Cleveland Sports Forum

tried to delete but it wouldn't disappear

Brady Aiken keeps getting his strikeouts but not consistent otherwise, but really all they care about this year I guess is that he's healthy and throwing hard.
2 2/3 6 4 3 0 4 6.75 22K in 14 2/3 innings.

at bat:
Benson 0-4 3K .179
Nolan Jones 3-4 .316
O.Gonzalez 1-4 .304 6th double Slugging .681
Dorsyss Paulino starts his rehab as DH

In Mah Valley, Gabriel Mejia singled and walked, but his basestealing is not nearly as successful as in the past, caught for the 5th time in 12 tries. Which is great compared to teammate Erlin Cerda who's steal success rate is 3 in 8 tries. Maybe he should just stay put.

Noted by BA. Santander can hit homers every night but will never be noted on their daily report. Until next April.

CLE AA Rodriguez, Nellie 1B 4 1 1 2 .258
CLE AA Zimmer, Bradley CF 4 1 2 0 .243 2B (20)
CLE AAA Diaz, Yandy LF 3 1 1 0 .318 2 BB (29)
CLE HiA Chang, Yu-Cheng SS 5 1 1 1 .281
CLE HiA Krieger, Tyler 2B 4 0 1 0 .358 SB (3)
CLE HiA Mathias, Mark 3B 5 1 1 1 .267 2B (26)
CLE HiA Mejia, Francisco DH 5 0 2 3 .333 2B (4)
CLE LoA Castro, Willi SS 5 1 2 6 .254 HR (6)
CLE MAJ Naquin, Tyler CF 4 2 1 1 .314 HR (10)
CLE AAA Armstrong, Shawn 1 0 0 0 1 1 2.52
CLE R Aiken, Brady 2.2 6 4 3 0 4 6.75 L (0-3)

BA's Midseason Indians' Prospect Update:

A 14-game winning streak that began two days before the Cavaliers won the NBA title propelled the Indians into first place in the American League Central. The streak helped Cleveland to a 50-32 start, its best record at the halfway point of the season since 1999.

2019 PROJECTED LINEUP

C Yan Gomes ]not Mejia?]
1B Bobby Bradley
2B Jason Kipnis
3B Jose Ramirez [not Chang?
SS Francisco Lindor
LF Michael Brantley
CF Bradley Zimmer Naquin No. 4?
RF Clint Frazier
DH Carlos Santana
No. 1 Starter Corey Kluber
No. 2 Starter Carlos Carrasco
No. 3 Starter Trevor Bauer
No. 4 Starter Danny Salazar
No. 5 Starter Brady Aiken [that's kind of rushing him; not Clevinger?
Closer Cody Allen

The Indians’ young pitching staff has led the way. Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber, Danny Salazar and Josh Tomlin (all 31 or younger) have formed a formidable rotation and closer Cody Allen, 27, leads a strong bullpen.

The offense hasn’t been as dynamic, though it has found a way to manufacture runs with aggressive baserunning and the long ball. Shortstop Francisco Lindor has blossomed into one of the game’s best players in his second season, hitting 10 home runs in the first three months to go with his highlight reel defense.

The first-half of the season saw the big league debuts of Mike Clevinger, Ryan Merritt, Shawn Morimando and Tyler Naquin. Only Naquin, a 2012 first-round pick, stuck long enough to graduate from prospect status, as he grabbed one of the spots in the Indians outfield. He is the first of a group of young outfielders making their way to Cleveland, as fellow first-round picks Clint Frazier (2013) and Bradley Zimmer (2014) are just a couple steps back in Double-A Akron.

But Frazier and Zimmer likely won’t provide an immediate answer for the offense, and the Indians have the opportunity to be active buyers at the trade deadline. Manager Terry Francona can never have too many relievers, and the outfield picture remains uncertain with Michael Brantley still working his way back from injury. The Tribe has also gotten very little offensive value out of its catchers, though Yan Gomes is respected for his work behind the plate.

Cleveland is unlikely to make a big splash at the deadline, but with the Cavs ending the city’s championship drought (that dated to 1964), the Indians will look to build on their momentum and join their downtown neighbors as league champions.




