Those are impressive numbers for Calica. I have a long history of overhyping Mahoning Valley or Rookie League outfielders as stars of the future so I'll stay cautious with him. I remember Jordan Brown who A.G. called the "professional hitter" who petered out around Double A. Calica is a kid whose progress will be interesting and should move up pretty quickly at least to AA.

Aiken and Esparza both with 4 solid innings yesterday of 1 run ball. Plutko with 3 shutout innings, no hits, 3 K. And Frankie went 3-4 with a homer.

Longo and Luigo Rodriguez have both broke their hamate bone and will miss beginning of season.

Santander is expected to make Orioles roster and start season on DL.

John Sickels has released his top 200 MLB Prospect list.

Frankie is at 19
Zimmer 32
McKenzie 43
Bradley 65
Aiken 76
Kaminsky 129
Allen 131
Hillman 146
Chang 184
Jones 198

I don't know why Yandy Diaz keeps getting over-looked. I think we should have a few more on there too but none as ridiculous as that.

And if there is 130 players better than Greg Allen then MLB is about to get an infusion of a crap ton of talent.

I've been thinking about this breakout thing you guys do. There are a handful of pitchers that don't show up on lists that I like and will be following this year and think has potential. Bieber, Merryweather, Civale. Even Interested in seeing what Krauth does. But I guess the one I would pick would be Pannone.

Assuming Pannone would clarify?

For hitter, I like Krieger to open eyes. I think we'll see more from Logan Ice this year. And the previously mentioned Calica would be a good choice. But Gabe Mejia rarely makes a list so he will be my choice as long as he's qualified. That guy is going to keep getting on base and stealing them, no doubt in my mind.

I guess I should name Yandy since he's forgotten by everybody... LOL

Hillbilly wrote:Aiken and Esparza both with 4 solid innings yesterday of 1 run ball. Plutko with 3 shutout innings, no hits, 3 K. And Frankie went 3-4 with a homer.

Longo and Luigo Rodriguez have both broke their hamate bone and will miss beginning of season.

Santander is expected to make Orioles roster and start season on DL.

John Sickels has released his top 200 MLB Prospect list.

Frankie is at 19
Zimmer 32
McKenzie 43
Bradley 65
Aiken 76
Kaminsky 129
Allen 131
Hillman 146
Chang 184
Jones 198

I don't know why Yandy Diaz keeps getting over-looked. I think we should have a few more on there too but none as ridiculous as that.

And if there is 130 players better than Greg Allen then MLB is about to get an infusion of a crap ton of talent.

Probably his age

It must be something like that, cause I know Sickels has been talking about him for some time now.

.


Keep an eye on Cleveland Indians prospect Yandy Diaz

The Cuban infielder could sneak up on us in 2017

by John Sickels@MinorLeagueBall Feb 22, 2017, 4:18pm EST

One player I’m watching closely for 2017 is infielder/outfielder Yandy Diaz of the Cleveland Indians.

From the Cleveland Indians Top 20 prospects for 2017 list:

Yandy Diaz, 3B, Grade B-: Age 25, Cuban, hit .318/.408/.446 with nine homers, 71 walks, 86 strikeouts in 444 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A; polished hitter with very good feel for hitting, consistently puts bat on ball for hard contact; home run power not strong and given his age you wouldn’t think a lot more would come, but I think it is possible it still may do so; above-average glove at third base. I like him. ETA: 2017.

Let’s flesh that out.

The Indians signed Diaz for $300,000 following his arrival from Cuba in 2013. He debuted in High-A in ‘14, posting a decent-enough .286/.396/.367 line in 283 at-bats for Carolina, followed by a stronger .315/.412/.408 mark in Double-A in ‘15 over 476 at-bats. He split 2016 between Double-A and Triple-A and hit well at both levels, including a .325/.399/.461 mark across 360 at-bats after being promoted to Columbus.
Register BattingYear Age AgeDif Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB
2008 16 -9.3 Villa Clara CNS Fgn 5 7 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 .500 .667 .500 1.167 2 0 0 1 0 0
2009 17 -8.3 Villa Clara CNS Fgn 67 213 168 28 49 5 1 1 18 3 3 33 26 .292 .417 .351 .768 59 8 3 9 0 0
2010 18 -7.8 Villa Clara CNS Fgn 59 182 142 32 36 5 0 2 22 7 2 30 27 .254 .399 .331 .730 47 2 5 4 1 0

