Just reading some stuff about Tyler Freeman. He spent some of his time over Christmas handing out toys at a local Children's hospital and working with kids at a Toys for Tots hitting camp.
He is one I root for.
I was looking at splits. He hit .328 against righties and .417 against lefties last year.
His average against righties was second highest in system, behind Rocchio's .348. His average against lefties was by far the highest. (we only had 2 others in entire system hit over 300. Clement and Barnes)
One item of surprise - - lefty hitting OF'er Will Benson hit .250 against lefties. .186 versus righties.
Re: Minor Matters
9212Baseball America gave Freeman a big shoutout, they listed him No. 3 on their Indians Top 10, far above his ranking at mlb.com.
TRACK RECORD: Freeman this summer starred for short-season Mahoning Valley in his first full professional season. He led the New York-Penn League in batting (.352), slugging (.511), runs (49), hits (95) and doubles (29).
SCOUTING REPORT: Freeman stands out most for his feel for hitting and excellent feel for the barrel. He has a very aggressive approach at the plate and rarely walks as a result, but when he swings he makes contact. Thanks to his ability to consistently square balls up, he produces plenty of doubles—he hit the most doubles in the New York-Penn League since 1999—and he may be able to develop fringe-average power as he physically matures. Freeman was drafted as a shortstop and the Indians are developing him there, though he’s also gotten time at second base in each of the last two years. He’s already improved his hands, infield actions and instincts but he’s still an average runner with average arm strength, which may mean a move to second base is still in his future.
THE FUTURE: Regardless of where Freeman ends up defensively, his bat will be his main attraction. He’ll advance to low Class A Lake County in 2019 and look to continue his impressive performance at the plate.
TRACK RECORD: Freeman this summer starred for short-season Mahoning Valley in his first full professional season. He led the New York-Penn League in batting (.352), slugging (.511), runs (49), hits (95) and doubles (29).
SCOUTING REPORT: Freeman stands out most for his feel for hitting and excellent feel for the barrel. He has a very aggressive approach at the plate and rarely walks as a result, but when he swings he makes contact. Thanks to his ability to consistently square balls up, he produces plenty of doubles—he hit the most doubles in the New York-Penn League since 1999—and he may be able to develop fringe-average power as he physically matures. Freeman was drafted as a shortstop and the Indians are developing him there, though he’s also gotten time at second base in each of the last two years. He’s already improved his hands, infield actions and instincts but he’s still an average runner with average arm strength, which may mean a move to second base is still in his future.
THE FUTURE: Regardless of where Freeman ends up defensively, his bat will be his main attraction. He’ll advance to low Class A Lake County in 2019 and look to continue his impressive performance at the plate.
Re: Minor Matters
9213He's our No. 22 prospect at mlb.com
[they've updated the rankings in the offseason but not with any reference to last year's performances; perhaps they'll adjust again after they look at 2018 performance figures]
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
The Indians made Freeman the highest-drafted player in Etiwanda (Calif.) High history in 2017 when they took him with the No. 71 overall pick in the second Competitive Balance Round. After signing for slot value and forgoing a commitment to Texas Christian, Freeman impressed with his well-rounded game during a successful pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
The Indians targeted Freeman in the Draft for his pure hitting ability and potential to stick at an up-the-middle position. He's a high-contact, line-drive hitter from the right side of the plate, one who should naturally grow into some power in the future. Though not a burner, he is an above-average runner, especially once underway.
Defensively, Freeman shows range and a decent arm as a shortstop, with both tools playing up thanks to his strong instincts. But because his tools aren't overwhelming, many evaluators foresee a move to second down the line. Regardless of his future defensive home
[they've updated the rankings in the offseason but not with any reference to last year's performances; perhaps they'll adjust again after they look at 2018 performance figures]
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
The Indians made Freeman the highest-drafted player in Etiwanda (Calif.) High history in 2017 when they took him with the No. 71 overall pick in the second Competitive Balance Round. After signing for slot value and forgoing a commitment to Texas Christian, Freeman impressed with his well-rounded game during a successful pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
The Indians targeted Freeman in the Draft for his pure hitting ability and potential to stick at an up-the-middle position. He's a high-contact, line-drive hitter from the right side of the plate, one who should naturally grow into some power in the future. Though not a burner, he is an above-average runner, especially once underway.
