Cleveland Sports Forum

2012 Indians Draft: 6/13 Signing update
By Tony Lastoria
June 13, 2012
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2nd round pick right-handed pitcher Mitchell Brown has not yet signed a contract. There were some reports floating around in the past 24-48 hours saying he has, but as of this writing he has not signed a contract. Now, the expectation is that he will sign, and it may come this coming weekend.

3rd round pick right-handed pitcher Kieran Lovegrove is going to sign with the Indians. This was noted in a previous update on Thursday or Friday I believe, though the actual signing and physical will take place this coming weekend in Cleveland.

38th round pick right-handed pitcher Joshua Nervis has signed with the Indians and will soon report to Arizona and likely play start his pro career playing for the rookie level Arizona Summer League Indians.

39th round pick right-handed pitcher D.J. Brown has reportedly opted to return to James Madison for his senior season. He did not pitch in 2012 because of a torn labrum, and the Indians took a flyer on him late in the draft.

Thanks Buck. Not a lot of info in there, but more singings have to come soon; Scrappers start up next week, I think, and need at least nine guys to take the field.

Checking our their site, Scrappers open on the 18th. They have about 15 names on the roster, guys in extended ST in general. Roster includes Levon Washington who's out after surgery; and Jordan Casas who is playing with the Captains and some leftovers from last year's team and a 19 year old who had an OPS of 540 in the Dominican last summer..

IPI Stock Watch: June 13, 2012
By Tony Lastoria
June 13, 2012
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It is Wednesday, which means it is time to take stock on some of the players in the Indians’ minor league system. This report is a snapshot of a few players up and down the system and how their value may be decreasing or increasing as prospects.

As always, it comes down to “value” when looking at prospects, not necessarily stats. So hopefully from week to week this piece will help illustrate who is improving that value and who is not. The same players will not be featured every week as I will look at four to six players from each affiliate and try to mix it up with new names every week.

Key:

↑ - way up; → - trending up; ↔ - no movement; ← - trending down; ↓ - way down

Columbus:

→ Tim Fedroff (OF): .305/.392/.445, 4 HR, 22 HR, 32 BB, 37 K. In the past week Fedroff was finally reassigned toColumbus, a place he should have been from the start of the season. He is having another solid season and has shown some improvement defensively which may make him an option as a fourth outfielder for the Indians down the road.

→ Trevor Crowe (OF): .299/.367/.460, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 10 BB, 13 K. Crowe recently started playing again after being sidelined for several weeks with an oblique injury as he went to Double-A Akron for a few games and then on Tuesday was reassigned to Columbus. If he shows he is completely healthy and continues to perform, I believe he gets a call to Cleveland to replace the struggling Aaron Cunningham.

↔ Cord Phelps (2B): .268/.342/.439, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 25 BB, 44 K. Phelps has played a lot better of late hitting .306 with a .972 OPS in 12 games this month, and his approach is so much better with 9 walks and only 5 strikeouts. Unfortunately, with Jason Kipnis entrenched at second base in Cleveland and Phelps unable to play any other position at the big league level, he is stuck in Columbus.

↔ Chris Seddon (LHP): 12 G, 3.59 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 7.8 K/9. Seddon has arguably been the ace of the Clippers staff this season. While others have been inconsistent or been moving back and forth between Cleveland and Columbus, he has been a rock in the rotation. That having been said, he is a fringe Major League player and probably will not get a shot with the Indians this year.

→ David Huff (LHP): 9 G, 3.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, 6.2 K/9. Huff has struggled some of late, but overall he has performed very well this season. His walk rate is back to the elite level it was back when he was still a prospect in 2008 pitching for Akron and Buffalo, and he looks to be quality big league pitching depth or a potential trade chip.

Akron:

↓ Thomas Neal (OF): .284/.355/.351, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 12 BB, 24 K. Neal has a solid batting average and on-basepercentage, but it is hard to live with that when he can’t really impact a game on the bases, in the field, and is showing no power. He is showing why the Indians removed him from the 40-man roster and why no one bothered to claim him.

