2019 ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW: Cleveland Indians

Chang has moved steadily through the system, graduating one level at a time all the way up to a full season at Triple-A in 2018. Cleveland sent him to Fall League to work on his defense at 3B, and Chang looked fully ready for big league action there. His approach at the plate has changed over time, now favoring power and patience over hitting for average. Chang has struck out in more than 25-percent of his plate appearances each of the last two years, but the increase in power answers questions about whether he could fit a regular profile away from shortstop. In the best case, he’s a 2-3 WAR everyday infielder with a well-rounded set of average tools. Chang’s floor is no lower than a solid role player, and he might be forced to be utilized that way initially given the Indians’ crowded infield picture at the Major League level.

(#9) Oscar Mercado, OF

Ceiling: 45      Risk: Moderate     ETA: 2019    Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: AAA          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 3m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Spotlight

Cleveland acquired Mercado from the Cardinals last July in a rare prospect-for-prospect swap. He provides the organization a solid upper-level depth piece for now, capable of stepping into a role when needed. He’s most valuable defensively, where the former shortstop’s reads and routes pair well with plus speed. Mercado’s solid-average arm allows him to move between all three outfield spots. Those wheels translate to the bases, as Mercado cracked 30 steals last year for the fourth consecutive season. He doesn’t offer much in the way of power, but a playable hit tool–paired with the speed and defensive contributions–make Mercado a readymade role player entering his age-24 season. 

Sandlin pitched as a closer and starter at the University of Southern Mississippi, going to Cleveland with the 67th overall selection in last year’s draft. He pitched exclusively in relief during his pro debut, reaching Double-A by season’s end. Sandlin is a high-floor prospect that could fill a role in the big leagues quickly. He attacks hitters with a deep arsenal of pitches from a funky low arm-slot, relying most heavily on a low-90s sinker and slider. Sandlin has enough of a slider and ability to change looks to fit a 7th inning role, even without the huge velocity that’s increasingly common among setup relievers.

Henry Martinez, RHP

Ceiling: 45       Risk: High     ETA: 2019     Role Description: Setup Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 180 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: AAA          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 11m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Report

The 24-year-old Martinez had his best season as a pro in 2018, reaching Triple-A by year’s end and making a push for the 40-Man Roster. Cleveland opted to leave him off, and though he was an interesting Rule 5 candidate, Martinez ultimately went unselected. He’s a bit of a sleeper in this system, but we’re high on him and think the raw stuff is here to potentially fit a 7th or 8th inning role. Martinez’ fastball touches the high-90s with explosive life both high and low in the zone. His high-80s slider flashes above-average action at best, backed by a split-like changeup at 86-to-90 mph that came a long way in 2018. Martinez will likely be assigned to Triple-A to begin next season, though he’ll have a chance to impress the big league staff as a non-roster invitee to Major League Spring Training.

Andruw Monasterio, SS

Ceiling: 40      Risk: High    ETA: 2020    Role Description: Bench Player
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A+          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 21y, 10m
Video | Report

Monasterio was traded twice in 2018, first from the Cubs to Nationals, and later from Washington to Cleveland as the PTBNL in the Yan Gomes deal. Monasterio is an above-average defender at SS and 2B, showing a strong arm with easy carry and a quick release. His contact-focused offensive approach won’t produce much power, and while there’s some chance to develop a playable hit tool, it’s unlikely Monasterio impacts the game enough offensively for a regular role. His defensive ability and speed give a high floor as a bench/utility piece. 

James Karinchak, RHP

Ceiling: 40      Risk: High     ETA: 2020     Role Description: Middle Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’3” / 230 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: AA          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 6m

Karinchak was a starter at Bryant University but has pitched from the ‘pen in pro ball. He was Cleveland’s ninth-rounder in 2017 and has moved quickly, reaching Double-A by the end of last year. He misses a ton of bats but will need to cut the walks down to carve out a valuable full-time relief role in the big leagues. Karinchak’s fastball works in the mid-90s and tops out at 97 mph, backed up by a sharp power breaking ball that gets hitters to expand the zone.

