Tony%20Lastoria Archive

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Kieran Lovegrove. Lovegrove is a young high upside arm the Indians picked up early in last year's draft, and he has the projection with his stuff, delivery and frame to be a durable starting pitcher for a long time. He is one of the more intriguing young players to watch this year, and Tony breaks down all of his stuff in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Felix Sterling. There is no doubt that Sterling has the arsenal and the talent to be a dominating starting pitching prospect, but his inconsistency and mental mindset has raised some questions and doubts as to whether he will ever reach his potential. Tony breaks down everything he has to offer and what problems he is struggling through in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Austin Adams. Adams suffered a shoulder injury in spring training and then had surgery which wiped out his entire 2012 season. He is close to 100% this season though will be limited with his workload, and Tony takes a look at what is in store for him this season, what value he has, how good he can still be and much more in this detailed scouting report.

The Indians made another big splash this offseason on Monday when they agreed to terms on a deal with free agent outfielder Michael Bourn. The IBI's Tony Lastoria breaks down the deal and takes a look at how Bourn will help the team, how the Indians will align themselves defensively, how their draft plans will be affected, what may be coming next, and lots more.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with left-handed pitcher Elvis Araujo. The big lefty had a down year from a performance perspective last season and saw his prospect ranking drop as a result, but there is still considerable upside to him and there were some things behind the scenes he was asked to do all season which affected his performance. Tony discusses what those things were, what his future holds, and more in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with second baseman Cord Phelps. He is a solid player that has proven to be a good offensive performer with the bat at the Triple-A level, but has yet to prove himself in limited opportunities at the big league level. He also lacks much versatility, which hurts since Jason Kipnis is entrenched at second base in Cleveland. Tony breaks down his offensive abilities, his defensive shortcomings, and what positions he may play in the near future in this detailed scouting report.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight for a special half hour edition from 11:00pm – 11:30pm EST. Indians Baseball Insiders Tony Lastoria and Jim Pete talk about the stunning signing of outfielder Michael Bourn to a four year $48 million deal and talk about all the ways his deal impacts the team.

Tony is hard at work finishing up the new 2013 Indians Baseball Insider prospect book, and he shares a quick update today where he is at with it, when it may be available, and how it can be purchased. The book continues to grow every year, and this edition may be the first to feature 200 scouting reports.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder LeVon Washington. Last season he once again struggled with injuries, and as a result he was unable to consistently stay on the field to develop his raw tools on offense and defense. He is a tremendous athlete with tons of ability, but needs a healthy season this year to realize his potential, and Tony breaks down all his abilities and some areas of opportunity in this detailed scouting report.

The Indians have reportedly agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free agent right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The deal has not yet been made official as he still has to take and pass his physical, but if he makes the team and is added to the roster he will make $1.5 million and has incentives in his deal which could push it up to $4 million.

Spring training is finally here. While most have already reported, pitchers and catchers will officially report to Goodyear today and tomorrow and thus begins the journey that is the Indians' 2013 season. Over the course of the seven weeks of camp the Indians will need to make several roster decisions, and Tony goes through them all in great detail in today's edition of Tribe Happenings.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with first baseman Chun Chen. Chen has proven to have a solid, productive bat in the minors, but he lacks a regular position which hurts his value. Last season he moved from catcher to first base, and Tony provides all the details on how that transition is going and if he has a Major League future there, plus takes a look at his hitting potential in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Jake Sisco. Sisco came out of nowhere in 2011 as he shot up draft boards and looked like a steal for the Indians in the third round of the draft, but his lackluster showing last season leaves many questions about him that need answered. Did he just have a bad year and his 2011 campaign is his true self, or was 2011 the outlier and last season was what he really is? Tony breaks it all down in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with left-handed pitcher Shawn Morimando. Morimando is one of the more promising young pitchers in the Indians’ system because he is so young, raw, and inexperienced, but shows a lot of ability already and more is expected to come with his command and stuff. Tony breaks down what he brings to the table as an athletic lefty, and some areas where he could see improvement in this detailed scouting report.

On Thursday the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed infielder Mike Aviles to a two-year $6 million contract that includes a club option for the 2015 season. His signing brings all arbitration eligible players under contract for the 2013 season, and keeps the Indians streak intact of not going to arbitration since 1991 (Swindell, Browne). They also announced the signing of lefty Rich Hill to a minor league contract.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with catcher Yan Gomes. The Indians acquired Gomes in an offseason trade from the Blue Jays and he is in the mix this spring to make the opening day roster as a versatile player off the bench. So what exactly does this newcomer bring to the Indians and what future does he have in the big leagues? Tony breaks it all down in this detailed scouting report.