Indians Prospect Lists

[nime]

Baseball America

<TABLE style="BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(237,23,76) 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(237,23,76) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 2px 2px; BORDER-TOP: rgb(237,23,76) 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: rgb(237,23,76) 1px solid" class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=275 bgColor=#ebebeb align=right><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>TOP TEN
PROSPECTS



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>1.</TD><TD>Carlos Santana, c</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2.</TD><TD>Lonnie Chisenhall, 3b</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>3.</TD><TD>Nick Hagadone, lhp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>4.</TD><TD>Jason Knapp, rhp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>5.</TD><TD>Michael Brantley, of</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>6.</TD><TD>Nick Weglarz, of</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>7.</TD><TD>Hector Rondon, rhp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>8.</TD><TD>Carlos Carrasco, rhp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>9.</TD><TD>Alex White, rhp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>10.</TD><TD>Jason Kipnis, 2b/of</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>BEST
TOOLS



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Hitter for Average</TD><TD noWrap>Michael Brantley</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Power Hitter</TD><TD noWrap>Nick Weglarz</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Strike-Zone Discipline</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Santana</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Fastest Baserunner</TD><TD noWrap>Delvi Cid</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Athlete</TD><TD noWrap>Michael Brantley</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Fastball</TD><TD noWrap>Nick Hagadone</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Curveball</TD><TD noWrap>Alexander Perez</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Slider</TD><TD noWrap>Nick Hagadone</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Changeup</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Carrasco</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Control</TD><TD noWrap>Hector Rondon</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Defensive Catcher</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Santana</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Defensive Infielder</TD><TD noWrap>Jason Donald</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Infield Arm</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Rivero</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Defensive Outfielder</TD><TD noWrap>Jordan Henry</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Best Outfield Arm</TD><TD noWrap>Matt Brown</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>PROJECTED 2013
LINEUP



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Catcher</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Santana</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>First Base</TD><TD noWrap>Matt LaPorta</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Second Base</TD><TD noWrap>Luis Valbuena</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Third Base</TD><TD noWrap>Lonnie Chisenhall</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Shortstop</TD><TD noWrap>Asdrubal Cabrera</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Left Field</TD><TD noWrap>Michael Brantley</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Center Field</TD><TD noWrap>Grady Sizemore</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Right Field</TD><TD noWrap>Shin-Soo Choo</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Designated Hitter</TD><TD noWrap>Nick Weglarz</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>No. 1 Starter</TD><TD noWrap>Nick Hagadone</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>No. 2 Starter</TD><TD noWrap>Jason Knapp</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>No. 3 Starter</TD><TD noWrap>Hector Rondon</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>No. 4 Starter</TD><TD noWrap>Justin Masterson</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>No. 5 Starter</TD><TD noWrap>Carlos Carrasco</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Closer</TD><TD noWrap>Alex White</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>TOP PROSPECTS
OF THE DECADE



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Year</TD><TD>Player, Position</TD><TD align=right>2009</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2000</TD><TD>C.C. Sabathia, lhp</TD><TD align=right>Yankees</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2001</TD><TD>C.C. Sabathia, lhp</TD><TD align=right>Yankees</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2002</TD><TD>Corey Smith, 3b</TD><TD align=right>Royals</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2003</TD><TD>Brandon Phillips, ss/2b</TD><TD align=right>Reds</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2004</TD><TD>Grady Sizemore, of</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2005</TD><TD>Adam Miller, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2006</TD><TD>Adam Miller, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2007</TD><TD>Adam Miller, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2008</TD><TD>Adam Miller, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2009</TD><TD>Carlos Santana, c</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>TOP DRAFT PICKS
OF THE DECADE



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Year</TD><TD noWrap>Player, Position</TD><TD align=right>2009</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2000</TD><TD noWrap>Corey Smith, 3b</TD><TD align=right>Royals</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2001</TD><TD noWrap>Dan Denham, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Angels</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2002</TD><TD noWrap>Jeremy Guthrie, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Orioles</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2003</TD><TD noWrap>Michael Aubrey, 1b</TD><TD align=right>Orioles</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2004</TD><TD noWrap>Jeremy Sowers, lhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2005</TD><TD noWrap>Trevor Crowe, of</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2006</TD><TD noWrap>David Huff, lhp (1st supplemental)</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2007</TD><TD noWrap>Beau Mills, 3b/1b</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2008</TD><TD noWrap>Lonnie Chisenhall, 3b</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2009</TD><TD noWrap>Alex White, rhp</TD><TD align=right>Indians</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>LARGEST BONUSES
IN CLUB HISTORY