↔ Kyle Bellows (3B): .250/.346/.380, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 27 BB, 35 K. Even though he has been much better at the plate this year, Bellows continues to be a streaky hitter. His abilities defensively will buy him lots of time to find some consistency with his bat, something that is crucial if he ever dreams of getting a shot in the big leagues.

← Juan Diaz (SS): .247/.287/.370, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 9 BB, 39 K. Diaz got a cup of coffee in the big leagues recently, but that’s about all he should get as he is just not a player that belongs on a Major League roster. I’d expect (hope) the Indians go out this offseason and pick up a minor league free agent or two that can play shortstop and be a true depth backup for the big league team.

↑ Steven Wright (RHP): 10 G, 1.67 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, 8.2 K/9. Wright has made massive developments with his knuckleball in just a year’s time, and now he is squarely on the radar as a possible big league option next year. At some point here the Indians should push him to Triple-A Columbus to continue to challenge him, and at this point he looks like a shoe-in to be rostered this offseason.

→ Bryce Stowell (RHP): 10 G, 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 0.7 BB/9, 16.6 K/9. Stowell finally walked his first (and only) batter of the season in his last outing on Friday, and now boasts a 1-24 walk to strikeout ratio. He is ready for a challenge at Triple-A Columbus, but he is also coming off of an injury scare so the Indians are being careful with him and monitoring him before considering a promotion.

Carolina:

→ Jeremie Tice (DH/1B/LF): .288/.381/.603, 11 HR, 45 RBI, 18 BB, 37 K. Tice was named to the All Star team thisweek, which was well deserved. He has been one of the most feared hitters in the Carolina League this season, but it is time to see what he can do at the Double-A level and if he can bring some of that fear with him to the Eastern League.

↔ Jesus Aguilar (1B): .288/.374/.449, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 25 BB, 55 K. If you would have told me at this point in the season that Tice would be outperforming Aguilar in just about every subjective and objective measure offensively, I’d have said you are nuts, but that’s what has happened. Aguilar is having a fine year, just Tice is having a great year.

← Jake Lowery (C): .236/.320/.343, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 22 BB, 61 K. Things have not gone as hoped for Lowery this season. While he continues to be an exemplary leader in the clubhouse and incredible teammate, the patience and power he was lauded for last season has yet to show this season. I believe it is still there, so hopefully he turns things around in the second half.

↑ Shawn Armstrong (RHP): 20 G, 1.04 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 11.2 K/9. Armstrong is another player that was more than deserving of being named to the All Star team as he has had as good of a season as a reliever can have to date. The walks are something he is still working through, but for his first full season he has been impressive and raised his stock considerably.

← Will Roberts (RHP): 13 G, 4.01 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 5.0 K/9. Roberts has had a so-so first full season as he did well (as expected) at Low-A Lake County before a quick callup to High-A Carolina where he has struggled some since. He does a good job of limiting walks, but so far this season he is showing he lacks the stuff to consistently miss bats or induce weak contact.

Lake County:

→ Jordan Smith (OF): .295/.345/.453, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 13 BB, 27 K. Smith is not yet showing the home run power, but he has the frame and youth to add more weight and get stronger where he can do it. He has a combined 16 doubles and triples, which shows his ability to drive the ball and someday soon more of those may disappear over the wall.

↔ Bryson Myles (OF): .262/.336/.410, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 14 BB, 29 K. Myles has had a solid season, but has disappointed this season mostly because he has not been able to stay on the field. He has been limited to 36 games because of nagging leg and foot injuries, and they have probably hurt him where he has been unable to get into the flow of the season so his numbers have suffered some.

↔ Leonardo Castillo (3B): .184/.231/.257, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 12 BB, 37 K. Castillo has been overwhelmed at the Low-A level this season, though this is not a huge shock considering he is just 18-years old and very raw as a player. I’d expect that once short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley starts play this coming week that he is reassigned there so he can catch his breath and start anew.

