2021 Minor League Thread

[WhoAzcue]

Big year for Benson and Holmes. Need to prove they can hit . Tools galore but pitiful production at this point.

Benson jumps high A and goes directly to AA. Whoa, is he going to get an eyeful. I don't think it will be pretty. The funny thing about Benson is how many people predicted his fortunes on draft night. I remember feeling uneasy hearing the assessments. So then, why even take a flyer on a guy like that? For the love of god, just gimme some ball players, not guys who look like they should be.

 

[Criznit]

Benson jumps high A and goes directly to AA. Whoa, is he going to get an eyeful. I don't think it will be pretty. The funny thing about Benson is how many people predicted his fortunes on draft night. I remember feeling uneasy hearing the assessments. So then, why even take a flyer on a guy like that? For the love of god, just gimme some ball players, not guys who look like they should be.

He played 62 games in low A and 61 in high A in 2019.. Hitting 230/331/454/785 with 21hr/27sb in 123 games.

Not sticking up for him as a prospect, but given his age in the system and his early playing time in ST starting in AA is perfectly inline.

 

[MadThinker88]

More player movement updates from Indians Prospective twitter:

from 4/30/21 #Indians minor league player releases OF Pedro Alfonseca LHP Abraham Figueroa INF Jeikol Contreras INF Moises De La Cruz

from 4/29/21 #Indians minor league player releases INF Jothson Flores INF Gaspar Palacio RHP Erick Heredia RHP Jhan Rodriguez

just additional fyi:
Former #Indians INF prospect Tyler Friis (released 4/27/21) has signed a minor league contract with the Brewers. Best of luck
@tylerfriis8 with Milwaukee!

 

[Criznit]

More player movement updates from Indians Prospective twitter:

from 4/30/21 #Indians minor league player releases OF Pedro Alfonseca LHP Abraham Figueroa INF Jeikol Contreras INF Moises De La Cruz

from 4/29/21 #Indians minor league player releases INF Jothson Flores INF Gaspar Palacio RHP Erick Heredia RHP Jhan Rodriguez

just additional fyi:
Former #Indians INF prospect Tyler Friis (released 4/27/21) has signed a minor league contract with the Brewers. Best of luck
@tylerfriis8 with Milwaukee!

Couple more additions per tribeinsider on twitter

INF Jesse Berardi <-- was a sleeper type, just never got it going.
INF Ulysses Cantu
INF Connor Smith

 

[MadThinker88]

@Criznit : Thanks for adding that info.
-------------------------------------

MLB Pipeline posted an article early Friday morning about the CLE system & updates on some players. Here is the link:
https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-minor-league-spring-training-report?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Enjoy.

 

[LL3]

Big year for Benson and Holmes. Need to prove they can hit . Tools galore but pitiful production at this point. Anxious to see The prospects from the Mets : Green and Wolf . Could soften the blow of losing Lindor 5 years from today

I am quite interested in Green and Wolf, too.

Strangely, until you mentioned it, I had not thought of Lindor "not being here" for a while. I really am past it....on we go!

 

[Criznit]

I am quite interested in Green and Wolf, too.

Strangely, until you mentioned it, I had not thought of Lindor "not being here" for a while. I really am past it....on we go!

My gut tells me we will be loving Isaiah Greene by the end of the year.

 

[LL3]

If it wasnt for their high draft status years ago, neither would be in this org.

They may have tools, but the one tool you have to have to be a position player in baseball...the ability to actually hit a baseball...is non existent.

They make Bradley and Jones look like Michael Brantley.

Sometimes the biggest mistake a person or organization can make is to refuse to own up to a mistake. Its often better to simply cut bait.

So you'd simply release them? I'd rather they just not draft similar players in the future -- that would be owning up to it enough for me. I have no issue with retaining them in the moment (Benson in particular). I'm not counting on it, but far stranger things have happened than seeing a guy like Benson find some ML success.

 

[CATS44]

So you'd simply release them? I'd rather they just not draft similar players in the future -- that would be owning up to it enough for me. I have no issue with retaining them in the moment (Benson in particular). I'm not counting on it, but far stranger things have happened than seeing a guy like Benson find some ML success.

I sure wouldn't let either stand in the way of anybody else.

Why on earth we draft players in the early rounds that can't hit a baseball is beyond me.

Fortunately, our recent draft strategy is to prioritize youngsters whose top tool is the ability to put the bat on the ball.

 

[Criznit]

As @MadThinker88 pointed out on another thread - MILB starts this Tuesday!!!

Turns out the Vancouver Canadians will be playing their "home games" at the Hillsboro Hops stadium for the time being.. Weird going from only a short season A team to 2 high A teams in the same town..

 

[AZ_]

 

[Criznit]

Vaughn won;t be doing that a year or 2 from now...

But man can Bieber work the angle on the left side of the plate.. Good stuff.

 

[Mcreek]

First base may be the position for Jones since none of Naylor, Bauer’s or Bradley look like the answer

 

[AZ_]

First base may be the position for Jones since none of Naylor, Bauer’s or Bradley look like the answer

I thought so too, but seems like they’ve got him focusing solely on 3B in Columbus.

We’ll see if that changes.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I thought so too, but seems like they’ve got him focusing solely on 3B in Columbus.

We’ll see if that changes.

If it doesn't it probably signals a Jose Ramirez trade possibly as early as mid-season or if not, after the season. A deal like that would open up a spot for Jones and bring back blue chip prospects at first base, catcher, and center field if we can find the right trade partner.