Tribe Prospect Countdown: #1 SS Francisco Lindor

5'11", 175 lbs, 18 in 2012
Bats: Switch; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (SS-A Mahoning Valley): .316, 2 RBI, 1/1 SB, .666 OPS, 5.00 K/BB

While my "peers" and I might disagree on a great number of these prospects, there is one thing that we have a solid quorum on: the man at the top.  Unbelievably, what the so-called "experts" cannot agree on is in which areas Francisco excels.  I have read that everything from his defense at short to his power to his projection as a leadoff man separating him from the herd.  As opposed to echoing any of those sentiments, I am going off on my own.  Many have heard that the ceiling of 2010 first rounder Manny Machado is Alex Rodriguez production.  Here's my thought (because I think in old school SAT analogies) Machado:A-Rod::Lindor:Miguel Tejada.  Frisco (that's what I'm going to call him, props if you can dig out the reference) certainly has a lot of time ahead of him to make his mark and define his identity, but I project him to be a 20ish home run guy with 40 doubles and a .320 average.  Calm down.  That, again, is the ceiling.  With #2 man Tony Wolters sliding to second base and Jason Kipnis to DH, it falls to Lindor to fill what will become a gaping hole at short after Asdrubal Cabrera prices himself out of our mid-market hell.  Frisco sports soft hands and great footwork to compliment a slightly better than average arm.  Most scouts foresee him as a defensive upgrade over AzCab.  So, we have three quarters of the future infield (Lindor, Tony Wolters, Jesus Aguilar) in the top 8 and when you add Lonnie Chisenhall at third base, 2015 looks awfully bright.  Expect Lindor to play a full season at Single-A.  He will begin at Low-A Lake County with a merit promotion to Carolina a distinct possibility.

Up Next:  Up next?  Pitchers and catchers report today, bitches!

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #2 SS Tony Wolters

5'10", 165 lbs, 20 in 2012
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (SS-A Mahoning Valley): .292, HR, 20 RBI, 19/23 SB, .748 OPS, 1.63 K/BB

The more that I read about Tony, the more that I read the phrase "left-handed Dustin Pedroia."  Sign me up!  While Wolters lacks a highlight skill, he is pretty damn good at just about everything.  The bat-to-ball contact is certainly there, evidenced by his BA and K/BB.  Although this 2010 3rd rounder has only slightly above average speed, his highly developed baserunning instincts led to that 83% success rate and 19 steals in just 69 games (broken hamate bone in spring training).  Similar to Pedroia, he is a work in progress, but Tony equally adept at yanking the ball down the right field line and driving it into the left center field gap.  As his frame fills out from off-season condition, the power will come.  His arm is, again, only average, but Wolters consistently puts himself in good position while fielding the ball, thus maximizing the effect of his throw.  Ultimately it's not going to matter.  Blocked by Asdrubal Cabrera in front and our #1 from behind, Tony seems destined to play second base just like Pedroia.  Defensively, he is much more of a natural than Jason Kipnis, who Baseball America projects as a DH down the road.  Earmarked as a prototype #2 hitter, Wolters is also adept at such lost arts as bunting and pushing the ball to the right side.  Keep an eye out, when Tony makes The Show, he will be there to stay for a very long time.

Up Next: #1 - SS Francisco Lindor

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #3 LHP Nick Hagadone

6'5", 230 lbs, 26 in 2012

2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): 6-4, 2.79, 1.10 WHIP, .212 OBA, 2.8 BB/9, 9.8 K/9

2011 Stats (MLB Indians): 1-0, 4.09, 0.91 WHIP, .118 OBA, 4.9 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

It took Nick awhile to arrive, but he is certainly here now.  After years of bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen, this piece of the 2009 Victor Martinez trade has found himself as a lefty set-up man.  Hagadone's arsenal includes a 96 MPH heater with good movement, a plus slider (devastating to lefties, .127 @ AAA), and an effective straight change.  In addition to the gaudy strikeout numbers, Nick also induces a good number of ground balls (1.01 GO/AO @ AAA) such that fly balls account for just 32% of his outs.  Although his control improved dramatically last season (career 4.7 BB/9), the adrenaline of The Show brought out some hitches in his giddy-up.  Just 3 years removed from Tommy John surgery, Hagadone can be pardoned the lapse, especially because left-handers managed just one single in 14 trips against him at the big league level.  Nick was eased back in cautiously from the surgery and has shown no side effects to his stamina, pitching 80+ innings in each of the past two seasons, including 55 appearances in 2011.  Now, if the Tribe's left-handed relief tandem of Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez had not been so effective last season (or if they had traded one, learn the Kelly Shoppach lesson and sell high!), then Hagadone would be all but guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster.  I still say that Nick has a spot to lose.  Assuming that he does not blow up in spring camp, expect him there against the Jays.

