Post by Citos (Tribe) on Dec 26, 2013 22:46:35 GMT
Rankings taken from Jonathan Mayo at MLB.COM
Hurlers
Roberto Osuna - Toronto Blue Jays 2nd, 53 OA
While the Blue Jays used some of their young pitching depth in trades during the offseason, that didn’t leave that cupboard bare. As long as everyone can be patient, Osuna may help fill the void quite nicely. The nephew of former big league reliever Antonio Osuna, he will be just 18 years old for all of the 2013 season. Osuna has a plus fastball that can touch the mid-90s and he commands it pretty well. His slider will be solid in the future, though it’s a bit inconsistent right now and he has a better feel for a changeup than most teenagers. His overall command and pitchability is advanced for his age, which should enable him to continue to be young for his level, even if he’s developed cautiously.
Matt Magill - Los Angeles Dodgers 5th
The Dodgers have allowed Magill, a high school draftee in 2008, to develop at his own pace and the end result might be a guy who can sit in the middle of a big league rotation in the very near future. He can sometimes touch the mid-90s with his fastball but will sit in the 92-93 mph range. His slider is his out pitch, a hard, sharp breaking ball he’ll throw at any time to any hitter. His changeup is below-average but he does show some feel for it at times. He’s inconsistent with all of his stuff, as well as his command, but he’ll also be pitching at the highest level of the Minors all season at age 23.
Cody Anderson - Cleveland Indians 6th
Anderson didn't start pitching until he was in high school, but thanks to his mid-90s fastball, it didn't take long for scouts to notice him. He was a closer at Feather River Junior College before the Indians selected him in the 14th round in the 2011 Draft. They moved Anderson to the rotation and he quickly has developed into one of the most
promising arms in the system. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s and holds his velocity deep into games. His slider is his best offspeed pitch and he also throws a curveball and changeup. Listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Anderson has good size and uses his height to create a good downward plane for all of his pitches. He profiles as a
middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Mitch Brown - Cleveland Indians 9th
Coming from a cold-weather climate in Minnesota, scouts were running to see Brown in high school in the days leading up to the Draft, and his strong performances in his senior season allowed him to go in the second round. While he's not the tallest right-hander in the world, he's very strong and durable. He can run his fastball up to 94 mph and spin a very good curveball, and even has a good feel for a changeup. Brown will also mix in a good cutter, giving him the chance to have four Major League average or better pitches in the future. Like many young pitchers, he'll need to refine his command, but that's not a long-term concern, as he gets high grades for his mound presence and work ethic.
Donnie Joseph - Kansas City Royals 16th
The Royals got the power lefty from the Reds at the 2012 trade deadline for Jonathan Broxton and they should be able to reap the benefits soon. Joseph has struck out close to 12 per nine innings over the course of his Minor League career, using a power two-pitch combination to go right after hitters and miss a lot of bats. His fastball can be plus, up to 95 mph with late life and sink. His hard slider gives him a second plus
offering, a breaking ball with late bite that he’s not afraid to throw at any point. As his 56 saves attest, Joseph has been used to close games and assuming he can maintain his average command, there’s no reason to think he can’t serve the same role in the big leagues.
Jason Adam - Kansas City Royals 18th
The Royals were able to sign Adam out of their own backyard with an over-slot deal that kept him from attending Missouri. Then they sent the big right-hander to full-season ball to make his debut in 2011 and pushed him up a level to the Carolina League in year two. He finished fourth in the organization in strikeouts and batting average against
while pitching nearly the entire season at age 20. Adam has a terrific pitcher’s frame and flashes the stuff to go with it. His fastball can be above-average, up to 93-94 mph. He’ll show glimpses of an average curve and his changeup has the chance to be average as well. His secondary stuff can be inconsistent, particularly command-wise. If he can continue to find a level of consistency with his delivery, his stuff has the chance to take a leap forward. He’s continuing to move up the ladder, still fairly ahead of the curve age-wise.
Dylan Baker - Cleveland Indians 20th
Baker grew up in Juneau, Alaska, and became the second-highest Alaskan native drafted when the Indians took him in the fifth round out of Western Nevada Junior College in 2012. He throws his fastball in the low to mid-90s and has been clocked as high as 97 mph. Baker's best secondary pitch is his slider, which has a sharp break. He has been known mostly as a fastball-slider pitcher, but this year he has improved his curveball and changeup, giving him additional weapons to attack hitters with. Baker's
delivery has some effort to it, leading some scouts to think he is better suited for a bullpen role, where he could become a power reliever.
