T.J. McFarland

The Indians made T.J. their 2007 4^th round draft pick in great part due to his spurt at the end of his senior year in high school where he threw up to 94 MPH (normally sits at 91-92 MPH) with the makings of a good breaking ball. Unfortunately, he has yet to throw a pitch for the Indians, as he did not play last summer and did not pitch in the Fall Instructional League (he attended but did not pitch). He hurt his elbow as a high school junior but avoided Tommy John surgery. It is not clear if the problem that caused the Indians to be extra careful with him both in the summer and in the instructional league was his elbow or his shoulder, but he insists that he is fine physically and is chomping at the bit to start pitching. It is hard to pinpoint his upside right now because he came on so fast this spring and then didn't pitch this summer or fall. He will most likely have to open next season in extended spring training as he gained no game experience this year. He should pitch for one of the short-season league teams next year, most likely the Gulf Coast League team.