Defensively, Freeman shows range and a decent arm as a shortstop, with both tools playing up thanks to his strong instincts. But because his tools aren't overwhelming, many evaluators foresee a move to second down the line. Regardless of his future defensive home
Re: Minor Matters
9214Freeman's doubles total was I believe a league record, 29 in 70 games is quite a performance.
Re: Minor Matters
9215Baseball Reference issued its Farm System rankings and we rate about where I'd guess, at No. 25, with 2 guys among the Top 50 overall and then 6 teenagers as our 3-8 prospects, which adds up to plenty of unproven upside.
They rank the Top10:
RHP McKenzie age 21
3B or maybe RF Jones age 20
RF or CF George Valera 18
C or 3B Bo Naylor 18
SS or ?Tyler Freeman 19
RHP Luis Oviedo 19
SS Brayan Rocchio 17
RHP Ethan Hankins 18
LHP Sam Hentges 22
SS or 3B Yu Chang 23
Just Missed: RHP Elijah Morgan RHP Lenny Torres
NOT LISTED: include C Eric Haase; 1B Bobby Bradley, OF Oscar Mercado, OF Daniel Johnson from the Nationals, relievers James Karinchak, Nick Sandlin; RHP Aaron Civale, 2018 draftee IFs Reynald Delgado, Richie Palacios; 2017 draftees OFs Johnathan Rodriguez and Will Benson, SS Marcos Gonzalez, SS Aaron Bracho, my favorite LHP Kirk McCarty or recent 40 man roster addition RHP Juan Carlos Mejia.
They rank the Top10:
RHP McKenzie age 21
3B or maybe RF Jones age 20
RF or CF George Valera 18
C or 3B Bo Naylor 18
SS or ?Tyler Freeman 19
RHP Luis Oviedo 19
SS Brayan Rocchio 17
RHP Ethan Hankins 18
LHP Sam Hentges 22
SS or 3B Yu Chang 23
Just Missed: RHP Elijah Morgan RHP Lenny Torres
NOT LISTED: include C Eric Haase; 1B Bobby Bradley, OF Oscar Mercado, OF Daniel Johnson from the Nationals, relievers James Karinchak, Nick Sandlin; RHP Aaron Civale, 2018 draftee IFs Reynald Delgado, Richie Palacios; 2017 draftees OFs Johnathan Rodriguez and Will Benson, SS Marcos Gonzalez, SS Aaron Bracho, my favorite LHP Kirk McCarty or recent 40 man roster addition RHP Juan Carlos Mejia.
Re: Minor Matters
9216Reporting by Baseball America has found 63 minor leaguers who touched 100 mph or higher in 2018.
Indians (1): Carlos Vargas. Recently turned 19, he was one of the big arms for our Arizona League team. 34 IP 24BB 41K
Nationals (3): Jimmy Cordero, Ronald Pena, Jefry Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, acquired in the Gomes deal, has significantly less than 1 K per inning pitched despite his fastball velocity.
Indians (1): Carlos Vargas. Recently turned 19, he was one of the big arms for our Arizona League team. 34 IP 24BB 41K
Nationals (3): Jimmy Cordero, Ronald Pena, Jefry Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, acquired in the Gomes deal, has significantly less than 1 K per inning pitched despite his fastball velocity.
Re: Minor Matters
9217In base they're still thinking of dealing with the Dodgers, here's BA's word on Verdugo. Notably his need for more sustained effort is the same knock they've put on Francisco Mejia. Read this report and you will hope we don't make the deal, if you did before
NO 2 on Dodgers list:
Track Record: Verudgo rose quickly after the Dodgers drafted him 62nd overall in 2014. He represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic at age 20, reached the majors by 21 and had a chance for a larger role in his age-22 season in 2018, but the Dodgers’ outfield glut forced him back to Triple-A. Verdugo finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League with a .329 batting average.
Scouting Report: Verdugo is the purest hitter in the Dodgers’ system with a simple, balanced swing. He generates hard line drives to all fields and is extremely patient, recording nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (97) over the last two years. Verdugo’s average home run power is mostly to his pull side, but he can drive the ball hard the other way, too. He stays dialed in at the plate, but an indifferent attitude affects the rest of his game. He has average speed and gets good jumps in right field when he’s focused, but he often isn’t and lets balls drop that shouldn’t. His slow motor also shows up on the bases, frustrating teammates and coaches alike.
