[존 시켈스] 클리블랜드 인디언스, 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 클리블랜드 인디언스의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸습니다. 드래프트에서 거의 성공적인 모습을 보여주지 못하고 있는 클리블랜드이기 때문에 팜이 좋은 팀은 아닙니다. 겨우 5~6명의 선수만이 B-이상의 등급을 받았군요. 흥미로운 것은 얼마전에 트래이드 해온 트래버 바우어가 1위를 차지했다는 점인데...A- 등급을 받았군요. 지난해보다 전체적인 가치는 약간 떨어졌지만 여전히 에이스급 투수가 될 수 있는 유망주라고 하는군요.

1) Trevor Bauer, RHP, Grade A-: He needs to improve his control, thus the slight ding in his grade from last year, but I still see him as an elite prospect who can be a number one starter. He has little left to prove in the minors, and my thinking is that he's bright and motivated enough to outgrow any personality conflicts.

2) Francisco Lindor, SS, Grade A-: Outstanding defensive shortstop with solid on-base abilities. If his bat develops further, he'll end up a straight A.

3) Dorssys Paulino, SS, Grade B: You can make a B+ case and his ceiling is very high. Turned out to have more power than expected, hitting well at age 17 in rookie ball, though long-term position is in question with Lindor around. 

4) Mitch Brown, RHP, Grade B-: One of my favorite high school pitchers from the 2012 draft, strong-bodied kid from Minnesota with good velocity, wide assortment of secondary pitches, good makeup. Mid-rotation starter projection, but want to see more innings before raising grade past B-.

5) Tyler Naquin, OF, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Saw him play for Texas A&M. Good swing, gets on base, nice line drive bat, very strong throwing arm, good glove, but I don't think he's going to show much power. If he can hit .300+ he can be a regular, if not he'll be a fourth outfielder.

6) Cody Allen, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Ranking relief prospects is always tough, but he showed he could get big-league hitters out when his command is on and he could close eventually. Amazing rise for a 23rd round pick, to the majors in one year.

7) Ronny Rodriguez, SS-2B, Grade C+: Positives are power, speed, throwing arm. Negatives are plate discipline, contact, and lack of defensive reliability. Has been pushed fast and will play Double-A at age 21, which could make or break him given the infield depth in this organization.

8) Tony Wolters, 2B-SS, Grade C+: Doesn't have RR's tools, but he was solid enough last year as his double play partner and is actually a month younger. Skipped Low-A, got off to slow start in High-A but raked in second half (.291/.344/.474). Does that presage a breakout?

9) Jose Ramirez, 2B, Grade C+: Other sources do not rank him this highly, but I don't care. He's undersized and scouts worry about that, but he just hits the shit out of the ball, including .354/.403/.462 this year in 67 games in Low-A. Controls the strike zone, makes contact, runs well, excellent defensively at second base, has hit everywhere he's played, same age bracket as RR, LR, and TW. A year from now, this may look too low if he goes Altuve on us.

10) Luigi Rodriguez, OF, Grade C+: Another young toolsy product of Latin American program, has leadoff potential with speed and fairly good plate discipline, but strikes out too much and needs polish in all phases of the game. 

11) Danny Salazar, RHP, Grade C+: One of several hard-throwing right-handers with a chance to help in the bullpen in the next year or two. You can make a case to rank him higher than this, but secondaries need more polish and has checkered health history.

 12) Scott Barnes, LHP, Grade C+: I've liked him since he was in college. Seems like a solid bullpen contributor and ready to help now. Might he get a chance to start again?

 13) Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Grade C+: Younger than first base competitors Mike McDade and Chris McGuiness. I don't think Aguilar hits quite enough to be a long-term solution, but he has enough pop to be a useful role player.

 

14) Chen Lee, RHP, Grade C+: I like him as a middle relief option with his combination of whiffs and grounders, but we need to see how he recovers from Tommy John.

 15) Kieran Lovegrove, RHP, Grade C+: Another projectable high school arm from 2012 draft, third round. Will probably need more development time than Mitch Brown, but also has mid-rotation potential.

 16) Giovanni Soto, LHP, Grade C+: Borderline C. Doesn't have terrific stuff, but effective in Double-A at age 20/21 and is having a great winter in Puerto Rico. Could be a surprise contributor in 2013.

 17) Elvis Araujo, LHP, Grade C: One of the best pure arms in the system, but struggled with mechanical and control problems in Low-A.

 18) Dillon Howard, RHP, Grade C: Second round pick from 2011 draft as massively disappointing after coming to camp out of shape. Velocity was down, though he still got a good number of ground balls and it is too soon to give up given his pedigree.

 19) Anthony Santander, OF, Grade C: Young switch-hitter (17) from Venezuela hit very well in Arizona Rookie League, although scouts aren't sure his swing will work at higher levels without adjustments. Bears close watching as he moves up.

 

20) Chris McGuiness, 1B, Grade C: Rule 5 pick from Rangers could win playing time at first base. Solid Double-A season with good power production and hit well in Arizona Fall League, though scouting reports aren't especially enthusiastic.

 OTHERS: Austin Adams, RHP; Shawn Armstrong, RHP; Dylan Baker, RHP; Rob Bryson, RHP; Chun Chen, 1B-C; Tim Fedroff, OF: Trey Haley, RHP; T.J. House, LHP; Matt Langwell, RHP; Jacob Lee, RHP; Jorge Martinez, 3B; D'vone McClure, OF; Mike McDade, 1B; Alex Monsalve, C; Mason Radeke, RHP; Nelson Rodriguez, 1B; Jake Sisco, RHP; Jordan Smith, OF; Felix Sterling, RHP; Bryce Stowell, RHP; Giovany Urhsela, 3B; LeVon Washington, OF