Up Next: #2 - SS Tony Wolters

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #4 RHP Dillon Howard

6'4", 210 lbs, 19 in 2012

2011 Stats (Instructional League): 4 G, 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP

This prep right-hander was the Indians' 2nd round selection in the 2011 draft.  Be aware that most talent evaluators agreed that Howard's skills were mid-1st round worthy and that he dropped because of his commitment to the University of Arkansas and his affiliation with Scott Boras.  The Tribe went right ahead and payed the price tag ($1.85mil bonus, more than triple his slot recommendation), acquiring themselves an incredibly polished young pitcher.  Dillon's fastball sits at 92 and has since his freshman year of high school.  Given his advanced physical development, he has spent his time developing a nice running action on the pitch and spotting it to different parts of the strike zone.  His complimentary offerings include a tight 11-5 curve (78 MPH), a slurvy slider (82 MPH and something that will be reworked in the minors) and a little used 80ish change.  Howard has shown great repeatability with his motion, one that allows ease of delivery and a deceptive release.  With his prototypical build, he projects as an MLB workhorse, eating innings as a #2 or 3 guy in the rotation.  Of course, his ceiling is much higher.  If Dillon can stay healthy and develop his secondary pitches, he has every opportunity to be the ace of a staff.  Expect Howard to make his pro debut in April, when Low-A Lake County opens their season.

Up Next: #3 - LHP Nick Hagadone

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #5 LHP Scott Barnes

6'4", 185 lbs, 24 in 2012

2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): 8-4, 3.45, 1.22 WHIP, .230 OBA, 3.3 BB/9, 9.7 K/9

Yeah, those numbers look pretty good and Barnes, the fruit of the 2009 Ryan Garko (out of baseball) trade, is only getting better.  His primary breaking pitch, a curve, was shelved during 2010 as the brass felt a slider would better compliment his arsenal, particularly against left-handers.  Now, with the slide piece fully integrated, Scottie is able to work with both pitches as secondary offerings.  His best pitch, by far, is his change-up, of which he has complete command.  The pitch has a bit of back-up action and is staggeringly effective against righties.  The continued development of the slider is key to his success versus left-handed hitter because his fastball sits right around 91.  Basically, Barnes isn't going to overpower anyone.  I love the way that he uses his heater and it is described as having late pop and movement.  I think of Scottie as sort of a left-handed Josh Tomlin, but with better swing-and-miss ability.  As the two breaking balls are refined, his walk totals should drop and that OBA should shine through to an even more impressive WHIP.  Scottie's GO/AO was a flat 1.00 in 2011, which is fine, especially for a guy with his strikeout totals.  Barnes did tear his left ACL making a play off of the mound last July, but, not to worry, he will be entirely recovered and ready to go when spring camp opens.  More importantly, the injury was kind of a freak thing.  That is, it had nothing to do with his mechanics or delivery and, thus, the chances of recurrence are very low.  With Roberto Hernandez (nee Fausto Carmona) indefinitely detained in the Domincan, the 5th spot in the rotation is up for grabs and Barnes will be in competition for it against the likes of Kevin Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff and Zach McAllister (more on him soon).  Believe you me, if Scottie pitches the best of the bunch at Goodyear, he will be on the opening day roster.