The Future: Verdugo has the potential to be a high-average, moderate power outfielder like Nick Markakis, but only if he improves his effort.
NO 2 on Dodgers list:
Track Record: Verudgo rose quickly after the Dodgers drafted him 62nd overall in 2014. He represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic at age 20, reached the majors by 21 and had a chance for a larger role in his age-22 season in 2018, but the Dodgers’ outfield glut forced him back to Triple-A. Verdugo finished fifth in the Pacific Coast League with a .329 batting average.
Scouting Report: Verdugo is the purest hitter in the Dodgers’ system with a simple, balanced swing. He generates hard line drives to all fields and is extremely patient, recording nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (97) over the last two years. Verdugo’s average home run power is mostly to his pull side, but he can drive the ball hard the other way, too. He stays dialed in at the plate, but an indifferent attitude affects the rest of his game. He has average speed and gets good jumps in right field when he’s focused, but he often isn’t and lets balls drop that shouldn’t. His slow motor also shows up on the bases, frustrating teammates and coaches alike.
The Future: Verdugo has the potential to be a high-average, moderate power outfielder like Nick Markakis, but only if he improves his effort.
Re: Minor Matters
9218MLB.com tries to keep busy during the offseason with various lists. This time it's the "fastest prospect" on each time. For the Indians the winner is the one-tool star:
Indians: Quentin Holmes, OF
The Tribe's second-round pick from the 2017 Draft hasn't produced much during first two pro seasons, and was sidelined by a hamstring injury for much of 2018, but he remains the fastest player in the organization with his elite, top-of-the-scale speed. Prior to being drafted, Holmes famously ran a 6.15-second 60-yard dash at Perfect Game National in 2016.
Likely 2019 level: Class A Lake County
Regrettably saying he "hasn't produced much" is much more positive than the stats suggest. Always good to see a kid whose main tool is speed with long-lasting hamstring injury. To date his career numbers are:
180 AB 27 R 37 H 16 RBI 6 doubles 3 triples 2 homers 12 walks, 69 strikeouts. And for a speed demon his basestealing is not very good either: 7 successes in 12 tries.
Looks like the 2010's rebirth of Silento Sayles, a 14th round pick in 2014, whose claim to fame was his high school record of 103 stolen bases one season in 104 attempts, believed to be a national high school single-season record.
Indians: Quentin Holmes, OF
The Tribe's second-round pick from the 2017 Draft hasn't produced much during first two pro seasons, and was sidelined by a hamstring injury for much of 2018, but he remains the fastest player in the organization with his elite, top-of-the-scale speed. Prior to being drafted, Holmes famously ran a 6.15-second 60-yard dash at Perfect Game National in 2016.
Likely 2019 level: Class A Lake County
Regrettably saying he "hasn't produced much" is much more positive than the stats suggest. Always good to see a kid whose main tool is speed with long-lasting hamstring injury. To date his career numbers are:
180 AB 27 R 37 H 16 RBI 6 doubles 3 triples 2 homers 12 walks, 69 strikeouts. And for a speed demon his basestealing is not very good either: 7 successes in 12 tries.
Looks like the 2010's rebirth of Silento Sayles, a 14th round pick in 2014, whose claim to fame was his high school record of 103 stolen bases one season in 104 attempts, believed to be a national high school single-season record.
Re: Minor Matters
9219Third base prospect Nolan Jones is our No. 2 Cleveland Indians prospect for 2018, improving from his No. 6 ranking last year. Jones was a top-rated high school prospect in the 2016 draft, but dropped to the second round due to signability concerns.
In his first taste of Low-A ball in 2017, Jones was at or near the top of the New York Penn League in batting average (.317), on base percentage (.430), doubles (18), total bases (105) and was tops in walks (43), cementing himself as a stellar contact hitter with a patient approach.
It wasn’t until 2018, however, that Jones tapped into the power potential scouts had suggested he possessed due to his 6-foot-4 frame.
Jones had only hit four career home runs heading into last year, but playing full-season ball for the first time at Lake County, he blasted 16 home runs while slashing .279/.393/.464. Jones also maintained his elite 16.2% walk rate from Low-A.
Jones earned a late promotion to High-A Lynchburg, where his numbers actually improved, increasing his walk rate to a ridiculous 20% while slashing .298/.438/.471 at just 20 years old.