Catchers
Tony Wolters - Cleveland Indians 11th
The Indians' middle-infield depth has created something of a logjam in their system's upper levels. To help alleviate it, the Indians began the process of converting Wolters, their 2010 third-round pick, to catching during Spring Training. He has taken to the new position well and has worked with former All-Star Sandy Alomar on the finer points of catching. Offensively, Wolters is a bit of a free swinger, but has a chance to be at least a Major League-average hitter. He has more power than his frame might suggest and is a good runner. Wolters bat won't hold him back, but his future will be determined by how well he handles his new position. The early returns have been good, and the Indians believe his work ethic and makeup will help make the transition a successful one.
Alex Monsalve - Cleveland Indians 18th
Monsalve went back to the Midwest League to start the 2012 season to continue his development as an all-around catcher. He showed enough to get a bump up to the Carolina League. He has some feel for hitting and some raw power to tap into. If he can become a Major League average hitter, he has the chance to have at least average power down the road. Monsalve has more than enough arm to be successful controlling the running game, throwing out 26 percent of would-be basestealers in 2012. His receiving skills still need a good amount of work, but he's headed in the right direction.
Shortstops
Ronny Rodriguez - Cleveland Indians 7th
When looking at the numbers Rodriguez has put up in his two years in the United States, it’s important to keep in mind the Indians sent him straight to the full-season Midwest League at age 19 for his stateside debut, then moved up a level in 2012. He definitely has some ability with the bat and has the chance to have above-average power, which really started showing up during his 2012 season in the Carolina League.
He’s an aggressive free-swinger who will have to improve his plate discipline a bit to become a better all-around hitter. He has the defensive tools, from range to arm, to stick at shortstop, but he’s also seen time at second base, giving him the positional flexibility he’ll need once Francisco Lindor catches up to him.
Outfielders
Luigi Rodriguez - Cleveland Indians 10th
While any discussion of Rodriguez is mostly about projection, the Indians thought enough of him after his 2011 United States debut in the Arizona League that they sent him to the full-season Midwest League in 2012 at age 19. He may not have taken the league by storm, but the switch-hitting infielder-turned-outfielder did have double-digits home runs and more than 20 stolen bases. He’s still learning how to hit, but has the chance to be a pretty good all-around hitter. If he can add somestrength, there might be a little power down the road. If he refines his approach a bit, his plus speed could work at the top of the lineup and as a future above-average defender in center field.
Brett Jackson - Chicago Cubs 13th
By now, it's clear what Jackson can and will do on the baseball field: He'll hit for power, he'll steal some bases, he'll strike out a lot. Jackson has 20-20 potential thanks to his above-average power and speed. He also has the ability to play strong outfield defense at any of the three spots, though he's largely been a center fielder throughout his
career. And yes, he will strike out a good amount. In years past, he's shown an ability to draw walks to help offset that, but he's never going to be a guy who hits for a high average. Whether his swing and miss tendencies will keep him from being a productive everyday outfielder in the big leagues remain to be seen, but it's time for him to get an
extended look.
D'vone McClure - Cleveland Indians 16th
An outstanding athlete who played football in high school, McClure gave up the gridiron to focus on the diamond and take a baseball scholarship to Arkansas. The Indians were able to sign him away from honoring that commitment. McClure has some tools, particularly with a bat in his hands. He has excellent bat speed and should grow into plenty of power as he matures. He has above-average speed, but whether he stays in
center field remains to be seen – he saw some time in left field as well during his pro debut -- but he could have enough bat to profile just fine at an outfield corner spot.
Leftovers
Pitchers
Bryan Brickhouse - Kansas City Royals
Bryce Stowell - Cleveland Indians
Trey Haley - Cleveland Indians
Jacob Lee - Cleveland Indians
Felix Sterling - Cleveland Indians
Mason Radeke - Cleveland Indians
Jake Sisco - Cleveland Indians
Elvis Araujo - Cleveland Indians
Luis Lugo - Cleveland Indians
T.J House - Cleveland Indians
Catchers
Chun Chen - Cleveland Indians
First Basemen
Third basemen
Giovanni Urshela - Cleveland Indians
Jorge Martinez - Cleveland Indians
Carlos Franco - Atlanta Braves
Shortstops
Outfielders
Anthony Santander - Cleveland Indians
Carlos Moncrief - Cleveland Indians
Jordan Smith - Miami Marlins
Travis Witherspoon - Seattle Mariners
Hurlers
Roberto Osuna - Toronto Blue Jays 2nd, 53 OA
While the Blue Jays used some of their young pitching depth in trades during the offseason, that didn’t leave that cupboard bare. As long as everyone can be patient, Osuna may help fill the void quite nicely. The nephew of former big league reliever Antonio Osuna, he will be just 18 years old for all of the 2013 season. Osuna has a plus fastball that can touch the mid-90s and he commands it pretty well. His slider will be solid in the future, though it’s a bit inconsistent right now and he has a better feel for a changeup than most teenagers. His overall command and pitchability is advanced for his age, which should enable him to continue to be young for his level, even if he’s developed cautiously.