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Danny Baez, 1999</TD><TD align=right>$4,500,000</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Jeremy Guthrie, 2002</TD><TD align=right>$3,000,000</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Jeremy Sowers, 2004</TD><TD align=right>$2,475,000</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Alex White, 2009</TD><TD align=right>$2,250,000</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Michael Aubrey, 2003</TD><TD align=right>$2,010,000</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ed174c align=middle>INDIANS
LINKS



</TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE class=small border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>Indians' Team Page</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>Indians Top 10 Scouting Reports </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>Last Year's Indians Top 10 Prospects</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>2009 Draft: Indians (Basic Database)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>2009 Draft: Indians (Advanced Database)</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>2009 Draft Report Cards: Cleveland Indians </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>Pre-Order the 2010 Prospect Handbook</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

The Indians thought a few better players or even better fortune would get them to the playoffs. After all, they had scored more runs than they allowed in each of the previous five seasons, which included a pair of 90-plus win campaigns.​

The 2009 season disavowed them of that belief.​

Cleveland tied Kansas City for last place in the American League Central with a 65-97 record, their worst mark since 1991 and a performance that ultimately cost manager Eric Wedge his job.​

The Indians went outside the organization for his replacement, hiring Manny Acta, who went 158-252 (.385) while managing the Nationals for parts of the last three seasons.​

Acta tried to oversee a rebuilding effort in Washington, and that's what he has on his hands in Cleveland. The 2009 Indians had a middle-of-the-road offense, but the Orioles and Nationals were the only teams in baseball that allowed more runs.​

Cleveland was plagued by poor pitching from both starters and relievers, and a defense that ranked 27th in the majors in defensive efficiency.​

Things look better in the farm system, where the Indians have one of the deepest collections of prospects around. Much of that talent came via the trade market, including five of their top eight prospects: catcher Carlos Santana, lefthander Nick Hagadone, righthanders Jason Knapp and Carlos Carrasco and outfielder Michael Brantley.​

Those players didn't come cheaply, however, as they were parts of deals including the two Game One starters in the 2009 World Series—Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia—as well as three-time all-star Victor Martinez and solid veteran Casey Blake.​

Smaller deals that shipped off Rafael Betancourt, Mark DeRosa and Ryan Garko during the 2009 season provided additional depth.​

The Indians are developing an intriguing group of homegrown Latin American players, most notably Venezuelan righthander Hector Rondon, Dominican lefty Kelvin de la Cruz and Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Rivero.​

But Cleveland was burned in Latin America last year when it found out that Dominican shortstop Jose Ozoria, who was believed to be 16 when he signed for $575,000 in 2008, was actually three years older and named Wuali Bryan.​

While the Indians have built an impressive farm system, trading away big leaguers in exchange for prospects every year isn't a sustainable model for competing.​

They realize they need to get more out of their drafts, especially now that they're picking fifth overall in 2010.​

It's Cleveland's highest draft position since taking Paul Shuey second overall in 1992, and it will have to get more than the last time it had a top-10 choice and drafted Jeremy Sowers sixth overall in 2004.​

The Indians have a strong nucleus of up-the-middle talent to build around, with Grady Sizemore in center field, Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop and Santana soon to arrive behind the plate.​

In the short term, one of the Indians' most important tasks will be to improve their run prevention. The Indians don't have any defensive stalwarts on the cusp of the major leagues, but they do have Rondon and Carrasco close to helping the major league starting rotation and several potentially useful bullpen arms nearly ready to offer relief.​

Baseball Prospectus

Five-Star Prospects
1. Carlos Santana, C

Four-Star Prospects
2. Lonnie Chisenhall, SS
3. Alex White, RHP
4. Jason Knapp, RHP
5. Nick Hagadone, LHP