MIDSEASON TOP 10

1. Clint Frazier, of

Thanks to a strong showing in his debut with Double-A Akron, Frazier has leapfrogged Zimmer in the rankings. Frazier’s numbers have stayed remarkably consistent this season even as he has moved a rung up the ladder, including his strikeout rate, which has plateaued around 21 percent the last two years. An intelligent player who studies the game, Frazier has seen action in all three outfield spots, but with Zimmer also in Akron, he has played both corners more often than he has appeared in center. Right field remains his most likely position for Frazier in the long run, and he could be playing it in Progressive Field next year.


2. Bradley Zimmer, of


A hairline fracture in his foot limited Zimmer after he advanced to Akron at the end of his breakout 2015 season. He is fully healthy now but is still working to adjust to more experienced competition. He has done a good job of tapping into his power, but that has come with more swing-and-miss and his strikeout rate has ticked up to near 30 percent.


3. Brady Aiken, lhp


After missing all of last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, Aiken spent the first half of this year in extended spring training. He made his professional debut in June in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and is making good progress as the two-time first-round pick acclimates to the minor leagues.


4. Bobby Bradley, 1b


After leading the Midwest League in home runs in 2015, Bradley has largely picked up in the high Class A Carolina League where he left off. He is again leading his league in home runs and striking out in about 31 percent of his plate appearances. But the 20-year-old is continuing to work to refine his approach at the plate and remains one of the youngest players in his league. [Only one homer in the past month]


5. Justus Sheffield, lhp


Sheffield has continued to pitch well after moving up the ladder to high Class A Lynchburg this season. He is continuing to work on refining his command, and while his walk rate has increased and his strikeout rate has dipped, he’s also allowing fewer hits.


6. Francisco Mejia, c


The Indians pushed Mejia aggressively at the outset of his career, and he scuffled at the plate in 2016 with Class A Lake County. He returned to the Captains to start the season and exploded at the plate. He was on a 25-game hitting streak when he was promoted to Lynchburg at the end of June. His improved performance had also carried over to the defensive side of the field, where he was blocking balls well behind the plate and throwing out 43 percent of would-be base stealers.
[as we know, he's not slowed down a bit in Lynchburg; perhaps should be higher on this list]


7. Mike Clevinger, rhp


Clevinger made his major league debut in 2016, completing his career turnaround from trade afterthought to big leaguer. His first pass in the Indians’ rotation wasn’t exemplary, but he has pitched well as a starter for Triple-A Columbus. His stuff is good enough, but his improved command abandoned him in the big leagues, and remains the key to him remaining in the rotation in the long run.


8. Triston McKenzie, rhp


The Indians kept McKenzie in extended spring training to start his first full professional season, and he excelled in the assignment. He has come out firing since joining short-season Mahoning Valley at the start of the New York-Penn League season, making the most of his advanced pitchability, repeatable delivery and plus fastball-curveball combination.



9. Erik Gonzalez, ss


Following Francisco Lindor through the minor leagues, Gonzalez was promoted to Columbus last season and struggled at the plate. He has played much better back in Columbus again this year. He has also seen action at third base and in the outfield, as the Indians continue to try and give him positional versatility with Lindor set to man shortstop in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. He was called up to the big leagues for the first time following the Triple-A All-Star Game.


10. Yu-Cheng Chang, ss


As he has advanced to Lynchburg this season, Chang has done a better job of tapping into his raw power, setting new career highs in doubles, triples and home runs in the first three months of the season. He’s also showing a more disciplined approach at the plate, while cutting down on some of his miscues in the field.


RISING


After a solid showing last year in his first full professional season, outfielder Greg Allen has hit even better this season with Lynchburg. He profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter, and has done a good job of getting on base for the Hillcats, while playing his customarily above-average defense in center field. Still 18 on Opening Day, shortstop Willi Castro is one of the youngest everyday players in the Midwest League. He has held his own against the older competition, showing a good mix of speed and power, as well as range in the field . . . A 22nd-round pick in 2013, righthander Ben Heller has pitched his way into consideration for a spot in the Indians’ bullpen. His fastball can reach 100 mph, and it typically sits 96-98. He has put up big strikeout totals throughout his minor league career thanks to his slider, and has shown he is capable of pitching in high-leverage situations, working as the closer this year both in Akron and Columbus.
[No Santander here, either

FALLING


In his first full season with the organization after being acquired for Brandon Moss last year, lefthander Rob Kaminsky has seen his strikeout rate plummet and his walk rate tick up as he advanced to Akron. Through June, he was averaging 5.3 strikeouts per nine innings, a decrease of two batters from his career average [looking better lately]. . . When outfielder Mike Papi was coming out of Virginia in 2014, he was considered an advanced hitter. But it has been a slow adjustment to the minor leagues for the slugger. He got off to a solid start at Lynchburg, hitting seven home runs in 40 games to match his career home run total, but has slowed since a promotion to Akron, and all his power is to his pull side. Papi was a top-20 prospect coming into the year, and if this list stretched that far, he likely wouldn’t be on it.


