BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Cleveland Indians Top 10 Prospects
1. Carlos Santana, c
2. Matt LaPorta, of
3. Nick Weglarz, of
4. Adam Miller, rhp
5. Beau Mills, 1b
6. Lonnie Chisenhall, ss
7. Kelvin de la Cruz, lhp
8. David Huff, lhp
9. Michael Brantley, of/1b
10. Carlos Rivero, ss
Best Hitter for Average Michael Brantley
Best Power Hitter Matt LaPorta
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Nick Weglarz
Fastest Baserunner Delvi Cid
Best Athlete Michael Brantley
Best Fastball Adam Miller
Best Curveball Kelvin de la Cruz
Best Slider Adam Miller
Best Changeup David Huff
Best Control David Huff
Best Defensive Catcher Wyatt Toregas
Best Defensive Infielder Mark Thompson
Best Infield Arm Carlos Rivero
Best Defensive Outfielder Delvi Cid
Best Outfield Arm Matt Brown----------------------------------------------------------------
Baseball America doesnt seem to be too high on Wes Hodges, I would put him in my top 5 right now, would not be shocked to see him playing 3B at somepoint for the Indians this season
Weglarz is a interesting prospect, considering the clutter of OF prospects we have, he could possibly be used as trade bait if we want to go after a major player in a trade
as far as Adam Miller goes I really dont have much hopes for him anymore with all the injury trouble he has had, if we can get any sort of production out of him at the MLB level it will be a win in my opinion
Carlos Rivera is a solid SS prospect, but with Chisenhall projecting as a SS Rivera could be moved in a trade
Kelvin De La Cruz is only 20 and has the tools to become a quality pitcher, last year he had a 2.98 ERA in 27 Minor League starts with 136 strikeouts in 130 innings, Id expect him to start in High A this year and make his way to AA at some point in the season
Beau Mills had a great season in Kinston last year, he looks to be progressing pretty decently
David Huff will certainly see the MLB club this year, excellent control (as noted by BA) and solid strike out ability, high hopes for him
LaPorta is a nice prospect, but I am not as high on him as the experts are (which is maybe why im not a expert) I think he could be a decent MLB player but not a superstar MLB player
Carlos Santana is the best catcher in our Minor League system and he is still learning the position, looks to be a excellent offensive player though
Chisenhall had a nice start last year in Mahoing Valley, I dont really have a opinion on him yet though, lets see how he progresses this season
Brantley could be the leadoff hitter of the future, good average and base stealing potential
Chuck Lofgren has taken a huge tumble I thought he was going to end up being a pretty good pitcher, he got hurt and has never been the same since, the Indians did not protect him from the rule 5 draft
some other prospects I like who are not in BAs top 10
2B Cord Phelps- high average potentional at 2B, baseball america rated him as the #1 2B prospect in the New York Penn (short season A) league
RHP Hector Rondon- was invited to play in the Futures Game this past season, led Kinston in ERA and strikeouts last season
3B Jared Goedert- not as impressive and Wes Hodges but a decent prospect at 3B (a weak position in the system), will probably be in AA this season
3B/SS Abner Abreu- only 19 years old has been in the Gulf Coast League and Dominican Summer League for the Indians the past few years, has potentional to hit for power has a "very quick bat" according to scouts which allows him to be a excellent pull hitter