Three-Star Prospects
6. Hector Rondon, RHP
7. Lou Marson, C
8. Jason Kipnis, OF/2B
9. Carlos Carrasco, RHP
10. Michael Brantley, OF
11. Zach Putnam, RHP

Four More:
12. Jess Todd, RHP: Todd is a short, squat reliever acquired from the Cardinals, and one who reached the big leagues in short order, but his ceiling is probably as a seventh-, maybe eighth-inning set-up man.
13. Nick Weglarz, OF: Two years of non-performance have dropped him significantly, as a ton of walks can only get you so far. As a first baseman or left fielder, Weglarz needs to show more.
14. T.J. House, LHP: He was an over-slot lefty from 2008 who showed solid stuff in his full-season debut; he’s a good breakout candidate.
15. Jason Donald, SS: He's always been a bit overrated, and profiles best as a nice utility type.

John Sickels MinorLeagueball.com

1) Carlos Santana, C, Grade A: Needs a bit more polish with the glove, but looks like a future star to me. Bat looks awesome.

2) Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Grade B+: Coming along nicely with his beautiful swing, though I suspect he's two years away from being ready to help.

3) Nick Hagadone, LHP, Grade B: I'm assuming that the Tommy John recovery is complete and that he can take on a larger workload in 2010. Could push into B+/A- category if all goes well.

4) Alex White, RHP, Grade B: Need to see how pro adaptation goes, but like Hagadone he has B+/A- potential a year from now.

5) Hector Rondon, RHP, Grade B: Ceiling isn't quite that of Hagadone and White, but he's a solid guy and will be ready sooner. Scouts complain about secondary pitches being erratic, but he throws strikes with the heater.

6) Michael Brantley, OF, Grade B-: Borderline B. I've been pushing Brantley as a prospect since he came out of high school, due to his patience/contact/speed combination. My only concern is that his lack of power will relegate him to a fourth outfielder role.

7) Carlos Carrasco, RHP, Grade B-: Hard to grade given his very erratic track record. He'll look awesome at times, awful at others, you never know what you're going to get. Could be Rookie of the Year. . .or he could post a 5.00 ERA in Triple-A.

8) Nick Weglarz, OF, Grade B-: Like Carrasco, he's hard to rank. When he's going good Weglarz is a monster power hitter with great patience. But injuries hamper him and his body could go bad easily.

9) Jason Knapp, RHP, Grade B-: Would rank higher on pure stuff alone, but I'm afraid his arm might fall off.

10) T.J. House, LHP, Grade B-: Aggressive ranking that others may not share, but he made a successful pro debut in full-season ball with no rookie league experience, has a live arm, and is a lefty. Breakthrough candidate for 2010.

11) Jason Kipnis, 2B-OF, Grade C+: Borderline B- due to his bat, but I want to see how the second base conversion goes in real games.

12) Lou Marson, C, Grade C+: I respect his defense and his contact hitting ability, and he'll have a long career. But I just don't think he'll hit for enough power to be as good as his partisans expect. Will hold down the fort until Santana is ready.

13) Zach Putnam, RHP, Grade C+: Will reportedly move back to starting role, where he projects as an inning-eater type. I like him.

14) Tony Sipp, LHP, Grade C+: Under the 50-inning limit. At worst a very impressive LOOGY, but he gets right-handers out too. If his command sharpens up, he could end up with some saves.

15) Josh Judy, RHP, Grade C+: Hard-throwing reliever with some command, could help in the bullpen very soon and deserves more attention than he's received.

16) Jess Todd, RHP, Grade C+: Didn't look good in Cleveland, but was excellent in Triple-A. Gets grounders, will get more chances.

17) Mitch Talbot, RHP, Grade C+: This is a good pickup from Tampa. An older prospect, but assuming his elbow is OK, he could pull a Randy Wells in 2010. Has nothing left to prove in Triple-A.

18) Scott Barnes, LHP, Grade C+: Strike-throwing deceptive lefty could be fourth starter. Nice pickup from Giants.

19) Eric Berger, LHP, Grade C+: Strike-throwing deceptive lefty could be fourth starter.

