 2015 campaign with Triple-A Columbus. Morimando was pitching for Double-A Akron and Baker was pitching for Class A Lynchburg. All five were eligible for the Rule 5 Draft based on accrued service time. Players signed at the age of 18 must have logged five years in the minors. A player signed at the age of 19 or later must have logged four years in the minors. Teams with an open spot on their 40-man roster can select an eligible player from another organization if they place that player on their big league roster.

Naquin batted .348 with an .887 OPS at Akron before he was promoted to Columbus, where he hit .263 with a .784 OPS. Injuries limited him to 84 total games in 2015. The Indians chose him in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 amateur draft.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Ramsey eight picks after the Tribe took Naquin. The teams swapped Ramsey and pitcher Justin Masterson in 2014. Ramsey batted .243 with 12 home runs in 126 games at Columbus in 2015.

Clevinger fashioned a 9-8 record and 2.73 ERA at Akron. He then made a pair of dominant starts for Columbus during the Clippers' postseason run. In those two outings with Columbus, he allowed only five hits over 15 1/3 scoreless frames.

Morimando, who turned 23 on Friday, went 10-12 with a 3.18 ERA at Akron. A 19th-round draft choice in 2011, he owns a 4.11 ERA in 108 career minor league outings.

Baker, a native of Juneau, Ala., appeared in only one game in 2015 before he underwent Tommy John surgery. In that outing -- for Lynchburg -- he tossed five hitless innings and he tallied nine strikeouts. Baker, a fifth-round draft selection in 2012, owns a 3.64 ERA in 48 career minor league appearances.

The Indians left a number of players exposed for the Rule 5 Draft, including Double-A relievers Jeff Johnson (1.05 ERA in 51 1/3 innings) and Josh Martin (8-1, 2.27 ERA in 67 1/3 innings), Double-A second baseman/outfielder Todd Hankins (.261 average, 21 stolen bases), Double-A infielder Ronny Rodriguez (.806 OPS in 72 games) and Triple-A pitchers Will Roberts (3.06 ERA in 12 starts at Columbus) and Trey Haley (2.57 ERA in 18 appearances).

Rather bizarre choice was Dylan Baker who two seasons in a row has pitched nearly perfectly on opening day each of the last two years and then went immediately on the DL. In 2014 he came back to pitch a little later in the year. In 2015 he never returned. I guess it's actually much less a gamble to draft a player in the Rule 5 who is likely to be placed on the DL since then he doesn't hog a roster space, but eventually he must.

Here are his opening day lines in 2014 and 2015:

2014 6 innings, no runs, no hits, no walks, 4 strikeouts
2015 5 innings, no runs, no hits, one walk, 9 strikeouts

CLEVELAND -- Every Major League team is searching for the next great power hitter. The Indians have lacked that kind of prospect in the upper rungs of the farm system for several seasons, making the hunt for more thump in the heart of the order almost an annual exercise each winter.
Cleveland has not drafted and developed an impact power hitter since the days of Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez, but perhaps that drought will end a few summers from now. This past season, power was on full display roughly 18 miles east of Progressive Field at Classic Park, home of the Class A Lake County Captains.

That is where Bobby Bradley provided hope that maybe, just maybe, the Tribe has found its next great power hitter.

"Our goal," said director of player development Carter Hawkins, "is to have him be an elite Major Leaguer."

Bradley has yet to crack MLB.com's Top 100 prospects list -- he is ranked as Cleveland's No. 7 prospect and the eighth-best first-base prospect in baseball -- but the left-handed batter has cranked a lot of long balls. In 650 professional plate appearances, Bradley has clubbed 35 homers, while posting a .555 slugging percentage and a .264 Isolated Power rating.

This past season, the 19-year-old Bradley played 108 of his 110 games with Class A Lake County, where he was 2.4 years younger than the average Class A (low) position player, according to Baseball-Reference.com. His youthfulness did not stop Bradley from leading all of Class A (low) with 27 home runs, 92 RBIs and a .529 slugging percentage.

When compared to MLB.com's Top 100 list, Bradley's .254 ISO in 2015 would have ranked fourth, trailing only Texas' Joey Gallo (.280), Houston's A.J. Reed (.272) and Texas' Lewis Brinson (.269).

"I wouldn't say [I'm] surprised," Bradley said of his success, while at the Indians' fall development program at the end of the season. "It's more of realizing what I've done to actually get to this area where I am."