Matt Magill - Los Angeles Dodgers 5th
The Dodgers have allowed Magill, a high school draftee in 2008, to develop at his own pace and the end result might be a guy who can sit in the middle of a big league rotation in the very near future. He can sometimes touch the mid-90s with his fastball but will sit in the 92-93 mph range. His slider is his out pitch, a hard, sharp breaking ball he’ll throw at any time to any hitter. His changeup is below-average but he does show some feel for it at times. He’s inconsistent with all of his stuff, as well as his command, but he’ll also be pitching at the highest level of the Minors all season at age 23.
Cody Anderson - Cleveland Indians 6th
Anderson didn't start pitching until he was in high school, but thanks to his mid-90s fastball, it didn't take long for scouts to notice him. He was a closer at Feather River Junior College before the Indians selected him in the 14th round in the 2011 Draft. They moved Anderson to the rotation and he quickly has developed into one of the most
promising arms in the system. He throws his fastball in the mid-90s and holds his velocity deep into games. His slider is his best offspeed pitch and he also throws a curveball and changeup. Listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Anderson has good size and uses his height to create a good downward plane for all of his pitches. He profiles as a
middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Mitch Brown - Cleveland Indians 9th
Coming from a cold-weather climate in Minnesota, scouts were running to see Brown in high school in the days leading up to the Draft, and his strong performances in his senior season allowed him to go in the second round. While he's not the tallest right-hander in the world, he's very strong and durable. He can run his fastball up to 94 mph and spin a very good curveball, and even has a good feel for a changeup. Brown will also mix in a good cutter, giving him the chance to have four Major League average or better pitches in the future. Like many young pitchers, he'll need to refine his command, but that's not a long-term concern, as he gets high grades for his mound presence and work ethic.
Donnie Joseph - Kansas City Royals 16th
The Royals got the power lefty from the Reds at the 2012 trade deadline for Jonathan Broxton and they should be able to reap the benefits soon. Joseph has struck out close to 12 per nine innings over the course of his Minor League career, using a power two-pitch combination to go right after hitters and miss a lot of bats. His fastball can be plus, up to 95 mph with late life and sink. His hard slider gives him a second plus
offering, a breaking ball with late bite that he’s not afraid to throw at any point. As his 56 saves attest, Joseph has been used to close games and assuming he can maintain his average command, there’s no reason to think he can’t serve the same role in the big leagues.
Jason Adam - Kansas City Royals 18th
The Royals were able to sign Adam out of their own backyard with an over-slot deal that kept him from attending Missouri. Then they sent the big right-hander to full-season ball to make his debut in 2011 and pushed him up a level to the Carolina League in year two. He finished fourth in the organization in strikeouts and batting average against
while pitching nearly the entire season at age 20. Adam has a terrific pitcher’s frame and flashes the stuff to go with it. His fastball can be above-average, up to 93-94 mph. He’ll show glimpses of an average curve and his changeup has the chance to be average as well. His secondary stuff can be inconsistent, particularly command-wise. If he can continue to find a level of consistency with his delivery, his stuff has the chance to take a leap forward. He’s continuing to move up the ladder, still fairly ahead of the curve age-wise.
Dylan Baker - Cleveland Indians 20th
Baker grew up in Juneau, Alaska, and became the second-highest Alaskan native drafted when the Indians took him in the fifth round out of Western Nevada Junior College in 2012. He throws his fastball in the low to mid-90s and has been clocked as high as 97 mph. Baker's best secondary pitch is his slider, which has a sharp break. He has been known mostly as a fastball-slider pitcher, but this year he has improved his curveball and changeup, giving him additional weapons to attack hitters with. Baker's
delivery has some effort to it, leading some scouts to think he is better suited for a bullpen role, where he could become a power reliever.