20) Jason Donald, SS-2B Grade C+: Injuries hampered him last year. If healthy, could be a fine utility infielder or a short-term starter at second base.

21) Kelvin De La Cruz, LHP, Grade C+: Would rank higher than some of the others on upside alone, but is further away from the majors and has to prove he's healthy.

22) Conor Graham, RHP, Grade C+: Amazing movement and velocity, but needs better control. Nice pickup from Rockies.

23) Jeanmar Gomez, RHP, Grade C+: Finesse righty could be useful utility pitcher/fourth-fifth starter.

24) Alex Perez, RHP, Grade C+: Projectable arm is breakthrough candidate.

OTHERS: (Grade C): Abner Abreu, OF; Hector Ambriz, RHP; Jesus Brito, 3B; Jordan Brown, OF-1B; Clayton Cook, RHP; Paulo Espino, RHP; Joe Gardner, RHP; Jordan Henry, OF; Wes Hodges, 3B; Matt McBride, C-OF; T.J. McFarland, LHP; Beau Mills, 1B; Yohan Pino, RHP; Carlos Rivero, SS; Donnie Webb, OF.

I originally indentified 65 guys who could have been written up as at least Grade C prospects, and it was tough to whittle that down.

Let's start with the hitters. At the top you have Santana, who has everything needed to be a star, and Chisenhall, who is a bit behind him but highly promising. Brantley has been a personal favorite for a long time. Weglarz is something of an enigma, and there's some risk he could devolve into a Quadruple-A slugger. He could also become Jim Thome. I've never been really wild about Marson but he's fine to catch until Santana is ready, and at worst he'll make a wonderful backup. Same with Donald, the other former Phillie who could be a good utility guy but still has a chance to start if '09 was an injury-induced slippage. The hitting is thinner than the pitching and they could use some impact bats beyond the top two.

But the pitching. . .wow, there is a lot of depth in pitching. Hagadone and White have terrific ceilings, even if both still have some unanswered questions. Rondon should also be very good. Carrasco is an enigma, but one that is worth taking a chance on. There is just a huge variety of C+ arms beyond this group, mixing up guys with hot stuff, guys with projection, and guys with pitchability.

All told, the Indians need more depth in impact talent, but they have an enormous number of C+ and intriguing C prospects. They mine Latin America, they've done well in trades, and they pick up some sleepers (Sipp, Judy, House, Berger) in the draft. If Chisenhall and White lives up to their billing, perhaps that presages improvement in the early impact rounds as well.

Gotta love the amount of talent the team has again in the minors.

Carlos Santana was a joy to watch in Akron this past year. He could be in Cleveland by July.
This year feels like 2004 again when we had Vic and Hafner up and waiting on Sizemore.

It would be nice to sign Grady longterm. Keep this new core together with Grady the vet.

Future Offense
OF: Brantley, Grady, Choo
INF: Lonnie 3rd, Cabrera SS, Valbuena 2nd, LaPorta 1st
DH: Welgarz

It will be fun to watch Hagadone, White, Rondon, Gomez, Berger, De La Cruz, House, and Alexander Perez this year.

 

[Snowblind]

8) Nick Weglarz, OF, Grade B-: Like Carrasco, he's hard to rank. When he's going good Weglarz is a monster power hitter with great patience. But injuries hamper him and his body could go bad easily.

I really liked Nick for his power, something we really need. I hope he stays healthy, and how old is this kid? Didn't we draft him in like '04? Must be at least 24.

 

[nime]

8) Nick Weglarz, OF, Grade B-: Like Carrasco, he's hard to rank. When he's going good Weglarz is a monster power hitter with great patience. But injuries hamper him and his body could go bad easily.

I really liked Nick for his power, something we really need. I hope he stays healthy, and how old is this kid? Didn't we draft him in like '04? Must be at least 24.

Nick just turned 22 last month.

He walks a ton. He has solid power. Just need to get that average up. He hit .227 before getting hurt but had a .370 OBP with a .808 OPS.

He hit .240 with a .424 OBP in the AFL in 25 ABs. He'll probably end up back in Akron for half a year because of the BAvg. It doesn't look like he'll be able to stay in RF. He's another LFer/1st/or DH type. One of the reason the Indians didn't want Taylor in a Lee deal. They have enough LF/1st types in Brown, Welgarz, LaPorta, and Brantley.