2014 22 -0.9 Carolina CARL A+ CLE 76 338 283 42 81 7 5 2 37 3 3 49 35 .286 .396 .367 .763 104 4 3 2 1 1
2015 23 -1.6 2 Teams 2 Lgs AA-AAA CLE 136 583 495 62 153 15 5 7 56 8 7 78 70 .309 .403 .402 .805 199 15 3 3 4 0
2015 23 -3.9 Columbus IL AAA CLE 4 19 19 1 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 .158 .158 .263 .421 5 0 0 0 0 0
2015 23 -1.5 Akron EL AA CLE 132 564 476 61 150 13 5 7 55 8 7 78 65 .315 .412 .408 .819 194 15 3 3 4 0
2015 23 0.8 Scottsdale AZFL Fal 18 70 61 8 15 2 0 1 7 1 1 9 14 .246 .343 .328 .671 20 3 0 0 0 0
2016 24 -2.1 2 Teams 2 Lgs AAA-AA CLE 121 526 444 66 141 22 4 9 58 11 3 71 86 .318 .408 .446 .854 198 7 2 2 7 1
2016 24 -2.5 Columbus IL AAA CLE 95 416 360 53 117 22 3 7 44 5 1 47 70 .325 .399 .461 .860 166 7 1 2 6 1
2016 24 -0.3 Akron EL AA CLE 26 110 84 13 24 0 1 2 14 6 2 24 16 .286 .445 .381 .826 32 0 1 0 1 0
2016 24 -2.6 Caracas VEWL FgW 40 173 151 24 56 9 3 2 18 1 3 20 26 .371 .451 .510 .961 77 9 2 0 0 2
2016 24 -2.6 Caracas VEWL FgW 12 51 45 6 18 5 1 1 8 0 1 5 9 .400 .471 .622 1.093 28 1 1 0 0 0
Year Age AgeDif Tm Lg Lev Aff G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB
Minors (3 seasons) Minors 333 1447 1222 170 375 44 14 18 151 22 13 198 191 .307 .403 .410 .813 501 26 8 7 12 2
Foreign (4 seasons) Foreign 183 626 510 91 161 24 5 6 67 11 9 90 89 .316 .428 .418 .846 213 20 11 14 1 2
All Levels (6 Seasons) 534 2143 1793 269 551 70 19 25 225 34 23 297 294 .307 .409 .409 .818 734 49 19 21 13 4

AAA (2 seasons) Minors 99 435 379 54 120 24 3 7 45 5 1 47 75 .317 .388 .451 .839 171 7 1 2 6 1
AA (2 seasons) Minors 158 674 560 74 174 13 6 9 69 14 9 102 81 .311 .417 .404 .821 226 15 4 3 5 0
Fgn (3 seasons) Foreign 131 402 314 61 87 10 1 3 41 10 5 65 54 .277 .412 .344 .756 108 10 8 14 1 0
FgW (1 season) Foreign 52 224 196 30 74 14 4 3 26 1 4 25 35 .378 .455 .536 .991 105 10 3 0 0 2

Data courtesy Baseball-Reference.com.

Diaz hasn’t received as much notice as the higher-profile Cubans but there are all kinds of positive markers here, highlighted by impressive strike zone judgment and a swing that produces line drives to all fields. The question has been home run power but his power numbers have been ticking up gradually. He can show pop to all fields: of his nine home runs in 2016, four were hit to left field and five to right.

Defensively his range is too limited for shortstop but he draws positive reviews for arm strength and reliability at third base, though he could improve his moves to the left side. He has limited experience at second base. Cleveland got him innings in both left and right field last year to enhance his versatility and he performed decently enough at both positions, nothing spectacular but certainly playable.

Right now Diaz looks like someone who could hit .260-.280 with enough OBP and defensive versatility to be valuable as a role player. If his home run power increases, and it may very well do so when he gets into his late 20s, he could be something more than that.

.


