Since it is two months into the season would someone be willing to post a list of the top 7 to 10 prospects in the organization and what their realistic long term expectations are for making the majors and if they are expected to be every day players. Thanks in advance!!!
It'll be short, not much time to do more.
1. Nolan Jones, 3B, 21, High-A, .306/.446/.443
Elite hitting tools, elite on-base skills, developing power, big frame to add more weight to. Needs to clean up his defense a bit, but those numbers right themselves as you move up and the quality of field/players improves significantly.
2. Tyler Freeman, SS/2B, 20, Full-A, .330/.425/.500
He is just all-around good. He's so different as a minor leaguer that I truly believe he could have been one of the rare guys who gets called up at 19 and still produces at the MLB level. He'll be a 2B at the MLB level more than likely.
3. Triston McKenzie, SP, 21, AAA, Injured
He's my number 1 guy if he is healthy, and it's not very close. He's a top 5 SP prospect in all of baseball if health wasn't a factor. But it is, so he is 3rd. Advanced all around. Command, mound presence, mental aspects of pitching, the pitches themselves, etc. He has a body frame that can add weight still that can take some of his stuff to another level. Just needs to get healthy. Ace potential.
4. George Valera, OF, 18, Rookie level
I don't think the Indians have had a better pure hitter in their farm than Valera since Manny was making his way through in the 90s. Everything about him and his swing is a Robinson Cano clone. Got a ways to go, obviously, but I think he would have been in full season ball this year had he not gotten hurt last season.
5. Bobby Bradley, 1B, 23, AAA, .282/.355/.599
Having a great rebound year currently. Monster power and has adjusted his approach to be more well-rounded. I've said this in here before, but no one studies themselves or their swing more than Bradley does in the Indians system. He has turned into a good 1B defensively. Still has some swing and miss holes and concerns in his swing.
6. Bo Naylor, C, 19, Full A, .214/.303/.328
Hard to make the jump from AZL ball to full season A ball as a teenager. The numbers aren't pretty, but I am not concerned at all. Kid can flat out hit, has big power, but still some questions on what position he will play defensively. Watching him, he got into a bit of a slump early on and like a young hitter typically does he let it eat at him.
7. Ethan Hankins, SP, 18, Rookie level
Very similar to McKenzie. Fell to the Indians because of some health questions, but when he is right he is really good. Big frame, already throws hard even though he has a lot of room to fill out still, and has the makings of a few plus off speed pitches. Indians have a type for high round HS pitchers in the draft, and he falls right in line with that (really tall, room to grow, plus stuff).
8. Brayan Rocchio, SS, 18, Rookie level
If you watched some spring games you can see why so many people are high on him. He can play, the only question is can he turn into what the modern SS has turned into. Not much pop in his bat, but he is an advanced hitter. I think he has enough to stick at SS defensively. He just needs to mature his body and develop some power. If that happens he'll fly up people's rankings.
9. Luis Oviedo, SP, 20, Full A, 5-2 with a 4.29 ERA
I think he is a little banged up right now. His 1st 2 starts of the season looked like himself, then his velocity and command disappeared on him for a bit. But he has plus stuff when he is right, plus command, and still has room to grow. Has the makings of a very good middle of the rotation guy. If he finds another off speed pitch I think he can become a frontline guy.
10. Will Benson, OF, 20, Full A, .268/.369/.565
A lot of people lost faith in him as a prospect, but if you've been watching him you know why his numbers have been so poor the last few seasons. Completely revamped his swing mechanics and its paying off for him in a big way. He is a freak of nature. Big power, great speed, great arm from the OF, great on-base skills...questions will always be can he consistently put the ball in play. He has found something with his new swing, but now he has to progress his approach like Bobby Bradley did before him in order to close some of the glaring holes in his game.
