SB Nation User Blog: APV

Minor league video recaps

APV — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:03:42 -0000

Minor league video recaps

Tony Lastoria is doing a series of video recaps of the different minor league teams. If you want to put faces, motions and swings together with names, these are great.

The one linked above is for Akron. He's also posted recaps for Kinston and Columbus.

Top Prospects, part 4: The positional prospects

APV — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:57:41 -0000

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP

There is a lot to like in Michael Brantley

Browse more photos »

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

Top Prospects, part 3: The fringe pitchers

APV — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:53:29 -0000

Identifying fringe pitching prospects is a more difficult job than identifying fringe position players, mainly because I think just about any high-performing minor league bullpen guy could be considered fringe. Nevertheless, here is my attempt at identifying guys who, like the previous list, could be or have been interesting, but don't quite meet my standards for being a legit prospect right now. (ages are as of 7/1/09, levels represent the highest level they have seen more than a coffee cup of action)

Paolo Espino (22.5, high-A) - Espino was originally part of the Lake County 2007 cohort that included Kelvin De La Cruz and Jeanmar Gomez. After a few injury issues and some shuffling in and out of the rotation the past two years, Espino emerged with a pretty solid season in the Kinston rotation in 2009. Espino showed a strong K-rate, above average control, and stayed healthy the whole season. A little old given his injury history, he might be a sleeper candidate if he performs well in the Akron rotation next season.

P Espino	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2007	108.1	3.84	3.66	6.9	25.7	45.8	22	4.77
2008	66.2	3.77	5.54	7.7	22.8	47.4	9	0.99
2009	134.2	3.68	3.01	6.5	21.2	40.6	27	4.17

Josh Tomlin (24.7, AA) - Tomlin is a favorite of mine. After working mostly out of the bullpen in 2007 and 2008, Tomlin took his control skills into the Akron rotation this season. His excellent control remained true to form, and even though he lost some of his swing and miss abilities with the move to the rotation, he still maintained an excellent K:BB ratio of 4.7. His problem is HRs...having allowed 21 this year. Probably no more than a depth starter/bullpen swingman at the most, but if he figures out how to keep the ball in the park...who knows.

J Tomlin	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2007	131.1	3.97	3.36	5.6	19.7	44.9	24	2.86
2008	109.2	2.88	3.04	4.0	26.4	42.0	45	3.84
2009	145.0	3.51	4.16	4.5	20.8	36.4	13	4.06

Bryan Price (22.0, high-A) - Part of the Victor Martinez package from the Red Sox, Price doesn't have any obvious red flags. He gets a good number of Ks, has pretty good control, was durable in 2009, and gives up a few more HRs than you might like, but not an atrociously high number. What keeps him from being an interesting prospect at the moment is simply that the sum of the parts isn't quite enough. Another candidate to begin the season in Akron's rotation, a strong performance could easily make him a guy to watch.

B Price	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	40.0	3.14	3.82	5.6	23.9	52.4	20	2.43
2009	132.2	3.76	4.75	7.2	22.3	43.0	21	4.01

Yohan Pino (25.5, AAA)

Pino's relatively advanced age is a product of concerns over how his stuff would hold up against more advanced hitters and a subsequent slow advancement cycle. That said, against AAA hitters, Pino did quite well in 2009. He showed outstanding control, more than adequate strikeout numbers, and excellent (perhaps lucky) homerun numbers given his strong flyball tendencies. Pino's numbers bear a strong resemblance to Scott Lewis, minus the multiple arm surgeries. It might be a negative indicator that no team felt like giving him a shot in the rule 5 draft, but I'm glad they didn't.

