Cleveland Indians

[mzylinski]

Team Prospect Grades:
Hitting: 80
Pitching: 79
Overall: 87

1. Joe Schultz SP 82/93 22yr AAA 3-6 4.17 ERA 5:2 K/BB .243 OBA
Joe has it all, already has plus control and movement and a plus fastball, with some development should end up with plus plus movement and possibly control as well and should get a plus curve to add to the fastball. He has the Ace ceiling, not a true three stat ace but an ace none the less, as for the floor it would be a back end starter, either way he should have a very nice career.
2. Carlos Serps SP 75/87 22yr AAA 2-0 3.71 ERA 1:1 K/BB .286 OBA
Carlos is following in Schultz footsteps, albiet a step behind. He has plus control and movement, but unlike Joe we don’t think it will get to plus plus, his pitches are weaker as well, the curve should develop to a plus pitch but it might be the only one that does. If he makes some progress soon he will be at a ceiling or 2-3 starter, if he falters due to his non dominant pitches he still could be a good RP or 5th starter.
3. Matt Neyalnd C 65/89 17yr A (Just drafted) .282/.317/.333 0 HR 7 RBI 1.000 Pct 16% CS
When you see a 17yr catcher with plus plus arm behind the plate and plus handling you get a little giddy. His bat will be solid as well as his defense, should develop plus power and eye he might not hit for a high average but the pop will be there, off of the bat and into the infielders mitt. He may very well develop into a perennial all-star behind the plate, at the very worse he will be a backup catcher for a long long time.
4. Marco Gueler 1B/DH 61/89 20yr A (Just drafted) .255/.340/.426 2HR 9 RBI .987 Pct
Marco….Polo…But seriously Marco is a big bat coming out of this recent draft. He could be a 4 tool bat, he has a unique combination of power and speed, his eye is solid and while his contact could be better it still is where it needs to be based on his age. He should never see the field though if he does it will be at the managers own risk. He has the potential to be a bat to fear, and someone to watch on the base paths if he hits his mark, he will be a perennial all star, if not he will still be a serviceable DH for a number of years.
6. Tony Eby SP 71/89 21yr AA 5-4 2.53 ERA 2:1 K/BB .235 OBA
Tony already has a plus slider and his curve should develop nicely, the rest of him is a bit of a question mark, the power will be there the movement should be as well, but the control isn’t a certainty. He could very well develop into a top end of the rotation talent, but his floor is a inning eater who bounces around a lot.
7. Tony Beiler C 71/89 23yr AA .270/.326/.403 4 HR 39 RBI .986 Pct 46% CS
Another big catching arm in the system what will Cleveland do? Fortunately there is a 6 year age gap so it shouldn’t be a problem just yet, Tony should hit for some nice contact and will have plus power and eye as well, his defense is really good plus plus arm and plus handling, he will be a good starter for someone for many years, his age is a small concern if he trends down at all he might be regulated to back up catcher.
8. Adam Wakefield OF 72/86 23yr AAA .306/4.18/.382 0 HR 48 RBI .991 PCT
Adam has the make up of a special type of player, he might not be as flashy as some OF, he might not back the same pedigree, but he has potential in spades. Already has a plus eye could end up as plus plus to go along with plus contact and plus speed, his defense will be good enough for him to play everyday especially if his bat stays on track. He can play all three OF spots, celing on him is everyday LF hitting leadoff as an OPS machine, floor is a solid forth OF, either way should have a nice career.
9. Eric Carter OF 66/87 21yr AA (Just Drafted) .218/.36/.273 1 HR 11 RBI 1.000 Pct
Eric looks like a prototypical outfield, he should hit for good power with a good eye for the ball and play solid but far from stunning defense. Carter will get to at least plus power and plus eye, he can project as high as a everyday fielder and as low as a AAAA player, we guess that he ends up splitting starting duties with someone to play almost everyday.
10. Vic Vega OF 70/86 22yr AA .272/.348/.378 2 HR 49 RBI .972 Pct
Vic is in an interesting guy, he shows that he possible have plus power, speed and eye with solid contact and good defense, and has hit well in his minor league career. But, and this is a big but, something just doesn’t seem right, it might be a hunch and might be way off but he seems destine for his floor of a AAAA player more than his ceiling of a solid everyday guy.