Lonnie, Welgarz, and Rivero will be leading the Akron offense this year again.

Hopefully Duncan and Kearns do not block Nick from moving up to Columbus at mid-year. Not sure what the team plans to do with Beau Mills. He might also block Nick this year from moving up.

 

[Snowblind]

Nick just turned 22 last month.

He walks a ton. He has solid power. Just need to get that average up. He hit .227 before getting hurt but had a .370 OBP with a .808 OPS.

He hit .240 with a .424 OBP in the AFL in 25 ABs. He'll probably end up back in Akron for half a year because of the BAvg. It doesn't look like he'll be able to stay in RF. He's another LFer/1st/or DH type. One of the reason the Indians didn't want Taylor in a Lee deal. They have enough LF/1st types in Brown, Welgarz, LaPorta, and Brantley.

Lonnie, Welgarz, and Rivero will be leading the Akron offense this year again.

Hopefully Duncan and Kearns do not block Nick from moving up to Columbus at mid-year. Not sure what the team plans to do with Beau Mills. He might also block Nick this year from moving up.

Honestly, I'd rather have Weglarz in LF than Brantley. I don't really like Brantley in LF, yeah he can lead-off, but has no power. I do like his speed and patience though. I just want to have that power hitter that can get you 40 homers. Plus add someone in the DH spot for more power...phew. Not this up and coming season, but the NEXT season should be fun with all these prospects getting ready to move on up.

 

[nime]

Honestly, I'd rather have Weglarz in LF than Brantley. I don't really like Brantley in LF, yeah he can lead-off, but has no power. I do like his speed and patience though. I just want to have that power hitter that can get you 40 homers. Plus add someone in the DH spot for more power...phew. Not this up and coming season, but the NEXT season should be fun with all these prospects getting ready to move on up.

Agree on Brantley. If the kid can't leadoff and post a .350-.370 OBP, he has no business starting. He isn't going to post power numbers so he better hit for avg and walk.

The Tribe would be wise to play him and build his trade value. If he can't hit leadoff, you deal him at high value like Coco.

I don't want Kearns and Duncan taking PT away from Brown, Brantley or LaPorta though.

 

[Chris]

I think they need to sign Grady long term.

Sounds like we need more impact guys, although we have a few studs in each category at the very top (Santana, Chisenhall, Hagadone, White, Rondon) with a ton of depth at lower level prospects. I guess the Indians are hoping a lot of those C+ guys turn into impact players? And guys like Carrasco and Knapp are just shots in the dark, hoping that a guy with injuries and a guy with issues across the board pan out and realize their talent.

The odds say that a few of those guys will be really good, right?

 

[nime]

I think they need to sign Grady long term.

Sounds like we need more impact guys, although we have a few studs in each category at the very top (Santana, Chisenhall, Hagadone, White, Rondon) with a ton of depth at lower level prospects. I guess the Indians are hoping a lot of those C+ guys turn into impact players? And guys like Carrasco and Knapp are just shots in the dark, hoping that a guy with injuries and a guy with issues across the board pan out and realize their talent.

The odds say that a few of those guys will be really good, right?

In 2005, the core was Grady, JP, Hafner, Vic, CC, Lee, and Jake.

The new core is alittle different. We have Grady and Mona still. They are vets of the new core. Cabrera, Choo with their impact last year have made it into the new core.

LaPorta, Brantley, Laffey, Huff, Sipp, CPerez will be fighting to be memebers of the new core this year. I think LaPorta, Laffey, Sipp, and CPerez are sure bets to be added.

Then you have Santana, Lonnie, Rondon, and Carassco coming up. Santana and Lonnie are high impact guys. Santana is going to be another Vic or Grady. Lonnie might be.

Hagadone, Knapp, Welgarz, Putnam, House Rivero are guys at least 2-3 years away imo.

If they can sign Grady's contract using the money that is coming off Jake and Hafner's contract, they will be set. This team is talented.

