Tony%20Lastoria Archive

With the minor league season coming up on the completion of its second week (already?) there are a lot of players not assigned to a full season affiliate at the moment that are either nursing injuries, rehabbing, or waiting around for an opportunity. In this re-post of a piece from last year, Tony provides all the details on what extended spring training is and what the players there can expect.

If you haven't heard yet, there's a new way to play fantasy baseball that turns the season long grind into quick one night leagues. And the best part is that you can win cash every single day. You draft a team for one night and get paid out as soon as the games end that night. Check out this new offer exclusive only to IBI readers!

Today the Indians announced that they have transferred right-handed pitcher Matt Albers from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list. They also announced that they have traded lefty Eric Berger in exchange for some much needed catching help in the upper minors.

Indians righty Carlos Carrasco is as talented as any pitcher in baseball, but his antics on Tuesday night show why he has yet to live up to his hype. Tony takes a look at his composure issues on the mound and his chances of pitching any meaningful innings in Cleveland this year, and he also touches on Jason Kipnis' struggles and if a change may be in store at second base, the catching carousel and more.

Spring training wrapped up about two weeks ago, but here are the final unofficial stats from Indians minor league spring training camp. Stats for over 100 players are listed and is a comprehensive listing of all available stats from the minor league games played this past March in Goodyear, Arizona.

It was a quiet night all around in the Indians system as the rain in the midwestern and eastern areas of the United States resulted in rainouts in Cleveland and Columbus, and Lake County's game was called after six innings. But there was still plenty to talk about from Thursday's minor league action, and Tony steps in with some thoughts on several of the performances on the night.

The first full edition of Minor Happenings is back for the 2013 season. This is the piece that started it all for this site several years ago, and in today's 4300+ word piece Tony gives all kinds of updates and insights on players up and down the Indians farm system. He talks about Francisco Lindor's impressive start to the season, the aggressive placement of Jose Ramirez, the tough first outing for Mitch Brown, the plan for Cord Phelps, shares a a ton of comments from Ross Atkins, and has all kinds of information and updates on the likes of Jeremy Hermida, Matt Packer, Bryson Myles, Dorssys Paulino and more.

The Indians have yet to make an official announcement on who will start tonight's game against the Yankees, but right-handed pitcher Corey Kluber is en route to Cleveland and will start the game tonight if it is played. With right-hander Carlos Carrasco’s ejection last night and then tonight’s probable starter right-hander Brett Myers having to be used in long relief, it opened up a need for a starter tonight.

On Tuesday afternoon the Indians announced that catcher Yan Gomes has been recalled from Triple-A Columbus and that catcher Lou Marson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a cervical neck strain. They also announced that they have added catcher Omir Santos to the roster.

It has been some time since the Indians have had a hitter with such promise pass through their lower levels. There have been some good young prospects to pass through Low-A Lake County over the years, but none with the upside and potential to impact a game with the bat like that of shortstop Dorssys Paulino. This is a big growth year for him, and the IBI's Tony Lastoria recently sat down and talked to him about his goals for this season.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight from 10:00pm – 11:00pm EST. The one hour show airs every Tuesday and is hosted by IndiansBaseballInsider.com’s Tony Lastoria and Jim Pete and is brought to you by the Akron Aeros. In tonight's show, Jim and Tony breakdown the first full week of the season for the Indians and give some early thoughts on anything to date that has been encouraging or discouraging.

The Indians home opener is here! For one day every year the entire city and Cleveland region pays attention to the Indians, and that day is today. In what is an annual holiday for many baseball fans, the Indians get their home season underway, and to make it extra special the hated Yankees are in town. With the opener just a few hours away, Tony provides some interesting facts about the home opener and more!

In this week's Tribe Happenings, Tony reviews the week that was for the Indians starting five in the rotation and wonders if we learned anything from each starter getting one start and if there are any encouraging signs or some areas of concern. He also touches on how the Indians will handle getting Kazmir back into the rotation, controlling and developing Bauer, surgery for Alex White, and much more!

The first edition of Minor Happenings each year typically does not post until the first Thursday after the season opens, but there is a lot to talk about and get everyone caught up on. In today’s special edition of the Happenings, I give an update on Tony Wolters’ move to catcher, introduce Robert Whitenack, break down Tyler Naquin’s great opening night showing, and have all kinds of quotes from the front office on the catchers in the system and where some of the missing players are to start the season.

Opening night is here for the minor leagues. The Minor League Baseball season kicks off tonight as all of Triple-A Columbus, Double-A Akron and Low-A Lake County open their seasons. High-A Carolina has to wait a day as they open their season on Friday. We polled several of the site writers to get their take on things as the season gets ready to begin. Which affiliate and prospects are the most exciting? Who is due for a breakout? All of that and more are shared in the annual IBI roundtable...

The Cleveland Indians today have claimed right-handed pitcher Robert Whitenack off of waivers from the Chicago Cubs and optioned him to Double-A Akron. To make room on the 40-man roster the Indians have moved right-handed pitcher Frank Herrmann from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.