Kirk McCarty, LHP

Ceiling: 40      Risk: High     ETA: 2020     Role Description: Long Relief
Ht/Wt: 5’10” / 185 lbs.          B/T: L/L         Highest Level: A+          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 5m

A seventh-round pick from the college ranks in 2017, McCarty’s polished feel to pitch has dominated low-minors competition to date. He posted strong peripherals in the Midwest League (27-percent strikeout rate, 7-percent walk rate) before five sharp starts in High-A to end 2018. A short, muscular lefty, McCarty’s fastball touches 94 mph and sits in the low-90s. He mixes a cut variant he can also turn into a slider, backed by a slow curveball and developing changeup. His feel for changing looks on his fastball and breaking stuff is advanced, though McCarty will need to improve his changeup to face righties as a starter up the ladder. He could fit a relief profile if Cleveland wants to fast-track him that way, potentially with the ability to get more than three outs at a time. McCarty is likely to begin 2019 back in High-A but could move to Double-A quickly. 

Dalbert Siri, RHP

Ceiling: 40       Risk: High     ETA: 2020     Role Description: Middle Reliever
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 190 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A+         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 23y, 8m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Report

Siri’s heavy fastball touches the upper-90s, and paired with his hard slider, it’s easy to see why he racked up strikeout rates above 30-percent. Unfortunately, he walks hitters at a similarly above-average rate, issuing free passes about 15-percent of the time. The raw stuff is here to fit a late-innings ‘pen role, but Siri’s lack of control Iimits his ceiling to middle relief. He won’t have much big league value without cutting down his walk numbers.

Longo has been a steady performer since being drafted in the 14th round in 2016 from the college ranks. He slashed .275/.337/.410 with 18 steals last season in the Carolina League, showing a hit-first offensive approach. That makes him a bit of a tweener considering Longo’s best defensive fit is an outfield corner, though a solid throwing arm helps him in RF. The ceiling is a 5th outfielder, though there’s some chance the unorthodox profile causes him to wind up a 4A type. Double-A will be a good test for Longo, who figures to get his first crack at the upper-minors in 2019.

Jared Robinson, RHP

Ceiling: 40      Risk: High     ETA: 2020     Role Description: Middle Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 190 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A+          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 24y, 4m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Spotlight

After producing so-so results the last two years in A-Ball, Robinson broke through with the best season of his pro career in 2018. He opened eyes in the Fall League, touching 97 mph on his fastball with a mid-80s slider. That two-pitch mix could give the foundation for a future middle relief role. A shorter righty who leans on a two-pitch mix, Robinson’s fairly generic profile runs some risk of winding up a high-minors or 4A depth type.

Justin Garza, RHP

Ceiling: 40       Risk: High    ETA: 2020    Role Description: Long Relief
Ht/Wt: 5’10” / 170 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A+         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 25y, 0m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Report

Garza had Tommy John surgery as a college junior in 2015, though Cleveland took him in the eighth round that year anyway. He didn’t make his pro debut until 2016 and has moved fairly slowly through the system. Garza worked as a starter in High-A last year but projects better in a short-stint role. His slighter frame loses velocity as outings progress, and a below-average changeup could make it hard to turn lineups over. Garza’s fastball tops out at 95 mph and sits 92-to-93 mph early in games. His best off-speed is a tight mid-80s slider that grades as an average pitch. A fierce competitor with mound smarts, Garza really competes and knows how to get the most out of his stuff. The ceiling is a multi-inning relief piece or mopup type, though this type of pitching prospect can stall out in the high-minors if no one attribute carries the profile. 

Shao-Ching Chiang, RHP

Ceiling: 40      Risk: High     ETA: 2019     Role Description: Long Relief
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: AAA          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 25y, 4m
Video | Report

PURE PROJECTION

(#3) Bo Naylor, C

Ceiling: 55       Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2022    Role Description: Above-Average Player
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 195 lbs.          B/T: L/R         Highest Level: R         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 1m
Video | Spotlight

Like his older brother Josh Naylor, now with the Padres, the younger Naylor was also a first-round pick from the Canadian prep ranks. Naylor was unphased by the transition to pro ball and slashed .274/.381/.402 in the AZL. Scouts questioned hs ability to stick at catcher as an amateur, but he showed immediate improvements after a few months of professional coaching and now at least has a chance to stay at the position. His bat is the calling card, showing lots of high-upside traits offensively with a mature sense of the zone. Naylor creates excellent hip torque and whips the barrel through an efficient left-handed swing, capable of generating power without sacrificing contact. That offensive upside gives the ceiling for a FV 55 prospect if he’s able to develop into a serviceable defender. Naylor’s ceiling is high, and he’ll move into Top 125 range with a strong full-season debut in A-Ball next year.

