We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the catchers in the Indians system. With Carlos Santana seemingly locked into the position for the next few years, the Indians do not appear to have an immediate need at the position, but they have several prospects at the system and have created a lot of depth and upside at the position. Tony talks about the potential and future for the likes of Alex Monsalve, Yan Gomes, Eric Haase, Alex Lavisky, Jake Lowery, and Roberto Perez, up-and-comers Yiober Marquina and Francisco Mejia, and many others (16 catchers in all).
We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the third basemen in the Indians system. With the graduation of Lonnie Chisenhall to the big leagues, the Indians lack immediate big league options at the position but have a lot of young talent with upside a few years away. Tony talks about Kyle Bellows, Leonardo Castillo, Erik Gonzalez, Nick Hamilton, Todd Hankins, Yonathan Mendoza, Giovanny Urshela, Joe Wendle, and all the rest of the third basemen up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their potential, and what kind of big league future they have.
We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the shortstops in the Indians system. Over the past two years the Indians have built incredible depth and a deep talent pool at shortstop through a combination of trades, the draft, and on the international front, and that depth could be put to the test this offseason with a trade of Asdrubal Cabrera. Tony talks about Ivan Castillo, Juan Diaz, Jairo Kelly, Francisco Lindor, Dorssys Paulino, Ronny Rodriguez, Tony Wolters, and all the rest of the shortstops up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their potential, and what kind of big league future they have.
We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the second basemen in the Indians system. With Jason Kipnis entrenched as the second baseman in Cleveland for (hopefully) at least the next half decade, second base is not a big position of need in the short term; however, developing depth and trade assets at the position is still important. Tony talks about Jose Ramirez, Robel Garcia, Cord Phelps, Claudio Bautista, Ordomar Valdez, and all the rest of the second baseman up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their skills, and if they are an option for the Indians in the future.
Today we unveil the beginning of our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with the first rankings piece of the Indians system. It goes without saying that first base is the organization’s biggest weakness on the position player front from the big leagues down to rookie ball. Tony sifts through every young first baseman up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their skills, and if they are an option for the Indians in the future. Jesus Aguilar, Lars Anderson, Chun Chen, Adam Abraham, Jerrud Sabourin and all the rest of the first basemen in the system are profiled.
With the recent acquisition of Lars Anderson from the Red Sox, the Indians have stockpiled an amazing nine players from Baseball America's 2009 Top 100 prospect listing. But not all nine of those players have panned out and it just goes to show that prospects, even the highly touted ones, are simply just lottery tickets. Jeff Ellis breaks down all nine players in his latest.
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #2-7, #9-#14 and #16-#22, but the players residing at #1, #8 and #15 are free! Here's a look at #2-7, after the jump
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #2-7, #9-#14 and #16-#22, but the players residing at #1, #8 and #15 are free! Here's a look at #1 (and more), after the jump....
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #16-#22, as well as #9-#14, but #15 & # 8 are free! Here's a look at #9-#14, after the jump. This is premium content...
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #9-#14 and #16-#22, but the players residing at #8 and #15 are free! Here's a look at #8, after the jump....
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. You must have a subscription to view #16-#22, but #15 is free! Here's a look at #15, after the jump.
Every winter, Tony Lastoria produces the preeminent Indians prospect rankings each winter. With the season in full swing, and our massive website being Tony's major focus, Jim Pete has modified the top 22, taking into account performance, the draft, and several other criteria over the course of the first 2/3rds of the season. Here's a look at #16-#22, after the jump. You must have a subscription to view this piece. #15 is free!
Time to unveil a new weekly premium feature on the IPI, the "Stock Watch". In this weekly report, four to six players at each level in the Indians system will be graded on their currently standing (stock) in the organization and whether their stock is way up, trending up, neutral, trending down, or way down. Insight gained from scouts and evaluators will be used in this report.
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.
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!