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Indians In Depth @tpaquette_IID
#Indians (1B) Bobby Bradley minor league spring training numbers
8-15 3R 2HR 6RBI 2BB .533 AVG .588 OBP

Just say'n

Prospects in big league team's box score:

CLE MAJ Bradley, Bobby 1B 1 0 0 0 .000
CLE MAJ Mathias, Mark 2B 1 1 1 0 1.000
CLE MAJ Naquin, Tyler CF 3 1 1 0 .467
CLE MAJ Paulino, Dorssys PH-DH 1 0 0 0 .000

Prospects in minor league games Sunday:

Zach Walters 2 hits
Greg Allen double, triple, walk
D. Paulino single, triple, 3 rbi
Bradley 0-3 walk
Mathias 3 walks
G. Mejia 2 singles, walk
D'Vone McClure 0-3 2k: going, going....
Hector Caro 0-4 K ditto

Plutko 4 3 0 0 2 4
Kaminsky 3 1/3 6 4 4 3 3
Sean Brady 4 5 5 5 2 3
Sam Hentges 3 3 1 1 2 5

Very disappointing first full season for Papi doesn't faze Tony, too much.

17. Mike Papi – Outfielder
Born: 09/19/1992 – Height: 6’2” – Weight: 190 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

Papi was selected by the Indians in the 1st round (competitive balance pick) of the 2014 Draft out of the University of Virginia and signed for $1.25 million.

Papi’s bat is his carrying tool as he has a good eye and bat-to-ball that gives him the potential to hit for average down the road. His approach is off the charts and best skill at the plate because of the way he controls the strike zone, works counts and is extremely patient to be an on-base machine. He has good hands with some very good bat speed and shows the ability to consistently barrel up balls for average power with the potential for plus as he learns to add more loft to his swing. His power is mostly pull side as he drives the ball well on the inner half of the plate to the alleys for a lot of extra base hits.

The Indians are firmly committed to developing him as a corner outfielder. He is a solid defender in right field with the way he takes good routes to the ball, ranges well to his left and right, has some good overall agility and athleticism and shows a strong throwing arm. He has the hands and glove to be a solid to above average defender at first base

He has such a good eye and is so patient that it sometimes hinders him as he lets some good pitches go early in the count that he otherwise could have done some damage with and because he is behind in the count ended up swinging at a pitcher’s pitch later in the count for an out. Change in approach and swing allowed him to see the ball better and square up pitches at a better rate near the end of last season, something seen by his first half splits (.213 AVG, .368 OBP, .069 ISO) and second half splits (.257 AVG, .356 OBP, .168 ISO).

He should open the season at Double-A Akron, though it is possible he could start at High-A Lynchburg for a few weeks and then move up to Akron later in the year – though, regardless, is expected to play a significant amount of time in Akron this season.

Might be a worry that Papi's approach is off the charts. If he stuck to the charts, perhaps he could have topped 750 or even 800 OPS.

The good thing about Papi is that all those walks he draws and doubles he hits, means that his awful 236 average did result in a close to the charts 718 OPS.
The lack of apparent solid power skill means that he'll have to get his batting average up a long way to produce a very high OBP to offset a low-ceiling SLG.
He did improve a fair amount in the 2nd half so he could be headed in the right direction, but if he has a second disappointing season he drops down this list a lot further

Tony still rates Ramsey as our No. 16. I rate him a top contender to be DFA'd to make room for Chamberlain, Byrd and Detwiler.

The countdown continues with a versatile outfielder with a well-rounded set of tools who is in the big league mix this year even after a tough 2015 season...


16. James Ramsey – Outfielder
Born: 12/19/1989 – Height: 6’0” – Weight: 200 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right

Facts & Info: Ramsey was drafted by the Cardinals in the 1st round of the 2012 Draft out of Florida State University and signed for $1.6 million. was also a Rhodes Scholar nominee.

Offense: Ramsey is not a player who is going to wow you when you see him as he is undersized and does not have any standout tool. He’s an overachiever who is well-rounded in all facets of the game who brings average to slightly above average tools across the board

Defense: Ramsey is an average to slightly above average defender in center field with solid average arm strength and good accuracy. He shows good range with a good feel for the position with the way he combines good jumps and good closing speed to get to get to a lot of balls to his left, right and coming in. Last season he played all over the outfield for the Indians at Triple-A Columbus as he played in 52 games in left, 41 in center and 23 in right,

Ramsey is an above average runner with good first step quickness out of the box and on the bases. He runs the bases very well His makeup is off the charts as he combines intelligence, a strong faith and exceptional character and leadership qualities to really stand out as a person on and off the field. He is a scrappy, gamer type who has a ton of confidence, plays hard and brings tons of charisma and an energy to his game that is contagious.

His 25.4 K% last season was actually in line with his career rate, but the lack of improvement in that area along with a career low .139 isolated power (in full season) were two problem areas that he was unable to make much progress in last year. He just never found any consistency hitting .211 with a .657 OPS in April, .294/.916 in May, .209/.556 in June, .262/.715 in July and .164/.525 in August.

Not just is Ramsey's character off the charts he combines it with great charisma. With Swisher gone we're weak on charisma so Ramsey could be just the guy to fill that gap.

Too bad that at age 26 his production has fallen from 2014 in AA, OPS 916; 2014 in AAA OPS 833, 2015 OPS in AAA 709.

Maybe he'll make a great coach or cheerleader or politician but doesn't look like much of a baseball player.

When they start talking about make up, intelligence, character, leadership....you know they can't play.

Ramsey even adds strong faith to his depth of skills.

Some highlights from Tuesday minor league scrimmages:

Erik Gonzalez double in 2 ab
Greg Allen 0-3
D. Paulino single, walk, error
Santander 2b in 2 ab
Wakamatsu 2b in 2 ab
G Mejia 0-2


Jonas Wyatt 2-2-0-0-0-1
Juan Hillman 2-4-5-41-1

some kids in the big league game yesterday:

CLE MAJ Paulino, Dorssys LF 1 0 1 0 .500 2B (1)
CLE MAJ Rodriguez, Nellie 1B 1 0 0 0 .200

They've given dozens of minor leaguers a chance to play on the major league field this spring. Usually they limit the "tryouts" to the top prospects. The famous Sicnarf Loopstock got two innings behind the plate yesterday.

Giving minor league kids a day or two with the big club also rewards them with major league meal money. Minor leaguers in spring training don't get any meal money because food is supplied in the clubhouse and is nutritionally balanced as an attempt to foster good eating habits.

Unfortunately, the kids that are called up, eat KFC or McDonalds and pocket the rest of the meal money.

Last time I looked, the meal money was over $100 a day.

It's got to be a way to build good feelings for the kids at a pretty modest cost. Many of these kids are never going to get anywhere near Progressive Field, yet alone whatever the name of the Clippers [some bank I believe] field is called.

Huntington Park

At least it used to be, unless they've gotten a corporate sponsor or something in recent years.