Up Next: #4 - RHP Dillon Howard

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #6 RHP Felix Sterling

6'3", 200 lbs, 19 in 2012

2011 Stats (Arizona Rookie League/ A- Lake County): 4-6, 4.12, 1.33 WHIP, .236 OBA, 4.4 BB/9, 8.8 K/9

Here's the big boy... and he's only 18.  Even though he is still adding mass to his frame and power behind his fastball, his MPH already sits at 94.  As a 16 year-old kid coming in from the Dominican Republic, Felix already had a solid slurve and a functional change.  They have only gotten better.  While he has signinificant development ahead of him command wise, the organization has been incredibly impressed with the young man's ability to miss bats.  The fastball has some back-up action, almost like a cutter, and, thus, lefties beat it into the ground (.197 OBA, 1.36 GO/AO against left handers @ LC) while right-handed batters simply flail (22 K in 22 IP @ LC against righties).  Although Sterling has a long road ahead of him to get to the bigs, coaches rave about his maturity.  I know.  What are they going to say?  Still, it is better than the alternative.  Most of all the brass loves Felix's motion and delivery.  Once he can stick the repetition (this leads to better control), his easy mechanics will go a long way toward preserving his health and allowing him to eat a truck load of innings.  Stick this one in you back pocket.  It will be a few years before he makes The Show, but, when he does, Sterling will be around for a long time.


Up Next: #5 - LHP Scott Barnes

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #7 RHP CC Lee

5'11", 175 lbs, 25 in 2012

2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): 6-1, 2.40, 1.07 WHIP, .210 OBA, 2.9 BB/9, 12.5 K/9


Wow, those numbers really jump off of the page and they were no aberration.  His career K/9 (11.0), OBA (.217), and GO/AO (1.70 in 2011, 1.49 career) all indicate consistency and improvement in major pitching metrics.  So why isn't this kid higher on the list?  Right handed relievers are a dime a dozen and CC does not project as a closer.  Despite the fact that the kid will very likely be a shutdown set-up man and could do so, like, tomorrow, he simply does play a premium position.

Lee features a three pitch mix starring a 94 MPH fastball with both good movement and good sink, hence the ground balls.  His kicker is a plus slider with a nasty late bite that gives right handed hitters fits and leads to his straight dominance thereof (.177 OBA at AAA).  CC also throws a split change, although it is clearly #3 in his arsenal and does little more than keep the batters honest.  There has been some concern over his low three-quarters arm slot as he is regularly at risk of dropping into a true side-arm and losing a good deal of his pitches' effectiveness, but, in 2011, he showed little occurrence of said issue.

Perhaps the best news of all about Lee is that he has absolutely no history of injury.  He has thrown at least 44 games and 71 innings in each of his pro campaigns and has been noted as having an injury only once.  His oblique strain of 2010 was minor and simply a wear and tear result of his small frame.

The fact of the matter is that CC is ready for the bigs right now, but the Indians' big league bullpen is simply too talented to afford him a spot out of spring camp.  Still, get over his ironic name quickly, because he should be the first righty reliever to be recalled when injury or ineffectiveness rears its ugly head on the lakefront.

Up Next: #6 - RHP Felix Sterling

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #8 1B Jesus Aguilar

6'3", 241 lbs, 21 in 2012
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (A- Lake County/ A+ Kinston): .284, 23 HR, 82 RBI, .865 OPS, 2.74 K/BB

You want right handed power?  I've got your right handed power right here.  While there is nothing fringe about Aguilar's prospect status, he is ranked higher on this list than he might be because he fits the bill of the Indian's most dire need at the big league level.  Jesus burst onto the scene last year by stroking 19 long balls and a .915 OPS in 95 games for Lake County.  He showed some growing pains in his transition to High-A pitching, but he was by no means embarrassed (.257, .712 OPS).  While Jesus' upside as an imposing power guy is obvious, he does have significant opportunity areas.  The first is his K/BB ratio.  He tends to pile up strikeouts quickly and has particular issue with the breaking ball down and out.  The only way to solve this problem is with repetition and recognition.  As Aguilar continues to accumulate ABs against better and better breaking pitches, his sound approach will reassert itself and the acclimation will come.  The benefit of habit should also be felt in the field.  Although Jesus' defensive is currently sub-par, scouts feel that he has the tools and athleticism to become, at least, an average first baseman.  Expect Aguilar to begin 2012 with the new Carolina team at High-A (that's Kinston relocated) and to advance to Akron if his power numbers warrant promotion.  I'll tell you this, strikeouts or no, if he continues jerk it out of the park as he advances, he could be splashing the home run porch by late 2013.