↑ Grant Sides (RHP): 17 G, 1.15 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, 9.8 K/9. Sides has had a fantastic season. His velocity has improved over the course of the season, his breaking ball is better, and his fastball command has gotten better. He needs a new challenge, and I’d expect that he is soon promoted to High-A Carolina, probably at or right after the All Star break this weekend.

→ Shawn Morimando (LHP): 8 G, 3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 5.4 K/9. Morimando has exceeded expectations so far in his short time at Low-A Lake County. He is still raw and developing his fastball command, but has been around the zone and limited the walks. The strikeouts are low, but he has the stuff, athletic ability, and some arm strength where more strikeouts could come as he matures.

Yesterday Steven Wright went 5 innings, 3 unearned runs, a bunch of knuckleball walks. Salazar still limited to 3 innings, let in 1 run on a bunch of hits. In his relief Kyle Blair with a fine 5 shutout innings. Another not too hot outing by Felix Sterling,

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... x_nbraax_1

Chen hits 20th double and walks twice. Brach 6 shuout, no K. Weglarz double, walk 2 bi. up to 236
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... x_nbraax_2

Wolters and RonnieRod each with 13th double. Wolters also a single. Shawn Armstrong perfect 9th. Tony says and he's probably right that he's the best prospect pitcher on Carolina.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... a_lynafa_1

LRod with his 3rd homer and a single. 286/340/406. Needs to walk more, strikeout less, otherwise looks good.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.js ... x_lcoafx_1

When will Tony get some actual scopes for insiders? July 4th, the day my subscription ends.

Civ, you made a good decision not signing up for premium.

2012 Indians Draft: 6/14 Signing update
By Tony Lastoria
June 14, 2012
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The Indians have nine players officially under contract: 6th round pick second baseman Joe Wendle, 9th round pick right-handed pitcher Jacob Lee, 10th round pick right-handed pitcher Josh Martin, 12th round pick catcher Jeremy Lucas, 14th round pick right-handed pitcher Scott Peoples, 16th round pick right-handed pitcher Cody Penny, 18th round pick right-handed pitcher Louis Head, 20th round pick right-handed pitcher Nicholas Pasquale, and 38th round pick right-handed pitcher Joshua Nervis. All except Nervis and maybe Peoples are expected to open the season at short season Single-A Mahoning Valley.

There is also a batch of other players that have not officially signed, but have given indications either to me or other media that they will soon sign: 3rd round pick right-handed pitcher Kieran Lovegrove, 5th round pick right-handed pitcher Dylan Baker, 11th round pick outfielder Logan Vick, 23rd round pick catcher Richard Stock, and 24th round pick right-handed pitcher Walker White.

21st round pick second baseman Joe Sever (Pepperdine) is not going to sign anytime soon, or at least that is how it sounds. According to a story today in the Malibu Times they report that he said he will likely take up until the July 13th deadline to make a decision and provided this quote from him: “I’m just trying to take my time and not make my decision based on emotion. There are pros and cons to each side but any which way I can’t go wrong.”

39th round pick right-handed pitcher D.J. Brown (James Madison) has NOT opted to stay in school. In yesterday’s update I linked to an article which said he had opted to return to James Madison for his senior season, but after talking to him personally yesterday I found that the article was incorrect so I removed it from the update. He is very much still weighing his options on whether to sign or not, but if first awaiting an offer from the Indians so he can begin that decision process.

Well,Buck, I was just being cheap. When my wife subscribed to some geneology site I figured I was entitled to subscribe to Tony but hadn't gotten around to trying. Thanks for being our Forum guinea pig.

