SB Nation - Cleveland Indians

Down on the Farm: John Manuel's Top 20 Prospect for 2010

raygu — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:27 -0000

Yesterday Baseball America's John Manuel posted his Top 20 prospects for 2010 over at SI.com. Here is his top 20 list with his write up on his number 4 prospect Desmond Jennings.

What he'll be: Jennings has many similarities to current Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, but his hitting track record is more consistent.

1. Stephen Strasburg, WAS

2. Jason Heyward, ATL

3. Michael Stanton, FLA

4. Desmond Jennings, TB

5. Jesus Montero, NYY

6. Brian Matusz, BAL

7. Pedro Alvarez, PIT

8. Neftali Feliz, TEX

9. Buster Posey, SFG

10. Madison Bumgarner, SFG

More after the jump:

11. Carlos Santana, CLE

12, Justin Smoak, TEX

13. Domonic Brown, PHI

14. Casey Kelly, BOS

15. Jeremy Hellickson, TB

16. Kyle Drabek, TOR

17. Alcides Escobar, MILW

18, Aaron Hicks, MIN

19. Dustin Ackley, SEA

20. Martin Perez, TEX

Fantasy Baseball: Early AL Closer Watch.

Ian, yo — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:04:26 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

8 months ago: New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera delivers to a member of the Phillies AAA club during a spring training baseball game at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, March 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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We've seen a lot of trade rumors and trade analysis as of late and there really hasn't been any mention of the many teams with closer situations. We will check back in after a few months and see if anything has changed, but this is how things are looking as of now.

AL East

Yankees- I think we all know this answer. Mo' should be one of the top closers in the game again. One day, he may fall apart, but for a player of his caliber, he may retire before than happens. Next in line: Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Mark Melancon.
Red Sox- Jonathan Papelbon. In 2009, Papelbon posted a 1.85 ERA, which would lead you to believe he had a successful season. If you look at the peripheral stats, you'd see that Papelbon had an FIP of 3.05 and while he kept his K/9 above 10, he posted a BB/9 over 3 for the first time since his rookie season where he threw only 34 big league innings. I wouldn't be surprised to see Papelbon traded with the closer in waiting in Daniel Bard likely getting more work in the later innings. Next in line: Daniel Bard, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen.
Orioles- Mike Gonzalez. The Orioles signed Gonzalez to be their closer and I can't really see anyone challenging him for the job this year. Next in line: Jim Johnson, Kam Mikolio.
Blue Jays- Jason Frasor. While there is nothing concrete in Toronto, I think Frasor will be the guy in 2010. Frasor saved 11 games in 2009 and ended the season with an FIP of 2.99 and a K/BB of 3.50. I think if the season were to begin today, Frasor would be the man, but he could lose it fairly easily. Next in line: Scott Downs, Jeremy Accardo.
Rays- Rafael Soriano. The Rays either didn't seem confident or have other plans for J.P Howell in 2010. After trading prospect Jesse Chavez to Atlanta, the Rays are set at closer with Soriano. If he were to get hurt (which he does somewhat often) I would think Wheeler is the next on the list with Howell being the late inning lefty. Next in line: Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour.

AL Central

Twins- Joe Nathan. See Mariano Rivera. Next in line: Jon Rauch, Pat Neshek, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares.
Tigers- Joel Zumaya. Currently the Tigers depth chart lists Zumaya as the closer. He's always been thought of as the closer of the future, but the Tigers have never really given him an extended look due to durability concerns. If made a closer, Zumaya could be a top level closer but he'll have to get his walks under control for that to happen. Next in line: Ryan Perry, Daniel Schlereth, Casey Fien, Phil Coke.
White Sox- Bobby Jenks. As we speak, Jenks seems to be the closer and is listed as such on the depth chart. Matt Thornton is the better pitcher, but experience could be key here. I still think Thornton ends up with the job at some point. Next in line: Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz.
Indians- Kerry Wood. Wood struggled in and there are a few more guys in waiting that could make this one of the more interesting (aka: avoidable) closer situations in 2010. Next in line: Chris Perez, Rafael Perez.
Royals- Joakim Soria. One of the more talented relievers in the game. He was hampered by injuries a bit in 2009 and still saved 30 games with a 2.21 ERA. I don't see him going anywhere. Next in line: Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth.

