Cleveland Sports Forum

Posted: **Sat Jul 14, 2018 7:14 pm**

So Mejia was called up today, explaining his absence from lineup probably.

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:39 pm**

Saturday action ...

Clippers 6 Bats 3

Talbot 6(IP) 6H 3R 3ER 1BB 4SO
Cabrera 4-5 2B 3RBI
Haase 1-4 2RBI
Rodriguez 2-4 2B RBI BB

-

RubberDucks 1 Rumble Ponies 0 (12 Innings)

Brady 7(IP) 3H 0R 0ER 0BB 5SO
Martinez 1.1(IP) 2H 0R 0ER 1BB 1SO
Pasquale 1(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 2BB 0SO
Orlan 2(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 1SO
Bradley 2-5 R

-

Mudcats 3 Hillcats 2

Plesac 5(IP) 8H 2R 1ER 1BB 9SO
Brooks 1-4 2B RBI
Rodriguez 2-4 R 2B
Longo 1-3 R 2B BB

-

Kernels 11 Captains 3

Laureano 1-4 R HR RBI
Perez 1-5 2RBI
Gonzalez 1-4 R BB
Jones 1-4 R BB

-

Renegades 1 Scrappers 0

Oviedo 6(IP) 5H 1R 1ER 2BB 3SO
Clemmer 2(IP) 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0SO
Reeves 1-3 2B BB SB
Palacios 1-3 BB

—-

Columbus Clippers transaction
(C) Daniel Salters promoted from Akron
OF Dorssys Paulino placed on the 7-day DL
INF Eric Stamets activated off 7-day DL

Akron RubberDucks transactions
(C) Daniel Salters promoted to Columbus
LHP RC Orlan promoted from Lake County
RHP Kieran Lovegrove placed on temporary inactive list

Lynchburg Hillcats transactions
RHP Justin Garza placed on the 7-day DL
RHP Riley Echols promoted from Lake County

Lake County Captains transactions
LHP Kyle Nelson activated from th 7-day DL

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:50 pm**

https://2080baseball.com/reports/kieran-lovegrove/

BY ADAM MCINTURFF / JULY 14TH, 2018
Kieran Lovegrove
Born: 07/28/1994 (Age: 23) Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 185
Primary Position: RHRP
Seconday Position: - Acquisition Period: 3rd Rd., 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft (CLE)
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A
Report Info
Evaluator: Adam McInturff
Report Date: July 14th, 2018
Dates Seen: 3x -- 4/22, 4/26, 6/25/2018
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: Akron RubberDucks
MLB Team: http://2080baseball.com/wp-content/uplo ... MLBCLE.png
On 40-Man Roster: No
Physical Description
Tall, athletic frame; lean/trim build w/ broad shoulders and twitchy strength.
Mechanical Notes
Stretch only, muscles up for velo w/ effortful operation, backside swings hard after release and pulls off-line. Extremely fast 3/4 slot.
MLB ETA Present Role Future Role Role Description Risk
2018 40 50 Middle Relief High
Pitch
Present Future Sitting Range
Comments
Overall Fastball Value
60 60 — —
Heavy life, plus velo, can blow FB by hitters and get groundball outs.
Fastball Velocity
70 70 95-96 93-98
Power arm, sits 95-to-96 mph through outings, frequently reaches back for 97-to-98 mph.
Fastball Movement
55 55 — —
Heavy ball, bores hard down to armside, gets angle and run when working low.
Fastball Command
45 45 — —
Relies on velocity to get away w/ his in-zone location; has the stuff to challenge hitters over the plate. Hits spots more consistently to armside.
Slider
50 50 84 82-85
Tight spin, short depth w/ lateral action. Average pitch that plays off his FB.
ChangeUp
40 50 89-90
Mixes a CH to LHH, flashes moderate armside dive with separation. Intriguing pitch that shows flashes; could be effective weapon against LHH w/ more development.
Control
40 45 — —
FB for strikes, SL more of a chase pitch that he uses to expand. Control projects a half-grade as he learns to throw off-speed pitches for more reliable strikes. Fiery competitor.
Attribute Present Future
Delivery Below Average Below Average
Athleticism Plus Plus
Pitchability Average Average
Mound Presence Plus Plus
Player Video
https://2080baseball.com/draft-prospect ... lovegrove/
MiLB Stats
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?pl ... g/2018/ALL
Overall Summary
Could pitch in a low-leverage 'pen role for some ML teams right now. Ceiling of 7th inning reliever w/ plus FB and enough breaking ball.