Up Next: #7 - RHP CC Lee

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #9 RHP Austin Adams

5'11", 185 lbs, 25 in 2012

2011 Stats (AA Akron): 11-10, 3.77, 1.54 WHIP, .280 OBA, 4.2 BB/9, 8.7 K/9

Before we get into anything else, Austin Adams throws 100 MPH just about every time out.  That's why he's so high on this list as an undersized righty whose #1 is as straight as an arrow.  Some of the numbers are good (including a 1.64 GO/AO ratio & 6 HR allowed in 136 IP) and some of them are not (that WHIP is horrendous), but, if you can break triple digits, you're gonna get a shot.  Primarily a shortstop at the collegiate level, Austin spent his first two pro seasons building arm strength.  The organization originally projected him for a bullpen roll (he had closed in college as well), but he has shown such poise and production as a starter, the brain trust is now set on seeing how far young Adams can take it.  The biggest opportunity for Austin is in his repertoire.  Currently, he count can only his fastball and power curve as out pitches.  While he does also feature a straight change and a slider, both are still deep in the development stage.  Austin has shown the ability to keep the ball down and generate a great deal of velocity from his lower half.  The latter should help his arm stay healthy and, thus, keep him in the rotation.  If Adams can refine his complimentary offerings during his AAA time in 2012, he could be an option for the big club as soon as the second half of the season.

Up Next: #8 - 1B Jesus Aguilar

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #10 C Jake Lowery

5'10", 200lbs, 21 in 2012
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

2011 Statistics (SS-A Mahoning Valley): .245, 6 HR, 43 RBI, .792 OPS, 1.04 K/BB

The 2011 Johnny Bench Award winner as the nation's top college catcher was the Indians' 4th round selection last season and came scorching out of the gate, posting a .951 OPS in his first month of pro action.  While his numbers did dip some thereafter (he still led the NYPL in walks and extra base hits), the swoon can attributed to fatigue from a player who caught 90 games for the first season in his life.  Additionally, his 56/54 K/BB ratio speaks of an incredibly disciplined hitter.  Jake's bat is considered a bigger plus than his defense and he certainly showed the ability at the dish during his final season at James Madison.  While the composite bats (no more metal!) do inflate the numbers (the 1.239 OPS is still nothing at which to laugh), Lowery went right ahead and led the nation in RBI (91), runs scored (80) and total bases (200).  Behind the plate, he placed second nationally with 34 runners caught stealing and sixth with 43% caught on his way to making every All-American list imaginable, winning CollegeBaseballInsider.com's hitter of the year and placing among 36 semi-finalists for the Dick Howser player of the year award.  So, yeah, the kid can play.   Like most catchers coming out the collegiate ranks, Jake suffers from having all of his pitches dictated from the dugout.  Thus, while Colonial Athletics Associating coaches voted him both the best defensive backstop and owner of the strongest arm, Lowery still has significant development to do behind the plate.  The thing is, his bat just might not wait.  Jake played 11 games at first and about 30 more at DH last season and how far he advances in 2012 will likely depend on which route the organization chooses to take with him in the field.  I feel that, with Carlos Santana looking more and more like the first baseman of the future and Chun Chen an even bigger question mark defensively, Jake is the guy that the franchise will earmark as its next catcher.  That being said, I would expect Lowery to either begin the season at High-A Kinston or progress there early on.  He certainly has the offense to rise quickly.  If he can effectively hone his catching skills (I mean he did still catch 35% stealing in the Valley, but 5 errors and six passed balls in 25 games caught hurt) in the interim, I can see Jake at the Jake by 2013.