AL West

Angels- Brian Fuentes. Didn't have the greatest season, but the Angels paid him to close, so I don't see him doing anything else. Next in line: Fernando Rodney, Kevin Jepsen.
Rangers- Frank Francisco. Francisco spent time on and off the DL in 2009 and the Rangers bolstered their bullpen by adding Chris Ray and Darren Oliver, making the closer role available to C.J. Wilson, Chris Ray, Francisco or fireballer Neftali Feliz. If the Rangers decide not to prepare Feliz to start, he could very easily become an elite closer. Next in line: Chris Ray, C.J. Wilson, Neftali Feliz.
Mariners- David Aardsma. The Mariners seem to be pushing for a playoff berth in 2010 by trading away Brandon Morrow for Brandon League and prospect Johermyn Chavez. League brings a big time GB% (which fits in with Seattle's league leading defense.) While I do think Aardsma will be the closer and will be successful, I wouldn't totally rule out a trade of one of the young, power arms in Seattle's pen. Next in line: Mark Lowe, Brandon League, Shawn Kelley, Joshua Fields.
Athletics- Andrew Bailey. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is likely to be the closer for the A's in 2010, but that's what we thought about Brad Zeigler in 2009. I still see Bailey as the closer, however. Next in line: Brad Ziegler, Joey Devine, Michael Wuertz, John Meloan.

John Lackey's Legacy Will Be Consummated In Boston

ltrain2 — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:04:57 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Will John Lackey's time in Boston make fans forget about what he accomplished with the Angels? Can he make winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie just a minor footnote in his career?

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With the signing of John Lackey to a 5-year, $82.5 million dollar contract, the Red Sox now boast three bona fide aces at the front-end of their rotation -- a rotation now widely considered one of the best in baseball.

Despite eight seasons with the Angels that saw Lackey accrue 102 wins, appear in an All-Star game, win an American League ERA title, and be named a World Series Champion; it is the final start of his rookie season that defines his career to this point.

On October 27th, 2002, just four days removed from his 24th birthday, John Lackey started the World Series' decisive seventh game against the San Francisco Giants. On only three days rest, Lackey allowed just a single run over five innings, becoming the second pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to win Game 7 of the World Series as a rookie (the other being Babe Adams of the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates). The hat that he wore that night is now displayed in the MLB's Hall of Fame.

Lackey has certainly begun to create his legacy during his years in California, but it is his time in Boston that will consummate it.

The Red Sox's previous two World Series titles were predicated by the acquisitions of marquee starting pitchers; namely Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett.

Schilling and Beckett also came to the Red Sox as World Series Champions. In fact, they too were the starting pitchers for their team's title-clinching games. Both pitchers arrived in Boston already having had what most would consider career-defining accolades, however, it has been their time as members of the Red Sox that most will remember them for.

In 2001, Curt Schilling combined with Randy Johnson to form one of the most imposing 1-2 punches in playoff history. Schilling, then 35 years-old, started Game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. The right-hander helped lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first and only World Series title in arguably the greatest baseball game of the decade. Despite winning multiple awards that season, including World Series Co-MVP honors (shared with Johnson), Schilling will always be remembered by what he did in Boston.

The Red Sox completed a trade in November of 2003 that sent four players to Arizona (Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa, and Michael Goss) for Curt Schilling. The newly-acquired pitcher vowed to push the Red Sox past their 86-year title drought, and did so the very next season. Schilling won two World Series Championships in Boston (2004, 2007), and will forever be etched in Red Sox lore for his heroics in what will always be referred to as, "The Bloody Sock Game."

In 2003 Josh Beckett led his team (Florida Marlins) past the Yankees to a World Series Championship. The 23 year-old, like Lackey in 2002, started the series' final game on three days rest. Neither short rest nor the daunting task of pitching a World Series game in Yankee stadium phased Beckett as he twirled a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits over nine brilliant innings. Again, like Schilling, Beckett was named the World Series MVP.

In another blockbuster trade that again cost the Red Sox four minor-leaguers, most notably Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett was brought to Boston on Thanksgiving Day of 2006. In the 2007 ALCS against the Cleveland Indians, Beckett helped Boston stave off elimination at Jacobs Field by pitching eight innings allowing just one run, striking out eleven, and initiating the team's comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. While Beckett may have introduced the world to his post-season prowess while in Florida, it is his time in Boston that has seen Beckett truly established himself as one of the baseball's most notable "big game pitchers."