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:56 pm**

It's kind of strange that Indians Prospective only gives out the "good news". Eli Morgan and Aaron Civale had off nights in their last starts so they don't get listed. Indians Pollyanna? Although they did list Oviedo despite having his worst start in 6 outings. He allowed a run; although from the game story it sounds semi-unearned: throw to the plate beat the runner but he avoided the tag.
A number of the teenagers on Arizona remain out of the lineup: Quentin Holmes hasn't played at all; nor has Aaron Bracho [although we expected to see him in the DR]; George Valera and Marcos Gonazalez got in a few games before getting hurt. Haven't seen the top 2 pitchers from this year's draft yet either: Hankins and Torres, but it's not uncommon for the Indians to really baby the high pick pitches their first summers. I suppose we'll see each of them a few innings before the summer ends.

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 3:13 pm**

Yes, as I’ve said before, he only posts the highlights. The guys that do well. The nobody’s that do well, and leaves off prospects that do poorly. That’s why when I have time I will either do it myself, or add to the work he does. But I’ve been lazy of late.

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:24 pm**

Sunday's action -- a clean sweep. Organization was 8 - 0

--

Columbus beat Louisville 8-2

Yandy 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Haase 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI (he has been scorching hot lately, after a horrible start. nice seeing him bounce back and add to a strong season last year)
Chang 2-3, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SB

--

Rubber Ducks beat the Rumble Ponies 9-5

McKenzie 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K (McKenzie's own throwing error cost him 2 unearned)
Calica 0-4, BB, 2 R
Bradley 1-5, HR, R, 2 RBI
Marabell 0-4

--

Hillcats beat the Mudcats 6-5

Longo 2-4, BB (hitting .301 now, .799 OPS)
Jod Carter 2-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Karinchak 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 11th save 1.16 ERA

--

Captains beat the Kernels 4-0

Vasquez 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (3 out of his last 4 starts have been fantastic)
Kyle Nelson shutout inning with K. 0.56 ERA now over 32+ innings this year.
Jones 2-5, RBI
OscarG 1-5
Benson 1-2, solo homer, 2 walks.

--

Scrappers beat the Renegades 8-6

Fermin 1-3, 2 BB, SB
Freeman 0-4, BB, R, RBI, SB
Palacios 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI (this kid just keeps hitting. 19 game hitting streak. .391 on season now)

--

AZL (Indians 1) 7 Rangers 6

Gutierrez 6(IP) 6H 3R 3ER 2BB 6SO
Wade 3-3 R RBI 2BB
J.J. Rodriguez 3-5 R RBI SB
Santiago 2-5 3B 4RBI

—

AZL (Indians 2) 3 Padres 2

Mejia 6(IP) 3H 0R 0ER 1BB 4SO
Wilson 1-4 R HR RBI
Engelmann 1-4 RBI
Naylor 1-3 BB

—

DSL is off, of course.

—

Columbus Clippers transactions

LHP Jeff Beliveau placed on the 7-day DL
OF Mike Papi activated off the 7-day DL
C/OF Francisco Mejia optioned from Cleveland

-

Arizona Rookie League transaction

RHP Lenny Torres Jr. activated and assigned to AZL Indians (2)

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:32 pm**

Have no idea what these scouting reports will look like here but let me try one and give it a shot. If it's legible I'll post some more.

---

Adam McInturff @2080adam
Updated my scouting report on Cleveland RHP Kieran Lovegrove in preparation for his appearance in the Futures Game. High-90s FB and fiery mound presence fit well in 'pen.