Up Next: #9 - RHP Austin Adams

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #11 LHP Elvis Araujo

6'6", 215 lbs, 20 in 2012

2011 Stats (Arizona Rookie League/ SS-A Mahoning Valley): 9-1, 3.36, 1.29 WHIP, .245 BAA, 3.2 BB/9, 8.1 K/9

Another huge arm, another history of injuries.  This big southpaw dazzled in the Dominican Summer League at 16 in 2008 (4-2, 1.89), then blew out his pitching elbow the following spring and ended up missing the next two seasons with Tommy John surgery and rehab.  On the back end, Elvis seems to have recovered rather well.  His fastball comes in around 94 and his heavy breaking ball (alternately referred as a curve or slider, we'll call it a slurve) is devastating, if inconsistent.  The organization had just one simple goal for Araujo last season: make it through the season healthy.  He did and even debuted at single A, although the results were less than spectacular (8.10 ERA, .393 OBA in 2 starts).  His rehab work did give him time to develop a reliable change-up, which, along with his fastball, he is able to throw for strikes and keep down in the zone (1.36 GO/AO in 2011).  Elvis should spend most, if not all, of 2012 at Low-A Lake County, where the brass would like him to build arm strength and increase his workload (just 69.2 innings last season).  Should he find himself unable to harness the slurve (told ya), his stuff would play very well at the back end of the bullpen.  Either way, we won't see him on the lake until 2014 at the earliest.

Up Next: The Top Ten, beginning with C Jake Lowery

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #12 OF Luigi Rodriguez

5'11", 160 lbs, 19 in 2012
Bats: Switch; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (Arizona Rookie League/ A- Lake County): .304, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18 SB, .779 OPS, 2.90 K/BB

One of my biggest criteria for placement on this list is how soon the player might help the big league club.  Given that Luigi is looooooong way off, a ranking this high speaks incredibly well of his talent and potential.  While he does not have ideal size, we can expect him to add body mass and fill out as a player as he progresses through the system.  Right now, his greatest attribute is his speed.  The 18 steals of 2011 came in half a season as L-Rod did not begin playing until the short-season began due to recovery from a hamate that he broke in Spring Training.  He also amassed 31 steals in the Dominican Summer League in 2010 and complimented that number with 10 triples in 63 games.  While whatever power level he might attain is certainly in the infant stage, he has shown the distinct ability to get the ball into the gap and snag the extra base thanks to his wheels.  At the dish, his best tool is his hand-eye co-ordination.  While it may take some time for him to return to the sub-1.0 K/BB ration that he posted in 2010, he neither gets cheated at the plate nor swings at many bad pitches.  Additionally, Rodriguez does an excellent at squaring up the ball, resulting in scads of sharply hit balls.  Scouting director John Mirabelli once described Luigi as the fastest player he had ever brought into the Indians farm system.  Once he builds more advanced baserunning skills and logs more outfield innings (he is a converted second baseman), he is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to watch.  Too bad that we likely won't see him until 2014.

Up Next: #11 - LHP Elvis Araujo

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #13 C Chun Chen

6'1", 200 lbs, 23 in 2012
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (AA Akron): .262, 16 HR, 70 RBI, .782 OPS, 2.84 K/BB

So, following up two AAA National Championship seasons, the pickins will be a bit slim in Columbus this season.  Between the failed prospects (Matt LaPorta), utter has-beens (Jose Lopez was an All-Star), and people that I've never even heard of (who the hell is Chris Seddon?), Mike Sarbaugh is gonna have to break out the big coaching guns this year.  One ray of sunshine will be catcher Chun Chen.  Despite suffering through an injury plagued season (not to worry, none of them should be chronic), Chen led the AA Aeros in both home runs and RBI.  True, his OPS was down (.924 in 2010) and his K/BB was way up (1.35 in 2010), but a great a deal of his focus was on improving his defense.  While Chun is considered about an average receiver, that's pretty high praise for a kid who hadn't played the position before 2008.  In fact, Akron skipper Chris Tremie (formely the organization's catching coordinator) helped him to 34.5% caught stealings, good for 3rd in the Eastern League.  Even so, Chen certainly shows more big league promise as a hitter than as a defender.  The 16 homers of 2011 were a career high and if he can replicate the gap power a year earlier (38 doubles), he might just be the right-handed bat that the club needs on the lakefront.  Alternatively, both his English and Spanish are works in progress and would preclude MLB catching duties if they are not ready when his bat is.  Remember that he is young and will likely see only a September cup of coffee in 2012.  Regardless of whether he is a year away or where he might play, it is nice to see a talented youngster with a big righty bat, who is not significantly hindered by injuries.

