Cleveland Sports Forum

If I remember to keep reviewing the list of prospects each month, it will be interesting to see how it progresses. Obviously it is early and we hope there are some big changes like having Chisenhall adjust. The most promising start I think is Hagadone with no BB and a K an inning.

I expected him about No. 15-20 this season; and was surprised BA and others put him far down the list. I heard the Scrappers announcer's excitement about his defense; plus the fact he batted 3rd-5th on a lineup other 3 or more years older than him; and hit pretty well against older pitching.

Maybe not guaranteed HOF, but looks like a solid prospect.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/4/2 ... #storyjump


Prospect of the Day: Alex White, RHP, Cleveland Indians
by John Sickels on Apr 22, 2011 8:00 AM EDT


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Alex White of the Cleveland Indians delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on February 27, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Prospect of the Day: Alex White, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Alex White was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round in 2009, 15th overall, from the University of North Carolina. Like fellow Tar Heel Matt Harvey (first round pick in 2010) in the Mets system, White signed late and didn't make his pro debut until the following spring. He was very effective in High-A (2.86 ERA, 41/19 K/BB in 44 innings) and Double-A (2.28 ERA, 76/27 K/BB in 107 innings) last year, and entered '11 as one of the best right-handed prospects in the game. I had him ranked as a Grade B+ pre-season, rated Number 25 on the Top 50 Pitching Prospect list in the 2011 Baseball Prospect Book.



White's stock was already high, but it's bolted higher in '11. He's made three starts for Triple-A Columbus in the International League, allowing four earned runs in 18 innings for a 2.00 ERA. He's given up 14 hits, with an outstanding 20/3 K/BB ratio. White's key pitch is a power sinker that ranges between 88 and 95 MPH. He locates it well and the pitch generates grounders, giving him a 1.83 GO/AO this year and a 2.07 GO/AO last year. He has two strong secondary pitches: a plus splitter and an improving slider.

Like Harvey, White has sometimes been seen as a future closer, but the improvements with his secondary pitches and command have eased those worries and he's definitely a starter now. If he continues pitching well for Columbus, he'll be ready to reinforce the Cleveland staff later this summer.

Aeros report
Unusual delivery baffles batters
Closer Cory Burns, 23, turns his back to hitter during offbeat wind-up

By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Friday, Apr 22, 2011

After Aeros closer Cory Burns takes the mound in the ninth inning, it doesn't take long before comparisons are made to a certain former major leaguer with the same unusual motion.

At 23 years old, the 6-foot Burns has a long way to go to match the accomplishments of Hideo Nomo, who pitched in the major leagues for 13 seasons and tossed two no-hitters.

In the meantime, Burns' similar style of a wind-up — in which he turns his back to the hitter with his arms raised high above his head — keeps him in the same sentence with the Japanese star who retired in 2008.

''He's a treat to watch pitch,'' Aeros pitching coach Tony Arnold said of Burns.

Using the deceptive delivery, Burns leads the Eastern League with six saves in as many opportunities. In 61/3 innings, he has struck out 16 batters and has not issued a walk.

''He's got a different type of a wind-up,'' Arnold said. ''Some people describe it as a tornado.''

When a right-hander throws his fastball 88 to 90 mph, he needs to do something to keep hitters off balance.

In addition to the unusual wind-up, Burns will add a pause at varied intervals before uncoiling himself to keep the batter guessing when the ball is coming.

It's a wind-up born out of necessity.

''I had an awful year my freshman year of college [University of Arizona],'' Burns said. ''I had over a 6.00 ERA''

With a traditional over-the-top delivery that wasn't yielding results, Burns received an ultimatum from Wildcats coach Andy Lopez.

''He said, 'We gotta change something or you're probably not going to make it here,' '' Burns recalled. ''I had a good fastball and change-up, I just couldn't get anybody out.''

Entering his sophomore season, Burns made a dramatic change, dropping his arm angle all the way down to submarine style.

''I threw well with it my sophomore and junior year but pitched only out of the stretch,'' said Burns, an eighth-round draft pick by the Indians in the 2009 amateur draft. ''But over the years, my arm kind of rose back up a little bit to where I felt comfortable.''

But when Burns wasn't drafted as a junior, it was time to go back to the drawing board to find something that might extend his career.

''So we were down in the bullpen one day and Andy said, 'Try turning your back to the hitter.' So we started with the most extreme thing we could think of and I loved it. It just fit.''

Last year, in his first full season as a professional, Burns led the Indians' organization in saves (42) and was second in appearances (54) while splitting the season between Lake County and Kinston.

He went on to lead the Carolina League in saves (30) and earned a postseason All-Star nod.

When the Aeros' season began this month, manager Chris Tremie said Burns would begin the season as the team's closer, but where he might end up on the staff was a mystery.

''From there, what's good for him, his development and what the organization feels is right, then we'll deal with it from there,'' Tremie said, no doubt a nod to the organization's belief that closers are not usually made in the minors.

But if Burns continues to dominate in the role, perhaps he'll become the exception to the rule.

''He's got three pitches and pretty good command of all three,'' Arnold said. ''Nothing overpowering like a power closer might have, but the makeup is there.''

I notice that Phelps continues to hit, hit, and hit.

With 15 walks in 51 at bats he's also showing some insane patience at the plate. In fact, with 12 Ks, I'm worried he may be a little too patient. I'm betting a lot of those strike outs come when he gets caught looking.

Pirates claim Wood designate Jrod. Do we want him back?

Sure but he'll have to fight for playing time at Buffalo.

Was a little surprised that Sickels mentioned White's key pitch was a power sinker. All the scouting reports I've read suggested his split finger is his best pitch.

Good to read none the less.

Damn! I'll probably be away when the Scrappers come to VT this year.

0 runs scored by our entire organization on Friday night. Clippers and Captains rained out. Aeros got in 2 1/2 innings before the deluge. Full game for Kinston, but not a very good one: 10-0 swamping. Soto was OK to start, 5 1/3 3 earned runs on 3 hits and one walk. Joey Mahalic bombed for 6 more. The offense consisted of 3 hits. 3 in the lineup are batting between 129 and 162.

In 61/3 innings, he has struck out 16 batters and has not issued a walk.

AA closers rarely have a future, but those Burns numbers are pretty striking.

Civ - in general you are right but I think Burns is a legit prospect the team is grooming as a back end of the bullpen guy. He was a reliever all through college at Arizona and we've had him closing games since his first day in the system.

Last year in 55 innings between LC and Kinston he struck out 81 guys and only issued 14 free passes while notching 42 saves. He only gave up 2 dingers last year too so it sounds like guys have trouble getting hard hits off of him.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/profile. ... urns.shtml

He gets no particular love from Baseball America; not on their Indians Top 30, but they never gave Vinnie Pestano much respect either.

Aeros finish yesterday's game, lose 6-2. Not much to report other than Jordan Henry's single, 2walks and a steal

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... x_akraax_1

Kelvin DLCruz with his first stumble of the season; 4 runs in the first 4 innings. Aeros trail 4-0 in the nightcap

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb ... x_akraax_1