Top 20 Prospects: Cleveland Indians
1. Francisco Lindor, SS, B+
Lindor is showing why he was the number 8 overall selection in last year’s draft. Still a long way away from the bigs, Lindor has good contact skills, speed and gap power already. He is very smooth defensively and has all the tools to be a successful shortstop at the major league
level.
2. Dillon Howard, RHP, B
Howard did not have a good first professional start, but he was very highly regarded out of high school last year and has the tools to be an innings eater mid rotation starter, with potential for a little more.
3. Tyler Naquin, OF, B-
The Indians first round pick this year, Naquin has a cannon for an arm and can really hit, but it remains to be seen if he can stick in centerfield given his lack of plus speed. His value would be highest in center, as he might not have the power bat usually required at a corner spot, but he is a ballplayer and will find a place at the big league level.
4. Mitch Brown, RHP, B-
Brown is very polished for a high school pitcher out of a cold weather climate. In addition to his polish, he also has good projectability and looks to have number 2 starter upside.
5. Tony Wolters, SS, B-
A shortstop full time heading into this year, Wolters has seen time at both short and second this year and has the tools to play either position. He has some speed, but hasn’t used it as much on the base paths this year. After making the jump from short season ball to high-A ball, Wolters’ contact and on base skills have not been as good, but he still has plenty of potential.
6. Jake Sisco, RHP, C+
Sisco has a power arsenal, but will have to improve his control greatly to make an impact at the next level.
7. Luigi Rodriguez, OF, C+
Rodriguez has all the tools, but struggles with his plate discipline at present. He’s hitting .276/.329/.398 with 12 steals and a 21/70 BB:K ratio in 60 Low-A games this year and he’s been very good statistically on defense. He could be a very good switch hitting outfielder with 5 tools or his strikeout rate could hamper his development and he could never make it. He's definitely a high risk/high reward prospect.
8. Ronny Rodriguez, SS, C+
Rodriguez has shown a little better patience at the plate this year, but not much (8/44 BB:K rate this year compared to 13/83 last year) and still has all the tools, even though he has not shown big power or base stealing skills this year. He is more of a gap-to-gap guy right now and needs to learn how to harness his speed on the basepaths, as he is 11-20 on stolen base attempts in his career. If he can stay at short he will be more valuable, but he may have to move to second and with Lindor, Kipnis and Wolters in the organization, he may wind up being trade bait.
9. Dorssys Paulino, SS, C+
Paulino is another shortstop prospect with an extremely high ceiling. Signed for a little over $1 million out of the Dominican Republic, he has all the tools at the plate. He will hit for a good average and gap power at least with some speed. He may have to move from short as he develops as he is not great defensively at present.
10. Jesus Aguilar, 1B, C+
Aguilar has very good power and hits for a good average as well. He’s not great defensively, but will be fine at first base and has no speed to speak of. It will be his power bat that will carry him and he could see a promotion to AA some point soon.
11. Elvis Araujo, LHP, C+
12. Felix Sterling, RHP, C+
13. LeVon Washington, OF, C+
14. Chen Lee, RHP, C+
15. Chun Chen, C, C+
16. Austin Adams, RHP, C+
17. Jake Lowery, C, C+
18. Giovanni Soto, LHP, C+
19. Thomas Neal, OF, C+
20. Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, C+
21. Fabio Martinez Mesa, RHP, C+
21. Dylan Baker, RHP, C+
22. Nelson Rodriguez, C, C+
23. Lars Anderson, 1B, C+
23. Carlos Moncrief, OF, C+/C
24. D’vone McClure, OF, C+/C
Lindor is showing why he was the number 8 overall selection in last year’s draft. Still a long way away from the bigs, Lindor has good contact skills, speed and gap power already. He is very smooth defensively and has all the tools to be a successful shortstop at the major league
level.
2. Dillon Howard, RHP, B
Howard did not have a good first professional start, but he was very highly regarded out of high school last year and has the tools to be an innings eater mid rotation starter, with potential for a little more.
3. Tyler Naquin, OF, B-
The Indians first round pick this year, Naquin has a cannon for an arm and can really hit, but it remains to be seen if he can stick in centerfield given his lack of plus speed. His value would be highest in center, as he might not have the power bat usually required at a corner spot, but he is a ballplayer and will find a place at the big league level.
4. Mitch Brown, RHP, B-
Brown is very polished for a high school pitcher out of a cold weather climate. In addition to his polish, he also has good projectability and looks to have number 2 starter upside.
5. Tony Wolters, SS, B-
A shortstop full time heading into this year, Wolters has seen time at both short and second this year and has the tools to play either position. He has some speed, but hasn’t used it as much on the base paths this year. After making the jump from short season ball to high-A ball, Wolters’ contact and on base skills have not been as good, but he still has plenty of potential.