(#5) Tyler Freeman, SS

Ceiling: 55      Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2021    Role Description: Above-Average Player
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: SS-A          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 10m
Video #1 | Video #2

At his best, Hankins is a dominant power arm with a darting mid-to-upper-90s heater, deceptive changeup and power curve with two-plane action (as well as a true slider that flashes potential). Health has been the issue, however, as shoulder complications last spring saw the top-of-the-draft talent slip all the way to 35th overall pick where Cleveland nabbed him for an over-slot bonus. When healthy, Hankins has the pure stuff to register as one of the top pitching prospects in the game. Additionally, he boasts a big, broad frame, as well as advanced body awareness and athleticism that translates to impressive consistency in his mechanics and a chance for above-average command at maturity. Cleveland will likely take a slow and very conservative approach with Hankins in 2019 with an eye towards 2020 as a true developmental jumping-off point.

(#11) George Valera, OF

Ceiling: 50       Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2023    Role Description: Everyday Player
Ht/Wt: 5’10” / 160 lbs.          B/T: L/L        Highest Level: R          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 18y, 4m
Video | Spotlight

Born in New York, Valera moved with family to the Dominican Republic as a 13-year-old. He rated as one of the top bats in 2017’s international class, signing for a $1.3 million bonus with the Indians. Despite a frame that seems on the slighter side by its 5-foot-10 and 160-pound listing, Valera’s muscular build and swing leverage produce plenty of present power. He opened eyes during Extended Spring Training but broke his hamate bone early into the AZL season, only appearing in six official games. He shows advanced feel for the strike zone and an understanding when to shorten up, giving hope Valera can develop above-average hit and power tools. Defensively, he’s currently a CF but could wind up on a corner as he keeps growing. Valera will be just 18-years-old for the entirety of next season, but his high offensive ceiling already places him in the FV 50 tier. He’ll continue to move up this list as he moves through the system.

(#12) Luis Oviedo, RHP

Ceiling: 50       Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2022    Role Description: League Average Starter (#4/#5 SP)
Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 170 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 10m
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Oviedo signed for a $375K bonus in 2015, and he has progressed quickly through the system since. After starting 2018 in Extended Spring Training, he dominated in nine New York-Penn League starts before a late bump to the Midwest League. He was shut down in August with a lower back/glute issue, but it isn’t seen as a long-term concern. Oviedo requires projection but has all the ingredients of a big league starter. His 6-foot-4 frame oozes projectability, and he repeats a low-maintenance delivery well enough to grade up on his control. The fastball touches 96 mph at best and generally sits 90-to-94 mph, showing solid run when angled down in the zone. Oviedo already can throw both a slider and curve with distinct action from one another, the slider flashing swing-and-miss upside at best. He also shows feel for a changeup, giving the foundation of a four-pitch mix. His best-case ceiling is about as high as any pitching prospect in the system. 

(#13) Lenny Torres, RHP

Ceiling: 50      Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2023    Role Description: League Average Starter (#4/#5 SP)
Ht/Wt: 6’1” / 190 lbs.          B/T: R/R        Highest Level: R          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 18y, 5m
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Torres wows with his arm strength, consistently working in the 93-to-95 mph range while taking regular jaunts into “Upper-90s Land”. He gets excellent giddy-up on the heater thanks to impact arm speed and likewise produces heavy spin and bite on his low-to-mid-80s slider and impressive deception and fade on his developing changeup. One of the younger high-level talents in the 2018 Draft, Torres oozes upside and already draws rave reviews for his mature approach to the craft and impressive feel. Circle Torres as yet another impressive breakout candidate for Cleveland in their lower levels.