 

[Chris]

I'll feel a LOT better when Hafner is off this team and his contrqact is done-yins. Not saying we'll ever be big spenders in FA, but that's a lot of money tied up in 1 player for our team.

 

[Gunther]

I've been hearing and reading a lot about Lonnie Chisenhall, and sometimes I see him listed as a SS, sometimes as a 3B (as in the OP - he is listed at each position). Last year I remember Tom Hamilton talking about him as if he should get an invite to ST this season, but now I am reading that he is a couple of years away. Anyone got the lowdown on this kid?

Are they grooming him to take over for Peralta next season?

 

[nime]

I've been hearing and reading a lot about Lonnie Chisenhall, and sometimes I see him listed as a SS, sometimes as a 3B (as in this post - he is listed at each position). Last year I remember Hamilton talking about him as if he should get an invite to ST this season, but now I am reading that he is a couple of years away. Anyone got the lowdown on this kid?

Are they grooming him to take over for Peralta next season?

He is not a SS. Doesn't have the range. He is a 3rd baseman now and for the future. He is being groomed to replace JP. He is a year away. He will probably be in Akron all of this year.

Had a couple chances to see him play in the minor league playoffs for Akron. Solid swing, smooth with the glove at third. He struggled to hit after he first came up in Akron.

Cleveland doesn't rush prospects and with Hodges already at 3rd in Columbus, they'll give Lonnie 3 months at least in Akron to prove he can hit AA pitching.

Speaking of JP, he is going to be the cleanup hitter this year with so many lefties in the lineup and Victor gone. This is a make or break year for him. Hopefully he hits so Shapiro can deal him for some more worthwhile prospects. I'm glad they finally moved him from SS. The Indians finally have a respectable combination defensively up the middle in Cabrera and Valbuena. Best defensive infield we have seen since Omar left.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

House is, IMO, a REAL sleeper. He can skyrocket into a very high ceiling range, IMO.

 

[Gunther]

He is not a SS. Doesn't have the range. He is a 3rd baseman now and for the future. He is being groomed to replace JP. He is a year away. He will probably be in Akron all of this year.

Had a couple chances to see him play in the minor league playoffs for Akron. Solid swing, smooth with the glove at third. He struggled to hit after he first came up in Akron.

Cleveland doesn't rush prospects and with Hodges already at 3rd in Columbus, they'll give Lonnie 3 months at least in Akron to prove he can hit AA pitching.

Speaking of JP, he is going to be the cleanup hitter this year with so many lefties in the lineup and Victor gone. This is a make or break year for him. Hopefully he hits so Shapiro can deal him for some more worthwhile prospects. I'm glad they finally moved him from SS. The Indians finally have a respectable combination defensively up the middle in Cabrera and Valbuena. Best defensive infield we have seen since Omar left.

Thanks for the info. I live in Akron, so I'll have to do downtown and check out a couple of games this year. Seems like I've been hearing about Chisenhall forever, but I know it's only been two years.

Regarding JP, I agree. I've never been a fan, and I mean never. I've been waiting for this season for a long time. It's the season where Jhonny will have absolutely no excuses, and has to 100% let his play speak for itself. Let's see what he's made of. Hopefully, he will respond and have a good year.

 

[Snowblind]

Thanks for the info. I live in Akron, so I'll have to do downtown and check out a couple of games this year. Seems like I've been hearing about Chisenhall forever, but I know it's only been two years.

Regarding JP, I agree. I've never been a fan, and I mean never. I've been waiting for this season for a long time. It's the season where Jhonny will have absolutely no excuses, and has to 100% let his play speak for itself. Let's see what he's made of. Hopefully, he will respond and have a good year.

Yeah hopefully he has a good year, and Shapiro responds by dealing him for something worthwhile. I really don't like JP.

Edit: Maybe if Brantley can get his value up (same with JP) we can deal for a good player. Just sayin'..

 

[Damage]

On potential alone, Abner Abreu and Carlos Rivero should be ranked higher. Abreu had a terrible year in the minors but the kid is as raw as they come. His upside is, no joke, Alfonso Soriano. Rivero is a phenom as well, so much so that the Tribe protected him on the 40 man roster. You don't see that too often.

 

[Chris]

Phenom? I hope you don't use that term lightly...