With Spring Training underway in Goodyear, Arizona, Jim Piascik and Steve Orbanek continue trying to keep things fresh and not bland here at IBI, previewing the 2013 Cleveland Indians in an unconventional way. They've been sending e-mails back and forth to figure out where they stand on the team heading into Spring Training, with today's focus on the bullpen.
The Indians have always been known to bring a lot of minor league free agents into Spring Training, but there's a different vibe surrounding this year's crop. With names like Daisuke Matsuzaka and Matt Capps, the quality of this year's signings seems well above the ones seen in previous seasons. The IBI's Michael Goodman touches on how this year's signings may impact the Major League team...
While the weather may still be chilly in Northeast Ohio, there's a much different climate in Goodyear, Arizona, where all Indians players have now arrived for spring training. While there are some familiar faces and some new ones, the IBI's Steve Orbanek touches this week on some of the new names that aren't getting all the publicity: the minor league signings. How do they fit in with this year's club? Find out after the jump.
There's only two days left until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, so in the spirit of the season, the IBI's Steve Orbanek debuts the first edition of the Spring Training Notebook. This week, Steve looks at five burning questions for the Indians as the team heads into spring training. Who will be the team's fifth starter and who will fill in as backup catcher? Steve offers his take on these questions and more after the jump.
A new feature to (finally) debut on the IPI today, "The Radar Report". This is a self-explanatory report that will provide low, high, and average fastball velocities on a weekly basis for several prospects in the Indians' system. This week's report has radar information on close to two dozen players.
Indians minor league spring training is officially over. Here is the recap from the final full day of action on Saturday as the Indians held three intraquad games and had close to 80 players in action. We also get a glimpse at what Zach MacPhee is up to and why he is not opening with a full season team, what the plans are for Jared Goedert and Jeremie Tice, and more.
Minor league camp wraps up today with a camp day and then tomorrow players will depart for full season destinations. Tony recaps the events from Friday on the eve of the final day of spring training and has all the highlights, position updates, new starting pitching options and more.
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.
Only a few days left in Indians' minor league camp as most of the players will break camp on Sunday morning. Tony recaps all of the game action from yesterday, talks about another round of releases handed down yesterday, some more position changes in the works, and starts connecting the dots on who is going where to open the season.
The Indians had another camp day yesterday at minor league camp where all the players were present at the facility for a light morning workout and then participated in three very short intrasquad games before breaking for the day shortly after noon. The pitching dominated yesterday as the four full season affiliates threw a combined 17.0 shutout innings and allowed just 5 hits. Also, Eric Berger starting? It may happen.
Some sad news from Indians camp today as the Indians released seven players. Tony discusses the releases and also provides some insight on who may be next. Also, he recaps the four minor league games from Tuesday and provides all the stats and details on how each player did, and discusses a possible Beau Mills position change.
The Indians had a camp day yesterday down in minor league camp, but they still held two six-inning intrasquad games and also played an extra game with the Reds with their lower level guys. Tony recaps all three games in today's update, and the highlights from yesterday came from pitchers Elvis Araujo (pictured) and Kyle Blair, and offensively Tim Fedroff and Dorsyss Paulino had nice games at the plate.
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 Cleveland Indians minor league affiliates played their spring games against the Reds' affiliates yesterday, and Tony recaps all the action from the four games on Sunday. Highlights from the game include big days offensively from Chun Chen (pictured), LeVon Washington, and Jesus Aguilar, and on the pitching front T.J. House, Brett Brach and Danny Salazar shined.
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.
The Indians held two intrasquad games on Saturday morning pitting Columbus-Akron and Carolina-Lake County against one another. Tony recaps all the action from both games and provides some thoughts on how some positions are shaking out. Highlights of the day came from Dwight Childs, Scott Barnes, Bryce Stowell, Will Roberts and others.
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!