Kieran Lovegrove

Born: 07/28/1994 (Age: 23)
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Arm Slot:
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 185
Primary Position: RHRP
Seconday Position: -
Acquisition Period: 3rd Rd., 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft (CLE)
Entry Point: High School
Options Used: N/A

Report Info

Evaluator: Adam McInturff
Report Date: July 14th, 2018
Dates Seen: 3x -- 4/22, 4/26, 6/25/2018
Level: Double-A
Affiliate: Akron RubberDucks
MLB Team: CLE
On 40-Man Roster: No

Physical Description
Tall, athletic frame; lean/trim build w/ broad shoulders and twitchy strength.

Mechanical Notes
Stretch only, muscles up for velo w/ effortful operation, backside swings hard after release and pulls off-line. Extremely fast 3/4 slot.

MLB ETA Present Role Future Role Role Description Risk
2018 Middle Relief High

Pitch
Present Future Sitting Range Comments
Overall Fastball Value
60 60 — — Heavy life, plus velo, can blow FB by hitters and get groundball outs.
Fastball Velocity
70 70 95-96 93-98 Power arm, sits 95-to-96 mph through outings, frequently reaches back for 97-to-98 mph.
Fastball Movement
55 55 — — Heavy ball, bores hard down to armside, gets angle and run when working low.
Fastball Command
45 45 — — Relies on velocity to get away w/ his in-zone location; has the stuff to challenge hitters over the plate. Hits spots more consistently to armside.
Slider
50 50 84 82-85 Tight spin, short depth w/ lateral action. Average pitch that plays off his FB.
ChangeUp
40 50 89-90 Mixes a CH to LHH, flashes moderate armside dive with separation. Intriguing pitch that shows flashes; could be effective weapon against LHH w/ more development.
Control
40 45 — — FB for strikes, SL more of a chase pitch that he uses to expand. Control projects a half-grade as he learns to throw off-speed pitches for more reliable strikes. Fiery competitor.

Attribute Present Future
Delivery Below Average Below Average
Athleticism Plus Plus
Pitchability Average Average
Mound Presence Plus Plus

Player Video
https://2080baseball.com/draft-prospect ... lovegrove/

MiLB Stats
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?pl ... g/2018/ALL

Overall Summary
Could pitch in a low-leverage 'pen role for some ML teams right now. Ceiling of 7th inning reliever w/ plus FB and enough breaking ball.

Posted: **Sun Jul 15, 2018 10:13 pm**

Posted: **Mon Jul 16, 2018 9:15 am**

Those are interesting, thanks; I'll post some of the summary lines

Oscar Gonzalez:
Player has power projection and is still adding to frame. With plus arm and average defense in RF and power ouput, projects to 2nd division regular. Fringy hit tool and strikeouts prevent higher impact.

Bobby Bradley:
See as a regular against RHP's filling the strong side of a platoon. Lacks hitting ability to fully unlock 70-grade raw power, but it's enough he can still run into 18-to-24 home runs at his peak, especially as he's shielded from same-side matchups. Bat-only profile and defensive/baserunning limitations add risk to the profile.

Benson’s raw power is not in question, double-plus, with the ability to hit monstrous bombs to his pullside and centerfield. He’s gotten to that power in Class A in 2018, a result of both his strength and solid approach that lands him in hitters counts. Benson shows a feel for the strike zone, but really struggles to recognize spin and will frequently chase against breaking stuff. He has a big-muscle swing that isn’t particularly handsy or inside-out, causing issues swinging through secondary pitches even within the zone at times. It’s enthusing that he can lay off a close fastball and take walks, but there isn’t much ability to hit anything that isn’t straight. He’s likely to be a three-true-outcomes bat with a below-average hit tool that plays the in-game power down to 50-grade, despite raw power much gaudier than that. Benson still will get into his share of fastballs, but until I see more bat-to-ball ability, I can’t see the power fully playing in games given the infrequency of contact and strikeout potential.

