SB Nation - Jesus Merchan

Transactions: Spring Training Cuts

Ryan — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:15:17 -0000

From 3-15-09:

Reassigned RHP Tomo Ohka and LHP Ryan Edell to Minor League Camp

Although all Spring Training stats need to be treated with a high degree of skepticism, a pitcher fighting for a roster spot giving up 14 hits and 10 runs in 3.2 innings is a sign that he's not very good. That's what the Indians saw in Tomo Ohka.

Edell was a starter all of last year, but the Indians brought him to major-league camp to (I assume) take a look at him as a reliever. If he makes the Clippers as a reliever we'll know if they liked what they saw.

Optioned LHP Rich Rundles to Columbus (AAA)

Rundles looked like he had a decent chance of making the bullpen after making the 40-man roster late last season, but Eric Wedge saw some things he still had to work on:

''It's getting to the point where innings are tough to come by,'' Wedge said. ''Rundles needs to be very good against left-handers and be able to defend himself against right-handers. It's fairly new for him to be dropping down [throwing sidearm], and he has to get more consistent with that. So he has more development to do.''

With Rundles going down, it's very unlikely the Indians will be taking a situational lefty north with them.

From 3-19-09:

Reassigned the following to Minor League Camp:

1B: Jordan Brown, Beau Mills, Stephen Head

Brown and possibly Head will be playing in Columbus; Mills is headed to Akron. Mills is the prime prospect, Brown the sort-of prospect, and Head the not prospect.

RHP Jack Cassel

SS Jesus Merchan

3B Wes Hodges

A lot of things outside of Hodges' control has gone right for him. The Indians, instead of moving Jhonny Peralta to third, traded for Mark DeRosa, who is a free agent at the end of this season. And Andy Marte is for all intents and purposes not in the indians' future plans. That means Hodges now has the opportunity to play himself onto the 2010 roster. I still think it's more likely Peralta's playing at third next season, but if Hodges plays well, it will make the Indians' decision much more difficult.

Optioned the Following Players to Columbus (AAA):

2B Luis Valbuena

While Hodges is going to have to play his way into the Indians' future plans, Valbuena seems to be the default option at second in 2010. If the Indians do shift the infield around next season, his performance this season in Columbus will be the impetus for it.

LHP Tony Sipp

Sipp hasn't been able to stay healthy (tommy John in 2007, shoulder problems last season), but the only thing preventing him from pitching with the Indians this season is proof that he can handle a relievers' workload.

RHP John Meloan, Adam Miller, and Juan Salas

It was a given that Salas would be optioned to AAA as depth. Meloan washed out of the bullpen battle fairly quickly, but my expectations are still pretty high. Adam Miller looks like he'll undergo season-ending surgery on his right middle finger; the injury is possibly career-threatening. Miller's never pitched for the Indians, but it's a huge loss nonetheless. A healthy Miller in this year's bullpen would have given Eric Wedge a relief ace capable of filling in a multi-inning cap if a starter had to come out early, and eventually a late-inning setup man.

Optioned C Carlos Santana and Hector Rondon to Akron (AA)

Both players did nothing this spring to dampen the high expectations already placed on them. Santana is already an advanced hitter, but the Indians are fine at catcher and won't need to promote him agressively. Rondon, on the other hand, probably needs a full season in Akron.

[Update: Although not listed in the official transactions, the Indians also assigned LHP David Huff to Minor League camp.]

Meet the NRIs: Position Players

Ryan — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:51:43 -0000

The woefully-late conclusion to a tour of the Indians' Non-Roster Invitees:

Player	Position	2009 Age	2008 Level	Organization	AB	BA	OBP	SLG	2B	HR
Damaso Espino	C	26	AAA	KC	36	.167	.286	.167	0	0
			AA	CLE	102	.275	.342	.304	3	0
Michael Aubrey	1B	27	MLB	CLE	45	.200	.280	.333	0	2
			AAA	CLE	285	.281	.328	.418	18	7
			AA	CLE	103	.282	.330	.456	10	2
Jordan Brown	1B	25	AAA	CLE	420	.281	.337	.417	30	7
Andy Cannizaro	IF	30	MLB	TB	1	.000	.000	.000	0	0
			AAA	TB	171	.240	.311	.304	8	1
			AAA	CLE	84	.321	.374	.476	4	3
Tony Graffanino	IF	37	AAA	CLE	89	.315	.384	.416	7	0
Andy Marte	3B	25	MLB	CLE	235	.221	.268	.315	11	3
Wes Hodges	3B	24	AA	CLE	504	.290	.354	.466	29	18
Jesus Merchan	SS	28	AAA	ARI	436	.339	.373	.443	23	4
Beau Mills	1B	22	A+	CLE	482	.293	.373	.506	34	21
Wilson Valdez	IF	31	Did Not Play
Stephen Head	1B/OF	25	AA	CLE	404	.290	.325	.455	24	13
Michael Brantley	LF	22	AA	MIL	420	.319	.395	.398	17	4
Matt LaPorta	LF	24	AA	MIL	302	.288	.402	.576	23	20
			AA	CLE	60	.233	.299	.350	1	2

