Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

minor leaguers added to Tribe 40-man roster
by Paul Hoynes Friday November 21, 2008, 6:42 AM





File photo Trevor Crowe

Switch-hitting catcher Carlos Santana was among five players that the Indians added to the 40-man roster Thursday to keep them from being taken in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 11.

The four other players were catcher Chris Gimenez, outfielder Trevor Crowe and righthanders Jeff Stevens and Hector Rondon. The Indians are carrying 39 players, leaving them a roster spot to add a player through free agency, trade or the Rule 5 draft.

Continued..............

[buckeyemania11]

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Cleveland Indians Top 10 Prospects

1. Carlos Santana, c

2. Matt LaPorta, of

3. Nick Weglarz, of

4. Adam Miller, rhp

5. Beau Mills, 1b

6. Lonnie Chisenhall, ss

7. Kelvin de la Cruz, lhp

8. David Huff, lhp

9. Michael Brantley, of/1b

10. Carlos Rivero, ss
Best Hitter for Average Michael Brantley
Best Power Hitter Matt LaPorta
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Nick Weglarz
Fastest Baserunner Delvi Cid
Best Athlete Michael Brantley
Best Fastball Adam Miller
Best Curveball Kelvin de la Cruz
Best Slider Adam Miller
Best Changeup David Huff
Best Control David Huff
Best Defensive Catcher Wyatt Toregas
Best Defensive Infielder Mark Thompson
Best Infield Arm Carlos Rivero
Best Defensive Outfielder Delvi Cid
Best Outfield Arm Matt Brown----------------------------------------------------------------

Baseball America doesnt seem to be too high on Wes Hodges, I would put him in my top 5 right now, would not be shocked to see him playing 3B at somepoint for the Indians this season

Weglarz is a interesting prospect, considering the clutter of OF prospects we have, he could possibly be used as trade bait if we want to go after a major player in a trade


as far as Adam Miller goes I really dont have much hopes for him anymore with all the injury trouble he has had, if we can get any sort of production out of him at the MLB level it will be a win in my opinion

Carlos Rivera is a solid SS prospect, but with Chisenhall projecting as a SS Rivera could be moved in a trade

Kelvin De La Cruz is only 20 and has the tools to become a quality pitcher, last year he had a 2.98 ERA in 27 Minor League starts with 136 strikeouts in 130 innings, Id expect him to start in High A this year and make his way to AA at some point in the season

Beau Mills had a great season in Kinston last year, he looks to be progressing pretty decently

David Huff will certainly see the MLB club this year, excellent control (as noted by BA) and solid strike out ability, high hopes for him

LaPorta is a nice prospect, but I am not as high on him as the experts are (which is maybe why im not a expert) I think he could be a decent MLB player but not a superstar MLB player

Carlos Santana is the best catcher in our Minor League system and he is still learning the position, looks to be a excellent offensive player though

Chisenhall had a nice start last year in Mahoing Valley, I dont really have a opinion on him yet though, lets see how he progresses this season

Brantley could be the leadoff hitter of the future, good average and base stealing potential

Chuck Lofgren has taken a huge tumble I thought he was going to end up being a pretty good pitcher, he got hurt and has never been the same since, the Indians did not protect him from the rule 5 draft

some other prospects I like who are not in BAs top 10

2B Cord Phelps- high average potentional at 2B, baseball america rated him as the #1 2B prospect in the New York Penn (short season A) league

RHP Hector Rondon- was invited to play in the Futures Game this past season, led Kinston in ERA and strikeouts last season

3B Jared Goedert- not as impressive and Wes Hodges but a decent prospect at 3B (a weak position in the system), will probably be in AA this season

3B/SS Abner Abreu- only 19 years old has been in the Gulf Coast League and Dominican Summer League for the Indians the past few years, has potentional to hit for power has a "very quick bat" according to scouts which allows him to be a excellent pull hitter

[billmac91]

it was good to see C.C. at the Cavs game tonight.

Hopefully he was in town negotiating a long-term deal with the Indians.

[LitlBuck]

Baseball America doesnt seem to be too high on Wes Hodges

I read where Hodges committed a lot of errors while playing at 3rd base in Akron and he is also not doing very well playing 3rd in the Arizona Instructional play.

Totally agree with the rest of your list. Excellent work.

[buckeyemania11]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I read where Hodges committed a lot of errors while playing at 3rd base in Akron and he is also not doing very well playing 3rd in the Arizona Instructional play.

Totally agree with the rest of your list. Excellent work.

I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that Hodges is right about where Casey Blake was when Blake was his age defensively (errors and such)

Blake was able to handle 3rd in the MLB and with Hodges still having room for improvement I think he can do the same