Y Pino	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2006	94.0	2.85	1.91	5.3	26.3	44.9	56	3.85
2007	115.0	3.55	3.13	5.5	22.1	38.9	40	3.58
2008	109.0	4.41	4.54	7.9	16.1	35.7	-22	-0.16
2009	127.0	3.44	2.83	5.6	23.7	36.2	55	3.82

Eric Berger (23.2, AA) - I admit it, I actually like all of the guys on this list. Berger is a 2008 draftee who has performed well enough to make it to Akron by the end of his second season. Berger has had a few control issues, but generally has made up for it by keeping the ball in the park. As with most of these guys, the question is about how his stuff will hold up against higher level hitters. He seems likely to start in Akron, but could certainly be in the Columbus rotation for a substantial part of 2010 if he does well.

E Berger	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	38.1	3.11	2.11	7.0	28.7	51.0	22	2.63
2009	144.0	3.88	2.50	10.0	21.9	41.7	39	3.74

Clayton Cook (18.9, rookie) - Cook is different than any of the other guys on the list because he is so young and so low in the system. A 2008 high school draftee, Cook has shown enough in his first two seasons of short-season ball to be interesting, but can't really be considered a legit prospect till he shows his stuff in a full season league, something he'll have the opportunity to do this year in Lake County.

C Cook	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2008	25.0	2.95	2.52	7.8	25.4	53.8	11	5.42
2009	67.2	3.55	2.79	9.4	23.0	43.0	27	3.46

Santo Frias (21.6, high-A) - Ok, Frias probably doesn't deserve to be here. He is probably better grouped among a huge group of interchangeable relievers in the Tribe's sytem. But I have liked Frias ever since he debuted alongside Kelvin De La Cruz, Jeanmar Gomez and Paolo Espino with that 2007 Lake County squad. Plus, he throws hard, with a solid-mid 90s fastball. Now further removed from arm problems that bothered him in late 2007 and 2008, I think he is a sleeper as a strong relief prospect in 2010. That said, right now he is just another arm.

S Frias	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2007	56.1	5.00	2.24	5.8	24.6	30.4	26	2.20
2008	23.1	5.72	6.94	10.7	17.9	36.7	-14	-4.56
2009	61.2	3.94	4.38	11.8	25.5	40.0	26	-0.76

Connor Graham (23.5, AA) - Added to the list. As I say in the comments, he walks too many guys. If he can improve his control he could be a nice starter. If he can't I see him probably going to the bullpen. I'll be interested to see where the Indians place him in 2010.

C Graham	IP	aFIP	ERA	BB%	K%	GB%	Net	ProS
2007	19.0	3.96	2.37	7.1	21.4	49.3	5	-0.13
2008	147.1	4.27	2.26	13.5	22.4	54.6	25	3.19
2009	118.2	4.14	3.72	12.6	24.0	51.6	36	2.55

Again, we could throw in countless bullpen arms here. Some of the names you could consider; Marty Popham, Ryan Edell, Brian Grening, CC Lee, Frank Herrmann, Steven Wright, Kyle Landis and Neil Wagner.

Next up: the interesting positional prospects

Pavano and Betancourt accept arbitration

APV — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:41:56 -0000

Pavano and Betancourt accept arbitration

I guess we don't have to think about either of these two re-joining the team right away

Top Prospects, part 2: The fringe position players

APV — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:04:30 -0000

More photos » by Tom Mihalek - AP

Jason Donald would probably like to pretend 2009 didn't happen

Browse more photos »

I call these guys fringe guys because at the moment, their performance does not really warrant status as legitimate prospects. Some of them might be, some of them once were and might be again, but they all have substantive issues that cannot be ignored.

Jordan Brown (25.0, AAA): What can I say? Jordan Brown is defensively limited to positions that require substantive offensive performance. Offensively he lacks power and requires exceptional contact in order to be effective. 2009 was his best season and his numbers were certainly worth noticing, including a career high ISO of nearly .200 (which is a good barometer for decent power). But he also had a career low BB% (6.6) and saw his BB/K number drop for the second straight season. Jordan Brown is going to have to take advantage of whatever playing time he gets in 2010 and show that he can make above average, line-drive contact skills against major league pitching if he wants to have anything more than a journeyman major league career.

