Cleveland Sports Forum

pre-2016-rated prospects and others in action yesterday:

CLE MAJ Naquin, Tyler PR 0 0 0 0 .143
CLE AFL Allen, Greg LF 4 0 0 0 .319 BB (7)
CLE AFL Haase, Eric C 4 1 2 0 .400 2B (2)
CLE AFL Zimmer, Bradley CF 4 1 1 0 .234 [he does a lot things well, but not his batting average]
CLE DL Rodriguez, Nellie 1B 4 0 1 1 .217 2B (3)
CLE DL Rodriguez, Ronny SS 4 1 1 1 .235 HR (1)
CLE VL Urshela, Giovanny 3B 4 0 1 1 .310 [does he take back 3rd with Jose in the OF? Or do we trade him?]
CLE AFL Peoples, Scott 4 5 5 2 0 2 4.76 L (0 - 2)
CLE VL Valladares, Randy 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0.00

Lastoria posted some interesting news today ...

Yandy Diaz (CF - Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3. Diaz is getting some time in center field, which is interesting as he doesn't profile as one. But he is athletic and very versatile, so the Indians may be looking at this as an opportunity to see if he can handle some limited center field time and conceivably be able to handle any position on the diamond in a pinch except catcher. He's playing well so far in 10 games in Venezuela hitting .400 with 1 HR, 6 RBI and 1.055 OPS.

And by the way, if I'm not mistaken Yandy has had a hit in every winter league game he's played in now. Modest 10 game streak going.

The only spot he doesn't play is 3rd base. They must be comfortable with Jose Ramirez in the long run at third with perhaps Urshela behind him,

civ ollilavad wrote:The only spot he doesn't play is 3rd base. They must be comfortable with Jose Ramirez in the long run at third with perhaps Urshela behind him,

or Eric Gonzales

Tuesday's Election Returns:

CLE AFL Zimmer, Bradley CF 3 1 0 0 .241 BB (12) [he will never hit for an average average I am afraid]
CLE DL Mejia, Francisco C 1 0 1 0 .375 [he will]
CLE DL Rodriguez, Nellie PH-1B 1 0 0 0 .194
CLE DL Rodriguez, Ronny 3B 4 1 4 1 .400 2B (7), SB (1) [40 man roster candidate, super utility with good bat]
CLE VL Aguilar, Jesus 1B 2 0 0 0 .444 BB (4) [do they have interest in keeping him on the roster? in theory a candidate to replace Napoli but they do not seem very interested. He wins AAA fielding awards, FWIW.]
CLE VL Diaz, Yandy CF 3 0 2 2 .419 2 2B (5)
CLE VL Medina, Yhoxian 3B 1 0 1 0 .304
CLE VL Urshela, Giovanny 3B 4 0 0 0 .367

Well 3rd base was Yandy's primary position. They already know he can play there. They are trying to get him experience everywhere else so he can be next years Michael Martinez and Jose Ramirez. (Before Jose took the starting 3rd base job by the throat he played all over field as everyone here will well remember)

Yandy could have a lot of work to do as a RH bit in a lineup that is back to being lefty dominated without Napoli and Davis

Absolutely, Civ.

And did you see BA updated Top 10 list? At least I think it's updated.

Indians
Top 10 Prospects
1. Francisco Mejia, c
2. Bradley Zimmer, of
3. Triston McKenzie, rhp
4. Brady Aiken, lhp
5. Bobby Bradley, 1b
6. Yu-Cheng Chang, ss
7. Will Benson, of
8. Nolan Jones, 3b
9. Erik Gonzalez, ss/2b
10. Greg Allen of

They got about half right. Imagine, no Yandy. You need to talk to these guys in their chats and impart some wisdom.

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2 ... 5YxCd20.99

Had not seen it. Chat should be soon. I'll check the schedule.

I was voting for Mejia No. 1, partly since he's a great hitter and partly because Zimmer is not as great as anticipated.

Their list is pretty much like mine:

I'd put McK just ahead of Aiken.
I like Chang.
Other than Diaz I don't see anyone else who's missing.

What your list look like Hillbilly?

BA notes on their daily prospect report:

Michael Peoples, rhp, Indians. Peoples, a 25-year-old who was a 14th-round pick in 2012 out of Western Oklahoma State JC, pitched four perfect innings Wednesday for Mesa against Peoria. Peoples is not overpowering, pitching with a fastball that sits 86-90 mph, but has a curveball with 12-to-6 break and a fading changeup that keeps batters off-balance.

