Cleveland Sports Forum

So I guess that trio of potential 2nd basemen have some offensive upside.

Grand total of 20 draftees have signed so far, seven by the Mariners; highest picks signed are two 4th rounders.

They're going to coming fast and furious though, since the NYPL seasons opens this weekend for the Scrappers. They can field a team with all the guys unassigned from last year's first year teams but like to get a collection of current draftees in town for opening day.

2015 Indians Draft: June 16th signing update

Tony Lastoria Editor-in-Chief

The IBI's Tony Lastoria provides another draft signing update with the Indians inking another player, a busy day on tap in Cleveland with draft picks in town and much more!

29th round pick right-handed pitcher Christian Meister has signed with the Indians. The IBI has been in contact with him and verified the signing. It is not know where he will be assigned, but given his lower draft status and profile he will probably go to Arizona.

- The signing of Meister brings the unofficial total of signings to 10 players. The other players who have either already agreed to terms or who say they plan to do so are: Juan Hillman, Mark Mathias, Nathan Lukes, Devon Stewart, Billy Strode, Daniel Sprinkle, Todd Isaacs, Sam Haggerty and Jack Goihl.

Tuesday is a big day planned in Cleveland as several draft picks are expected to be in town for physicals and to officially sign their contracts. Hillman and several others are expected to be in town, but it remains to be seen just who else is signing on Tuesday (or Wednesday). In years past the Indians have often had a lot of high round picks in at once on the Tuesday after the draft, so I wouldn’t be surprised if others like Triston McKenzie, Tyler Krieger and Ka’Ai Tom are not in town as well – though that is mere speculation on my part. Who knows, maybe we will even get some news on a Brady Aiken signing in the next 24-48 hours.

17th round pick shortstop Nick Madrigal is still unsure whether he will sign or go to Oregon State. In talking with a representative with the Indians today, I came away with the notion the Indians believe they can sign a few of the non-bonus pool round upside high school players, and while Madrigal was not named, I think he might be one of them. He himself is very unsure of what he is doing right now and said so today in a report in The Oregonian: “One of the reasons I came out here was just to get my mind off of (negotiations) and just play baseball. It's kind of out of my control, and I'm not really thinking too much about it to be honest with you." He is playing summer ball with the Corvallis Knights in the West Coast League.

Follow Tony on Twitter @TonyIBI and the Indians Baseball Insider @IBIonScout.

Baseball America shows us having signed two picks:

No. 9 Devon Stewart RHP for $5,000
No. 10 Billy Strode LHP for $5,000



That's the part of the draft where teams often go for cheap college seniors. I'd be happy to see Hillman or McKenzie signed but BA is usually more careful on announcements than is Tony.

BA needs to get off their asses and into the 21st century. Work social networks better. Lastoria talks to these kids personally. The number is 10, and they told him so.

Also, Tony tweeted this morning that he had a long sit down with John Mirabelli and he would be posting the interview soon. So he may have gotten the news from him on some too. (He's Indians director of scouting)

I've been following Tony long enough on Twitter that I personally know he doesn't post bunk, and that he converses with these kids.

Here is one such conversation, and one player we won't be signing. Our 39th round pick, Tristin English.

Tony Lastoria @TonyIBI:
@EnglishTristin sounds like Georgia Tech for you. Good luck and maybe in three years the Indians redraft you!

Tristin English @EnglishTristin:
@TonyIBI thank you very much! I hope to receive the same opportunity in 3 years

Todd Paquette @IndiansAccounts:
Cleveland #Indians have signed 2015 25th Round Draft Pick OF Conner Marabell a Sophmore from Jacksonville University (FL). @CMarabell2

Juan Hillman @RealJuanHillman: And I have to go to Cleveland tomorrow morning

Todd Paquette @IndiansAccounts: Advice, Don't talk about Golden State. Shushhhhhhhhhhhh

2015 Indians Draft: June 15th signing update

Tony Lastoria Editor-in-Chief

Another bonus pool pick has agreed to terms and will be in town for the Cubs series to sign his contract plus news on several other potential signees.

- 5th round pick outfielder Ka’Ai Tom has agreed to terms on a deal with the Indians. He is part of a large contingent of high round picks who will be in Cleveland on Tuesday for the game against the Cubs. He will sign his contract on Tuesday in Cleveland once he completes a physical, and then is expected to go to short season Single-A Mahoning Valley to begin his career.