The Indians selected Bradley in the third round of the 2014 Draft out of Harrison Central High School in Mississippi. In his first taste of pro ball that season, Bradley took the Arizona Rookie League by storm, hitting .361 with eight homers, 50 RBIs and a 1.078 OPS in 39 games. His OPS led the league and Bradley was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

This past season, Bradley turned in a .264/.357/.518 slugging percentage in 110 games between Lake County and Class A Advanced Lynchburg, ending with 46 extra-base hits, 57 walks and 62 runs to go along with the homers and RBIs. As power hitters are prone to do, though, Bradley also struck out 150 times, accounting for 32 percent of his plate appearances.

"You look at most power hitters, they have high strikeout numbers," Hawkins said. "That, for the most part, is going to be something that's there during his career. So, in terms of how to curb that a little bit, the approach aspect of things will be huge. Understanding how guys are going to attack him and just staying within himself.

"He's 19 years old this year in the Midwest League. It's easy to get a little bit caught up in thinking about how many home runs you're hitting or trying to set teenage records in the Midwest League, or whatever was on his mind. I think as he grows and matures, he'll settle down a little bit."

Beyond gaining a better understanding of how pitchers will approach him, or adjusting to the idea that teams will implement defensive shifts against him, Bradley said he wants to improve in the field. He plans on using the offseason and spring to focus on his footwork around first base and also on the swiftness of his first step on ground balls.

Hawkins said Bradley's conditioning will also continue to be key in his development.

"When we're talking about a teenager," Hawkins said, "there's obviously a lot of different areas he can improve upon. One thing he's been really focused on, especially last season, was his body from a strength and conditioning standpoint. He really worked hard in our strength camps in Arizona."

At the plate, the key will be realizing that there is a lot more to becoming a true power hitter than just tape-measure shots.

"He's definitely not a guy that's going to slip under the radar at this point," Hawkins said, "so understanding the approach that pitchers are going to have against him and how he needs to react to that, at-bat to at-bat, game to game, week to week, will be something that will help him to take that next step in his career."

It will be very helpful if he can learn to play first base. His error rate was awful.

Frazier makes All-AFL team:

OF: Clint Frazier (Indians No. 2 prospect)
Frazier, MLBPipeline.com's No. 35 overall prospect, showcased his full offensive package in the Fall League, hitting .281 with three home runs, four steals and 15 runs scored in 22 games for Scottsdale -- a majority of which featured him batting leadoff. The 2013 first-rounder's bat speed and raw power are among the best in the Minor Leagues, with the combination suggesting the ceiling of an All-Star. However, Frazier's aggressive approach and below-average recognition of breaking balls -- even in advantageous counts -- was exploited in the Fall League, especially when facing pitchers multiple times.

John Sickels prospect list is up -- comments section (not posted below is also interesting http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/11/ ... s-for-2016)

QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS

Grade A prospects are the elite. In theory, they have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Theoretically, most Grade A prospects develop into stars or at least major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don’t intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases.

Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.

Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don’t make it at all.

Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment in the book for the full analysis about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.

1) Bradley Zimmer, OF, Grade B+: Age 23, hit .308/.403/.493 in High-A then .219/.313/.374 in Double-A, combined for 16 homers, 55 walks, 131 strikeouts, 44 steals. Had some adaption issues in Eastern League but I think he figures it out, broad skills and tools, speed, power, defense.

2) Clint Frazier, OF, Grade B+: Age 21, hit .285/.377/.465 with 36 doubles, 16 homers, 68 walks, 125 strikeouts, 15 steals in High-A. Terrific bat speed and got to his power more often in the second half, improved plate discipline with lower strikeout rate. Still some swing/miss there but can be an explosive hitter and made considerable progress. Intense player.

3) Mike Clevinger, RHP, Grade B+: Age 24, Tommy John survivor stolen from Angels in 2014, posted 2.73 ERA with 145/40 K/BB in 158 innings in Double-A, command has improved tremendously over last three seasons and he has the stuff to back that up. Should be ready for rotation trial sometime in 2016. I will post full comment in discussion thread tomorrow.

4) Bobby Bradley, 1B, Grade B+: Age 19, hit .264/.357/.518 with 27 homers, 57 walks, 150 strikeouts in 409 at-bats in A-ball. Enormous power, strikes out a lot but can work a count and is not just a brute-force masher, has some pure hitting skills to go with it. Not much of a glove but a special bat.