Defensively, he’s a great fit for right field where he shows a 60-grade arm and runs above-average underway. His long legs allow lengthy strides, covering the gap well and reading balls off the bat. Benson projects as a plus defender in right, and paired with his size and monsterous left-handed raw power, he’s lined up for a big league future as a platoon starter or high-end reserve player. The hit tool is simply too limited to face big league lefties. FV 45, a semi-regular with power.

Posted: **Mon Jul 16, 2018 9:25 am**

Still dont' get why Kyle Nelson continues to excel at Lake County instead of get a promotion. He's certainly mastered that level.
Nice to see Benson in somewhat of a recovery mode; in his last 6 games he's hit 3 homers and drawn 6 walks. But with only 2 other hits his line is still not quite overwhelming: 227/393/545

Posted: **Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:03 pm**

Mejia missed the Futures Game yesterday since he was hanging out the Indians for the weekend

Kieran Lovegrove, RHP entered Sunday having faced 100 hitters this year without giving up a homer. That ended when Travis Trammel -- the first batter Lovegrove faced -- launched a 438-foot laser to straightaway center. Over his brief appearance in the sixth inning, Lovegrove faced one more batter, recorded an out, then was pulled.

Posted: **Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:23 pm**

Monday action.

Clippers lost to Iron Pigs 3-1

Yandy 1-4, BB
Mejia 1-4, 2B, RBI
Haase 0-4
Chang 0-3

-

RubberDucks lost to Senators 6-3

Calica 2-4, R
Bradley 0-4, 3 K
Castro 1-4, 2B
Paulson 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

-

Lynchburg beat Carolina 7-5

Hentges 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Clement 0-5 (still hitting .341)
Longo 2-5, 2B, R (up to .302)
Carter 0-2, 2 BB, 2 R
Collins 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Chu 3-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Siri 6th save. 2.93 ERA

-

Kernels 10 Captains 4

Perez & Tati were both lit up. 5 earned in 3 innings for Perez. 3 earned in 2 innings for Tati.
Perez 1-4 R HR 3RBI
Jones 1-3 2R HR RBI BB
Gonzalez 2-4 R
Broom 1(IP) 1H 0R 0ER 1BB 1SO

-

Scrappers game cancelled tonight.

-

Pinto gave up 2 runs in bottom of 9th to cost the AZL 1 team to Giants Orange, 8-7

Herrin gave up 6 earned on 9 hits in 1.2 IP.
Wade 1-4, 2B, R
JohnRodriguez 0-3, 2 BB, 2 R
Lopez 1-3, 2 RBI, CS

-

AZL 2 team opened up a can on Mariners, 17-5

Torres 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Rocchio is not human. 3-3, 2 2B, HR, BB, RBI, 3 R (had a CS and an error so maybe he is)
Delgado 3-5, 2 2B, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI
Naylor 3-6, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
YainerD 3-6, 2B, R, 3 RBI

-

DSL Tribe teams played each other today but game was suspended in 5th inning. Finish later.

- -

Eric Haase last 13 games:
21-50 14R 7(2B) 7HR 27RBI 5BB 1SB .420 AVG .456 OBP

Triston McKenzie dialed in over his last 3 starts:
- 18(IP) 7H 4R 2ER 6BB 17SO 1.00 ERA

Gregori Vasquez over his last 4 starts:
- 23(IP) 12H 6R 4ER 7BB 15SO 1.57 ERA

Richard Palacios during 19 game hitting streak.
26-67 11R 4(2B) 1(3B) 2HR 15RBI 13BB 2SB .388 AVG .476 OBP

Nolan Jones over his last 11 games:
14-37 10R 3HR 8RBI 10BB 2SB .378 AVG .490 OBP

Lynchburg Hillcats transactions
RHP Matt Esparza assigned from AZL Indians (finished rehab assignment)
RHP Riley Echols assigned to Lake County

AZL Indians (2) OF & 2018 28th Round Draft Pick Billy Wilson currently leads the Arizona Rookie League in HR's with 5. Wilson needs just 3 more HR's to tie the #Indians organization AZL record in HR's of 8 held by Bobby Bradley, Oscar Gonzalez & Henry Pujols.

