Tony%20Lastoria Archive

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Cody Allen. Allen is the most dominant and eye-popping relief pitcher the Indians have had come through their system in a long time as he breezed through four different stops last season hitting every level from High-A Carolina to Cleveland within three months. His rapid ascent up the system barely a year after being drafted was one of the biggest stories the first half of last season, and Tony touches on what kind of impact he can make in Cleveland long term and what he still needs to work on in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder Tyler Naquin. Naquin had a solid professional debut last year, and from day one he showed some really good potential in center field with his speed and arm strength. The Indians really like his overall skill set as he is a multi-dimensional player that does a lot of the things needed at the Major League level to win games. Tony dives into those things he does well, talks about where he needs to improve, and much more in this detailed scouting report.

The Indians passed the halfway mark in spring training this past week and as of today have just under three weeks left in camp. There have been many surprises and a few disappointments so far, and some position battles are starting to come into focus. Tony touches on all that and also checks in with some updates on some old friends from last year's team, gives some of his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, and more.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Mitch Brown. The Indians picked up Brown in the second round of the 2012 Draft, but a lot of talent evaluators believed he had last first round potential and that the Indians may have gotten a steal. He's new to the system and very young, but has a lot of upside and is already one of the best arms in the Indians' system. Tony gives the details on his stuff, upside, potential pitfalls and more in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with shortstop Tony Wolters. Wolters was able to overcome an early season struggle at Carolina last year and come out of the season with a solid overall showing, and is part of a deep mix of middle infield prospects the Indians have assembled throughout their system. Tony gives the rundown of how good a defender he is, how his bat is improving, and where he needs to make strides in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes. The Ryan Garko for Barnes trade back in July of 2009 may end up as one of the best trades the Indians have made in the last several years, and whether he ends up as a full time bullpen arm or a starter down the road, the Indians believe they have a solid piece to their big league pitching puzzle for the next several years. He is in the mix for a Major League job this spring, and Tony breaks down all of his pluses and minuses in this detailed scouting report.

The new 2013 Indians Baseball Insider: The Top 100 Prospects & More book is now available for sale. This year's 252-page version has 204 players in the Indians organization featured in it with scouting reports for everyone, a new International Top 20 prospect listing for those that are new to the organization or may be debuting stateside this year, and more. The book is available for purchase on-line and should be available at other outlets soon. Details inside...

The Rule 5 Draft is several months away, but here is a current up-to-date listing showing the eligible Indians' minor leaguers for the 2013 Draft in December. This list will be housed for quick reference in the "Reference" section along the top below the site batter and listed under the "Rule 5 Draft" heading.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar is a guy that a lot of Indians fans and the organization themselves are excited about because good right-handed power is hard to find. He certainly has that and then some, and is arguably the best power prospect in the entire system. Tony talks about that power potential and other areas he excels as a hitter and defender, and also talks about where he has opportunity for improvement in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder Luigi Rodriguez. Defensively and offensively the Indians feel like Rodriguez has as much talent as anybody in the organization, it is just a matter of him putting it together to be more consistent as a player day by day rather than in streaks throughout the year. Tony discusses all the abilities he brings with his bat and speed, and touches on where he needs to make big improvements in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Trey Haley. It has taken some time, but everything is starting to come together for Haley now that he is 100% healthy and his fastball command is improving. He has the best arm in the system and could still end up starting again, and Tony talks about his talented right arm, what it brings, what he can become, and what he needs to improve in this detailed scouting report.

Tony has been receiving a lot of inquiries as to the availability of his new 2013 Cleveland Indians prospect book. Today he provides a very quick update on the status of it as it is all written and is just in the final stages of completion with putting it together to send to press. He provides an update on that and when it may become available. Over 200 scouting reports in the book this year!!

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone. Hagadone has all the goods to be a dominating presence at the backed of a Major League bullpen, and showed that up until his final three weeks of action last season when everything fell apart and he suffered a self-inflicted hand injury. The Indians need a power armed lefty in the pen, and Tony looks at what stuff he brings, what he needs to get better at, and more in this detailed scouting report.

Tony returns from his vacation with another edition of the Happenings to check in on how things are going for the Indians in spring training. He talks about the Carlos Carrasco suspension and how the Indians may work around it, the injuries that are starting to pile up, takes a closer look at Corey Kluber and what value he truly brings to the team, updates us on how Rule 5 picks TJ McFarland and Hector Rondon are doing, provides the full 11-game TV schedule for the Indians this spring, and more!

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder Anthony Santander. If not for the amazing season that Dorssys Paulino had in the Arizona League last year, then Santander would have probably received a lot more attention for the great pro debut he had himself. Tony provides lots of insight into what his upside is, what his strengths and weaknesses are, and what is in store for him this coming season in this detailed scouting report.

Indians closer Chris Perez has been shelved with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder and will not throw for the next seven to ten days. He will begin a return to throwing program as soon as he is asymptomatic, and is expected to be out of game action for at least three to four weeks. Also, Frank Herrmann has been shut down with a right elbow strain.