5) Rob Kaminsky, LHP, Grade B+/B: Age 21, snared from Cardinals for Brandon Moss, 2.24 ERA with 83/33 K/BB in 104 innings in A-ball, 2.16 GO/AO. Main concern is role/workload but his stuff is just fine and he knows how to pitch. Makeup a big plus for 2013 first-round pick. Check out his blog: robkaminsky.com.

6) Justus Sheffield, LHP, Grade B+/B: Age 19, posted 3.31 ERA with 138/38 K/BB in 128 innings in Low-A. Excellent pitchability matched with low-90s fastball, good curve, slider, developing change-up, throws strikes, future number three starter, perhaps more.

7) Triston McKenzie, RHP, Grade B/B-: Age 18, compensation pick bought away from Vanderbilt, posted 0.75 ERA with 17/3 K/BB in 12 innings, just four hits in rookie ball. Supremely projectable at 6-5, 165, could easily develop mid-90s heat and already has good secondary stuff and feel for pitching.

8) Juan Hillman, LHP, Grade B/B-: Second round pick in 2015, age 18, posted 4.13 ERA with 20/5 K/BB in 24 innings in rookie ball. Similar to Sheffield a year ago, another polished high school arm, low-90s fastball, curve, change.

9) Brady Aiken, LHP, Grade B-/B: Age 19, unsigned Astros first round pick in 2014 re-drafted by Indians in first round in 2015, recovering from Tommy John surgery. IF HEALTHY, has the best combination of stuff and command on this list. However, it is a mistake to assume full Tommy John recovery given the circumstances. Let’s see how he comes back first. A successful rehab will get him into Grade A territory.

10) Adam Plutko, RHP, Grade B-: Age 24, extremely polished UCLA product, posted 2.39 ERA with 137/28 K/BB in 166 innings between High-A and Double-A, throws four average pitches for strikes. Does not have the upside of the younger pitchers but is close to the majors and has a great track record of success.

11) Tyler Naquin, OF, Grade B-: Age 24, hit .300/.381/.446 between Double-A and Triple-A, can take a walk, steal a base, show occasional pop, play defense. Perfect fourth outfielder and ready soon.

12) Francisco Mejia, C, Grade B-: Age 20, hit .243/.324/.345 in Low-A, tools to be an excellent defender and decent hitter with some power but a long way off, still polishing his game in all respects. High upside, high risk.

13) James Ramsey, OF, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .243/.327/.382 with 12 homers, 53 walks, 128 strikeouts in 440 at-bats in Triple-A. Similar to Naquin but older, with more power and less speed, also a good defender, strong makeup, also a potential fourth outfielder.

14) Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Grade C+: Age 25, hit .267/.332/.439 with 19 homers, 47 walks, 115 strikeouts in 510 at-bats in Triple-A. Two strong power seasons at that level, nothing left to prove in International League but defensive limits, right-handed profile make it tough to slot him on most rosters.

15) Nellie Rodriguez, 1B, Grade C+: Age 21, hit .275/.357/.495 with 17 homers, 51 walks, 122 strikeouts in 396 at-bats in High-A but just .118/.200/.269 (with four homers) with 37 strikeouts in 93 at-bats in Double-A. Similar profile to Aguilar, hits right, huge power, strikes out a lot, younger but might get stuck as AAAA bat.

16) Shawn Armstrong, RHP, Grade C+: Age 25, ready to help in the pen, 2.36 ERA with 80/26 K/BB in 50 innings in Triple-A, 16 saves, zero homers. 2.25 ERA with 11/2 K/BB in eight big league innings. Low 90s with good slider, should be fine reliever.

17) Yandy Diaz, 3B, Grade C+: Age 24, Cuban defector, hit .309/.403/.402 with 78 walks, 70 strikeouts in 495 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A. Excellent strike zone judgment and I think he can get to some power eventually. Favorite sleeper of many who watch the systemclosely.

18) Mark Mathias, 2B, Grade C+: Age 21, third round pick from Cal Poly this year, hit .282/.382/.408 in New York-Penn League, excellent strike zone judgment (35 walks, 36 strikeouts) with doubles power. Scouts don’t seem to like his glove but the early defensive numbers are good for what that’s worth. Eventually the numbers and the scouting reports will converge, one way or another.