John Lackey embodies characteristics seen in both of the aforementioned pitchers. Like Beckett, Lackey is a Texas-native who incurred success in the MLB at a young age, both winning a World Series before turning the age of 25. Similar to Schilling, he comes to Boston following a rival-Yankees championship, and isn't hesitant about expressing his desire to help Boston back to the World Series.

However, the most intriguing aspect shared by the three pitchers may be the unwillingness to shy away from Boston's biggest threat heading into next season, the New York Yankees.

Just last season, in the American League Championship Series' Game 5 against New York, John Lackey created one of the most memorable images of the 2009 playoffs.

As Angels' manager Mike Scioscia approached the mound to remove him from the game, cameras captured the determined Lackey shouting, "This is mine!" A showcase of determination that surely caught the eye of Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox, leading them to offer the free-agent a long-term deal worth over $80 million dollars.

Lackey comes to Boston with a very impressive resume similar to those that accompanied Beckett and Schilling upon their arrivals. And like the those before him, he is in position to cement his legacy by what he accomplishes in a Red Sox uniform.

Despite spending time on the disabled list the past two seasons, Lackey is regarded as one of the game's most durable pitchers. During the span of five seasons prior to 2008, Lackey averaged just under 33 starts and 211 innings pitched. His average win-loss record for a season may be a mediocre 13-9, however, his career ERA is 3.81 and has not surpassed the 4.00 mark since 2004; all while pitching in baseball's most offensive-heavy league.

Lackey also brings that element of post-season success that Beckett and Schilling are known for. Despite winning just three of his seven decisions in the playoffs, his ERA is 3.12 in 78 innings pitched. Lackey started three playoff games in 2009 (one against Boston, two against New York), going 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA over just under 20 IP. That includes 7 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Red Sox.

Aside from last season, Lackey and the Angels had seemingly been Boston's annual stepping stone in getting to the ALCS.

-In 2004, the Red Sox swept aside Lackey and the Angels 3-0 in the ALDS en route to a World Series title.

-2007 featured the exact same result as Boston went on to their second championship in four years.

-The Angels managed to avoid the sweep in 2008, but again fell to the Sox 3-1 in the Divisional Series.

Now that Lackey is a member of the Boston Red Sox, expect different results -- unless you're comparing his transition to those made by Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling, that is.

Poll

After his career is finished, how will you remember John Lackey?

Tuesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:41:40 -0000

More photos » by Charlie Riedel - AP

I wasn't able to find a picture of Gregg Zaun blocking a pitch, but here's one of him blocking the plate from a baserunner. You get the idea.

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Some things to read while coming so close.

Thanks to Rubie for filling in yesterday while I was on my way back from a long travel weekend. I'm home now and will also write Mugs tomorrow and Thursday, health permitting: Somewhere on my travels, I managed to pick up a cold. If today's Mug drifts off into incoherence, now you know why.

The holiday week is usually a quiet one for transactions, but Adam McCalvy said the Brewers likely aren't done adding players in a recent Inbox. He also handled questions on a possible Opening Day lineup, Zach Braddock, and the roof at Miller Park.

Further proof that Gregg Zaun is a better catcher than Jason Kendall, at less than half the price: Beyond the Box Score's Catcher Block Percentage rankings have Zaun listed as the best catcher in baseball at preventing wild pitches and passed balls, adding roughly seven runs per 120 games to his value. Jason Kendall was worth roughly two runs, while Mike Rivera projected out to 5.5 runs per 120 games.

Speaking of Rivera, he's signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, with an invitation to spring training.

Meanwhile, LaTroy Hawkins has probably already finished packing and moving, because he's got plenty of experience in the field. The Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune notes that the Brewers will be Hawkins' eighth team.

Speaking of much traveled pitchers, Adam Foster of Project Prospect had an interesting note on John Halama: He faced 210 batters in winter ball and issued just three walks. Halama's Dominican team has been eliminated from postseason contention, along with Alcides Escobar and Hernan Iribarren's Venezuelan team. For more on that, plus notes on several new Brewers and the winter ball debut of Angel Salome, check out today's oversized Winter League Update.