J. Brown	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	833	1.125	63	4.88
2008	746	0.522	5	4.43
2009	874	0.469	11	5.57

John Drennen (22.9, AA): Drennen had one of the more sizeable bounce back years for a position player in the Indians system. Once a promising young centerfield prospect with power, Drennen now looks to be more of a Jason Michaels/4^th OFer kind of candidate if he can carry through with his 2009 season. Being a potential above average corner outfielder defensively, together with having just turned 23, give Drennen a little more leeway to work through his offensive limitations (strike out prone). Drennen needs an excellent season in Akron, presumably with a successful promotion to Columbus at some point, to be worth paying too much attention to.

J. Drennen	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	739	0.510	-17	4.42
2008	722	0.630	-1	3.13
2009	821	0.478	0	5.38

Abner Abreu (19.7, low-A): Abreu is an exciting prospect. Or at least he could be if he didn’t have one of the worst contact skills in the system. There is no doubt he has a bat with huge power potential, serving as the 19-year old offensive core of the Lake County team for the first half of the 2009 season. But he had more than 6 times as many Ks as BBs, and only walked just a hair over 4% of the time. That raises serious concerns about his future development against better pitching. Plus he missed the last third of the season with a badly separated shoulder. Still under 20, I will be rooting hard for Abreu, but there are issues he needs to work through to be considered a serious prospect.

A. Abreu	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2009	771	0.309	-44	3.00

Adam Abraham (22.3, low-A):

Part of the triumvirate of Michigan 2008 draftees (with Putnam and Recknagel), Abraham had an interesting 2009. A corner infielder in college, the Indians began the process of converting him to catcher before last season. While he has a lot of work to be able to catch (), Abraham could have enough of a bat to be a major league backup catcher down the road.

A. Abraham	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2008	817	0.586	1	4.82
2009	817	0.610	4	4.82

Wes Hodges (24.8, AAA): Hodges came into 2009 coming off his best professional season and with the chance to earn consideration as the Indians 3B in 2010 if not late in 2009. Instead he dropped a big dud, losing plate control and power simultaneously. Making matters worse for Hodges is that he his defense at 3B has been unimpressive, he has a troubled injury history, and he is 25.

W. Hodges	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	805	0.489	-6	3.62
2008	817	0.495	-2	4.82
2009	745	0.323	-17	4.62

Trevor Crowe (25.6, MLB): Crowe’s playing status with Cleveland maybe should negate his consideration on this list. The problem with Crowe is that what we saw in Cleveland this season is pretty much the finished product. And it is not that great. I can think of several players I’d rather see occupying his roster spot.

T. Crowe	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	748	0.873	36	3.87
2008	825	0.583	15	5.15
2009	791	0.968	13	4.58

Tim Fedroff (22.4, high-A): Fedroff was fairly highly thought of when he was drafted in 2008 and has performed well for stretches since his pro career began, including a 35-game stretch this season in which he reached base safely every time out. Fedroff’s challenge is that he doesn’t hit for power (and his 61% GB-rate this season suggests he is going to have a hard time changing that) and he is a corner outfielder, meaning he really has to excel in every other part of his game to make up for that limited ceiling. So far he hasn’t shown enough extra stuff (defense, baserunning, plate discipline, contact ability) to make him interesting.

T. Fedroff	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2009	729	0.674	5	2.75

Jason Donald (24.8, MLB): Jason Donald should be a legit prospect. A year ago he definitely was. A season in which he suffered through nagging injuries and very poor performance, poor plate discipline, all at the age of 25 put him on the outside looking in with regards to prospect status. I think he is a good bet to rebound with improved health and likely will be a valuable guy. But he has to show it.

