Players

Pros & Cons is a new IPI feature that will break down the value of some prospects in the Cleveland Indians' farm system and to kick things off we take a look at right-hander Jason Knapp. As noted in Minor Happenings on Friday, he is not pitching anywhere currently and Tony has the details on what he is up to and what is wrong. He also breaks down his value as a prospect going forward.

After making his major league debut last season, Columbus Clippers’ right-handed starting pitcher Zach McAllister is ready to get back to the big leagues, and stay there when he does. After two strong outings for Columbus to start the season he is off to a good start to his season, and Andrew Holleran recently sat down with him to discuss how things are going.

In the first of an as-of-now infinite part series, Jim interviews Akron Aeros' center fielder Tim Fedroff, asking him about his approach at the plate, in the field, and how he feels about starting the season back in Akron for the third straight year.

The Cleveland Indians have apparently signed free agent Johnny Damon to a one-year contract as a stop-gap measure to a struggling offense. While many see this as a reactionary deal, the road to signing Johnny Damon actually began last July, when the Indians first tried to address their offensive issues. Here's a look at the path to Johnny Damon.

High-A Carolina Mudcats left-handed pitcher T.J. House had a disappointing season last year, but Monday night he had a great 2012 debut with seven shutout innings. Tony recently sat down with House and talked about his season last year and what he did to fix some of the struggles he went through.

Alex Lavisky is back at Lake County to open the 2012 season. and with last year's learning experience with everything on and off the field he is looking to have a productive season to start to put things together. Tony recently had a chance to sit down with him and discuss his season last year and what he did in the offseason.

Shelley Duncan will start the season as the Indians' regular left fielder. Most people either like or hate this, and the Indians appear to be on the fence with the idea considering how hard they are working the phones to acquire an outfielder. But Jim Berdysz says it is time to give Duncan a shot to see what he can do.

Indians right-handed pitcher Cole Cook had a tough first full year in the organization last season as he struggled with his performance and had some injuries at the beginning and end of his season which affected his play. This season Cook hopes to rebound and show what he can do now that he is finally 100% healthy.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown comes to a conclusion with #1 shortstop Francisco Lindor. Drafted less than a year ago Lindor has made the ascent to the #1 prospect both because of his exceptional talent but also because of a depleted system at the top after several graduations and trades last season. Tony provides all the details as to why Indians fans should be very excited about Lindor.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown nears the finish line with #2 outfielder LeVon Washington. He disappointed last year with his performance, but he has has the raw tools to impact a game with his bat and speed. Tony talks about Washington's talent and why those skills did not show much last year.

We are down to the final three prospects in the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown, and coming in at #3 is right-handed pitcher Dillon Howard. He has yet to throw a professional inning, but Howard has the aptitude, talent, and stuff to become a a very good #2 pitcher for the Indians down the road. Tony provides all the details on this talented right-handed pitcher.

We debut a new feature on the site today, one of many coming your way with the start of the new season just a week away. This new feature is a weekly video show that will highlight one Indians player in the organization with an on-air interview including some footage of them in action. For the debut of the show this week we are joined by top middle infield prospect Tony Wolters.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rolls on with #4 left-handed pitcher Nick Hagadone. Last season Hagadone really made some huge strides with his command and is now squarely in the big league bullpen mix this season. Tony looks at what he worked on last year to get where he is today and how much of an impact he can make to the Cleveland bullpen.

Indians outfielder Hunter Jones has been in Arizona for quite some time since being drafted in 2010, but he hopes that this season he can get to Ohio and play for Mahoning Valley or Lake County. Tony spoke with him out in Goodyear to see how things are going with his transition to the outfield and how he is preparing for the upcoming season. One that he hopes ends somewhere in Ohio.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rolls into the top five with #5 shortstop Tony Wolters. The Indians have a lot of promising middle infield prospects, and Wolters is one of the best. He is young and still developing, but is already a very good defender with good potential with his bat. Tony provides the info on Wolters with why he is one of the top young players to watch in the Indians' system.

Indians right-handed pitching prospect Cody Allen made a huge impression last year. Not only did he perform exceptionally well at four combined stops last season, but more importantly he has the stuff to back it up. Tony talked to him out in Goodyear recently, and feels he has jumped squarely into the bullpen prospect picture and could be on the fast track to the big leagues.