And, while I'm self promoting, you have until 4 pm today to vote for a fifth outfielder and 4 pm tomorrow to vote for a #2 starter on our BCB All Decade Team. Also, follow us on Twitter.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Have reportedly reached a deal to acquire Brandon Morrow from the Mariners for pitcher Brandon League and a minor leaguer.
Braves: Signed infielder Joe Thurston to a minor league deal.
Indians: Acquired pitcher Mitch Talbot as the PTBNL in the Kelly Shoppach deal, and signed reliever Saul Rivera to a minor league deal.
Marlins: Signed utilityman Danny Richar to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed Jason Marquis to a two year, $15 million deal.
Padres: Acquired catcher Dusty Ryan from the Tigers for a PTBNL or cash.
Phillies: Announced plans to exercise Jimmy Rollins' option for 2011.
Pirates: Signed reliever Javier Lopez to a one year deal.
Rangers: Signed Darren Oliver to a one year deal.
Reds: Re-signed Laynce Nix and restructured and extended Scott Rolen's contract.
Tigers: Signed pitcher Phil Dumatrait and catcher (and former Brewer minor leaguer) Andy Bouchie to minor league deals.
White Sox: Claimed pitcher Freddy Dolsi off waivers from the Tigers.

I've mentioned this topic several times: sorry if you don't think it's interesting, but I find it fascinating. The Blue Jays are apparently bucking the minor league per diem trend and giving their players $25 dollars a day for meal money instead of $20 next season. The change will cost the team less than $50,000, but could go a long way towards helping their prospects get proper nutrition.

With 93 career wins, a Cy Young Award, and six straight seasons with an ERA under 4, Pete Vuckovich has a lot to be proud of from his major league career. Of course, all of that pales in comparison to his induction into the MLB Mustache Hall of Fame.

Happy birthday today to:

2003-2005 Brewer Wes Obermueller, who turns 33.
1992 Brewer Andy Allanson, who turns 48.

And a couple of belated ones I missed over the weekend:

Chris Narveson turned 28 on Sunday.
LaTroy Hawkins turned 36 yesterday.

Drink up.

A Preview of "Evaluating Baseball Managers"

Ryan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:00:23 -0000

Hardball Times columnist Chris Jaffe has graciously sent me some draft excerpts from his forthcoming book on baseball managers titled, appropriately enough, Evaluating Baseball Managers: A Comprehensive History and Performance Analysis, 1876-2008. The book will evaluate managers on both their in-game moves (using sabermetrical approaches), and also their interpersonal skills, whether with players, the front office, the media, or the fanbase.

I was given a selection of Cleveland managers, ranging from Patsy Tebeau (who managed the Spiders) to Mike Hargrove. Jaffe starts each manager's profile with basic data (win-loss record, years managed, etc), then provides several sabermetric statistics, and a brief summary of the characteristics of the teams he managed. For example, one manager tended to have good pitching staffs, but little offensive power. After that comes the heart of the profile: the analysis. In it Jaffe makes use of public opinion, player controversies, and the abilities of the team to illuminate the statistics and tendencies given in the summary. For example, he talked about how Lee Fohl (Cleveland manager from 1915-1919) let captain Tris Speaker make the baseball decisions, unaware that the public now held managers accountable for those decisions. Fohl was fired midway through the 1919 season, with Speaker now as manager officially given the duties Fohl had delegated to him unoffcially.

Another interesting factoid dealt with a more contemporary Cleveland manager. I'm sure most of you remember Mike Hargrove's late-inning efforts to gain the platoon advantage (having a left-handed reliever face a left-handed hitter, and vice versa). According to Jaffe, Hargrove ranks second in post-1956 managers in accomplishing exactly this, even ahead of the matchup guru himself, Tony LaRussa.

I think judging a manager's effectiveness is a difficult task because his visible in-game moves are really a small portion of his work. You can indirectly gauge his ability to balance long-term success with short-term results, but often you don't know how and why the decision was made. And almost unseen by the public are his personal relationships with his players and the front office. The subject has both interested and frustrated me since I've been blogging, and I look forward to poring through Jaffe's entire book to find some insight and better angles with which to view a manager from.

Indians Acquire Mitch Talbot; Sign Saul Rivera

Tommy Rancel — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:00:29 -0000

More photos » by H. RUMPH JR - AP

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The Indians completed a pair of deals today that could positively impact their 2010 pitching staff. The team a nnounced that they have acquired Mitch Talbot as a player to be named later from the Tampa Bay Rays, completing the earlier trade of Kelly Shoppach. In an unrelated move, the Tribe signed relief pitcher Saul Rivera, who had been recently let go by the Washington Nationals.