#Indians 20yr old (3B) prospect Nolan Jones 2018 (Top 10) minor league ranks amongst all players w/ at least 500 PA:
5) BB% 17.1%
6) OBP .405
6) HR/FB 21.8%
8) wRC+ 151
10) wOBA .401
The biggest knock on Jones has been his defense, and while he’s still a work in progress, he’s making improvements. Jones was abysmal defensively in 2017, committing 22 errors in just 133 chances for a .835 fielding percentage. In 2018, he made 27 errors in 276 chances, improving his fielding percentage to .902.
Jones proved he can play at High-A last year in his 30-game stint, but the Indians might repeat him there if they want to be patient with him. That being said, I hope they give him a chance to prove himself at Double-A. He’s clearly proving he can both hit, hit for power, and walk. Once that glove gets up to snuff, he could easily be the third baseman of the future.
In his first taste of Low-A ball in 2017, Jones was at or near the top of the New York Penn League in batting average (.317), on base percentage (.430), doubles (18), total bases (105) and was tops in walks (43), cementing himself as a stellar contact hitter with a patient approach.
It wasn’t until 2018, however, that Jones tapped into the power potential scouts had suggested he possessed due to his 6-foot-4 frame.
Jones had only hit four career home runs heading into last year, but playing full-season ball for the first time at Lake County, he blasted 16 home runs while slashing .279/.393/.464. Jones also maintained his elite 16.2% walk rate from Low-A.
Jones earned a late promotion to High-A Lynchburg, where his numbers actually improved, increasing his walk rate to a ridiculous 20% while slashing .298/.438/.471 at just 20 years old.
#Indians 20yr old (3B) prospect Nolan Jones 2018 (Top 10) minor league ranks amongst all players w/ at least 500 PA:
5) BB% 17.1%
6) OBP .405
6) HR/FB 21.8%
8) wRC+ 151
10) wOBA .401
The biggest knock on Jones has been his defense, and while he’s still a work in progress, he’s making improvements. Jones was abysmal defensively in 2017, committing 22 errors in just 133 chances for a .835 fielding percentage. In 2018, he made 27 errors in 276 chances, improving his fielding percentage to .902.
Jones proved he can play at High-A last year in his 30-game stint, but the Indians might repeat him there if they want to be patient with him. That being said, I hope they give him a chance to prove himself at Double-A. He’s clearly proving he can both hit, hit for power, and walk. Once that glove gets up to snuff, he could easily be the third baseman of the future.
Re: Minor Matters
9220killing time in the offseason, BA lists 10 top late round picks from last year's draft. None of our guys are listed and all the really impressive first year performers for us last summer were from our top 10 rounds. But there were some pretty solid debuts by later picks too:
Round 18 Shane McCarthy an Indians type pitcher, great control, at age 21 he split time between AZ and MV with an ERA of 0.88 in 41 innings 36K vs 4 walks WHIP 0.854. The Eli Morgan of the 2018 draft as a 4th year senior he signed for $5000
Round 16 Ruben Cardenas corner outfielder age 20 308/414/455 between AZ and MV. 15 doubles 23 walks exceeded 20 K, but no homers
Round 15 Bryan Lavastida catcher age 19 in Arizona: 292/415/367 22 walks vs 23 K only 7 xb hits
Round 18 Shane McCarthy an Indians type pitcher, great control, at age 21 he split time between AZ and MV with an ERA of 0.88 in 41 innings 36K vs 4 walks WHIP 0.854. The Eli Morgan of the 2018 draft as a 4th year senior he signed for $5000
Round 16 Ruben Cardenas corner outfielder age 20 308/414/455 between AZ and MV. 15 doubles 23 walks exceeded 20 K, but no homers
Round 15 Bryan Lavastida catcher age 19 in Arizona: 292/415/367 22 walks vs 23 K only 7 xb hits
Re: Minor Matters
9221Indians announce 2019 Player Development staff assignments
Jan 22
The Cleveland Indians announced organizational staff assignments for the 2019 season Tuesday, including managerial changes at the club’s top three affiliates.
Triple-A Columbus will be managed by TONY MANSOLINO, who joins the Clippers after guiding Akron to a 78–62 (.557) mark and a trip to the Eastern League finals in his lone season with the RubberDucks.
Mansolino enters his ninth season in the Indians organization and fourth as a manager, leading Class-A Lake County in 2016 and Lynchburg in 2017.
