Rankings

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rages on with #22 catcher Chun Chen. With the Indians in need of offense, particularly from the right side, Chen is an important prospect for the organization in the upper levels. Tony looks at his potential with the bat and if he is making any strides with his catching.

We continue on with the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with #23 T.J. McFarland. He is a left-handed starting pitching prospect, and one of the last prospects that could still potentially become something from a very disappointing 2007 Draft. Tony looks at what McFarland needs to do to go to the next level as a prospect and if he is on the Major League radar.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown moves on with Tyler Holt coming in at #24. The speedy, high energy outfielder had a solid season last year at High-A Kinston, a better year than the raw numbers indicate. His game is about getting on base, creating havoc on the basepaths, and playing solid defense. Tony gives the 411 on his potential and if he can continue to progress in the upper levels of the minors.

We begin the front half of the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with Jake Lowery at #25. He is a powerful catching prospect the Indians picked up in the 4th round of last year's draft and has a lot of potential with his bat. Tony looks at what type of offensive player he could become and where he may fit on the field as a defender.

The first half of the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown wraps up with right-handed pitcher Michael Goodnight at #26. He is a strong starting pitching prospect with a delivery you can dream on and has potential as a middle of the rotation starter in the big leagues. Tony provides the details on what he improved in 2011 and what he needs to continue to work on in 2012.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with right-handed reliever Tyler Sturdevant coming in at #27. He took a sizable jump in prospect stature last season and is now a legitimate big league bullpen option. Tony talks about his improved velocity, performance, and just what he may become as a big league reliever.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with right-handed pitcher Trey Haley coming in at #28. He has yet to live up to his draft promise and some may question his ranking in the Top 30, but there is no denying his talent as he has one of the top two or three arms in the system. After some velocity gains and mechanical changes last year, Tony believes he is ready to make a big step forward this season.

We move into the 20s of the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown, and coming in at #29 is right-handed pitcher Robbie Aviles. He spent most of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but now that he is healthy and ready to go this season he could begin to live up to his promise as a top two round pick going into the 2010 Draft. Tony gives the details.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues and we crack into the Top 30 with right-handed pitcher Kyle Blair at #30. He had a tale of two seasons last year, one pitching with a knee injury and one without, which led to some ups and downs with his performance. Tony sorts it all out and explains what happened last year to the highly regarded 2010 Draft pick.

Right-handed pitcher Bryce Stowell comes in at #31 in the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown. He has a powerful right arm, but with command issues and the Indians' mysterious usage of him last season his big league future remains in doubt. Tony looks at what happened last year and his Major League future.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with outfielder Nick Weglarz coming in at #32. He was a top ten prospect for four straight years from 2008-2011, but injuries have ravaged his once promising prospect status. Tony gives the details on how much his star has faded and if he still has a chance to shine on the Major League stage with the Indians.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with Rob Bryson at #33, a talented right-handed reliever with Major League ability that has sort of been snake bitten by injuries the past few years. Tony provides the details on whether he is still a Major League option, and if he is, what he needs to do to stay one.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with catcher Alex Lavisky at #34. He is a high level catching prospect the Indians drafted out of high school in 2010 and paid a large sum of money to woo away from college. He had a tough first full season last year, but Tony says it is all part of the adjustment process for a young player playing the most demanding position in the game.

Jason Ruggiero looks back at the Indians' Top 11 prospects that were ranked just four years ago by Baseball Prospectus. He looks at what their outlook was projected to be in 2008 and the reality that they are in 2012.

Lefty Mike Rayl comes in at #35 in the 2012 IPI Top 50 Indians Prospect countdown. He is an intriguing left-handed starting pitching prospect that the organization has been very high on since they drafted him and will continue to develop him as a starter. Tony looks at his future as a starter and why the Indians like him so much.

One of the most intriguing players in the Indians' system comes in at #36 in the 2012 IPI Top 50 Indians Prospect countdown. Carlos Moncrief is a converted pitcher that has the tools to be a prototype right-fielder with athleticism, power and arm strength. Tony looks into his potential and what he needs to do to get over the hump and become an even higher level prospect.