When the Indians sent Shoppach to the Rays, GM Mark Shapiro said the club had a chance to add a player who could make an impact on the 25-man roster this season. Mitch Talbot stands a chance to do that. I'm sure the Rays would've love to keep Talbot in the organization, but with him being out of options, they were in a familiar situation; move Talbot or face the chance of losing him on waivers. The Indians are hoping that Talbot works out as well as the other out of options starters Tampa Bay had to move: Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel.

Unlike Jackson and Hammel, Talbot, 26, has little Major League experience. He spent the last three seasons in Durham pitching for the Rays Triple-A affiliate. He pitched a combined 70 innings in 2009 due to injuries. Even though he's had above average numbers in each season (~3.5 FIP), he's only pitched 9.2 innings at the Major League level. This has less to do with Talbot's talent, and a whole lot more to do with the Rays pitching depth.

The move for Talbot makes sense; he is a ready as he'll ever be to pitch in big leagues, and the Indians have spots available. He doesn't have overpowering stuff as his fastball tops out in the low 90s, but his plus change up is a perennial organizational award winner. He has also shown good control at each level.

After the announcement, Keith Law tweeted that with all things considered he rather have Talbot over Shoppach; I would agree...somewhat. Even a league average starting pitcher is worth about 2.5 WAR. Shoppach would need a pretty good season to approach that mark. However, in context, Talbot was at least the seventh best option in the Rays rotation and probably eighth best in the bullpen. Shoppach on the other hand stands to be a major upgrade over Dioner Navarro, and the Rays need all the 2010 wins they can get. The Indians get six years of Talbot which could easily make them the winners of the trade down the road, but right now I see the trade as beneficial to all parties, teams and players, involved.

About two weeks ago when the Nationals released Saul Rivera, I wrote the following: whoever his next team is will likely be getting a bargain as he'll probably cost no more than a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Today, the Indians made the move for the regression likely reliever, and the cost was a minor league deal with a spring training invite.

Rivera spent four seasons in the Nationals pen racking up a career FIP of 3.95. In 2007 and 2008, he posted back to back sub 3.5 FIP seasons in a pretty heavy work load of 177 innings. In 2009 his FIP ballooned to 5.71 thanks to an increase in HR/9 from .20 the previous seasons all the way to 1.64 this past. A ground ball pitcher, Rivera carried a HR/FB rate of 19.4 in 2009. Of the 36 fly balls allowed, seven left the yard; that is just unsustainable. His stuff is mediocre and he doesn't miss many bats, but he does get ground balls and usually limits the big fly. It won't grab many headlines, but it's under radar moves like Rivera and the earlier signing of Jason Grilli to minor league deals that often prove to be the biggest keys to bullpen construction.

Top Prospects, part 5: The pitchers

APV — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:44:58 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

Has Kelly Shoppach been swapped for an interesting pitcher?

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I am breaking up the interesting pitchers into two lists because there are simply too many of them. I am going to include those guys who performed primarily below the AA-level in this first set. These pitchers are not necessarily further from Cleveland, since a few of them are very highly thought of and might advance through the system quickly, but their performance has to be viewed in the context of the lower competition they have faced. I have also added newly-acquired Mitch Talbot to the end of this list. He belongs on the previous fringe list, owing to his age and 2009 performance, but as the numbers below should suggest he would have graded out as a very good prospect prior to this season.

Alexander Perez (19.9, High-A) – Perez got shut down for much of the last two months of the season, but prior to those troubling "soreness" issues, he was one of the Tribe’s biggest 2009 breakouts. A product of the Indians Dominican system, Perez made a very convincing jump from rookie ball last year to Lake County (3.04 ERA, 3:1 K:BB) to Kinston (2.87 ERA, 3.4:1 K:BB). Assuming he comes back healthy (he has avoided surgery so far), Perez will spend most of 2010 as a 20-year old, with Akron not too far ahead of him.

A Perez	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	50.2	3.27	4.26	7.8	23.9	47.1	21	3.17
2009	114.1	3.65	2.99	7.1	22.9	48.9	39	6.67

Jason Knapp (18.8, Low-A) – We know the story on Knapp, great fastball and great strikeout numbers. He has had some control issues, and there is on-going concern about the health of his pitching arm. Given his age and performance, though, he is perhaps the highest ceiling pitcher in the Indians system at the moment.