HURTING


Lefthander Brady Aiken was already recovering from Tommy John surgery when the Indians drafted him 17th overall last year. He missed all of last season as he rehabbed, and began this season in extended spring training as the Indians continued to be cautious. He made his professional debut June 20 in the Arizona League and should be ready to leave the complex during the second half if he continues to progress . . . Like Aiken, righthander Dylan Baker had Tommy John surgery last year and spent the first half of the season rehabbing his injury. He is on track to return to action in the second half [not yet]. . . A left wrist injury landed outfielder Dorssys Paulino on the disabled list in mid-May. Wrist injuries can be difficult to recover from quickly, but the 21-year-old is working toward a return in the second half. [debut yesterday in Arizona]


GRADUATING


The Indians’ outfield depth has been tested by an injury to Michael Brantley and Abraham Almonte and Marlon Byrd being hit with PED suspensions. Their absences created an opportunity for Tyler Naquin and he has run with it. The 25-year old has taken over in center field for the Indians, and was named AL rookie of the month in June.


COMING ABOARD (Check Draft Database for all picks)
The Indians’ first five picks of the 2016 draft. (s-supplemental round)

1. Will Benson, of, The Westminster HS, Atlanta. A member of USA Baseball’s 18U world champions last year, Benson is a toolsy outfielder who stands out most for his bat speed and athleticism. He’ll need to smooth out his swing and approach as a professional, but he has the skill set to profile in right field.


2. Nolan Jones, ss, Holy Ghost Prep HS, Bensalem, Pa. Jones has developed physically over the last year, adding more raw lefthanded power and raising his profile as one of the best prep hitters in the class. He shows good athleticism and will get a chance to stick at short, but he’s already bigger than many shortstops and likely will move to third base. [he's playing 3rd in Arizona]


2s. Logan Ice, c, Oregon State. A three-year starter at Oregon State, Ice took a leap forward offensively this spring and shot up draft boards as a result. A switch-hitter, he has a short swing from both sides of the plate and is a solid defender who uses his athleticism well behind the plate. [mostly he's been drawing walks]

3. Aaron Civale, rhp, Northeastern. After his strong junior season, the Indians made Civale the highest drafted player from Northeastern in a decade. He pairs his fastball with an above-average slider and has a good feel for his craft.

4. Shane Bieber, rhp, UC Santa Barbara. Taking over from Dillon Tate as UC Santa Barbara’s ace this season, Bieber helped lead the Gauchos to the College World Series this season. Bieber doesn’t have a plus offering, but makes the most of his stuff thanks to his advanced pitchability and control.

Bobby Bradley, have yourself a day, young man! 4-5 w/ a dbl and HR

Greg Allen was 3-6

Even on a day that Columbus gets little offense Yandy still goes 2-4 with a double.

Lukes 2-5 with a homer.

Calico 3-5

BA highlights from Monday feature a pitcher, of all things, from the red hot Hillcats:

Luis Lugo, lhp, Indians. Despite his size, the 6-foot-5 Venezuelan is not overpowering, but he has great feel for the strike zone. On Monday, he tied a career high with 10 strikeouts and he allowed just three hits in seven innings as high Class A Lynchburg blanked Wilmington (Royals) 11-0. Lugo threw 92 pitches, 63 strikes, in bouncing back from two rough starts. Lugo, 22, who was undrafted in the Rule 5 Draft last December, has a fastball around 90 mph and mixes it with a solid changeup and improving curve. [This paragraph tells us three things: Lugo is inconsistent; he has enough talent to rate as a decent prospect; we ought to protect him this winter regardless of his final 2016 stat line.]

