We kick off the 2012 Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with shortstop Juan Diaz, an infielder that the Indians added to the 40-man roster this offseason. The Indians must have liked something to roster him, and Tony lays out all his strengths and weaknesses and what his future may hold with the Indians.
The 2012 Indians Top 50 Prospect Countdown is finally here. Before we get off and rolling with the countdown, here is a quick overview of the system outlining where things stand. The Indians system may not be as strong at the top in year's past, but is loaded with exciting, young prospects in the lower levels that should make the 2012 season one of the most fun season's to follow prospects in a long time.
Editor's Note: This is the first posting from Jim Piascik here at the IPI. He will be writing about all things Cleveland this season with a special focus on Double-A Akron.
Despite the fact that the Cleveland Indians’ top 4 prospects are either no longer prospects (Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall) or with the Colorado Rockies (Alex White and Drew Pomeranz), there are still...
Lonnie Chisenhall – Third Baseman
Born: 10/04/1988 – Height: 6’1” – Weight: 200 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right
(Photo: Ken Carr)History: Chisenhall was selected by the Indians in the 1st round of the 2008 Draft out of Pitt Junior College. He signed quickly after the draft by agreeing to a $1.1 million bonus. He played his freshman season in 2007...
Jason Kipnis – Second Baseman
Born: 04/03/1987 – Height: 5’10” – Weight: 175 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: Kipnis was selected by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 2009 Draft out of Arizona State University. He won PAC-10 Player of the Year honors in 2008 and was a first team All-American. He originally enrolled...
Alex White – Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 08/29/1988 – Height: 6’3” – Weight: 195 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right
(Photo: Ken Carr)History: White was selected by the Indians in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft out of the University of North Carolina. He signed right at the August deadline for $2.25 million. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher...
Drew Pomeranz – Left-handed Pitcher
Born: 11/22/1988 – Height: 6’5” – Weight: 230 – Bats: Right – Throws: Left
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: Pomeranz was selected by the Indians in the 1st round of the 2010 Draft out of the University of Mississippi. It was the second time he was drafted as he was originally drafted out of high school in the...
Nick Weglarz - Outfielder
Born: 12/16/1987 – Height: 6’3” – Weight: 245 – Bats: Left – Throws: Left
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: Weglarz was selected by the Indians in the 3rd round of the 2005 Draft out of Lakeshore Catholic High School (Ontario, Canada). He has a long history playing for Team Canada, playing for them in October and November of...
Jason Knapp – Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 08/31/1990 – Height: 6’5” – Weight: 235 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right
History: Knapp was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 2008 Draft out of North Hunterdon High School (NJ). He was set to play college ball at the University of North Carolina, but he ended up signing with the...
LeVon Washington – Outfielder
Born: 07/26/1991 – Height: 5’11” – Weight: 170 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: Washington was selected by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 2010 Draft out of Chipola Junior College (FL). He was originally drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, but after a...
Tony Wolters - Shortstop
Born: 06/09/1992 – Height: 5’10” – Weight: 175 – Bats: Left – Throws: Right
History: The Indians selected Wolters in the 3rd round of the 2010 Draft out of Rancho Buena Vista High School (CA). In just 25 games his senior year in high school he hit .430 (34-for-97) with 27 runs scored, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 17 RBI...
Cord Phelps – Second Baseman
Born: 01/23/1987 – Height: 6’2” – Weight: 200 – Bats: Switch – Throws: Right
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: Phelps was selected by the Indians in the 3rd round of the 2008 Draft out of Stanford University. His professional debut in 2008 was slowed by a sprained ankle he suffered prior to the College World Series....
Joe Gardner – Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 03/18/1988 – Height: 6’5” – Weight: 225 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right
(Photo: Ken Carr)History: Gardner was selected by the Indians in the 3rd round of the 2009 Draft out of the University of UC-Santa Barbara. He played summer ball in 2008 in Alaska for the Kenai Peninsula Oilers and went 6-0 with a 0.92...
T.J. House – Left-handed Pitcher
Born: 09/29/1989 – Height: 6’2” – Weight: 215 – Bats: Right – Throws: Left
(Photo: Tony Lastoria)History: House was selected by the Indians in the 16th round of the 2008 Draft out of Picayune High School (MS). He was projected to go in the fop five rounds of the draft, but a commitment to Tulane University and...
Bryce Stowell – Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 09/23/1986 – Height: 6’2” – Weight: 205 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right
(Photo: Ken Carr)History: Stowell was the Indians 22nd round pick in the 2008 Draft out of UC-Irvine. He was draft eligible because he was a redshirt sophomore and 21 years old, so he had the option of returning to college for another...
Nick Hagadone - Left-handed Pitcher
Born: 01/01/1986 – Height: 6’5” – Weight: 230 – Bats: Left – Throws: Left
(Photo: Ken Carr)History: Hagadone was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round of the 2007 Draft out of the University of Washington. He signed with the Red Sox for $575,000. The Indians acquired him as part of a three player package...
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!