19) Erik Gonzalez, SS, Grade C+: Age 24, hit .255/.292/.373 with nine homers, 18 steals, 26 walks, 103 strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A. Strong arm, good range, can handle shortstop, has some power and speed but impatience, low OBP likely make him a utilityman.

20) Shawn Morimando, LHP, Grade C+: Age 23, 3.18 ERA with 128/65 K/BB in 159 innings in Double-A. 88-93 fastball, decent changeup and breaking ball, could blossom as fourth starter if he sharpens his command, though pattern has been slow growth, not big breakthrough.

OTHER GRADE C+: Sean Brady, LHP; Mitch Brown, RHP; Yu-Cheng Chang, SS; Tyler Krieger, INF; Luis Lugo, LHP; Gabriel Mejia, OF; Ryan Merritt, LHP

OTHERS OF NOTE: Greg Allen, OF; Jeff Johnson, RHP; Thomas Pannone, LHP; Mike Papi, OF-1B; Luis Rodriguez, OF; Casey Shane, RHP; Ka’ai Tom, OF; Jonas Wyatt, RHP

There is a lot to talk about with the Indians system and I will be in the comments thread with a discussion Sunday. I particularly want to talk about some of the "Other Grade C+" guys.

That's a pretty positive report. Lots of B and B+ grades. I'm pleased to see how impressed he is with Clevinger. We didnt' know much about him since he came over in the Pestano trade but he had a solid AA debut season and spectacular AAA playoff debut. Could help make one of our Big 5 starters expendable.

The strong positives for the young OFs also suggests one-year deal free agents might make most sense, [but of course if that limits us to guys like Victorino it's not worth bothering]

Seems to suggest we should be able to field a solid team without much trading beginning in 2017 and onward.

Speaking of positive comments, these aren't bad comparisons....

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Inbox: Talkin' prospects after Turkey Day

Jonathan Mayo MLB.com Columnist

Still recovering from feasting on Thursday? Trying to avoid any Black Friday shopping stampedes? You've come to the right place.
Welcome to a special Thanksgiving weekend edition of the MLBPipeline Inbox. Much like on Turkey Day, we're overstuffing you. But at least this gorging won't cause any tryptophan to kick in.

Who are some Major League comps to Indians' uber-prospects Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier?
-- Steve Z., Erie, Pa.

The dynamic outfield duo of Zimmer and Frazier are currently Nos. 1 and 2 on the Indians' Top 30 prospects list, and that's not likely to change any time soon. Zimmer, tall and athletic, is coming off a first full season that saw him reach (and scuffle a bit in) Double-A. But he hit a combined .273/.368/.446 with 16 homers and 44 steals. Because of his build and his power-speed potential, the comps that make the most sense are guys like Andy Van Slyke, Von Hayes or Shawn Green.

Frazier, the 2013 first-rounder, is a little trickier. He had a tremendous second half and a solid Arizona Fall League to build off as he prepares for that jump to Double-A. He doesn't fit just one profile all that well. Some see the bat speed and think of Gary Sheffield. Some see the size and right-handed power and think Justin Upton. That's not to say Frazier will be exactly like either of those guys, but there are qualities in Frazier that remind scouts of those All-Stars.

Will the Mets' Dom Smith hit for power? Is his defense really Gold Glove-caliber? Is there enough to move Lucas Duda?
-- Dan S., Gibbstown, N.J.

That's the big question, isn't it? There's no question Smith, the Mets' No. 5 prospect, can really hit. He had a solid Florida State League season and was hitting well in the Fall League before a minor oblique injury knocked him out. I do think there is more power to come than what he's shown. It started to show up, at least in the form of extra-base hits, this past season (33 doubles during the regular season, .511 slugging percentage in the AFL). The Mets have wanted Smith to worry about hitting first, believing the power will come in time. I don't think he's going to be a 30-plus-homer kind of guy, but there should be enough for him be an everyday first baseman. And yes, he's very good defensively.

The Mets could give Smith two more years in the Minors before having to deal with the Duda question. Duda isn't a free agent until after the 2017 season, so perhaps it'll be that '17 campaign where something will have to be decided. Or, at the very least, Smith takes over at first base full time in 2018.