J. Donald	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2007	804	0.587	-3	4.10
2008	824	0.547	5	5.93
2009	647	0.275	-20	3.98

Beau Mills (22.9, AA): Last season I had him as a top-5 prospect for Cleveland. That’s how bad his 2009 was. Mills, now a firstbaseman (albeit an above average one apparently), has to be an above average offensive player to succeed. After showing good improvements in all aspects of his game in 2008 ad showing he could hit for power to all fields, I really though 2009 would be a breakout year and Mills would show the huge power people saw from him prior to the draft. Instead his power dropped, his contact dropped, his plate discipline dropped and as a result his status as a prospect dropped. Again, these categories are performance based, not status based. I’m sure Mills is still, probably rightfully, viewed as a solid prospect by most. But his performance last season does not justify that view. He is still young enough to think this was one bad season in what can still be a great developmental story. But 2010 is a big year for Beau Mills. That big hole at first base this season could have been his.

B. Mills	aOPS	BB/K	Net	ProS
2008	927	0.514	3	5.55
2009	763	0.326	-19	3.82

Next up: Fringe pitchers

Top Prospects, part 1: The Injured

APV — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:54:42 -0000

Today's piece is the first in a series which will outline my view of the Indians top prospects. As a preface, my rankings are based on a combination of age, position, performance and level. I am not a scout so I am not projecting how their tools will develop, but rather making an assessment based on how they have performed thus far in their pro careers relative to their peers and with respect to their defensive position. Because of my emphasis on pro performance, none of the 2009 draftees will appear here, although certainly a guy like Alex White is one of the Indians "top prospects". Instead of a traditional numerical ranking I will provide a categorical breakdown of the Indians prospects, beginning with some of the significant players who missed significant playing time in 2009 because of injury. Most of these guys, if healthy, would have appeared somewhere later in the series. But as for any prospect, injuries are particularly problematic - limiting opportunity for development, diminishing the potential ceiling of skills, and wasting time on their prospect clock - making them a strong negative for each of these guys.

1. Adam Miller

2009: 0 innings pitched

2008: 28.2 IP, 1.88 ERA, 4.10 aFIP, 16.4 K%, 9.8 BB%, 54.5 GB%

Adam Miller just turned 25 yesterday, but in baseball years he might as well be Satchel Paige. After a brilliant 2006 campaign in Akron in which Miller established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Miller has been one injury after another. The most recent setback an unprecedented operation to repair the pulley system in his middle finger, the most important finger in a power pitcher like Miller. Given the nature of the operation and length of recovery, there is little reason to think Miller will be appearing on the mound in Cleveland anytime soon, if ever. Instead of being the heir to CC Sabathia, Miller instead likely represents a lasting cautionary tale and paradox regarding young pitchers. On one hand, Miller is the perfect example of getting a pitcher to the majors as quickly as possible. In August of 2006 the Indians could have brought up the then 21-year old and given him a shot at major league hitters. His stuff was probably good enough to get by, but they instead let him develop. But at the same time Miller was just 21 at the time. Because he was drafted as an 18-year old high school senior, the Indians were still in the process of stretching out Miller's innings. In some ways Miller developed too quickly, from too young a starting point to know what was the best approach. I feel as if the Indians draft team keeps a picture of Miller on their draft board just to remind them of the perils of drafting high school pitchers.

2. Kelvin De La Cruz

2009: 19.2 IP, 4.58 ERA, 2.11 aFIP, 29.3 K%, 8.5 BB%, 32.0 GB%

2008: 130.0 IP, 2.98 ERA, 3.79 aFIP, 24.5 K%, 11.2 BB%, 52.9 GB%

Added to the Indians roster last week, De La Cruz is an intriguing 6'5" lefty signed out of the Dominican in 2004. Kelvin started 2009 in Kinston and dominated in his first two starts, striking out 19 in 12 innings, only allowing 6 hits and 2 walks. After those starts De La Cruz began having some elbow discomfort which led to an eventual elbow strain diagnosis. De La Cruz never had any surgery and came back and pitched a few innings late in the season and in the Fall instructional league, but elbow strains are not an encouraging sign. The potential for additional season ending surgery to that elbow has to be considered elevated at this point, with the additional concern that Kelvin's stuff was not at his best when he did return late in the season. De La Cruz won't be 22 until the new year, so time is still somewhat on his side, but a healthy 2010 would be a big step forward for him.