Catchers

Because one can never have enough catchers early in spring, Damaso Espino joins the five catchers on the Indians' 40-man roster in major-league camp. He played with Akron last year after the Indians purchased him from the Kansas City organization.

Infielders

Michael Aubrey and Andy Marte were both outrighted off the 40-man roster in recent months. Both were considered top prospects at one time, but now neither figure into the Indians' current or future plans. I think Marte still has a chance of becoming an everyday major-league player, but Aubrey's chances are fading fast. For much more on Aubrey and Marte, click on their respective player links at the bottom of this post.

Jordan Brown, after two very good seasons in Kinston and Akron, stalled out last year in Buffalo, possibly due to a knee injury. Brown doesn't have the physical attributes that scouts look for, but has been, with the exception of 2008, a model of consistency at the plate. He has no chance of making the major-league club this spring, but should be the regular first baseman with the Clippers.

Tony Graffinino has an outside shot of making the team as a utility infielder. He was most recently seen in the majors with Milwaukee in 2007. He injured his knee that late that season, didn't sign with an organization until next June, when he signed a minor-league deal with Cleveland. He played with Buffalo the rest of the season, though still having problems with his knee.

Andy Cannizaro and Jesus Merchan both are fighting for a spot on the Columbus roster. Cannizaro got one at-bat with Tampa last season, and spent the rest of his season with AAA affiliates. Merchan posted good, but BA-heavy numbers with AAA Tuscon last season. If he had any speed, he'd be a prototypical NL utility infielder. Wilson Valdez is also in the mix for Columbus; he played in Korea and Japan last year.

With Mark DeRosa a free agent at the end of the season, this is a big season for Wes Hodges. He's made it to AAA in his third professional season, right on schedule for a college player, and although Jhonny Peralta seems fated to eventually move to third, the DeRosa signing delayed a final decision a year, giving Hodges another season to make an impression. His offensive numbers look fine; I think the Indians are foremost looking for defensive improvement.

Beau Mills is a prospect with big power potential combined with promising plate discipline. He'll be heading to AA Akron, which is usually a big jump for young sluggers. He was drafted as a third baseman, but only played there in 8 games last year; first base will be his position as a major-leaguer.

Outfielders

Stephen Head was drafted as a good defensive first baseman, but can now play the outfield as well. That versatility is offset by very pedestrian offensive production partly explained by a shoulder injury early last year. He should be a reserve at either Akron or Columbus.

Michael Brantley is an intriguing prospect. He's an advanced hitter for his age (he's compiled 57 more walks than strikeouts in his professional career), and should be a successful base-stealer in the majors. But he hasn't hit for any power yet, and plays positions (left field and first base) that normally carry with them power expectations. He's still just 22, so there's still time for him to develop into an everyday player or better.

Matt LaPorta was the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia trade, and although the Indians aren't expecting much from him in 2009 at the major-league level, he should be in left field or at first base for the Indians in 2010. He dominated the Southern League, a pitcher's league, in 2008, slugging 47 extra-base hits in 302 at-bats while walking 45 times.

Winter Wonderland

Jim McLennan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:52:03 -0000

The pro baseball season may have finished, even here in Arizona, but it's been going strong in South and Central America, with a large number of Diamondbacks prospects (and some current players), both pitchers and hitters, seeing action. Leagues have been going on in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Hawaii, so with most of the seasons now over or winding-down, let's take a look and see what the results have been like so far.

We'll start in Hawaii where, as noted elsewhere, Hawaiian Winter Ball looks unlikely to continue, having not extended its contract with MLB, meaning this could therefore be its final year. Three Diamondbacks were members of the West Oahu CaneFires this season, with Mark Hallberg perhaps the most impressive. The infielder, who turned 23 last month, had been nothing special at High-A Visalia, batting .283, but enjoyed his time in the 49th state, batting .362 with a .906 OPS. The best raw numbers went to Cyle Hankerd, however, with a line of .318/.392/.545, leading the team in HR and RBI (5 and 33 respectively, in 25 games). That's the same number of homers as he had in 125 games for Double-A Mobile. Finally, our new catcher, James 'Jack' Skelton also took part, and continued his habitual on-base tear, with an impressive .405 OBP.

