Indians Prospect Insider

T.J. House is dominant nearly every time he toes the rubber this season. The Indians are trying out Jeremie Tice in left field because his bat is just too good. Tony Wolters celebrated his Indians' minor league player of the week award with his best performance of the season. The top slot of ATF goes to a power-hitter that nearly hit for the cycle, without the homer? Jim Pete brings a top-heavy lineup to IPI's ATF...

The Lansing Lugnuts (37-14) used another big inning to beat the Lake County Captains (25-26) for the third consecutive game, 10-9. Lansing outscored Lake County 37-21 in the four game series. It was a left-handed starting matchup for the series finale with the Captains sending Elvis Araujo to face David Rollins for Lansing.

The Akron Aeros spent all of the past week away from home and it certainly didn't help them win any games. After losing 5 of their 7 games, Jim Piascik helps break down the week that wasn't for your 1st place Aeros. There were still some good things (and some long overdue/head scratching promotions), so come on into "Launching Off With The Aeros" to read all about the past week.

Tony recently had a chance to sit down with Brad Grant, the Indians' Director of Amateur Scouting, and discussed a myriad of topics leading up to the draft. In today's premium feature Grant discussed the strength of this year's draft, how the recent CBA changes will affect the aggressiveness of teams early and later in the draft, figuring out how to efficiently use the bonus pool, adjusting to the new signing deadline, trading picks, how they are preparing for the draft and lots more.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight from 10:00 – 11:00PM EST. Tonight, Tony and Jim will discuss the good and bad from the Indians’ recent three game sweep of the Tigers and then getting swept themselves in three games by the White Sox. They will also touch on the injuries and recent roster decisions like the handling of Jack Hannahan, the DFAing of Asencio, the call up of Chisenhall, and if Matt LaPorta will ever make it to Cleveland.

The Indians returned home yesterday after a beat down in Chi-Town which saw them get pound for 35 runs in three games and swept. Thanks to the friendly confines of Progressive Field and Kansas City Royals, the Indians were able to get back on track yesterday with a much needed 8-5 win. Adam McGavin has his "second thoughts" on the game.

Jerrud Sabourin continues his multi-hit barrage in Lake County. Zach McAllister returns to the minors and still showcased that major league talent. Kyle Bellows' bat has woken up in Akron, while Felix Sterling's arm has gone to sleep. The top slot in the ATF is a 'welcome back' not to a resurgent starter in Akron, who revitalized his career with the most difficult pitch to master. Jim Pete gives you the Memorial Day dose of Around the Farm...after the jump...

The Lake County Captains (25-25) were lit up again by the Lansing Lugnuts (36-14) offense for the second night in the row. Lansing had 19 hits on the night, which provided plenty of fireworks for Memorial Day. Felix Sterling (2-4, 5.90) came to Cooley Law School Stadium on Monday thinking he would move past his last outing of 12 runs in less than three innings against West Michigan.

The Erie SeaWolves used a late comeback in the second game of Monday’s doubleheader against the Akron Aeros, claiming a 4-3 win, and a split for the day. The Aeros won the first game, 4-0, as four Aeros pitchers combined to limit SeaWolves hitters to just three hits. The Aeros (29-19) completed an eight-game road trip with a 3-5 record.

The Clippers’ winning streak came to an end Monday afternoon in Buffalo, as Columbus fell to the Bisons, 7-1, in game one of a four-game set between the two clubs. After a 27-run outburst over their past three games, Columbus (24-26) struggled to perform at the plate against Buffalo.

The Carolina Mudcats (22-27) losing streak continued Monday and has now reached six games after a 4-3 loss to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (24-25). A two out rally in the fourth by the Blue Rocks proved to be too much for the Mudcats to overcome. The Mudcats took an early 2-0 lead as they scored twice in the bottom of the second but were unable to hold on to it as the Blue Rocks quickly struck back in the top of the third scoring two of their own and then took the lead in the fourth for good.

The Columbus Clippers are starting to get hot and are currently four games back of IL West Division leader Indianapolis, and are 3.5 games out of the wildcard. It is time to go "Sailing with the Clippers" in Andrew Holleran's weekly notebook to get all caught up on the week that was for the Indians' Triple-A affiliate.

In today's Q&A session, Tony sits down and talks with Low-A Lake County pitching coach Jeff Harris about an assortment of pitchers on the current roster and discusses how they are doing, some of the adjustments they are making this season, how their development is coming along, and lots more.

The 2012 MLB Draft is but a week away as the first round of the draft will be televised live on the MLB Network at 7:00PM next Monday night. Jeff Ellis chimes in with his second mock draft and gives his thoughts and projections at which players go where in the first 31 picks of the draft. He also has the Indians picking up a right-handed bat, a pick where value meets need.

Cord Phelps belted his fifth homer of the season, and Jerrud Sabourin continued his multi-hit barrage. The top of Sunday's ATF belongs to a ten-year veteran of the minor leagues, who has spent some time in the minors. Check out the pre-Memorial Day festivities with IPI's Around the farm...

Columbus finished their four game series with Syracuse on a high note, parlaying a five run third and a four run fourth into a 9-1 triumph over the Chiefs. The Chiefs would be the first team to crack the scoreboard when Josh Johnson scored on a Mark Teahan RBI double to left. Columbus would then retaliate in the top of the third. Matt Pagnozzi walked to begin the frame.