Up Next: #12 - OF Luigi Rodriguez

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #14 OF Thomas Neal

6'2", 225 lbs, 24 in 2012
Bats: Right; Throws: Right

2011 Stats (AAA Fresno/ AAA Columbus): .289, 2 HR, 26 RBI, .734 OPS, 4.07 K/BB


Acquired from the Giants last summer in exchange for Orlando Cabrera, Neal struggled through an injury plagued season both before and after the trade.  While he placed in the Baseball America Top 100 prior to the 2010, Thomas has yet to duplicate his phenomenal 2009 production (.337, 22 HR, 90 RBI, 1.010 OPS).  Still, his AA season (.799 OPS, 11 SB) was successful, before a recurring shoulder problem and a heal issue ruined his 2011.  Neal is right-handed (Yay!) line drive hitter who rakes against lefties and was still respected enough to place #7 on San Francisco's prospect list last year.  While the power boon of '09 is likely an abberation, Thomas has all of the intangibles to be a third or fourth outfielder at the big league level.  In fact, every single opinion that I have read has said exactly as much.  The only troubling number is his massive K/BB value, but last year's ratio is double the average of his other seasons combined (2.02) and his career .371 OBP goes a long way in mitigating it anyway.  Assuming that he can keep his shoulder healthy, he has an above average arm and plays all three outfield effectively.  Although I honestly do not expect Neal to compete for a spot out of Spring Training, I do see him rebounding well with Columbus and joining the Indians before summer's end.  He will help the Tribe and help them soon, that's why they kept him on the 40-man roster and that is why he is ranked so high on this list.

Up Next: #13 C Chun Chen

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #15 1B Beau Mills

6'3", 200 lbs, 25 in 2012
Bats: Left, Throws: Right

2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): .289, 18 HR, 67 RBI, .860 OPS, 1.84 K/BB

What?  Who?  I thought that we had declared this guy a bust long ago.  So, how did the 2007 1st rounder put himself back on the map?  Mills got healthy, screwed his head on straight and, most importantly, the kid hit.  Beau remains a line drive hitter with power to all fields and a serviceable defender.  That sounds awesome, but wasn't that also true during the two full seasons (one middling, one truly dissapointing) that the kid spent at AA?  Well, Mills had a wicked 2008 at Kinston (.293, 21, 90, .880) before pushing through an adjustment year at Akron (.267, 14, 83, .724) in 2009.  2010 was riddled with injury and incident as Beau fought a nagging intercostal strain all year and dealt with an assualt charge (Bar brawl, Josh Tomlin was charged as well, everything was eventually dropped) leading to just an awful season (.241, 10, 72, .689).  2011 began inauspiciously as well, with Mills in extended Spring Training rehabbing an Achilles strain.  Then, Beau got into game action and simply tore the cover off of the ball.  His .880 OPS at Akron matched his career high and the .822 he posted after his promotion to AAA was nearly a hundred points higher than his first AA campaign.  It seems as if he has figured it out.  The strange thing is Mills projects offensively much like Jason Kipnis.  There will be bursts of power, but the bacon will be made on fighting off tough pitches and consistently driving the ball to the gaps.  If you are looking for a single statistic to define this son of an MLB skipper (see Brad Mills), that is RBI.  Even when he was struggling, Beau found a way to bring the runs home.  He is, sadly, a left handed batter, but if Mills can produce again in Columbus, he will be on speed dial when Matt LaPorta hits .220 and/or Travis Hafner sprains his eyebrow.