CLE AA Papi, Mike LF 3 1 1 0 .213 2B (7), BB (25)
CLE AAA Diaz, Yandy LF 4 0 2 0 .321 2B (14)
CLE HiA Allen, Greg CF 6 2 3 0 .302 2B (16)
CLE HiA Bradley, Bobby 1B 5 1 4 3 .265 2B (20), HR (17)
CLE HiA Mathias, Mark 2B 5 2 2 0 .270 2B (27), BB (33)
CLE MAJ Naquin, Tyler CF 3 0 1 0 .314 BB (16)
CLE AAA Clevinger, Mike 7 5 3 3 2 5 2.82 L (9-1)
CLE HiA Lugo, Luis 7 3 0 0 0 10 3.99 W (6-3)

Calica's hitting 343, one double, one triple, 5 bb = his 5 K; 917 OPS
He's part of this year's draft haul, which will have to very very good to best last year's, which featured

Kid pitchers Aiken, McKenzie and Hillman; 2b's Krieger and Mathias; all of whom look very good so far.

Other prospects: CF Nathan Lukes; injured OF Ka'ai Tom; injured RHP Jonas Wyatt; fast-rising C Daniel Salters; unhittable LH reliever Billy Strode; RHP Matt Esparza; injured SS Luke Wakamatsu

Lugo won BA's pitcher of the day award. He was my Breakout Pitcher for 2013, but instead he's been slowly sliding down the prospect rankings:

Ranked Cleveland Indians #12 prospect after the 2012 season
Ranked Cleveland Indians #21 prospect after the 2013 season
Ranked Cleveland Indians #21 prospect after the 2014 season
Ranked Cleveland Indians #25 prospect after the 2015 season

Hard to imagine he'll be any higher after the 2016 season unless he puts together a lot more outings like yesterday's. It's getting crowded on our prospect list these days.

Yandy Diaz was 3-6 tonight, with 2 doubles and the walk off RBI. A liner down the RF line. He's hitting .326 now in AAA. Sure would like to see him get a call up.

Triston McKenzie gave up an earned run. Is that his first one? But another great outing. 6 IP, 4 H, 8 K.

Andrew Calica was 3-4 and a double shy of the cycle. He's hitting .385 now, but is 22 years old and in Mahoning Valley so he should be doing well. Like to see them give him a bump too.

Yandy's on a 9-game hitting streak during which he's hitting 17 for 38, toss in 7 walks and his OnBasePct is .533.

Urshela who is dominating 3rd base finally had a good day at the plate with a double and 3 singles, hitting 253.

AA:
Rehabbing reliever Craig Stammen 2 shutout innings, that makes 10 innings, no runs in the minors.
Nellie Rod single and double, up to 259
Frazier 0-5 3K down to 277, steal #12
Zimmer singled and walked and steal #31

High A:
Sheffield 6 2/3 4 0 0 3 8
Mathias single, double [29], 3 rbi, 2 walks, up to 278
Krieger single and walk

Low A:

no game

Short Season:
Calica included a homer in his hit total. He has drawn 6 walks vs 5 K.
G Mejia single and triple.
That was McKenzie's second run, ERA not bad anyway at 0.48. 38 IP 25 H 14 BB 42 K

Rookie:
Oscar Gonzalez single and rbi. The top draftees had the day off.

The Captains haven't played since Sunday. Either someone is getting a bunch of rain or else the team is struggling so bad they decided to go Bull Durham on a field and cranked up the sprinklers.

Zimmer adding to his trade value with 4 hits today, all singles, up to 249; OPS 843.
Frazier adding fuel to the maybe-Zimmer's-better to keep argument goes 0-4 2 K avg down to 274, OPS 809

Yandy in RF, singles; throws out a runner at 3rd.
Urshela, at 3B, homers twice, tags out a runner at 3rd.
Plutko awful 5 2/3 8 6 6 0 4 3 homers
House the same work he did in Cleveland: enters with 1 on, after walk and single, the inherited runner scores.

Lake County back in action today.
Mahoning Valley and Lynchburg are off.

Alright now, what the hell. Mejia hasn't played last few games and I need my Frankie fix!

never gets noted as a prospect, so I suppose he isn't one, but Conner Mirabell is hitting well at Lake County. 22 year old OF has 27 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers; 310/367/476. At least he can be the next Bryson Myles or Jordan Smith and populate the OF on our middle-level teams while actual prospects develop around him.

Nice day for our top 2 draft picks in Arizona, one so far is a slugger the other an on-base specialist:

Will Benson clubbed three doubles, and walked, batted in 4. His avg is only 206 but it's improving, and seven of his 13 hits are for extra bases. Has also recorded 23 strikeouts in 71 plate appearances.

Meanwhile Nolan Jones singled twice and walked, lifting his average to 333 and his K/BB totals are impressive: 8/7. His hits have all been singles. So his line is 333/484/333.