3. Joey Mahalic

2009: 32.0 IP, 3.94 ERA, 4.05 aFIP, 16.3 K%, 12.6 BB%, 50.6 GB%

2008: 101 IP, 4.19 ERA, 4.03 aFIP, 16.8 K%, 7.1 BB%, 60.7 GB%

Mahalic, who turns 21 tomorrow, was one of my favorites coming into this season. As a 19-year old Mahalic had a very successful 2008 campaign as a GB-specialist on Lake County's pitching staff. Mahalic was given six starts at the beginning of 2009 in Lake County putting together an impressive 1.81 ERA with increased K:BB numbers from his previous season. Promoted to Kinston in early May, Mahalic had to leave his first start for the K-tribe after just 3.2 innings with a disastrous 8 walks and no Ks. Sure enough, Mahalic was diagnosed with a right elbow strain. Like De La Cruz, Mahalic avoided surgery, but did not make it back to the mound during the season. According to the most recent updates Mahalic's recovery is on target and he is expected to be ready for Spring Training. If he can put the injury past him Mahalic will have the chance to follow the Aaron Laffey-Jeanmar Gomez trajectory.

4. Rob Bryson

2009: 3.0 IP, 12.00 ERA, 2.98 aFIP, 33.0 K%, 13.3 BB%, 40.0 GB%

2008: 68.0 IP, 3.88 ERA, 3.50 aFIP, 29.9 K%, 9.3 BB%, 42.8 GB%

It is easy to forget about Rob Bryson. The least recognizable component of the Sabathia trade, Bryson went down to injury shortly after joining Cleveland's system in July 2008. Eventually diagnosed as a partial labrum tear, Bryson underwent surgery and has been in rehab ever since. Bryson's progress has supposedly been good, though, and the Indians expect him to be at 100% for this upcoming season. A bullpen power arm, I would expect the Indians to be as aggressive with his promotion as his recovery allows. His interest as a prospect should be considered a function of how many steps away from Cleveland he is, the closer the better.

5. Mike Pontius

2009: 6.2 IP, 4.05 ERA, 5.88 aFIP, 23.5 K%, 23.5 BB%, 27.3 GB%

2008: 74.2 IP, 3.86 ERA, 4.11 aFIP, 24.3 K%, 16.2 BB%, 63.1 GB%

Pontius would not make a regular prospect list. For the first half of 2008 he looked like a promising relief arm in Lake County, with a K-rate above 30% and a near 3:1 K:BB ratio. His control fell apart after a promotion to Kinston mid-season, though. Pontius just turned 22 last month and should he ever find his control and health again, will join the large cluster of potentially interesting bullpen arms floating through the Indians system.

6. Josh Rodriguez

2009: 131 PAs, .295/.426/.333

2008: 621 PAs, .241/.335/.359

Josh Rodriguez was listed by many as one of the Indians top prospects following a 2007 season in which he had 49 extra-base hits while playing second base. Since then it has been all downhill. A terrible 2008 followed by a 2009 in which he missed most of the season with a bad right hamstring injury. Rodriguez is comparable in many ways to recently acquired Jason Donald, though with one additional year of disappointing development. If he can show he is healthy and that the leg injuries have not affected his ability to play middle-infield Rodriguez becomes a lesser tier utility candidate (but then again I bet you did not expect to see Niuman Romero last season).

Next up: Fringe position players

Carl Willis goes to Seattle

APV — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:20:25 -0000

Carl Willis goes to Seattle

He is taking over the job of minor league pitching coordinator. I don't know if this is a promotion or a demotion, but I'm surprised a guy with back to back Cy Youngs in his coaching belt is not getting hired as a major league pitching coach.

Minor league free agents

APV — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:28:26 -0000

Minor league free agents

Baseball America gives the complete list. No one exiting coming from the Indians organization, but I'm sure the Indians will grab a few of these guys for the Columbus roster eventually.