Checking in on Indians prospect Yandy Diaz

We pegged him as a sleeper pre-season and his spring has been excellent

by John Sickels@MinorLeagueBall Mar 27, 2017, 5:02pm EDT

Back on February 22nd, we highlighted Cleveland Indians prospect Yandy Diaz. More than a month has passed so let’s check in.

It is going very well: Diaz has been the talk of Indians camp, hitting a robust .424/.537/.606 with seven walks and four strikeouts in 33 at-bats. As usual his plate discipline has been excellent. Speculation that his power will increase looks realistic. He missed time with a groin injury and despite the strong hitting has also spent a great deal of time focusing on his defense at third base, as noted last week by Jordan Bastian at MLB.com.

Diaz has quickly emerged as a fan favorite in the battle for infield playing time but there are other considerations. He is a non-roster invitee, so if the Indians want to take him north they will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. His defense, as noted, still needs work, making it less likely that Diaz is the best option to help cover for the currently-injured Jason Kipnis. As Terry Pluto at the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes, “the Indians will probably use Gio Urshela at third base. Jose Ramirez will move from third to second base as Kipnis recovers.”

This would put Diaz back in Triple-A playing regularly and working on his defense and waiting for a spot to open up. It’s a long season, and at some point such an opporunity will certainly appear as other players struggle or get hurt.

Pluto has no doubts about Diaz’s bat: “Yandy Diaz may be the best young hitter that I've seen in a Tribe spring training since Victor Martinez.”

That’s high praise. And if Diaz continues to add power to his already-excellent approach, it will be well deserved.

2017 Cleveland Indians Minor League Spring Games Recap: March 26

ARTHUR KINNEY

Clippers 4, Reno Aces 0 (6-2)

BATTERS

Greg Allen (DH) - 0-4, 2 K
Eric Stamets (starting SS) - 0-2, 2 K
Carlos Fermin (backup SS) - 0-2
Nellie Rodriguez (DH) - 0-3, 1 K
Jeremy Lucas (1B) - 2-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Jordan Smith (starting CF) - 2-2, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Samad Taylor (backup 2B) - 1-2
Guillermo Quiroz (starting C) - 0-2
Eric Haase (backup C) - 2-2
Ronny Rodriguez (2B-CF) - 3-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Yhoxian Medina (3B) - 0-4
Taylor Murphy (LF) - 0-2, 1 BB
Hosea Nelson (RF) - 0-2, 1 BB

PITCHERS

Adam Plutko - 42 pitches, 3 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
Cole Sulser - 40 pitches, 2 IP, perfect, 2 K
Louis Head - 17 pitches, 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
Cameron Hill - 19 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
David Speer - 18 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 1 K
Dalbert Siri - 6 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 1 K

RubberDucks 3, Jackson Generals 3 (4-2-2)

BATTERS

Claudio Bautista (3B) - 1-4
Tyler Krieger (starting DH) - 0-2, 1 BB, 2 K
Yu-Cheng Chang (backup DH) - 0-1, 1 K
Francisco Mejia (DH) - 3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Bobby Bradley (1B) - 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K
Daniel Salters (C) - 1-4
Connor Marabell (CF) - 0-4, 1 RBI
David Armendariz (RF) - 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
Bobby Ison (LF) - 0-3, 1 BB
Ivan Castillo (SS) - 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B
Erlin Cerda (starting 2B) - 0-2
Ordomar Valdez (backup 2B) - 0-1, 1 RBI

PITCHERS

Travis Banwart - 54 pitches, 2.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 K
Justin Garcia - 21 pitches, 2 IP, 1 H, 1 K
Paul Hendrix - 19 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H,1 R (earned), 1 BB
Matt Whitehouse - 32 pitches, 2 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Argenis Angulo - 11 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Visalia Rawhide 3, Hillcats 1 (4-2-2)

BATTERS

Willi Castro (SS) - 0-4, 2 K
Todd Isaacs (CF) - 1-4, 1 K, 1 CS
Ka'ai Tom (LF) - 1-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Andrew Calica (DH) - 0-4, 2 K
Conner Capel (RF) - 1-3, 1 CS
Miguel Eladio (2B) - 0-2, 1 BB, 2 E
Sam Haggerty (3B) - 1-3, 2 K
Anthony Miller (1B) - 1-3, 2 K
Martin Cervenka (C) - 1-3, 1 R