The Mexican Winter League had two Arizona starting pitchers - though one, Edgar Gonzalez, may or may not make it back to the team in 2009, having been released by the club. He went 4-1 for Hermosillo in seven starts, posting a 4.46 ERA. New Australian left-hander Travis Blackley made ten starts for Mexicali, including a complete game, and went 2-3 with a decent 3.88 ERA in those games [a couple of bad bullpen outings inflated his overall figure to 4.24]. Of particular note was a good K:BB ratio of 3:1 as a starter. No Arizona hitter has appeared in more than six games so far, and the regular season is now in its last week, so we'll move rapidly on.

The Dominican League saw our players appear for Estrellas de Oriente, and was similarly pitcher-heavy. Evan MacLane pulled double duty, appearing both here and Venezuela: between the two, he had twelve starts and a 4.00 ERA. He struggled a bit more in the DWL, being winless in nine outings there, though showed excelled control, allowing eight walks in 41 innings and just nine in 63 overall, compared to 52 strikeouts. Jailen Peguero made 18 apperances out of the 'pen and had a 3.00 ERA, with three saves in five changes. However, he did walk too many people - fourteen in only eighteen innings, along with three wild pitches. On the plus side, opposing hitters batted only .190 off Peguero, but Estrellas still missed the playoffs, winning only 16 of 50 games, so their season is over.

The same issues plagued young southpaw Jordan Norberto, with 14 walks in 17.2 innings of work, but a .212 average against. He only just had his 22nd birthday on December 8th, so is still young enough. He spent both 2007 and 2008 at Class-A South Bend, and having had an ERA above five both times, needs to step things up this year. The other Diamondback to pitch a significant (ten-plus) number of innings in the DWL was Esmerling Vasquez, who made six appearances all told, totaling 13.1 IP, with a 3.38 ERA. He began as a starter, but was shifted to a relief role after walking five batters in his first six innings. That seemed to help, as his K:BB ratio was 6:2 in the remaining 7.1 frames, with only one earned run allowed. He was our minor-league Pitcher of the Year in 2007, but struggled in Tucson last season, where his ERA was 6.82 in 83 innings.

Finally, we move to the Venezuelan Winter League, with a number of fine performances by AZ players. Leading hitter is probably Jesus Merchan, shortstop for the Sidewinders last season. His success is not unexpected, since he batted .339 for Tucson, but his on-base skills were notable. Merchan has given his team a .423 OBP, and decent wheels [4 triples in 79 at-bats], help his OPS reach .980. My first thought was, move to 2B this year in Reno, with the aim to replace Lopez in 2010. However, he'd then be 29, and his defense seems poor [21 errors in 107 games at SS last year]. Miguel Montero had an interesting winter. He started off very poorly, going just .185 (5-for-27) at the beginning of the year, with Bravos de Margarita. However, after a trade took him to Caribes, Miggy has been en fuego, giving his new team a line of .302/.358/.530, with eight homers in just 149 at-bats. Could probably do with some more walks, and he's K'd more than three times as often, worse than in the majors last season.

Gerardo Parra (above) also impressed observers; he is only 21 but batted .329 for Aguilas de Zulia, leading the team with 124 total bases and 15 SB, on his way to a .908 OPS. He had almost as many walks as strikeouts (31:36), giving him an OBP above .400, and is seen by some as the most likely internal prospect to replace Byrnes [if EB stays his contract]. Our well-known 2008 outfielder, Alex Romero, went one better, getting more walks than strikeouts (19:18), to tack onto a .311 average. However, his familiar lack of power - five extra-base hits in 44 games - means his SLG is lower than his OBP, and the overall OPS of .754 is disappointing.

Moving on to the pitchers, we've already covered Evan MacLane, but the one who stands out was Juan Gutierrez. As noted previously, he had a one-hitter among his 13 starts, for a 5-2 record and 2.63 ERA; even that's after a bad outing last time, before which it was 2.30. His K-rate is good - 56 in 65 innings, compared to 20 walks - and he is keeping the ball in the park. Gutierrez has allowed only a pair of home-runs, one in that most recent start, to franchise-mate Javier Brito. That can't be said for Yusmeiro Petit, who continues to be plagued by the long-ball, to the tune of seven in just 39 innings. Hitters overall are enjoying the Petit Unit, to the tune of .316, and he is still winless after eight starts. His last three outings have resulted in a total of 23 hits and 11 earned runs over 13.1 innings of work. Maybe picking up another starter is a wise idea...