Lines noted today by BA:

CLE AA Weglarz, Nick LF 2 0 1 2 .239 2B (8), BB (22), SB (1)
CLE AA Chen, Chun DH 1 1 1 0 .322 2B (20), 3 BB (31)
CLE HiA Rodriguez, Ronny 2B 4 2 1 0 .259 2B (13)
CLE HiA Wolters, Tony SS 5 1 2 1 .236 2B (13)
CLE LoA Rodriguez, Luigi CF 5 1 2 2 .286 HR (3)
CLE LoA Sterling, Felix 4 6 4 3 1 2 5.79


And for those who are looking backward rather than forward:
COL AA Gardner, Joe 4 6 2 2 3 3 4.70
COL AAA Pomeranz, Drew 5.1 10 8 6 1 5 3.06 L (2-4)

WoW!

Chen, Chun DH 2B (20), BB (31) . Only 1 homer though. But, still impressive.

7 shutout innings for Corey Kluber. Canzler a grand slam for the game's only runs.

xtra inning loss for Lake County. Some unusual lines: LRod 0-7 with 4 K. Jordan Smith 4 hits. Lindor not known for drawing walks, finishes with 6 of them.

Nick Weglarz has been hitting well at last, 7th homer last night for Akron. More solid relief by Landis who seems destined to spend his career at AA.

Bo Greenwell returns. I assumed he had been released. Missed nearly all of 2011. DH last night at Carolina, 1-3 with a steal. At 23 he's younger than 2 of the starting OF's on the Mudcats. Tyler Sturdevant continues his successful rehab with a shutout appearance.

Reliever Shawn Armstrong, drafted 18th round and paid big money in 2011,and old man Jeremie Tice make the Carolina League all star team.

Yesterday's notable lines:

AA Chen, Chun 1B 4 1 1 0 .321 BB (32)
CLE AA Weglarz, Nick LF 5 1 1 2 .238 HR (7)
CLE AAA Phelps, Cord 2B 4 1 2 0 .272
CLE HiA Aguilar, Jesus 1B 4 1 2 0 .288 2B (15)
CLE LoA Lindor, Francisco SS 2 1 1 1 .280 2B (11), 6 BB (25)
CLE LoA Myles, Bryson DH 4 0 2 2 .270 BB (15)
CLE LoA Smith, Jordan RF 8 2 4 0 .297 2B (12)

CLE AA Stowell, Bryce 1 1 0 0 1 1 1.93
CLE AA Van Mil, Loek 2.1 0 0 0 0 2 1.42 tall
CLE HiA Sturdevant, Tyler 2 1 0 0 1 1 0.00 ready to move up
CLE LoA Araujo, Elvis 4.1 7 6 6 2 0 4.45 in a slump
CLE MAJ Barnes, Scott 0.1 5 5 5 2 1 10.38 ready to move down

2012 Indians Draft: 6/15 Signing update
By Tony Lastoria
June 15, 2012
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13th round pick outfielder Tyler Booth has signed with the Indians. An official announcement will probably come in the next day or so, and it is not yet known whether he has been assigned to short season Single-A Mahoning Valley or rookie level Arizona.

19th round pick right-handed pitcher Colyn O’Connell does not sound like someone that is ready to go to pro ball. Some high school players are just ready to sign and go, but from a few recent tweets it looks like he expects to go to school unless the Indians “offer him a lot”. As a pick after the 10th round, the Indians can only offer him a maximum of $100K unless they have extra money left from their draft bonus pool after they sign their top ten round picks. But even if they do, I do not think O’Connell is one of the first players they have targeted to give any extra money to.

22nd round pick right-handed pitcher Jimmy Stokes is expected to sign with the Indians today, according to a report in The Times News today. Stokes was quoted as saying: “I definitely didn’t like to have the season I had. Cleveland obviously sees something in me. This is a good time for me to start my professional career.” He will reportedly be assigned to short season Single-A Mahoning Valley.

“I definitely didn’t like to have the season I had. Cleveland obviously sees something in me

Apparently the Indians like this guy more than he likes himself. Should be a major contributor to the Scrappers this season. He must not realize that they just need bodies to surround the actual prospects.