2066 Cleveland Indians Top Prospects

It hasn't faded away just yet. After a draft loaded with picks, the system is re-stocked with intriguing prospects. While the system lacks true elite prospects, the Indians do have a wealth of players with starting projections. Many of them have builds that, with some good development, they could become top prospects.

The Grading Scale

99-92 Elite:

- This player will be one of the best players at his position, top tier starter, or frontline closer

91-87 Well Above:

- This player will be a very good everyday starter, top of rotation arm, or quality closer

86-82 Above Average:

- This player is the type that fields the majority of starting jobs in the majors, quality mid-rotation starters, or second-tier relievers

81-77 Average:

- This player is startable or a good platoon partner, bottom of the rotation starters, or middle/long relievers

76-72 Below Average:

- This player is where you'll find most of your average backups and depth players

71-67 Poor:

- This player is a fringe major leaguer and most likely will be a career minor leaguer

17. Gregg Washington, SP (Last Year: N/A)
Current Value: 52/80  2066 Age: 21 Score: 82.54 Drafted: Louisiana State University, 2065 (2nd Round, 38th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2070 or Later

It was a little concerning that he didn't progress in his first season, but he still has a lot of upside and looks like worse case scenario, he won't peak out until he's 27. With plenty of time to get back on track, he should end up with solid control and movement with around average strikeout ability. He also features what could be a devastating Circle Change. Though a mid-to-bottom of the rotation arm is more reasonable to count on, with time likely on his side, his ceiling just might be a top of the rotation starter.

16. Francisco Azcona, RP (Last Year: N/A) 
Current Value: 48/79  2066 Age: 19  Score: 82.84 Drafted: HS--San Jose de los Llanos, D.R., 2065 (3rd Round, 66th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2071 or Later

He has a build that is primed to convert to a starter. However, with all the pitching depth in the minors, he may be better served as a reliever in the Indians organization. His control will unquestionably be good and his movement should eventually catch up. His Fastballs will likely trail off from his overall and settle around average, but his Curve should be top notch and his Change should be pretty good as well.

15. Jory Gardenas, CF (Last Year: N/A)
Current Value: 65/84  2066 Age: 23 Score: 83.60 Drafted: University of Texas, 2064 (1st Round, 19th Overall), Astros Projected Call-Up: 2069

Amazingly, he still hasn't progressed since he was drafted two years ago. Though (like with Washington), judging from his peak drops when aging, he should be a late bloomer and not peak out until after 26. His speed and range make him a quality prospect to roam center field. If his contact comes around (and he can be counted on with the bat), he could be a very dynamic player.

14. Mike Hansen, 2B (Last Year: 12)
Current Value: 79/84  2066 Age: 26 Score: 83.98 Drafted: HS--Cincinnati, OH, 2057 (1st Round, 5th Overall), Orioles Projected Call-Up: 2067

Granted, I slightly tweaked the formula for this year, Hansen's drop in ranking has more to do with the depth acquired over the last year than his lack of development (as shown with his improvement in Scouting Score). I'm still unsure if I agree with the Scouting Score's ranking of him, but he does have good range and most certainly will have 80+ contact and probably 80+ eye. How much he can contribute offensively will be a big part of his value to the Indians, since top defenders are easily found waiting to fill in.

13. Koy Ewin, OF (Last Year: N/A)
Current Value: 64/80 2066 Age: 18 Score: 84.19 Drafted: HS--Waterford, WI, 2065 (2nd Round, 39th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2071

He reminds me a lot of Keith Oshel. If he can be that kind of a prospect, then it's great value considering I took Oshel second overall in 2056. Ewin may shoot up through the system and he ready well before his projection. He has good contact and decent enough speed to go along with great range that will allow him to play all over the outfield if necessary. Like Oshel, he won't walk much, but overall he has the profile to be a very useful player.

12. Tim Ryan, LF (Last Year: NR)
Current Value: 74/83 2066 Age: 25  Score: 84.26 Drafted: University of Washington, 2063 (4th Round, 100th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2067

It's crazy to think that just a year ago I was going to be very happy with him being a good 4th outfielder who could start in a pinch. His progression in 2065 now has him looking like an actual prospect going forward. His contact should develop into the mid-to-upper 80's, he looks to have very good gap power, and (since he's still pre-Window) his speed will be a slight tick above average. He'll walk a lot and that might be a good combination for a sneaky good starting option

11. Vic Vega, RF/CF (Last Year: N/A) 

Current Value: 80/88 2066 Age: 23 Score: 84.57 Drafted: University of Miami, 2063 (1st Round, 28th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2068

With Felipe Baires now positioned as the starting CF, Vega will now move over to RF, but a return to central will not be ruled out just yet. He looks like a guy who'll do a little bit of everything as opposed to a guy with one clear skill to lean on (except doubles, where he looks like he may be good enough for 40+). He'll likely be ready at some point next season, but he'll have to wait until one of the current starters is traded in order to find a starting gig in Cleveland.