Another 40-man opinion

APV — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:04:32 -0000

Another 40-man opinion

Tony Lastoria makes his 40-man roster predictions prior to this Friday's deadline. Tony does a lot of wonderful minor league stuff but roster construction is not something I tend to agree with him on and this is no different. His prediction:

"Seven players are added: Jordan Brown, Jason Donald, Jeanmar Gomez, Chuck Lofgren, Matt McBride, Yohan Pino, and Nick Weglarz. If an eighth is rostered, it is Carlos Rivero, and if only six are rostered then Lofgren is not."

Bullpen bingo

APV — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:19:11 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

Where are you, Winston Abreu?

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The 2009 Cleveland Indians had a horrendous bullpen. Part of this was due to a lack of legitimate replacement options in Columbus and Akron, necessitating the use of guys like Aquino, Chulk, Herges and Swindle. Seemingly related to this was an organizational decision to transition a number of upper-level, second-tier minor league pitchers from starting rotation roles to bullpen roles. Many minor league pitchers who can't cut it in the rotation end up in the bullpen, but the movement last year in the Indians organization seemed to suggest something more than the natural development of minor league pitchers. Each of the four pitchers listed below started a majority of their appearances in 2008, and made most of their appearances last season out of the bullpen. They are also all candidates to begin 2010 in Columbus and are therefore fair game for the major league bullpen at some point.

Zach Putnam was perhaps the most high profile starter to reliever transition. Drafted in the 5th round of the 2008 draft, Putnam was a candidate to either hit or pitch, but made his debut with Cleveland as a starter with an effective four-pitch arsenal. The Indians made the decision to move him to the bullpen to accelerate his development in the organization and perhaps add a little life to his mid-90s fastball. He ended up spending most of his 2009 in Akron (56.2 innings, 24 innings at Kinston) with reasonable success. He showed pretty decent K-rates (23-24%), ok walk-rates (7.3 in Akron, 5.2 in Kinston), and great HR numbers (2 in Akron, 1 in Kinston) thanks to a solid GB-rate (53%). His adjusted FIP for the season, 2.89, suggests the potential Putnam shows after just his first full season.

Frank Herrmann might be the first in this group to see time in Cleveland. Herrmann entered the 2009 season as a reliable low-K, low-BB, innings eater starter. After making 26 starts in three consecutive seasons and beginning the season with 5 starts in Akron, Cleveland promoted Herrmann to Columbus and moved him to the bullpen, where he made 44 appearances across the remainder of the season. The result was that Herrmann produced nearly identical numbers as a reliever as he did as a starter. Low K-rates (~16%), excellent BB-rates (4.1%), and, like Putnam, excellent HR numbers (3 in 76 innings). Herrmann isn't your typical exciting reliever given his underwhelming stuff, but I think he is an ideal long-reliever. He can pitch multiple innings, come into a game and throw strikes, and not give up homeruns. I think he'll be in Cleveland at some point during 2010.

Steven Wright was possibly the best reliever in Akron's impressive 2009 bullpen. After starting 55 games in 2007 and 2008, Wright pitched more than 81 innings, mostly out of the pen. Like Herrmann, the transition to the bullpen seemingly made no difference for Wright. His K-rate (19.2%) and BB-rate (5.6%), both pretty decent, were virtually unchanged from his 2008 numbers. Wright topped both Putnam and Herrmann in only giving up a single HR in 2009. Wright is probably the best sleeper candidate for the 2010 bullpen.

Carlton Smith is probably better known as the brother of former failed Tribe prospect Corey Smith, than as a prospect in his own right. And his 2008 numbers; 26 starts in Kinston, 13.1% K-rate, 5.3% BB-rate, 4.37 ERA, probably wouldn't do much to change that. But in 2009 he switched to Akron's bullpen where his K-rate went down (12.3%) and BB-rate went up (7.1%). The reason I list him here though is that 60% of his balls in play were GBs. That's a good number, and one which, if Smith can harness effectively, could make him a valuable situational reliever.