(#14) Jean Carlos Mejia, RHP

Ceiling: 50      Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2021    Role Description: League Average Starter (#4/#5 SP)
Ht/Wt: 6’4” / 240 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: A+          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 22y, 7m

Mejia was a late bloomer and a surprise add to Cleveland’s 40-Man Roster in November. Signed for just $45K as an amateur, he transitioned to the rotation in 2018 and had his best season as a pro. A large-framed 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Mejia looks the part of a big league starter. He’s able to throw a good amount of strikes for a tall pitcher that doesn’t always repeat his delivery. His heavy fastball sits at 91-to-94 mph, topping out at 95-96 mph and able to rack up ground balls. The primary off-speed is a low-80s slider that grades as at least an average future pitch, if not a tick more. There’s a bit more risk/reward to Mejia’s game than many pitchers age 22-23. He has the ingredients to develop into a #4 starter, but there are scenarios where this type of pitching prospect winds up in the ‘pen as well.

(#15) Carlos Vargas, RHP

Ceiling: 50       Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2023   Role Description: League Average Starter (#4/#5 SP)
Ht/Wt: 6’3” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: R          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 5m
Video | Spotlight

Vargas signed for a $275K bonus in 2016 but didn’t pitch in an official game until last summer due to injuries. He turned heads across 10 AZL outings, showing terrific raw stuff but a similar amount of present rawness. A good athlete with plenty of projection left across a 6-foot-3 and 180-pound frame, Vargas’ fastball touches 97-98 mph at best and sits 94-to-95 mph. Though it wasn’t always consistent, a power 84-to-88 mph slider flashes sharp bite and late finish that hints it has a chance to finish plus. He didn’t show tons of feel for a third pitch, occasionally morphing the slider into a true cutter around 90 mph. Vargas is a lottery ticket, though one with a lot of promising ingredients. He could be a power starter with swing-and-miss stuff if the control, command, and third pitch come on.

Gabriel Rodriguez, SS

Ceiling: 50       Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2024    Role Description: Everyday Player
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R        Highest Level: DNP          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 17y, 1m

Cleveland signed Rodriguez to a $2.1 million amateur bonus last July, a franchise record for an international position prospect. He has true five-tool potential with the chance to bring plus offensive value to shortstop. Rodriguez’ wiry 6-foot-2 frame is extremely athletic, lean enough to potentially stay up the middle even as he grows. His actions at the 6 are advanced, light on his feet with a quick transfer and good body control. At the plate, Rodriguez shows a loose, quick stroke with natural leverage and signs of lift. It’s the type of swing that could hit for both average and power with strength gains. Seeing as he’ll only be 17 for the entire 2019 season, it’s impressive Rodriguez already places in the FV 50 tier. He could be a full year away from playing in an official game stateside but has all the makings of a prospect that will feature prominently on this list in the future.

Will Benson, OF

Ceiling: 50      Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2022    Role Description: Everyday Player
Ht/Wt: 6’5” / 225 lbs.          B/T: L/L         Highest Level: A         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 9m
Video | Spotlight

The 14th overall pick from a Georgia high school in 2016, Benson has turned in an interesting first few seasons of pro ball. The contact concerns some scouts had as an amateur have been founded to date, as he’s a .201 career hitter with 292 whiffs across 223 games played. His prodigious power has also showed through, posting a .208 career ISO and still cracking 22 home runs last year despite a .180 batting average in the Midwest League. Benson’s patience at the plate has been enthusing, especially seeing as he’s shaping up to be the type of slugger that will always come with strikeouts. Defensively, he’s a prototype RF with the long strides to cover ground underway and a 60-grade throwing arm. Benson won’t turn 21 until midway through next season, and we’re projecting on the hit tool optimistically given his youth and overall athleticism. His ceiling is a slugging everyday corner outfielder, though Benson’s issues with contact—especially against lefties—will need to take a step forward to avoid winding up a part-time platoon masher.

Raynel Delgado, 3B

Ceiling: 45      Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2023     Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’2” / 180 lbs.          B/T: S/R         Highest Level: R          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 18y, 11m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Spotlight

Richard Palacios, 2B

Ceiling: 45       Risk: Extreme    ETA: 2021   Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 180 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: SS-A         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 21y, 10m

The highest drafted player to ever come out of Towson, Palacios was Cleveland’s third-rounder in 2018. He had a strong pro debut, slashing .361/.421/.538 with six home runs across three levels and finishing the summer with Low-A Lake County. A shortstop in college, his below-average arm prompted a move to 2B as a professional. Palacios’ best tools are contact and speed, as a lightning-quick bat produces hard contact with surprising power. A plus athlete, Palacios can steal bases and puts pressure on the defense moving home to first. His ceiling is a utility player or low-end regular with positional versatility, though this type of prospect usually winds up in a bench role unless the speed or hit tool really carries the profile.