Rounding out the Columbus coaching staff are pitching coach RIGO BELTRÁN, hitting coach ANDY TRACY and bench coach KYLE HUDSON.
Beltrán spent last season as the pitching coach for Akron. He joined the organization in 2014 as the pitching coach for Lake County and split the 2015 season as the pitching coach for the AZL Indians and Lynchburg before serving in the same role with the Hillcats from 2016–17.
Tracy joins the Indians after spending the past seven seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, including the past six as minor league hitting coordinator.
Hudson began his coaching career as the bench coach for Lynchburg in 2017 before serving in the same capacity for Lake County in 2018.
With Mansolino moving to manage Columbus, ROUGLAS ODOR will take the helm at Akron.
Odor is entering his 32nd season in the Cleveland system, including managing the Venezuelan Summer League Indians (1999–2000), Rookie Level Burlington (2001–04), Mahoning Valley (2005–06) and the Gulf Coast League Indians (2007–08).
He served as a hitting coach at various levels of the organization from 2009–17 before returning to managing with Lynchburg in 2018.
Serving on Odor’s staff will be pitching coach TONY ARNOLD, hitting coach JUSTIN TOOLE and bench coach JUAN DE LA CRUZ.
Arnold returns to Akron where he was the pitching coach from 2016–17 following one season as the pitching coach for Lynchburg. He enters his 30th season as a pitching coach in the minor leagues, including his 27th with the Indians.
Toole joins the RubberDucks after serving as Lynchburg’s hitting coach in 2018. He fulfilled the same role with Mahoning Valley in 2016 and Lake County in 2017.
De La Cruz begins his first season as a coach after an eight-year minor league career with Cleveland that spanned from 2010–17.
Managing Lynchburg will be veteran skipper JIM PANKOVITS, who guided Mahoning Valley last season in his first year in the organization. Pankovits has accumulated 980 victories as a minor league manager in the Red Sox, Astros, Mariners and Indians systems.
The Hillcats staff will include pitching coach JOE TORRES, hitting coach JOHNNY NARRON and bench coach MIKE MERGANTHALER.
Torres enters his third year in the organization, serving as pitching coach with the AZL Indians in 2017 and with Lake County in 2018.
Narron shifts to Lynchburg after spending last season as hitting coach for Columbus and the 2017 campaign as hitting coach for Akron. He has served eight seasons on Major League coaching staffs, including three as hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Merganthaler spent the past two seasons as the hitting coach for Cleveland’s Dominican Summer League co-op with the Brewers.
LUKE CARLIN returns for his second season as manager of Lake County, his fourth campaign with the Indians, coaching with Akron in 2017 and guiding Mahoning Valley in 2017.
New to the Captains will be pitching coach OWEN DEW, hitting coach JASON ESPOSITO and bench coach JORDAN SMITH.
Dew spent last season as the pitching coach for the AZL Indians 2 squad, while Esposito was the hitting coach with the AZL Indians 1. Smith joins the coaching ranks after concluding an eight-year minor league playing career, including seven in the Indians organization.
Longtime Indians coach DENNIS MALAVÉ will make his managerial debut with Mahoning Valley.
Malavé enters his 15th season in the organization, including spending 2007 and 2008 as the Major League bullpen catcher. He most recently served as bench coach for Akron in 2018 after seven seasons (2010–17) as hitting coach with the AZL Indians.
Pitching coach JASON BLANTON and bench coach OMIR SANTOS will return for a second season on Mahoning Valley’s coaching staff. They will be joined by hitting coach GRANT FINK, who returns to the Scrappers in a new role after serving as the team’s bench coach in 2017 after a year as bench coach for Lynchburg.
The Indians again will feature two teams in the Arizona League, with LARRY DAY returning to lead the AZL Indians 1 and JERRY OWENS returning to manage the AZL Indians 2.
JOEL MAGRUM is back for a second campaign as pitching coach for the AZL Indians 1, while JORDAN BECKER joins the organization as the team’s hitting coach and JT MAGUIRE comes to the team as bench coach.
JUNIOR BETANCES returns to the AZL Indians 2 team as its hitting coach and will be joined by a pair of new additions to the organization in pitching coach MIKE STEELE and bench coach JOSH TUBBS.
Steele comes to the Indians after two seasons as pitching coach at Wichita State University. He previously spent seven years with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, including six as a minor league pitching coach.
