Indians Prospect Insider

Now that opening day is here, I felt this would be a great time to quickly list all of the things coming this season on the IPI. A preview of all the articles, features, and shows that will be on the site. We will have everything covered from the minors to the big leagues, and there is absolutely no other place you need to go for your minor league information.

We continue with our 2012 team previews with Low-A Lake County. The Captains are going to be a lot of fun to watch in the early going as they boast the most talented roster of all the Indians' minor league affiliates, and arguably have one of the best rosters in all of minor league baseball based on sheer talent and potential. Stephanie Metzger previews the talent that will open the season in Classic Park.

Today the Indians announced that they have designated outfielder Thomas Neal for assignment and have placed outfielder Grady Sizemore on the 60-day disabled list. The moves were necessary as they had to clear two spots on the 40-man roster for right-handed reliever Dan Wheeler and infielder Jose Lopez by today's 5:00 PM EST roster deadline. Wheeler and Lopez were signed to minor league contracts this...

The minor league baseball season kicks off tomorrow. Opening day is just around the corner! With that in mind, we gathered several of the IPI writers together to talk about several questions pertaining to the Indians minor league system and how things may shake out this season.

Today the Indians have announced a two-year contract extension with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. He is now signed through the 2014 season, and is reportedly set to make a total of $16.5 million from 2013-2014.
Cabrera, 26, would have been eligible for for salary arbitration next season before becoming a free agent at the end of the season, so the deal buys out one of his free agent years. There...

Nick Weglarz and Bryce Stowell are back at Double-A Akron for another season, and both are looking to put some injury issues from the past behind them for good and have very productive seasons this year. Nathan Kemp talks about both players in his debut piece for the IPI, and will be one the main beat writers covering Akron all season.

Zebulon, NC - In an exhibition game between the Carolina Mudcats and the Cleveland Indians yesterday at Five County Stadium, the visiting Indians put on a show for the fans as they blanked the Mudcats 13-0.
A rare sight and only acceptable in an exhibition game, Scott Barnes got the start for the Mudcats while appearing on the pitching mound in a Cleveland Indians uniform. In the first inning,...

We continue on with our site previews of the Cleveland Indians four full season affiliates. Akron posted yesterday and today we take a look at the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. They do not have the star power as far as highly rated prospects go, but the team is filled with lots of players that are former Top 10 prospects in the organization.

Shelley Duncan will start the season as the Indians' regular left fielder. Most people either like or hate this, and the Indians appear to be on the fence with the idea considering how hard they are working the phones to acquire an outfielder. But Jim Berdysz says it is time to give Duncan a shot to see what he can do.

Smoke Signals is back! The popular on-line radio show that covers the Cleveland Indians from the minors to the big leagues returns tonight with a few changes, but the show will be as good as ever this season with the return of the one hour format and lots of guests expected to be on the show. Tonight's special 2-hour episode starts at 9:00PM and includes an on-air roundtable with several IPI contributors.

We are just two days away from opening day. With that in mind it is time to unveil the first of four articles breaking down the rosters and previewing each of the Indians' four full season affiliates. Today we kick things off with Double-A Akron, and Jim Piascik previews the team and what Indians and Aeros fans may be in store for this season.

It is no secret that the Indians are looking for outfield help after working out Vladimir Guerrero and trying to trade for Bobby Abreu last week. Even though the Indians have announced their Opening Day roster, the Indians are still looking for help to fill the left field void. Jeff Ellis runs down a list of possible options the Indians may consider acquiring.

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.

The official rosters for all four full season rosters should be officially released sometime on Monday afternoon, but Tony provides the 411 on what the four rosters should be when they are released. A lot of players are being pushed back a level because of all the Major League depth at Triple-A and some pitchers are dinged up. All the details are inside!

We are just four days until Opening Day, and with spring training wrapping up the Indians are busy making a lot of last minute roster decisions. Tony looks at all the activity the Indians have had of late looking for an outfielder, explains why sending Chisenhall down is not a bad thing, gives the 411 on new bullpen pickup Jairo Asencio, and lots more!