Minor league spring training is in full swing, and over the next few weeks players will work their way to make a full season roster. With the new season on the horizon, Tony takes a look at the upcoming decisions with players and how several players will be handled this season. From that you can really get a good feel for their prospect value and who may stick around in the organization this season.
The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with second baseman Jose Ramirez. Some may be surpsied to see Ramirez this high, but if there was one player that caught the system by storm last season it was Ramirez and is a player that the Indians themselves did not really know what they had in him until June and July came around. All he does is hit and his impressive winter ball showing could land him in Akron to start the season. Tony talks about his exciting upside and areas of opportunity in this detailed scouting report.
On Tuesday the Cleveland Indians announced right-handed reliever Frank Herrmann underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in New York City. Dr. David Altchek performed a ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on Herrmann, who will miss the entire 2013 season and has an expected rehabilitation period of 12-to-18 months.
The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar. Early on last season Salazar looked like a questionable roster move for the Indians the previous offseason, but by the end of the season when he was 100% healthy and the Indians took the kid gloves off he really excelled and showed his potential. Tony takes a look into what kind of pitching asset he is for the Indians, if he can start in the big leagues, and what problems may lie ahead in this detailed scouting report.
The prospect countdown is only the start of the ridiculous amount of coverage from rookie ball to Cleveland that is coming in 2013 here at the IBI. On Saturday, Tony heads out to Arizona for his semi-annual visit to the desert and will have all sorts of updates from minor league camp all next week plus other items from big league camp. He also provides updates on all the coverage, new features, and more at the IBI this year.
Left-hander Scott Kazmir has been the talk of Indians camp. Monday's game with the Angels was aired on tape delay by MLB Network at 3 am ET in the morning on Tuesday, and for a few Tribe fans that have MLB Network or who bothered to watch it live or DVRed it, it was the first chance to actually “see” him pitch. Tony watched the game and provides some objective commentary on how he really looked in his start.
The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with shortstop Ronny Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been one of the bright spots that has come out of Latin America the last few years as he has become one of the most athletic and exciting players in the Indians’ system. He still has a ways to go with the bat, but there is a lot of potential with his arm and bat, and Tony breaks it all down in this detailed scouting report.
On Monday the Indians announced several roster moves, the biggest of which was the addition of left-handed pitcher Rich Hill to the 40-man roster. His addition appears to have locked up a spot for him in the Indians' opening day bullpen. To make room on the 40-man roster the Indians placed right-handed pitcher Blake Wood on the 60-day disabled list.
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 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!
