Rob Bryson was once thought of as an elite arm, and showed why last night in his most dominating performance to date. Giovanny Urshela may not be a top prospect, but his current offensive stretch may turn a few heads. At the top of ATF is a guy who may be the most important prospect in the system. Check out just who that is with our daily dose of Around the Farm, after the jump...
Ryan Merritt got his second win in as many starts at Mahoning Valley. Tyler Naquin and Tyler Holt each had a 3-for-4 night playing centerfield. Both are trying to break the mold of the "Trevor Crowe-type" outfielder, and made some inroads on Sunday. The top player in tonight's ATF is the guy that took over the DH role from Jeremie Tice at Carolina. Nope, it's not Jesus Aguilar. Find out who it is, after the jump.
The Mudcats enter the second half of the season without their, arguably, best defensive weapon. Can Edwin Rodriguez replicate the heroics of Aaron Holbert's second half run in 2011 in which the Kinston Indians went on to the league championship? Or, will the Mudcats slide into Moccasin Creek? Let's get out the fly rods for a journey into the second half of the season as we go Fishing for Mudcats...after the jump...
Jeremie Tice continue to make the Eastern League his offensive playground with two more hits on Saturday Night. Alex Monsalve hit his sixth homer with a multi-hit game of his own. Chun Chen rolled out another double in a three-hit performance for Akron, to join Tice as two of the hottest hitters in the system. Chen and Tice had five hits combined, which equals the total of tonight's ATF headliner, a little known Lake County middle infielder.
Is the Indians' season over in June? Is losing six of seven games a sign that the Tribe has finally dropped off the cliff that so many have predicted? Jim Pete weighs in on the ownership and management role in the overall Indians picture in 2012, as well as taking a quick look at some timely issues with regards to the lineup and the offense. Join us all at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario...
Luis DeJesus brought the business end of a eight strikeouts at Mahoning Valley. Alex Monsalve may turn out to be one of the most important prospects in the entire system with his clear, high learning curve. Russ Canzler has actually burst into flames, and Jeremie Tice had two more RBI's. Who topped ATF? How about a home-run hitting, right-handed bat...at least for one night.
Chun Chen rolled out four more hits on Sunday, with three of them doubles, driving in three batters. But he wasn't at the top of the ATF heap. Joseph Colon again looked like an ace, rebounding from a horrid start, but he wasn't at the top of the ATF heat. The top guy at ATF may just be the best lefty in the system, and perhaps even end up the next call-up if he were to play his cards right. Join Jim Pete as he sherpa's you to the top of ATF.
LaPorta must have really missed his time with one of the top spots here at ATF, because as sure as I'm an Indians fan, here's LaPorta again. Ronnie Rodriguez is really starting to turn a corner, and once he does, he may see Akron. Tonight's top spot at ATF goes to a guy that has seemingly lost his home-run power, or has he. Join Jim Pete as he uses Saturday Night's ATF to search for the elusive Chun Chen HR...
The Indians need some offensive help on the right side of the plate. There is no doubt about that. But, with so many teams looking for power-hitting, right-handed bats, might the Indians be best served to look elsewhere to fill another of their holes going forward? Jim Pete takes a closer look at the topsy-turvy, ebb and flow rotation and bullpen in this weeks CoCaO...
T.J. House had a big start on Wednesday, rebounding from his worst outing of the season. Tim Fedroff went 4-for-4, reminding Tribe brass that there is certainly a fourth outfielder in the system that just continues to perform. Some kid named Matt LaPorta is back and hitting...big surprise. The top slot of ATF goes to some kid with a strang last name? Join Jim for the Naquin-edition of ATF...after the jump...
The Carolina Mudcats are halfway home, and trying to find their way. After a first half in which they got stuck int he mud, the Mudcats will be looking forward to a second half resurgence. Will the Muddies get some fresh blood moving forward, or will they continue to hunt for that right combination with the players they have? Take a look at the first half top fives, as Jim Pete goes fishing with the mudcats...
Juan Romero hit his third homer in his first two ball games with Mahoning Valley, announcing his presence with authority. Corey Kluber continued to rise up the rankings with another dominating performance for the Clippers. Nick Weglarz is up to .251 on the season, and Bryan Price grabbed his fourth save. Won't you come cycling with tonight's top player on ATF? Find out who got out their bike for the Clippers...after the jump...
Matt LaPorta belted his 15th homer for the Clippers, while Ezequiel Carrera added one of his own. T.J. McFarland pitched well again for the Clippers, while Brett Brach did the same for the Aeros. Thomas Neal continued to show something at the top of the order, and Preston Guilmet continued to show something at the back-end of the bullpen. Tonight's ATF star hails from a new land, a land called Mahoning Valley. He belted two homers on the night. Find out who, after the jump...
Cord Phelps is continuing his streaky nature, on the good side over the past few games. Nick Weglarz rocked another multi-base hit today, continuing a resurgence that began when the Indians took him off the 40-man roster. Steven Wright, Jesus Aguilar, Giovanny Urshella, Carlos Moncrief and a host of Indians minor league ballplayers had big days, but the top of the heap goes to a kid who went 5-for-5 on the day, sparing a ten-run inning for his team. Join Jim Pete for a Father's Day ATF...
Lake County exploded, with big games from all the names you would expect, but led by one that surprises on a seemingly nightly basis. Nick Weglarz continues to revert to prospect form, with another huge night in the Aeros doubleheader. Tonight's top of the heap in ATF, however, belongs to a couple of guys in Columbus. One who should have been here a long time ago, and another who just got here. Join Jim Pete in this father's day edition of ATF...
Michael Brantley is entering rarified air with regards to his current 22-game hit streak, and Ubaldo Jimenez and Justin Masterson have looked like aces. Will these three continue to perform at this level for the rest of the season? We're more than halfway to July, and speculation has begun with regards to teams willing to make a deal. Will the Indians be in on a guy like Alfonso Soriano?
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!
