Rankings

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.

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.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown moves on to #6 right-handed pitcher Chen-Chang Lee. Also known as C.C. Lee, he has become an immediate impact bullpen arm that the Indians can use at some point this season at the big league level. Tony describes what kind of reliever he is and what kind of impact he can have in the Cleveland bullpen now and in the future.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rolls along with #7 outfielder Luigi Rodriguez. As one of the fastest and most athletic players in the system, Rodriguez has exciting potential as a top of the order hitter. He is raw and inexperienced, but the abilities are there in all phases of the game. Tony looks at where he is in his development and where he can go as a prospect.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #8 right-handed pitcher Austin Adams. Last season Adams blazed his way up the prospect rankings, literally, as he touched 100 MPH with his fastball and the potential to be a solid a middle of the rotation starter or at worst a good bullpen arm in the big leagues. Tony talks about his future and more.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #9 shortstop Ronny Rodriguez. In his professional debut last season Rodriguez showed a lot of raw ability both as a defender and hitter, and if his plate discipline ever comes around Tony believes he has the potential to become a special player.

We break into the Top 10 in the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with #10 left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes. He was really on a roll last season until a knee injury prematurely ended his season. He is healthy once again, is on the 40-man roster, and is a Major League starting pitching option for the Indians. Tony looks at what he needs to do to get that big league opportunity this year.

Elvis has entered the building as left-handed pitcher Elvis Araujo comes in at #11 in the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown. After a promising pro debut in 2008 and then missing all of the 2009 and 2010 with an elbow injury, he came back last season and showed why the Indians were so high on him after back in 2008. Tony looks at his potential and what kind of pitching prospect he is.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #12 right-handed pitcher Felix Sterling. He is as raw as they come, but there is no denying the tools and potential with him. He has prospect helium where with a good season of development this year he could find his way into the Top 10 next year. Tony breaks down his talent and where he needs to improve.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #13 right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister. He had a nice bounce back season last year and made his Major League debut, and he is now an immediate big league starting pitching option for the Indians this season. Tony looks at what changed for him last year and where he could maybe still improve.

We continue on with the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with #14 first baseman Jesus Aguilar. He had a breakout season last year as a prospect with some impressive power numbers and is one of the most intriguing bats in the Indians' system to follow this upcoming season. Tony looks at his strengths and if his plate discipline concerns can be overcome.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rolls on with #15 outfielder Bryson Myles. He is yet another 2011 draftee that is in the Indians' Top 50 listing, and he has all the tools and potential to become a bonafide Top 5-10 prospect come this time next year. Tony talks about his very good power-speed combination and if his raw abilities can be harnessed so he can become a legit Major League option down the road.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #16 right-handed pitcher Jason Knapp. He has struggled with a right shoulder injury since he was acquired from the Phillies in July of 2009 and has since had two significant shoulder surgeries. He has frontline stuff and ability, but health is a major concern right now, and Tony looks into whether he still has a chance to realize his potential.

We roll on with the 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown with #17 second baseman Cord Phelps. He had another very good season last year for Triple-A Columbus and also made his Major League debut. While he struggled a lot with his offense and defense in his short time in the big leagues, Tony believes he is a good handcuff to Jason Kipnis at second, the bat is legit and that there is some potential for some added versatility.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown rolls on with #18 right-handed pitcher Jake Sisco. He is a high profile selection from last year's draft that has a lot of talent and potential where he could some day be a Top 5 prospect in the Indians' system. Tony profiles him and shows why he has so many people excited about him.

The 2012 IPI Indians Top 50 Prospect countdown continues with #19 outfielder Thomas Neal. He was acquired at the end of July last year for Orlando Cabrera and was limited by a wrist injury the rest of the way, but he was a higher profile prospect in the Giants' system going into the season. Now that he is healthy Tony thinks he could help answer the Indians' need for a young, productive right-handed bat.