J Knapp	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	31.0	2.57	2.61	9.2	29.2	38.8	20	4.79
2009	97.0	3.68	4.18	11.4	29.7	35.6	46	5.36

Nick Hagadone (23.0, High-A) – Hagadone is another new acquisition, and another pitcher with injury questions. Hagadone has been limited to 80 innings in his 3-year professional career because of tommy-john surgery. Healthy now, scouts rave about his stuff (his greater than 30% K-rate this past season does not hurt, either). Like Knapp, Hagadone could use some improvements in his control. Unlike Knapp, Hagadone is decidedly a ground-ball pitcher whose strong downward action has limited his opponents to just a single HR in his pro career.

N Hagadone	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2007	24.1	2.54	1.85	8.5	35.1	59.3	21	6.01
2008	10.0	4.43	0.00	14.0	27.9	65.4	5	2.00
2009	45.0	3.17	2.80	13.0	31.9	55.5	28	2.76

Scott Barnes (21.8, AA)

Barnes made it to Akron for the final month of the season, but spent most of 2009 in high-A ball. Barnes put up a solid across-the-board line in 2009 with decent K-rates and BB-rates and a solid overall performance. His adjusted FIP is a little less optimistic, though, and his 15 HRs allowed this season is a red flag to keep an eye on.

S Barnes	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	43.2	3.14	2.06	7.1	37.5	39.8	45	5.69
2009	141.1	4.35	3.41	8.2	23.1	37.2	30	4.87

TJ House (19.7, Low-A) – "Why don’t we draft more high-ceiling high school pitchers like T.J. House". Probably because there aren’t many success stories like TJ House, at least based on his first full-season campaign. As a 19-year old House held up well against the much older Sally League competition. His numbers aren’t dominating, but that the Indians let him log nearly 135 innings speaks to his ability to keep himself out of trouble. The Indians are careful about the high-stress innings their young pichers experience…House made it easy on them by not experiencing many. Should get a nice test in Kinston in 2010.

TJ House	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2009	134.1	4.34	3.15	8.7	19.3	46.3	19	5.25

Francisco Jimenez (20.8, Low-A) – Of all the names on this list, Jimenez is probably the one you have most likely never heard. 2009 was his stateside debut having graduated from two years of pitching with the Indians Dominical Summer League team. Jimenez logged just a little over 50 innings between short-season and Lake County, but he made quite an impression. 59 Ks, 7 BBs, and just 1 HR will do that.

F Jimenez	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2009	47.1	3.54	2.28	3.8	31.7	47.1	41	5.17

Mitch Talbot (25.7, MLB) - Talbot had a brief stint in the majors in 2008, but has spent most of the past three seasons in AAA. A victim of Tampa's pitching depth, Talbot was a good prospect who was passed over largely because of his questionable fastball (a year ago his changeup was identified by Baseball America as Tampa's best). As the numbers below suggest, prior to his injury plagued 2009 he has shown the clear ability to control AAA hitters. The only question now is whether he can get major league hitters out in Cleveland.

M Talbot	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2006	156.1	3.43	2.76	7.2	23.7	51.2	82	8.53
2007	161.0	3.89	4.53	8.5	17.8	54.2	6	7.11
2008	161.0	3.06	3.89	5.1	20.6	54.7	66	8.62
2009	68.1	3.67	3.69	6.3	23.3	48.0	25	3.86

Top Prospects, part 4: The positional prospects

APV — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:17:49 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

There is a lot to like in Michael Brantley

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Finally, after going through a few preliminary exercises, we begin the real prospect list. These are offensive position players who are real prospects - guys who look like they should be parts of the Indians future. I intentionally say 'parts' because not all of these guys look like they might be stars, but they all look like they should (or could) play a role in Cleveland. So without further ado (as before, ages are as of 7/1/09)...

Michael Brantley (22.1, MLB) - I talked about this before, but there is reason to suspect Brantley very stealthily put up his best season. I continue to expect Brantley to begin 2010 in Cleveland because of the maturity the front office and coaching staff sees in him. He brings speed and superior contact ability and an awful lot of potential development with him if that is the case.

M Brantley	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	763	1.28	55	6.62
2008	767	1.85	58	7.18
2009	821	1.23	76	9.08

Matt LaPorta (24.5, MLB) - LaPorta also had a strong year. It would be nice to see him add some steady power to Cleveland in 2010 and beyond.