Up Next: #14 OF Thomas Neal

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #16 LHP Giovanni Soto

6'3", 180 lbs, 21 in 2012

2011 Stats (Rookie League/ A+ Kinston): 4-4, 3.13, 1.19 WHIP, .232 OBA, 2.9 BB/9, 9.3 K/9

The fruit of 2010's Jhonny Peralta trade, Soto has produced phenomenal numbers throughout his minor league career (17-12, 2.64), including a pair of A ball shutouts, which is quite uncommon.  While he does not have an overwhelming fastball (86-90 mph depending on 2-seam vs 4-seam), he supplements the offering with an outstanding cutter that absolutely destroys left-handed hitters.  One would also expect a increase velocity as he builds mass and arm strength.  Giovanni adds a "slurvy" curveball and a change that he commands well, but with which he needs to develop consistency.  He induces the high-rate of ground balls (1.77 GO/AO) that is so enticing to the Indians and only magnified by the fact that he is left handed.   Anyone care to hazard a guess on the only monkey wrench in the works?  Soto missed about 2 months last summer with left elbow neuritis.  The organization has been extremely cautious during his return, using him in relief at the tail end of 2011 as well as in the winter league.  While Gio still projects as a starter, there have been internal discussion about converting him to the bullpen.  Such a move would significantly diminish his value especially considering his vast array of pitches and the fact that he has already built his IP/GS to 5.1.  The brain trust loves his intangibles (aggressiveness, savvy, confidence, etc) with VP of Player Deveelopment Ross Atkins definitively stating "he is a Major League pitcher."  Soto should begin 2012 at AA Akron, I would hope, in the rotation.

Up Next: #15 1B Beau Mills

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #17 LeVon Washington

5'11", 170 lbs, 20 in 2012
Bats: Left, Throws: Right

2011 Stats (A Lake County): .218, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 15/21 SB, .647 OPS, 1.82 K/BB

Too be sure, Washington has a ton of talent.  Known as an amateur as a "toolsy" player, he can do a little bit of everything.  The speed (4 3B as well) and arm (11 OF assists) are evident; while the average, power (.315 SLG) and defense (6 OF errors) seem to be lagging behind.  Before becoming the Indians' 2nd round pick in 2010, LeVon was a 2009 1st round selection by Tampa Bay, declining to sign.  Despite a letter of intent to the University of Florida, poor SAT scores forced him to junior college between the drafts.  Washington did not handle the experience well.  A lack of focus combined with a rehabbing right shoulder led to a lost season.  The situation reinforced character concerns about the talented youngster and helped push him down to the Tribe in round #2.  Additionally, the injury bug has followed LeVon to the pros.  He had hip surgery prior to 2011 and was hampered the entire season by a nagging knee injury.  To me, there seem to be a ton of red flags.  Many are very high on Washington, often dazzled by amazing metrics (i.e. 4.0 seconds home to 1st).  I agree that his ceiling is through the roof, but until the kid shows me some production, my skepticism will remain.

Up Next: #16 LHP Giovanni Soto

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #18 RHP Hector Rondon

6'3", 180 lbs, 24 in 2012

2011 Stats (A- Mahoning Valley): 0-0, 3.00, 1.00 WHIP, .250 OBA, 0 BB/9, 6.0 K/9

Everything was going perfectly for Rondon through the 2009 season.  He had followed up an excellent 2008 (11-6, 3.60, 9.0 K/9) at Kinston with an equally impressive year (11-10, 3.38, 8.4 K/9) split between Akron and Columbus. Then, the proverbial roof caved in.  After never surrendering more than 13 home runs in any career season, Hector served up 12 in his first seven 2010 starts.  He was quickly diagnosed with a UCL strain in his pitching elbow and shut down indefinitely.  Rondon chose a rest and rehab program, which progressed nicely until a bullpen session in August resulted in more intense pain.  Does anyone know how to repair a UCL?  Yup, Tommy John surgery.  Hector came back on the short end of the 12-18 month recovery period to pitch for the Scrappers at the close of 2011.  In addition to rebuilding arm strength, Rondon will have to overcome his removal from the 40-man roster in November.  Personally, I believe that if the Tribe had not already written in their starting rotation, a different move would have been made and Hector would have competed for a back end spot during spring camp.

So, with all of that stacked against him, what do like about Rondon?  His fastball, of course!  Before the injury, he was hitting 96 on the gun and, according to Indians VP of Player Development Ross Atkins, has regained every bit of that velocity post-surgery, if not more.  His secondary pitches, a slider and a straight change, are merely average by MLB standards, but have been the focus of Hector's off-season.  An extremely mature and diligent person, I would not be surprised to see great strides in these offerings come Spring Training.

While there have been discussion about moving him to the bullpen, those conversation have been tabled pending Rondon's 2012 performance.  I have every expectation that Hector will return to form in 2012 and, assuming he produces, should be among the top options should another starter be needed in the bigs. 