PITCHERS

Matt Esparza - 60 pitches, 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 earned), 1 BB, 4 K
Randy Valladares - 20 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 3 K
Henry Martinez - 13 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 2 K
Michael Letkewicz - 23 pitches, 2 IP, perfect , 2 K
Luis Santos - 6 pitches, 1 IP, perfect

Captains 3, Kane County Cougars 3 (2-3-3)

BATTERS

Luke Wakamatsu (SS) - 1-5, 1 R, 2 K
Nolan Jones (starting 3B) - 1-2, 1 K
Jonathan Laureano (backup 3B) - 1-3
Oscar Gonzalez (LF) - 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
Will Benson (RF) - 0-4, 2 K
Emmanuel Tapia (1B) - 1-3, 1 RBI, 2 K, additional plate appearance
Gavin Collins (DH-C) - 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jamal Rutledge (starting 2B) - 1-2, 1 K
Kevin Bradley (backup 2B) - 0-1, 1 BB
Jason Rodriguez (starting C) - 0-2
Li-Jen Chu (backup DH) - 1-2
Junior Soto (CF) - 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

PITCHERS

Brady Aiken - 53 pitches, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 3 K
Cesar Ventura - 38 pitches, 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 4 K
Felix Tati - 26 pitches, 2 IP, 1 BB
Tahnaj Thomas - 10 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H

#Truth

Indians Prospective‏ @indiansPro
Teams will not want to face the top 4 pitchers in 2017 @CLBClippers rotation
Michael Clevinger
Ryan Merritt
Adam Plutko
Shawn Morimando

Indians Prospective‏ @indiansPro
Lake County could be even scarier for opponents in Low A ball.
Triston McKenzie
Brady Aiken
Juan Hillman
Shane Beiber
Aaron Civale

Frankie was 2-3 with a double and a homer yesterday.

Thank God for unanswered prayers. Enjoy your life LuCroy. We're good...

Hillbilly wrote:Frankie was 2-3 with a double and a homer yesterday.

Thank God for unanswered prayers. Enjoy your life LuCroy. We're good...

You nailed it Hillbilly!

10 players on the top 200 is a lot. The average team would only get 6 or 7 guys so another vote for our deep farm system.

Sickels has Kaminsky much higher than most this spring. He had a rough first half of 2016 but bounced back to finish with an excellent final couple months. He was very young for AA so he could return to Akron but based on his work in July and August he should join Merritt and Morimando and Plutko and Clevinger for an all-prospect Columbus rotation.

2017 Cleveland Indians Minor League Spring Games Recap: March 27

ARTHUR KINNEY

Louisville Bats 9, Clippers 2 (6-3)

BATTERS

Greg Allen (CF) - 1-4, 1 R, 1 K
Eric Stamets (SS-3B) - 1-3, 1 BB
Adam Moore (starting C) - 0-2, 1 K
Simeon Lucas (backup C) - 0-1, 1 K
Richie Shaffer (starting 3B) - 0-2, 2 K
Elvis Perez (backup SS) - 1-1, 1 RBI
Wily Mo Pena (starting DH) - 0-2, 1 K
Eric Haase (backup DH) - no plate appearances
Nellie Rodriguez (starting 1B) - 0-2, 2 K
Ronny Rodriguez (backup 1B) - 0-1, 1 K
Todd Hankins (starting 2B) - 0-1, 1 K
Yonathan Mendoza (backup 2B) - 0-1, 1 BB
Taylor Murphy (LF) - 0-3, 1 K
Guillermo Quiroz (DH) - 0-3, 1 K
no RF listed, possibly redacted major leaguer

PITCHERS

Pat McCoy - 33 pitches, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R (3 earned), 1 BB, 3 K
Kelvin De La Cruz - 29 pitches, 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB, 1 K
Dominic Demasi - 12 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H
Steve Delabar - 16 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K
Josh Martin - 6 pitches, 1 IP, perfect
Leandro Linares - 20 pitches, 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB
Luis Perez - 24 pitches, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 K
Neil Holland - 10 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 2 K