6. Jake Sisco, RHP, C+
Sisco has a power arsenal, but will have to improve his control greatly to make an impact at the next level.
7. Luigi Rodriguez, OF, C+
Rodriguez has all the tools, but struggles with his plate discipline at present. He’s hitting .276/.329/.398 with 12 steals and a 21/70 BB:K ratio in 60 Low-A games this year and he’s been very good statistically on defense. He could be a very good switch hitting outfielder with 5 tools or his strikeout rate could hamper his development and he could never make it. He's definitely a high risk/high reward prospect.
8. Ronny Rodriguez, SS, C+
Rodriguez has shown a little better patience at the plate this year, but not much (8/44 BB:K rate this year compared to 13/83 last year) and still has all the tools, even though he has not shown big power or base stealing skills this year. He is more of a gap-to-gap guy right now and needs to learn how to harness his speed on the basepaths, as he is 11-20 on stolen base attempts in his career. If he can stay at short he will be more valuable, but he may have to move to second and with Lindor, Kipnis and Wolters in the organization, he may wind up being trade bait.
9. Dorssys Paulino, SS, C+
Paulino is another shortstop prospect with an extremely high ceiling. Signed for a little over $1 million out of the Dominican Republic, he has all the tools at the plate. He will hit for a good average and gap power at least with some speed. He may have to move from short as he develops as he is not great defensively at present.
10. Jesus Aguilar, 1B, C+
Aguilar has very good power and hits for a good average as well. He’s not great defensively, but will be fine at first base and has no speed to speak of. It will be his power bat that will carry him and he could see a promotion to AA some point soon.
11. Elvis Araujo, LHP, C+
12. Felix Sterling, RHP, C+
13. LeVon Washington, OF, C+
14. Chen Lee, RHP, C+
15. Chun Chen, C, C+
16. Austin Adams, RHP, C+
17. Jake Lowery, C, C+
18. Giovanni Soto, LHP, C+
19. Thomas Neal, OF, C+
20. Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, C+
21. Fabio Martinez Mesa, RHP, C+
21. Dylan Baker, RHP, C+
22. Nelson Rodriguez, C, C+
23. Lars Anderson, 1B, C+
23. Carlos Moncrief, OF, C+/C
24. D’vone McClure, OF, C+/C
2012 Draft Review: Cleveland Indians
Overall Draft Grade: B
The Indians have a solid mix of college players and high school upside talent in this class. Naquin was a bit of a stretch in the first round here, but he has talent with the bat. Brown, Baker and Lovegrove are intriguing arms with some power stuff and McClure is very raw, but has some of the highest upside of the group. Logan Vick is notable in the 11th: he has a good approach, can hit for a high average and can run a bit as well. This class will definitely improve if he signs. Overall, we're impressed with the variety and depth of the class, and while its not exceptional, the Indians did well here.
1st Round (15): Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M University (JR), 6'1", 180, L/R
Naquin went a bit higher than expected here, but he is still a solid talent. He's a pure hitter who has hit for a high average consistently and he could have good value if he can play centerfield at the next level. That's a big "if" though, and Naquin gets labeled with the "tweener" tag quite a bit: not enough speed for center, not enough power for a corner outfield spot. Regardless, thanks to his pure hitting abilities, above-average speed and cannon for an arm, Naquin will find a place at the next level.
The Indians have a solid mix of college players and high school upside talent in this class. Naquin was a bit of a stretch in the first round here, but he has talent with the bat. Brown, Baker and Lovegrove are intriguing arms with some power stuff and McClure is very raw, but has some of the highest upside of the group. Logan Vick is notable in the 11th: he has a good approach, can hit for a high average and can run a bit as well. This class will definitely improve if he signs. Overall, we're impressed with the variety and depth of the class, and while its not exceptional, the Indians did well here.
1st Round (15): Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M University (JR), 6'1", 180, L/R
Naquin went a bit higher than expected here, but he is still a solid talent. He's a pure hitter who has hit for a high average consistently and he could have good value if he can play centerfield at the next level. That's a big "if" though, and Naquin gets labeled with the "tweener" tag quite a bit: not enough speed for center, not enough power for a corner outfield spot. Regardless, thanks to his pure hitting abilities, above-average speed and cannon for an arm, Naquin will find a place at the next level.
2nd Round (79): Mitch Brown, RHP, Rochester Century HS (MN), 6'2", 195
Brown is an intriguing high school arm who many didn't project to fall this far into the second round. He has middle of the rotation potential, throws a fastball that has touched the 94-95 range and shows an average cutter as well. He has an interesting combination of present skills and projecability and is good value at this slot.