AZL Indians (2) 18yr old RHP Ignacio Feliz over his last 4 starts:
- 20.2(IP) 13H 6R 3ER 4BB 21SO 1.31 ERA

Lake County Captains OF Oscar Gonzalez became the first player in the #Indians organization to reach (100) hits on the season today going 2-4 vs Cedar Rapids today. Gonzalez collected his 100 hits over his 1st 86 games.

The Welsh @IsItTheWelsh
Indians prospect Brayan Rocchio (juat brought up fron DSL) with a monster over the left field wall. Listed 5'10 150 but put some wood into it
https://twitter.com/i/status/1019040729962696705 (video)

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
Much gets talked about and discussed about the #Indians 2017 international signing class between the big money signs Bracho & Valera but don't sleep on this kid. 17yrs old still athletic with multiple tools. #Sleeper

The Welsh @IsItTheWelsh
2018 @Indians SP draft pick @LennyTorresJr02 making his Pro Debut. Here are his two first career SKO's #ProspectOne
https://twitter.com/isitthewelsh/status ... 64704?s=21
https://mobile.twitter.com/IsItTheWelsh ... 04/video/1

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2018 8:41 am**

NILES

The sample size is small, but the early returns look good for Mahoning Valley Scrappers second baseman Richie Palacios.

After Sunday’s 8-6 victory against the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Cleveland Indians third-round draft pick picked up enough at-bats to have his stats count among the leaders of the New York-Penn League.

In 64 at-bats across 18 games, he has a league-best .391 batting average and .468 on-base percentage, surpassing teammate Tyler Freeman for the lead in both categories. Palacios appeared in five games for the Indians’ rookie-ball affiliate in the Arizona League before joining the Scrappers. He’s collected 25 hits, three doubles, a triple and two home runs and 14 RBIs.

“It’s been the same approach I’ve always had my whole life. I just look for a good pitch to hit,” Palacios said. “I’m focused on what’s in front of me and how I can help this team. It’s my most important feature.” Palacios didn’t get a chance to build on his numbers in the No. 3 spot in the lineup Monday night because the closing game of a three-game homestand was canceled due to poor field conditions.

The sun was out when the announcement was made by the team around 8 p.m., but an earlier downpour left the field unplayable.

Pankovits wasn’t thrilled with the rainout, but has been pleased with Palacios’ production. “I like everything. He has a quick bat. He uses the whole field. He’s got surprising power for his size,” Pankovits said. “He has quickness, speed and a pretty good arm and pretty good aptitude.”

Baseball runs in the Palacios family as the nephew of former Kansas City Royals catcher Rey Palacios. His older brother, Joshua, is playing full-season Single A ball in the Toronto Blue Jays system. He also boasts the title of owning the highest draft selection for a player from Towson University.

In college, he was the first player in school history to reach 200 hits in his junior season. He also set the program records for stolen bases (32) and the freshman record for hits (74).

But all of that is behind him. “It doesn’t mean much to me, but I’m glad those things did come forth, but I just attest that to the hard work that I’ve put in my whole life,” Palacios said. “I don’t get caught up in that stuff and there’s no added pressure. “It’s baseball, so I enjoy it. I still have fun everyday out there on the field and that’s what I pay the most attention to.”

The Scrappers will get back to work tonight on the road against the Auburn Doubledays, which starts a six-game road trip. While the Scrappers still sit at the top of the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division standings, the team is a bit of a slump, losing four of its last five games.

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2018 8:46 am**

Rocchio is just 17! Quite a collection of shortstop talent we are building.
Jones' 12 homers is more than he was probably counted on. Other than probably not being a third baseman, he's developing quickly. Since we have much greater need for outfielders, I am eager to see him shifted no later than next year.
Had not noticed Vaszuez and Feliz doing so well. There are lots of Mejias and Motas and Perezes in the low minor rotations, I have not done a good job at distinguishing the wheat among them from the chaff. thanks.

Posted: **Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:29 am**

Absolutely, Civ. The organization is not only showing a competence for finding good young middle infielders, but also guys who have surprising power for their size. From Rocchio on up to Lindor and Jose.

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