JESÚS TAVEREZ will assume manager duties of the DSL Indians 1 team with JOSÉ MEJÍA now serving as the Dominican Republic Academy Field Coordinator.
JESÚS SÁNCHEZ returns as pitching coach, and CARLOS FERMIN is back as bench and infield coach. CHRIS SMITH will join the organization as the team’s hitting coach.
Jan 22
The Cleveland Indians announced organizational staff assignments for the 2019 season Tuesday, including managerial changes at the club’s top three affiliates.
Triple-A Columbus will be managed by TONY MANSOLINO, who joins the Clippers after guiding Akron to a 78–62 (.557) mark and a trip to the Eastern League finals in his lone season with the RubberDucks.
Mansolino enters his ninth season in the Indians organization and fourth as a manager, leading Class-A Lake County in 2016 and Lynchburg in 2017.
Rounding out the Columbus coaching staff are pitching coach RIGO BELTRÁN, hitting coach ANDY TRACY and bench coach KYLE HUDSON.
Beltrán spent last season as the pitching coach for Akron. He joined the organization in 2014 as the pitching coach for Lake County and split the 2015 season as the pitching coach for the AZL Indians and Lynchburg before serving in the same role with the Hillcats from 2016–17.
Tracy joins the Indians after spending the past seven seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, including the past six as minor league hitting coordinator.
Hudson began his coaching career as the bench coach for Lynchburg in 2017 before serving in the same capacity for Lake County in 2018.
With Mansolino moving to manage Columbus, ROUGLAS ODOR will take the helm at Akron.
Odor is entering his 32nd season in the Cleveland system, including managing the Venezuelan Summer League Indians (1999–2000), Rookie Level Burlington (2001–04), Mahoning Valley (2005–06) and the Gulf Coast League Indians (2007–08).
He served as a hitting coach at various levels of the organization from 2009–17 before returning to managing with Lynchburg in 2018.
Serving on Odor’s staff will be pitching coach TONY ARNOLD, hitting coach JUSTIN TOOLE and bench coach JUAN DE LA CRUZ.
Arnold returns to Akron where he was the pitching coach from 2016–17 following one season as the pitching coach for Lynchburg. He enters his 30th season as a pitching coach in the minor leagues, including his 27th with the Indians.
Toole joins the RubberDucks after serving as Lynchburg’s hitting coach in 2018. He fulfilled the same role with Mahoning Valley in 2016 and Lake County in 2017.
De La Cruz begins his first season as a coach after an eight-year minor league career with Cleveland that spanned from 2010–17.
Managing Lynchburg will be veteran skipper JIM PANKOVITS, who guided Mahoning Valley last season in his first year in the organization. Pankovits has accumulated 980 victories as a minor league manager in the Red Sox, Astros, Mariners and Indians systems.
The Hillcats staff will include pitching coach JOE TORRES, hitting coach JOHNNY NARRON and bench coach MIKE MERGANTHALER.
Torres enters his third year in the organization, serving as pitching coach with the AZL Indians in 2017 and with Lake County in 2018.
Narron shifts to Lynchburg after spending last season as hitting coach for Columbus and the 2017 campaign as hitting coach for Akron. He has served eight seasons on Major League coaching staffs, including three as hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Merganthaler spent the past two seasons as the hitting coach for Cleveland’s Dominican Summer League co-op with the Brewers.
LUKE CARLIN returns for his second season as manager of Lake County, his fourth campaign with the Indians, coaching with Akron in 2017 and guiding Mahoning Valley in 2017.
New to the Captains will be pitching coach OWEN DEW, hitting coach JASON ESPOSITO and bench coach JORDAN SMITH.
Dew spent last season as the pitching coach for the AZL Indians 2 squad, while Esposito was the hitting coach with the AZL Indians 1. Smith joins the coaching ranks after concluding an eight-year minor league playing career, including seven in the Indians organization.
Longtime Indians coach DENNIS MALAVÉ will make his managerial debut with Mahoning Valley.
Malavé enters his 15th season in the organization, including spending 2007 and 2008 as the Major League bullpen catcher. He most recently served as bench coach for Akron in 2018 after seven seasons (2010–17) as hitting coach with the AZL Indians.