10. Felipe Baires, CF (Last Year: 8)

Current Value: 79 2066 Age: 23 Score: 84.67 Drafted: HS--San Pedro de Macoris, D.R., 2062 (3rd Round, 71st Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2066

As mentioned above, Baires is now entrenched as the starting CF for 2066. His cup of coffee didn't go as well as planned, but plenty of players struggle early on (Juan Bigil did) and figure it out in their first full season. He brings great range and some steal prowess to the table to go along with pretty good contact. The Indians' lineup doesn't feature a lot of power, so he'll be counted on to get on-base and scoot along the bases.

09. Alan Dyer, RP (Last Year: 13)

Current Value: 81/84 2066 Age: 26 Score: 85.10 Drafted: Louisiana State University, 2062 (2nd Round, 59th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2066

If he can jump before he likely peaks in June, the gamble could pay off. For now, he be in middle relief, but with an early season jump, he'll have a good enough build to get him into the rotation in the future. With a dominant Fastball and potentially 90+ movement, he'll be exactly what I hoped for on Draft Day back in 2062.

08. Adam Wakefield, LF (Last Year: 9)
Current Value: 76/83 2066 Age: 24 Score: 85.15 Drafted: HS--Kingsburg, CA, 2061 (2nd Round, 48th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2067

While he's yet to improve his peak stock, he has made some nice strides to getting his contact on par for starting material. He figures to have another two years to develop and should see his contact shoot up into at least the mid-80's. Getting on-base with good gap power and smart baserunning is his game and he's close to doing all of those very well.

07. Carlos Serps, SP (Last Year: 6)

Current Value: 75/84 2066 Age: 23 Score: 85.49 Drafted: Long Beach State University, 2064 (1st Round, 8th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2067

He had a great jump to get back on track last season. His cup of coffee showed he'll at worst be a bottom of the rotation arm. A successful trip to Winterball would really put him in the discussion as a potential top of the rotation starter. Regardless, he's still going to be a very good control and movement arm and a guy you can count on every fifth day on the mound.

06. Ryland Wilson, SP (Last Year: N/A)
Current Value: 56/83 2066 Age: 22 Score: 85.62 Drafted: Pepperdine University 2065 (2nd Round, 59th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2070

Not that I didn't like him, but admittedly, I wasn't as high on him until seeing the projections. They're quite believable with all three vitals being above his overall. It's a shame his repertoire doesn't follow suit, but his Slider should be elite-plus. He'll be an exciting one to see develop and see if the projections have it right. Like some of the other pitchers on the list, Wilson too likely won't peak until his late 20's.

05. Matt Neyland, C (Last Year: N/A)

Current Value: 65/84 2066 Age: 18 Score: 85.67 Drafted: HS--Sissonville, WV, 2065 (1st Round, 6th Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2070

As if not progressing in his first season wasn't bad enough, his peak saw a -5 drop when he aged. Meaning, he likely only has 3 or 4 more years to develop. His defense will be top notch, but his offense is still very raw. It's a fair assessment to think his power will come around to decent levels and that he'll walk to a decent clip. The big mystery is where does his contact fall? The projections now have his contact in the upper 80's. He may wind up being a guy that doesn't do anything great (but still average) offensively and with his defense, that makes him a starter in FCM. 

04. Marco Gueler, 1B (Last Year: N/A)

Current Value: 61/85 2066 Age: 21 Score: 85.69 Drafted: HS--Rio Piedras, P.R., 2065 (2nd Round, 32nd Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2070

Draftees not jumping in their first season seems to be a theme with me. Luckily for Gueler, it hasn't sunk his potential, like a few others. He still projects to develop into a very good power bat and quality middle of the order hitter. 2066 will be a big year for him to be able to reach that plateau. All-in-all, the projections have him with mid-80's contact, 90 power, and a near-80 eye.

03. Joe Schultz, SP (Last Year: 3)
Current Value: 86/90 2066 Age: 23 Score: 87.04 Drafted: HS--Boston, MA, 2060 (1st Round, 2nd Overall), Braves Projected Call-Up: 2066

It's finally time to see what the former #2 overall pick can do. I have some reservations on just how good he can be, but it's easy to see that he should be a quality pitcher who can help nearly any pitching staff. In his seven starts so far, he's posted encouraging results. Once a drawback, now his top notch bill of health should help him be a durable workhorse throughout the season.

02. Tony Beiler, C (Last Year: 4)

Current Value: 71/86 2066 Age: 24 Score: 87.57 Drafted: Texas A&M University, 2062 (3rd Round, 24th Overall), Mets Projected Call-Up: 2068

His development is going rather slow, but patience is key. Eventually he'll become a solid enough hitter to go along with very good defense (basically a better version of Matt Neyland). His switch hitting ability only boosts his value to start everyday. Ross Ray and Graham Logan will probably run their pre-Arbitration course as the starting duo, but after that it should be Beiler's job.

01. Paul Tobey, SP (Last Year: 2)
Current Value: 58/88 2066 Age: 21 Score: 90.04 Drafted: HS--Brooklyn, NY, 2064 (2nd Round, 32nd Overall), Indians Projected Call-Up: 2069 or Later

Winterball served him very well last season and he's squarely in line to being a top of the rotation starter. Maybe claiming him as an Ace is premature, but certainly his projections circle the wagons as a very good #2 SP. Like Ryland Wilson, all of Tobey's vitals are above his overall and that will serve him well to potentially get that Ace projection going forward.