CLE AFL Allen, Greg LF 3 1 1 0 .305 2B (3), BB (8), CS (2)
CLE AFL Chang, Yu-Cheng SS 4 1 1 0 .308
CLE AFL Zimmer, Bradley RF 2 1 0 0 .232 2 BB (14), CS (1) [lots of walks, that's good]
CLE DL Mejia, Francisco C 3 0 0 0 .273
CLE DL Rodriguez, Ronny 3B-SS 4 0 1 0 .386
CLE PRL Murphy, Taylor RF 3 0 1 0 .438 BB (4)
CLE PRL Pantoja, Alexis PR-2B 1 1 1 0 .167 2B (1)
CLE VL Aguilar, Jesus 1B 3 0 0 0 .381 BB (5)
CLE VL Diaz, Yandy LF-CF 2 1 0 0 .400 2 BB (5)
CLE VL Urshela, Giovanny 3B 5 0 1 0 .354
CLE AFL Peoples, Scott 4 0 0 0 0 3 3.86
CLE VL Morales, Alexander 1.1 3 0 0 1 0 3.38 [don't know who he is?]

chat is this afternoon. I will check in and will post questions if I get around to it.

I started with the obvious "where's Yandy" question. Who else does anyone want to know about? I will inquire on Kaminsky who started slow but finished strong.

1. Francisco Mejia, c |
Born: Oct. 27, 1995. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 175. Signed: Dominican Republic, 2012. Signed by: Ramon Pena.

SCOUTING GRADES
Batting: 60.
Power: 45.
Speed: 40.
Defense: 50.
Arm: 80.
Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

Background: The Indians challenged Mejia with aggressive assignments at the outset of his career, and he reached full-season ball as a 19-year old in 2015. That season, he was one of just three teenagers serving as an everyday catcher in the Midwest League. He scuffled at the plate against the older competition (hitting .243/.324/.345), and he returned to low Class A Lake County to start 2016. While repeating the level, Mejia broke out. He authored a historic 50-game hitting streak that is the longest in the modern era of the minor leagues (dating to 1963). Mejia’s streak, which began in late May and stretched into August, increased his notoriety, as did a promotion to high Class A Lynchburg and an appearance in the Futures Game, where he started behind the plate for the World team. He was also a popular name as the trade deadline approached, and the Indians nearly dealt him to the Brewers in an attempt to land Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline, but Lucroy exercised his no-trade clause to block the move. Mejia kept hitting, even with the off-field distractions, and his .342 average ranked sixth in the minors. He also led all qualified Indians’ minor leaguers in both slugging percentage (.514) and OPS (.896).

Scouting Report: Even before the streak, Mejia has long been known for his hitting ability. The switch-hitter consistently makes hard contact from both sides of the plate. He is a more productive righthanded hitter and has more power from that side of the plate, but can also do damage as a lefthanded hitter. Like many young hitters, he previously had a more pull-oriented approach at the plate. Part of his maturation as a hitter has been to become better at handling pitches on the outer half of the plate and using the opposite field to hit. His bat speed gives him more raw power than his lean, 5-foot-10 frame would suggest, but he more typically drives balls into the gaps than over the fence. He has an aggressive approach and doesn’t walk much, but his excellent feel for the barrel prevents him from striking out often and he is comfortable working down in the count. Like most catchers, he is a below-average runner. Mejia has made strides defensively, but his bat is more advanced than his glove. Mejia has elite arm strength and soft hands, but his setup behind the plate still needs work to allow him to block balls and frame pitches more consistently. He is learning how to call games and is comfortable speaking English, a key skill for him to develop a relationship with his pitchers. Mejia often played second base as an amateur and some believe he could handle that position if he moved out from behind the plate. But he is just 21 and has the tools to become a capable defender with some further refinements.

The Future: Mejia took a big step forward in 2016, but he will need to continue to improve as he advances to the upper levels of the system. He will likely begin 2017 at Double-A Akron. If he continues to progress, he should be in line to make his major league debut sometime in 2018.

2. Bradley Zimmer, of |

Born: Nov. 27, 1992. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 185. Drafted: San Francisco, 2014 (1st round). Signed by: Don Lyle.

Background: Two years after the Royals drafted his older brother Kyle fifth overall, Bradley Zimmer became the second first-round pick in the family. It marked the third straight year the Indians used their top pick on a center fielder. Zimmer had a breakout 2015 and, while his 2016 wasn’t quite on the same level, he reached Triple-A Columbus in late July.

Scouting Report: Zimmer has the potential to be a five-tool player and is capable of affecting the game in many ways. He has a smooth lefthanded swing and a patient approach at the plate. His strikeout rate spiked in 2016, when he whiffed 30.7 percent of the time, up from 23.8 percent in 2015. At the same time, however, his walk rate also increased. Zimmer’s swing has natural loft to it, and his strength and bat speed give him above-average power. He also has above-average speed, which is further enhanced by his keen instincts on the basepaths and in the outfield. His power-speed combination gives him a chance to be a 20-20 player, while also providing plus defense in the outfield. He has primarily played center field, where his ability to track down balls and above-average arm strength profiles well.

The Future: The Indians’ outfield situation is muddled, leaving the door open for Zimmer to take over a starting spot during 2017. He appears destined for Columbus, however.