M LaPorta	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	1271	0.27	-3	9.48
2008	952	0.65	22	6.37
2009	951	0.75	23	7.40

Nick Weglarz (21.5, AA) - I think we all hope/think that Weglarz has another level he is capable of, that sometime soon he is going to break out as one of the best power prospects in baseball with 40 HR potential. After a disappointing, injury and Olympic disrupted 2008, Weglarz had something of a bounce back season. His overall line was brought down by not likely to be repeated .249 BABIP, but his peripheral numbers were still solid across the board. But the breakout is still waiting...

N Weglarz	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	910	.634	3	7.17
2008	868	.910	27	5.97
2009	917	.962	28	7.78

Lonnie Chisenhall (20.7, AA)

A lot of people questioned the selection of Chisenhall in the 2008 draft. Not many are now. Chisenhall emerged this past season as one of the top corner infield prospects in the game. Scouts love his stroke, quants like his numbers. I would love to see him turn into a premier corner defender, but that might be asking too much. For now we can enjoy him making the transition from short-season ball to Akron successfully in a single season.

L Chisenhall	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2008	874	0.75	23	6.87
2009	883	0.46	5	7.52

Carlos Rivero (21.1, AA) - There is a lot to like about Rivero. He's only a few months older than Chisenhall, has managed to stay at SS, and has a full season of AA under his belt. But he has yet to put together a really satisfying season. He also has the disturbing trend of underperforming what he "should have" done for three consecutive seasons. The last two years he has particularly struggled against RHP. These are things it would be nice to see change in 2010.

C Rivero	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	731	0.56	-7	6.08
2008	791	0.43	-15	7.08
2009	738	0.69	11	7.22

Lou Marson (23.0, MLB) - Did you know Marson is six years younger than Kelly Shoppach? I didn't. Marson struggled after coming over from Philadelphia last season, but he was coming off more than 2.5 years with an OBP over .370. Marson is not going to hit for much (if any) power, but if he can hit .300/.365/.385 in Cleveland while providing good plate skills, that is plenty valuable. And again, he was only 23 this season.

L Marson	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2006	703	0.60	-4	5.72
2007	768	0.65	5	6.80
2008	753	0.97	18	7.38
2009	699	0.68	4	7.65

Wyatt Toregas (26.0, MLB) - OK, so Wyatt Toregas is never going to make an All-Star team. But he is a backup major league catcher now. And he costs the league minimum. There is a lot of value in that. How good of a backup Toregas is depends on how well his bat adjusts to the big league level. His minor league track record has been inconsistent, but has shown a fair amount of power when he adjusts to a given level. The Marson-Toregas combination should be a pretty good defensive backstop pairing as well.

W Toregas	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2006	743	0.56	0	5.38
2007	733	0.60	5	5.22
2008	849	0.62	11	7.15
2009	790	0.37	-12	6.17

Up Next: Interesting pitching prospects

Dodgers sign Jamey Carroll

Eli Greenspan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:44:21 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney is reporting that the Dodgers and infielder Jamey Carroll have come to terms on a two year deal worth around 4 million dollars. Carroll hit .276 in 93 games for the Indians last season, but was a very effective utility player and will likely assume a similar role in Los Angeles.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Jamey Carroll	93	315	53	87	10	2	2	26	36	63	4	2	.276	.355	.340

I am very surprised to see Carroll make four million dollars on the open market. For a guy who has only reached 350 at-bats once in his career, a two million dollar annual salary seems pretty lucrative.

Report: Player to be Named Later for Kelly Shoppach is Either Mitch Talbot or Joseph Cruz

R.J. Anderson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:38:34 -0000

This from MLB.com:

Any speculation on who we're going to get for Kelly Shoppach?
-- Kevin K., Independence, Ohio

Though the Indians won't confirm who they have to choose from on or before the Dec. 20 deadline, I'm hearing it will be one of two right-handed pitchers -- Mitch Talbot or Joseph Cruz

This comes down to whether the Indians want immediate help in the form of Talbot or higher upside with a higher chance of burn out in Cruz. I'm a big fan of Talbot and he's out of options. I'd hate to lose him, but I think it's a matter of when rather than if. Talbot has roughly three seasons of Triple-A under his belt now, and during his time with Durham he's posted FIP of 4.0, 3.03, and 3.55. He is right-handed and his fastball sits in the low-90s, but his change-up is reportedly an above average pitch. He throws strikes and he'll be cheap for a number of years to come.