Pitching coach JASON BLANTON and bench coach OMIR SANTOS will return for a second season on Mahoning Valley’s coaching staff. They will be joined by hitting coach GRANT FINK, who returns to the Scrappers in a new role after serving as the team’s bench coach in 2017 after a year as bench coach for Lynchburg.
The Indians again will feature two teams in the Arizona League, with LARRY DAY returning to lead the AZL Indians 1 and JERRY OWENS returning to manage the AZL Indians 2.
JOEL MAGRUM is back for a second campaign as pitching coach for the AZL Indians 1, while JORDAN BECKER joins the organization as the team’s hitting coach and JT MAGUIRE comes to the team as bench coach.
JUNIOR BETANCES returns to the AZL Indians 2 team as its hitting coach and will be joined by a pair of new additions to the organization in pitching coach MIKE STEELE and bench coach JOSH TUBBS.
Steele comes to the Indians after two seasons as pitching coach at Wichita State University. He previously spent seven years with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, including six as a minor league pitching coach.
JESÚS TAVEREZ will assume manager duties of the DSL Indians 1 team with JOSÉ MEJÍA now serving as the Dominican Republic Academy Field Coordinator.
JESÚS SÁNCHEZ returns as pitching coach, and CARLOS FERMIN is back as bench and infield coach. CHRIS SMITH will join the organization as the team’s hitting coach.
Re: Minor Matters
9223BA ranks the top 100 prospects of 2019. I will not expect more than 2 from the Indians. We have lots of talent behind McKenzie and Jones but they are all teenagers who have to prove themselves.
McKenzie has slipped to No. 44. By that point, 22 other teams have had prospects listed. In the AL Central the White Sox by that point have 2, the Tigers 1 and the Royals none.
Triston McKenzie
Indians RHP
Notes:
ETA: 2019
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60
The string-bean skinny righthander keeps proving he can hold his stuff, quieting durability concerns every level he climbs
Nolan Jones just squeezes in at No. 96 By that point in the AL Central: CHI has 5, Min has 3, Det has 3, KC has 2.
3 teams fail to get anyone on the 100: Red Sox and Yankees who have graduated quite a few talents in recent years and the Cubs. Meanwhile San Diego and Tampa each have 9, Atlanta 8 and Toronto 7. [FWIW: Mejia is now rated No. 32, also down about 10 spots from last preseason]
McKenzie has slipped to No. 44. By that point, 22 other teams have had prospects listed. In the AL Central the White Sox by that point have 2, the Tigers 1 and the Royals none.
Triston McKenzie
Indians RHP
Notes:
ETA: 2019
Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 60
The string-bean skinny righthander keeps proving he can hold his stuff, quieting durability concerns every level he climbs
Nolan Jones just squeezes in at No. 96 By that point in the AL Central: CHI has 5, Min has 3, Det has 3, KC has 2.
3 teams fail to get anyone on the 100: Red Sox and Yankees who have graduated quite a few talents in recent years and the Cubs. Meanwhile San Diego and Tampa each have 9, Atlanta 8 and Toronto 7. [FWIW: Mejia is now rated No. 32, also down about 10 spots from last preseason]
Re: Minor Matters
9224Each MLB Team's Most Overrated Top Prospect Entering 2019
Joel Reuter Bleacher Report
January 25, 2019
Cleveland Indians: 1B Bobby Bradley—No. 3 CLE
Bradley has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past four seasons, racking up 114 long balls since being taken in the third round of the 2014 draft.
That said, it's looking less and less like he'll ever make enough consistent contact to tap into his plus power on a consistent basis.
Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .224/.308/.466 while striking out at a 27 percent clip. He's still only 22, but his prospect star is quickly dimming.
(I would not argue with this... Link to full article below)
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/281 ... 019#slide2
Joel Reuter Bleacher Report
January 25, 2019
Cleveland Indians: 1B Bobby Bradley—No. 3 CLE
Bradley has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past four seasons, racking up 114 long balls since being taken in the third round of the 2014 draft.
That said, it's looking less and less like he'll ever make enough consistent contact to tap into his plus power on a consistent basis.
Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .224/.308/.466 while striking out at a 27 percent clip. He's still only 22, but his prospect star is quickly dimming.
(I would not argue with this... Link to full article below)
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/281 ... 019#slide2
Re: Minor Matters
9225MLB released their top 100 prospects today. McKenzie ranked 41 and Jones 67. In the comments they said you should see more than 2 prospects on the list in near future cause organization has some good young talent in lower levels.