Should the Dodgers give Jose Peraza the second-base spot? Should they bring back Chase Utley as a backup and a left-handed bat?
-- Sal G., Los Angeles

I would give Peraza, No. 4 on the Dodgers' Top 30, every opportunity to win that job. While perhaps his prospect stock has faded a bit, he still has the potential to provide a real boost to the Dodgers' offense. He makes a lot of contact, hits for average and can steal bases. The one thing he does need to improve is his on-base ability (.318 OBP in the Minor Leagues in 2015). Given the fact that Joc Pederson and his .325 OBP inhabited the leadoff spot more than any other Dodgers player this past season, it won't take a whole lot to improve the top of the order in that regard. Peraza has the skills to play shortstop as well (though he obviously won't in 2016), and is a solid defensive second baseman.

As for Utley, he had a combined .629 OPS in 2015. If you think his August (.901 OPS) is a sign of something left in the tank off the bench, go right ahead. But I'd probably be inclined to look elsewhere.

What's the prospect combination equivalent to a turducken?
-- Casey H., Oakland

While this is a relevant holiday-related question, we actually answered it several months ago. Back in April, we at MLBPipeline.com created uber-prospects, both hitting and pitching.

The hitter was Carlex O'Galldor. We took Carlos Correa's hit tool, Joey Gallo's power, Mallex Smith's speed, Justin O'Conner's arm and Francisco Lindor's offense.

After that prospect Turducken, you can move on to our uber-pitching prospect for dessert (a Piecaken, if you will): Carlbert Owenolito. That's Lucas Giolito's fastball, Robert Stephenson's curveball, Carlos Rodon's slider, Henry Owens' changeup and Aaron Nola's control.

Enjoy!

What position would be the best for Christian Arroyo given that Brandon Crawford just signed a six-year extension with the Giants?
-- Sheila D., Daly City, Calif.

You are right to point out that very large Crawford roadblock. The Giants can certainly take their time with Arroyo, their first-round pick in 2013, given that Crawford is signed through 2021. Arroyo, for his part, might push on a slower timetable after a solid California League season followed by a very good AFL showing. That said, many feel Arroyo isn't a long-term shortstop anyway. He has played some second base, back in 2014, but Joe Panik isn't even arbitration-eligible until 2018. Ditto for Matt Duffy at third. So it appears there's no room at the inn for Arroyo, who should be ready in 2017 at some point. Maybe he should try left field on for size?

Should the Pirates entertain a Starling Marte, Neil Walker, Tyler Glasnow trade for Manny Machado? They have outfield depth.
-- Chris O., Pittsburgh

There's no charge for entertaining. But to me, there's no way this trade makes sense. I love Machado and think he will be a superstar for a long time. But you're talking about dealing Marte, who is under control on a very affordable contract through 2019 along with one of the best pitching prospects in the game in Glasnow, not to mention Walker in his last year before free agency (when he'll be playing at age 30). I don't see that as a fit. We won't even go into the question of why the Orioles would even think of dealing their All-Star third baseman. And while I agree the Pirates do have some outfield depth, they don't have anyone ready to play left field full-time in 2016. That's a long-winded way of saying no.

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLBPipeline.com and writes a blog, B3. Follow @JonathanMayo on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

So if Zimmer is equivalent to Von Hayes, we can hope to deal him for 5 highly valuable return pieces just like we did with Von. In fact, maybe we can get Julio Franco again as one of the 5 since he never plans to quit playing

Who did the ratings on our minor league players? Shapiro/Antonetti? Notorious for overrating prospects.

John Sickels. He's not known for overpraising. We've had years where's given us no more than a couple grade B or above prosepcts. The list Rusty posted includes 4 B+ grades; 2 B+/B; 3 B/B-; and 3 B- with the note that Aiken could be way higher if he recovers as hoped.

Just checked Sickels' grades for 2013:

Bauer A-
Lindor B+ [I'll accept more B+'s like him]
Paulino B [oops, sometimes they drop]
Mitch Brown B-
Naquin B- [hasn't changed that grade in 3 years]
Cody Allen B-

Frazier's rating as No. 8 prospect in AZ Fall League includes these positive comments:

"His incredibly strong hands and wrists give him plus bat speed and raw power
"Scouts think he'll develop more pull power with experience with most of his hard-hit balls now going to center and right center
"He should be able to stay in CF but has the arm and bat to handle either corner
"According to one scout 'Frazier has all the attributes to be a front line all star player"

Negative comment:
"but a swing with effort and troubles with breaking balls lead to high strikeout totals [28% of AFL at bats]

He's still a kid. Might take him a few years to fizzle out.

Must have been the same scouting report that liked what they saw in Joba Chamberlain, who now is a flea-bitten, broken down has-been.