Brown is an intriguing high school arm who many didn't project to fall this far into the second round. He has middle of the rotation potential, throws a fastball that has touched the 94-95 range and shows an average cutter as well. He has an interesting combination of present skills and projecability and is good value at this slot.
3rd Round (110): Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, Mission Viejo HS (CA), 6'4", 180
Lovegrove has a lot of projection left in his frame and he already cranks has fastball up into the low-90s. He's been inconsistent in the past, but has shown flashes of dominance and the ability to potentially fill up the middle of a rotation. He has a slider and change-up as well, and there's a lot to like here in terms of projection.
Lovegrove has a lot of projection left in his frame and he already cranks has fastball up into the low-90s. He's been inconsistent in the past, but has shown flashes of dominance and the ability to potentially fill up the middle of a rotation. He has a slider and change-up as well, and there's a lot to like here in terms of projection.
4th Round (143): D'Vone McClure, OF, Jacksoville Senior HS (AR), 6'3", 190, R/R
McClure is a very solid athlete who split his time between football and baseball in high school. There are no signability issues here, however, and he will focus on baseball exclusively at the next level. At the plate, he generates good bat speed and projects some power. He would do well to stick in center as he has above-average speed as well.
5th Round (173): Dylan Baker, RHP, Western Nevada Community College, 6'2", 215
Baker jumped onto the scene late this year thanks to a very impressive performance at Western Nevada. He has an ideal pitcher's frame and some solid stuff that could see him end up in the middle of a rotation. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range and he can bump it higher. Baker also throws a slider and change-up, both of which show the potential to be at least average at the next level.
McClure is a very solid athlete who split his time between football and baseball in high school. There are no signability issues here, however, and he will focus on baseball exclusively at the next level. At the plate, he generates good bat speed and projects some power. He would do well to stick in center as he has above-average speed as well.
5th Round (173): Dylan Baker, RHP, Western Nevada Community College, 6'2", 215
Baker jumped onto the scene late this year thanks to a very impressive performance at Western Nevada. He has an ideal pitcher's frame and some solid stuff that could see him end up in the middle of a rotation. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range and he can bump it higher. Baker also throws a slider and change-up, both of which show the potential to be at least average at the next level.
6th Round (203): Joseph Wendle, 2B, Westchester University (SR), 5'11", 190, L/R
7th Round (233): Josh McAdams, OF, Calhoun HS (GA), 6'4", 210, R/R
8th Round (263): Caleb Hamrick, RHP, Cedar Hill HS (TX), 6'2", 210
9th Round (293): Caleb Lee, RHP, Arkansas State University (SR), 6'1", 190
10th Round (323): Josh Martin, RHP, Samford University (JR), 6'5", 230
11th Round (353): Logan Vick, OF, Baylor University (JR), 5'11", 190, S/R
Notable Late Rounders:
15th Round: Nelson Rodriguez, C
Rodriguez fell much further than we expected and it will be interesting to see whether he will fulfill his Central Arizona commitment, with rumors that his high school teammate and fellow Central Arizona commit, Fernelys Sanchez, will sign after being selected in the 16th round by the Braves.
7th Round (233): Josh McAdams, OF, Calhoun HS (GA), 6'4", 210, R/R
8th Round (263): Caleb Hamrick, RHP, Cedar Hill HS (TX), 6'2", 210
9th Round (293): Caleb Lee, RHP, Arkansas State University (SR), 6'1", 190
10th Round (323): Josh Martin, RHP, Samford University (JR), 6'5", 230
11th Round (353): Logan Vick, OF, Baylor University (JR), 5'11", 190, S/R
Notable Late Rounders:
15th Round: Nelson Rodriguez, C
Rodriguez fell much further than we expected and it will be interesting to see whether he will fulfill his Central Arizona commitment, with rumors that his high school teammate and fellow Central Arizona commit, Fernelys Sanchez, will sign after being selected in the 16th round by the Braves.
Indians Draft Strategy: An Overview
The Indians have been consistently college heavy at the top of their drafts recently with only 4 prep products taken in their first 18 picks in 2011, 6 high schoolers in the top 18 picks in 2010 and only 1 high schooler in the top 18 picks in 2009. The Indians took Francisco Lindor with their top pick last year, which was the first time they took a high school player with their top pick in a decade, coinciding with the promotion of Chris Antonetti to GM. Mark Shapiro, the former GM, is still with the organization as President, but Antonetti may be looking to continue to add high level talent to a minor league system largely devoid of it. Their top two picks last year, Lindor and Dillon Howard, stepped right into the top two spots in their organizational prospect rankings, with Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall moving to the majors.
Mock Draft Selection: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll HS (TX)
Mock Draft Selection: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll HS (TX)
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