RubberDucks 11, Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4 (5-2-2)

BATTERS

Jodd Carter (CF) - 2-4, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Tyler Krieger (starting 2B) - 1-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
Jorma Rodriguez (backup 2B) - 1-1, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, additional plate appearance
Francisco Mejia (C) - 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, additional plate appearance
Bobby Bradley (starting 1B) - 0-2, 1 K
Juan De La Cruz (backup 1B) - 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
Yu-Cheng Chang (SS) - 2-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Connor Marabell (RF) - 1-3, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
Claudio Bautista (starting DH) - 0-2, 2 K
Daniel Salters (backup DH) - 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Bobby Ison (LF) - 0-4, 1 RBI, 2 K, additional plate appearance
Ordomar Valdez (starting 3B) - 1-2, 1 2B, 1 K
Erlin Cerda (backup 3B) - 1-3, 1 R

PITCHERS

Michael Peoples - 58 pitches, 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 3 K
Nick Pasquale - 52 pitches, 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R (both earned), 2 BB, 2 K
Mitch Brown - 12 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 2 K
Hillcats 6, Daytona Tortugas 6 (4-2-3)

BATTERS

Ka'ai Tom (LF) - 3-4, 3 R, 1 K, 2 SB
Jose Fermin (SS) - 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 E
Andrew Calica (CF) - 1-3, 1 RBI,1 BB
Conner Capel (RF) - 0-4, 3 K
Sicnarf Loopstok (1B) - 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Miguel Eladio (2B) - 0-3, 1 K
Junior Soto (DH) - 1-3, 1 K
Alexis Pantoja (3B) - 1-2, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Gian Paul Gonzalez (C) - 1-3, 1 2B
Jeremy Lucas (starting DH) - 0-3, 3 K
Jose Vicente (backup DH) - 0-2, 1 RBI, 1 K, additional plate appearance

PITCHERS

Dylan Baker - 7 pitches, 1 IP, perfect
Jordan Milbrath - 33 pitches, 2 IP, 2 H,1 BB, 2 K
Kieran Lovegrove - 35 pitches, 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (all earned), 1 BB, 3 K
Ben Krauth - 26 pitches, 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 2 K
Perci Garner - 22 pitches, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 1 K
Domingo Jimenez - 21 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K

Dayton Dragons 6, Captains 2 (2-4-3)

BATTERS

Gabriel Mejia (CF) - 0-4, 1 K
Kevin Bradley (starting 2B) - 1-2, 1 K
Samad Taylor (backup 2B) - 0-2, 1 K
Gavin Collins (starting 3B) - 1-2
Nolan Jones (backup 3B) - 0-2
Oscar Gonzalez (starting LF) - 0-2, 2 K
Trenton Brooks (backup LF) - 0-2, 1 K
Luke Wakamatsu (SS) - 1-2, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB
Ulysses Cantu (starting 1B) - 1-2, 1 R, 1 K
Emmanuel Tapia (backup 1B) - 1-1, 1 RBI
Logan Ice (starting C) - 0-1, 1 BB
Li-Jen Chu (backup C) - 0-0, 1 BB
Hosea Nelson (RF) - 1-3, 1 2B, 1 K
Jonathan Laureano (DH) - 0-3, 1 K
Miguel Jerez (DH) - 0-3, 2 K

PITCHERS

Luis Oviedo - 42 pitches, 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R (both earned), 1 BB, 2 K
Francisco Perez - 51 pitches, 2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R (all earned), 2 BB, 4 K
Gregori Vasquez - 19 pitches, 2 IP, perfect, 1 K
Ping-Hsueh Chen - 26 pitches, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (earned), 2 BB, 2 K

Mitch Brown - 12 pitches, 1 IP, perfect, 2 K. Proof he'll be successful finally and my breakthrough choice will be a winner.

In reply to a query back a bit, can't think of any reason that Pannone wouldn't qualify in our contest.

Don't think I've seen any lines for Dace Kime, another 2nd round pick was has pitched really badly as a pro.

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
#Indians RHP Dace Kime underwent TJ surgery back in August. Had been pitching through pain most of 2016. Possible return by end of season.