- 17th round pick shortstop Nick Madrigal is a summer draft and follow for the Indians. He is a tough sign and is playing in the West Coast League for the summer, so the Indians will follow him there and see if late in the signing process they have can woo him away from college. At the moment, he has decided to not sign and attend Oregon State next year. At this point it is an extreme longshot to get him, though if he impresses over the summer and the Indians have some more leeway with their signing bonus offer to him after they sign all of their other picks, he could reconsider and decide to go pro. It’s happened several times before with Indians picks who were determined to go back to school before a late hour improvement in the signing bonus offered to them ended up changing their mind.

- 24th round pick infielder Sam Haggerty is signing, which is something we noted in a previous update. I came across an article he spoke about his decision and wanted to provide his quotes. Here is what he said: “School will always be there, but my body and ability to play the game could (fail). I had an opportunity to go fulfill playing on a big-league field. I knew the moment I got drafted I was going to take that opportunity. When you start playing baseball really young and start playing t-ball, it’s always something you want to achieve.”

- 40th round pick right-handed pick Hunter Parsons is weighing whether to sign with the Indians or go to college at Maryland. He is expected to decide within the next week or two on what to do. The Indians took a lot of high school players in rounds 30 and above who were near impossible to sign and a great many of them have already let their intentions known that they will not sign and will go to school. But of all the high school picks they made in rounds 30 and above, Parsons looks like the best shot to potentially sign. Even though it is a long shot, the fact he is still considering whether to sign or not sign brings some hope the Indians might be able to pull something off with him.

Marabell and Tom make 12 signing now.

2015 Indians Draft: June 17th signing update

Tony Lastoria Editor-in-Chief

The Indians have officially signed eight draft picks, but there are several unofficial signings in the books. The IBI's Tony Lastoria provides an update on a new unofficial signing, a big performer who has chosen not to sign, and more!

- Just a quick correction from yesterday as I noted that 2nd round pick left-hander Juan Hillman would be in town on Tuesday. He had told me that on our podcast last week but apparently he is actually coming into town today (Wednesday) to complete his physical and sign. He should be at the game tonight. He along with several other high profile draft picks should be at the game tonight at Progressive Field before departing for Niles or Arizona tomorrow. I would expect a few other top five round picks to sign today as well and be at the game.

- The Indians announced on Tuesday that they signed eight players: right-handed pitcher Devon Stewart (9th round), left-handed pitcher William Strode (10th round), switch pitcher Ryan Perez (12th round), catcher Daniel Salters (13th round), first baseman Anthony Miller (18th round), right-handed pitcher Brock Hartson (21st round), catcher Jack Goihl (28th round) and right-handed pitcher Christian Meister (29th round). Both Stewart and Strode signed for $5K.

- 14th round pick right-handed pitcher Matt Esparza is signing with the Indians. He is scheduled to be in Cleveland today or tomorrow and is expected to join the short season Single-A Mahoning Valley roster for the start of their season.

- 22nd round pick third baseman Garrett Benge reportedly is not signing with the Indians and has decided to attend Oklahoma State. According to the Wichita Eagle he said, “Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to play at OSU. They have a great program, and going to a junior college my goal was to play good enough to go (to OSU) … the draft changed things a little bit, but I still figure I can go to OSU and end up in the draft again, play professional ball and someday make it to the bigs. That’s always been my goal. I’ve already told (OSU coach Josh) Holliday, so he knows it’s a definite that I’m coming there."

- Quick hits: 27th round pick right-handed pitcher Austin Rubick is leaning toward going to college at Arizona. … 30th round pick right-handed pitcher Chandler Day is definitely not signing and will go to Vanderbilt. … 40th round pick right-handed pitcher Hunter Parsons has not ruled out signing with the Indians but will likely opt to attend college at Maryland.

#Indians 16th Round Draft Pick INF Cobie Vance from Pine Forest HS in (NC) will not sign & instead honor his commitment to Alabama.

Juan Hillman @RealJuanHillman: I have officially signed to play Professional Baseball with the Cleveland @Indians #Blessed

Jonas ‏@jonaswyatt22 · 10 minutes ago
I am officially signed with the Cleveland Indians