Man, I sure am sick of detailing the talent squandered within the organization thanks to injury...

Up Next: #17 OF LeVon Washington

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #19 RHP - Jason Knapp

6'5", 235 lbs, 21 in 2012

2011 Stats: Did Not Play

Let's be clear, Jason has the best stuff in the Indians system.  His fastball blazes in at 99 mph and scouts predict that, given the opportunity to refine a repeatable delivery, Knapp should break triple digits.  His second pitch is a big 12-6 curveball that he both commands within the zone and can use as a swing-and-miss pitch.  While his change-up and slide piece are still developing, his work ethic would indicate their success to be simply a matter of time.  Jason has an imposing frame that backs up his powerful delivery and aggressive mindset.  Having grown up in New Jersey, he should have no issue acclimating to the Aprils and Septembers (Octobers?) of the North Coast.  So what's the problem?  Yeah, you guessed it: injuries.  I don't know if you're sensing the theme with these young pitchers, but soooooooo many of them have had arm trouble and Jason is the poster boy.  When he was acquired from the Phillies as the lynch pin the Cliff Lee trade, Knapp was experiencing bicep tendinitis.  The Indians were unaware and by no fault of their own.  MLB does not allow MRIs as part of pre-trade evaluations.  Oops, bad luck.  After pitching just four games in the organization, Jason resigned himself to off-season arthroscopic shoulder surgery.  An overly cautious front office then kept him out of game action until late July in 2010.  2011 was the worst of all.  Held back in extended Spring Training with weakness in his throwing shoulder, his season was, in early June, scrapped for a second shoulder procedure.  Knapp's career numbers (6-10, 3.63, 1.20 WHIP, .208 OBA, 4.1 BB/9, 12.0 K/9) and those in the Tribe organization (1-2, 3.60, 1.18 WHIP, .190 OBA, 3.6 BB/9, 13.3 K/9) are outstanding, but with the two shoulder surgeries on his resume and 0 innings pitched above A ball, his big league chances have now been relegated to that of a "long shot."  That, my friends, is why the man with the highest ceiling in the system is ranked #19; the smart money is on the guy never staying healthy enough to actually make it to the bigs.

Up Next: #18 RHP Hector Rondon

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #20 RHP Rob Bryson

6'1", 200 lbs, 24 in 2012

2011 Stats (A Lake County/ A+ Kinston/ AA Akron): 2-1, 2.19, 1.12 WHIP, .199 OBA, 3.7 BB/9, 11.0 K/9

Another talented, yet injury plagued young pitcher; Bryson is a strikeout machine.  The 11.0 K/9 last season may seem impressive, but Rob posted 17.1 for Kinston in 2010 and averages 11.9 for his career.  These big numbers are thanks to a 96 mph fastball that he rides in on the hands of hitters from both sides and two quality secondary offerings.  A "wicked" slider is devastating to righties and his consistently improving change has nearly reached par with the slide.  Additionally, he is working on a "get me over" curve to complete the arsenal. 

Bryson is the last piece of the CC Sabathia trade; the one that we haven't heard from due to his relative youth and extensive time on the disabled list.  While the most severe setback was a rotator cuff tear that affected him from late '08 until mid '10, Rob almost missed two months last summer with a broken foot.  As opposed to many who have spent large chunks of time on the DL, fagility is not a concern for Bryson.  He is fully recovered from the shoulder surgery and the foot was a Mantle-esque freak as he stepped in a hole while running at his high school field. 

You might ask what is so special about this particular right handed reliever, something that the Indians have a plenitude of.  First of all, there is now a monkey full of hope riding on Rob.  With Matt LaPorta an unmitigated bust and the organization seemingly lukewarm on Michael Brantley (although I don't have any idea why), Bryson is the last opportunity to salvage a big contributor from the ill-conceived Sabathia deal.  Secondly, the dude's stuff really is electric.  It is difficult to explain without watching him throw, but the ball simply explodes out of his hand and, when he is on, Rob is about as unhittable as they come.  Combine all of this with an easy delivery and a strong lower half and Bryson has every opportunity to become a premier back-end pitcher in the bigs.  Expect him to begin 2012 at AAA.

Up Next: #19 RHP Jason Knapp