Catchers
Tony Wolters - Cleveland Indians 11th
The Indians' middle-infield depth has created something of a logjam in their system's upper levels. To help alleviate it, the Indians began the process of converting Wolters, their 2010 third-round pick, to catching during Spring Training. He has taken to the new position well and has worked with former All-Star Sandy Alomar on the finer points of catching. Offensively, Wolters is a bit of a free swinger, but has a chance to be at least a Major League-average hitter. He has more power than his frame might suggest and is a good runner. Wolters bat won't hold him back, but his future will be determined by how well he handles his new position. The early returns have been good, and the Indians believe his work ethic and makeup will help make the transition a successful one.
Alex Monsalve - Cleveland Indians 18th
Monsalve went back to the Midwest League to start the 2012 season to continue his development as an all-around catcher. He showed enough to get a bump up to the Carolina League. He has some feel for hitting and some raw power to tap into. If he can become a Major League average hitter, he has the chance to have at least average power down the road. Monsalve has more than enough arm to be successful controlling the running game, throwing out 26 percent of would-be basestealers in 2012. His receiving skills still need a good amount of work, but he's headed in the right direction.
Shortstops
Ronny Rodriguez - Cleveland Indians 7th
When looking at the numbers Rodriguez has put up in his two years in the United States, it’s important to keep in mind the Indians sent him straight to the full-season Midwest League at age 19 for his stateside debut, then moved up a level in 2012. He definitely has some ability with the bat and has the chance to have above-average power, which really started showing up during his 2012 season in the Carolina League.
He’s an aggressive free-swinger who will have to improve his plate discipline a bit to become a better all-around hitter. He has the defensive tools, from range to arm, to stick at shortstop, but he’s also seen time at second base, giving him the positional flexibility he’ll need once Francisco Lindor catches up to him.
Outfielders
Luigi Rodriguez - Cleveland Indians 10th
While any discussion of Rodriguez is mostly about projection, the Indians thought enough of him after his 2011 United States debut in the Arizona League that they sent him to the full-season Midwest League in 2012 at age 19. He may not have taken the league by storm, but the switch-hitting infielder-turned-outfielder did have double-digits home runs and more than 20 stolen bases. He’s still learning how to hit, but has the chance to be a pretty good all-around hitter. If he can add somestrength, there might be a little power down the road. If he refines his approach a bit, his plus speed could work at the top of the lineup and as a future above-average defender in center field.
Brett Jackson - Chicago Cubs 13th
By now, it's clear what Jackson can and will do on the baseball field: He'll hit for power, he'll steal some bases, he'll strike out a lot. Jackson has 20-20 potential thanks to his above-average power and speed. He also has the ability to play strong outfield defense at any of the three spots, though he's largely been a center fielder throughout his
career. And yes, he will strike out a good amount. In years past, he's shown an ability to draw walks to help offset that, but he's never going to be a guy who hits for a high average. Whether his swing and miss tendencies will keep him from being a productive everyday outfielder in the big leagues remain to be seen, but it's time for him to get an
extended look.
D'vone McClure - Cleveland Indians 16th
An outstanding athlete who played football in high school, McClure gave up the gridiron to focus on the diamond and take a baseball scholarship to Arkansas. The Indians were able to sign him away from honoring that commitment. McClure has some tools, particularly with a bat in his hands. He has excellent bat speed and should grow into plenty of power as he matures. He has above-average speed, but whether he stays in
center field remains to be seen – he saw some time in left field as well during his pro debut -- but he could have enough bat to profile just fine at an outfield corner spot.
Leftovers
Pitchers
Bryan Brickhouse - Kansas City Royals
Bryce Stowell - Cleveland Indians
Trey Haley - Cleveland Indians
Jacob Lee - Cleveland Indians
Felix Sterling - Cleveland Indians
Mason Radeke - Cleveland Indians
Jake Sisco - Cleveland Indians
Elvis Araujo - Cleveland Indians
Luis Lugo - Cleveland Indians
T.J House - Cleveland Indians
Catchers
Chun Chen - Cleveland Indians
First Basemen
Third basemen
Giovanni Urshela - Cleveland Indians
Jorge Martinez - Cleveland Indians
Carlos Franco - Atlanta Braves
Shortstops
Outfielders
Anthony Santander - Cleveland Indians
Carlos Moncrief - Cleveland Indians
Jordan Smith - Miami Marlins
Travis Witherspoon - Seattle Mariners