Aaron Bracho, SS/2B

Ceiling: 45       Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2023     Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: DNP          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 17y, 11m
Video | Spotlight

Bracho’s $1.5 million bonus was the highest Cleveland gave to any international prospect in 2017. He came stateside for Spring Training last year but didn’t play in the AZL, missing the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured right arm in May. The switch-hitter shows a smooth stroke from both sides, a potential above-average hitter at maturity with feel from the barrel as a lefty and righty. His 5-foot-11 frame is stocky and compact, and while that allows projection on the power, it also makes Bracho likely to move to 2B long-term. Bracho’s mix of youth and precocious hitting ability deserve a mention on this list, and we’ll get a better feel for his prospect stock as he plays in his first official pro games in 2019.

Junior Sanquintin, SS/3B

Ceiling: 45       Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2024     Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’0” / 182 lbs.          B/T: S/R         Highest Level: DNP         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 17y, 2m

Sanquintin signed for a $1.25 million bonus on the first day of this year’s international period. There’s serious growth potential in his 6-foot, 180-pound frame, and the switch-hitter shows intriguing batspeed from both sides of the plate. His defensive actions are loose and athletic, but it’s likely this type of frame ultimately outgrows short. Sanquintin has the glovework and arm-strength for 3B, however, where his power potential could be a fit. 

Jose Fermin, SS/2B

Ceiling: 45       Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2022   Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 5’11” / 180 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: SS-A          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 20y, 0m

Fermin fits Cleveland’s recent mold of high-dollar international signees, a center-diamond athlete with plus instincts and feel for the barrel. He signed for a $500K amateur bonus, struggling at the plate his first two years at the complex level due to a lack of physical strength. Fermin began to grow into his wiry 5-foot-11 frame before last year, turning 19-years-old just before the start of the season. After beginning his 2018 in Extended Spring Training, Fermin slashed .279/.391/.382 in the New York-Penn League, walking more than he struck out and stealing 17 bases. He could develop at least a 50-grade hit tool so long as he keeps getting stronger, showing a quick and efficient stroke with innate feel to barrel the ball. He won’t ever hit for a ton of over-the-fence power, but Fermin’s contact frequency and profile—putting a good amount of balls in the air last season—hints he could grow into the ability to drive the gaps. He’s likely a better defensive fit at 2B, though Fermin’s experience at short could help him move around the infield as a role player.

Johnathan Rodriguez, OF

Ceiling: 45       Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2022   Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’3” / 180 lbs.          B/T: S/L         Highest Level: R         Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 4m

Rodriguez was extremely young for his draft class and didn’t turn 18 until the November after he was Cleveland’s third-rounder in 2017. He spent the last two summers in the AZL and took a step forward there offensively in 2018. Rodriguez shows intriguing bat-to-ball skill from both sides of the plate, something that could lead to switch-hitting power as he fills out a physcal 6-foot-3 frame. His contact profile is very ground ball heavy right now and will have to start lifting the ball more frequently, though that isn’t uncommon in young switch-hitters. Rodriguez has a RF tool set defensively given his size and strong throwing arm.

Quentin Holmes, OF

Ceiling: 45      Risk: Extreme     ETA: 2022    Role Description: Role Player
Ht/Wt: 6’3” / 175 lbs.          B/T: R/R         Highest Level: R          Age (as of April 1, 2019): 19y, 8m
Video #1 | Video #2 | Spotlight

Holmes was seen as a slow-burn prospect when he signed as the 64th overall pick in 2017, and that has been the case so far. He struggled in his initial AZL pro debut, repeating the level in 2018 despite not getting back on the field until August due to a hamstring injury. Holmes’ plus speed and defense are his best attributes right now, though his bat still lags behind significantly and needs a lot more reps. There isn’t much feel to hit—especially against off-speed—and he still doesn’t look particularly comfortable at the plate despite excellent athleticism. His non-offensive tools can get him to the big leagues, and if Holmes hits at all, the speed and defense immediately make him a role player in CF. There’s a lot of projection required to get there, though, and Holmes should be viewed as a full-on development project that’s far from a sure thing.