A lot of the attention early in the Indians big league camp has been on the battles for the 5th starter, last reliever, and final bench player. But, there is another interesting battle brewing with the start of minor league camp just a week away.
There will be many position battles in minor league camp this spring, particurly on the pitching staff for Kinston and Lake County as close to 40-50 players could be vying for what should be just 24 pitching spots available (12 on each team). I'll talk about all of that in the coming weeks as minor league camp gets underway, but right now one of the big camp battles is shaping up to be at Triple-A Columbus where Stephen Head, Michael Aubrey, and Andy Marte are essentially battling for what looks like two available spots on the roster there.
The roster size in Triple-A and Double-A is only 24 players (one less than the major league 25-man roster), so since Columbus likely will have 12 pitchers it means they will have just 12 position players where not including the designated hitter it leaves you four bench players (one of them plays as the DH). One spot is already locked up on the bench to be whoever is not starting at catcher between Wyatt Toregas and Chris Gimenez. Another spot locked in is a utility infielder that can primarily play up the middle, which will be one of Andy Cannizaro, Brandon Pinckney, Wilson Valdez, Jesus Merchan, and Tony Graffanino. This leaves two bench spots, one that has to be for a player that can play outfield and be the fourth outfielder on the team.
Head would seem to be close to a lock to fill one of the open bench spots as he can essentially be the fourth outfielder and also split time at first base and designated hitter. With Trevor Crowe, Michael Brantley, and Matt LaPorta slotted to be the regular starting outfield and Jordan Brown slotted as the regular first baseman, while Head would be filling in a role on the bench he would still be a regular by playing five to six games a week still because of his ability to play the outfield and first base as well as DH.
However, while going into camp Head was all but certain to start the year in Columbus, Andy Marte has thrown a wrench into the works somewhat. With the Indians designating him for assignment earlier in the week and him clearing waivers, Marte is now in big league camp as a non-rostered spring training invite. He has no chance to make the Indians opening day roster, and if they don't trade him during camp at some point he will be reassigned to minor league camp. Although, the Indians may decide instead to keep Marte in big league camp until the very end of spring training with the hope that they can maybe showcase him some for a small trade to a team looking to fill a depth need at third base. When spring training ends many teams will have figured out what they need and where they are short on depth, so the hope for the Indians may be that someone could use a third baseman at the Triple-A level or a bench option for the big league club.
Now, having Gimenez on the team pretty much eliminates the need for a backup third baseman, as he can more than adequately fill in at third base when the regular starter Wes Hodges needs a rest. Because of the versatility of Gimenez, there is no need for an additional player on the bench who can play third base. Gimenez can also play some outfield and fill in out there, but likely won't play out there on a regular basis.
It is hard to envision the Indians actually sending Marte to Columbus, but if this scenario is to take place he would go to Columbus and be a bench player filling in at third base, first base and designated hitter. But if this happens, when you consider you already have Brown at first, and then Marte on the bench able to play first and designated hitter, it pretty much means Aubrey and Head could be considered redundant and one would not make the team. Aubrey would be released, or Head would open in Double-A Akron instead.
Head opening in Akron would not be a huge shock as the Indians have done this before as it happened to Trevor Crowe last year. The Indians may also surprise and actually have Crowe make the big league team out of camp, which if that happened it would make Head a slam dunk to be in Columbus since he would become the starting right fielder. This would also mean that both Marte and Aubrey could make the team as players on the bench. But, if the Indians do not go that route and Crowe opens the season in Columbus, then bottom line Head's versatility and talent should trump Aubrey and Marte and he should be on the team regardless, which would mean that final bench spot comes down to Aubrey and Marte.
Three years ago many would have laughed in my face if I said Aubrey and Marte would be fighting for a job at Triple-A. But, after years of disappointment (Marte) and injuries (Aubrey), this is what it has come down to for these once highly heralded prospects. To think both of these guys were at one time #1 or #2 ranked prospects in their organization and where they are now. In the end, if I had to make a prediction, I would say Head and Aubrey make the team and Marte is traded in a small deal at the end of camp. I just don't see how he fits in at Columbus and will get any regular playing time without getting in the way of the development needs of more promising players like Hodges, Gimenez, Head, and Brown.
Just to show you how crazy the bench makeup could be in Columbus, the Indians could even throw a curveball and choose to keep two of the utility infielders mentioned above, thereby leaving just one spot open for Marte, Aubrey, and Head.
Ah, yes, the joys of virtual GMing and the excitement as the start of minor league camp nears.
**********
Indians first baseman/outfielder Stephen Head was on our Smoke Signals program this past Thursday. If you have not yet listened to any of our interviews, this is one you have to check out as he was easily the best interview we've had on the show so far. That is not meant as any disrespect to any of our prior guests as all of them have been great, it is just based on the feedback from those who have already listened and how relaxed and engaging he was in response to the questions asked. His candor and insight was really nice on some of the things we talked about such as how he struggled through the 2006 season in Kinston. He had a hard time adapting to some adjustments to his swing that were handed down and he lived through what was really a bad year and many people hold that season against him, so his comments on that were spot on. Also, all the stuff he shared about being in big league camp was some really great stuff. Thanks again to Stephen for coming on the show.
This week (March 5th) we will have right-hander Steven Wright on the program. Wright is already in Arizona for early camp, so we should be able to get some insight into what goes on for those who report early as well as what he is up to.
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Baseball America released their Top 100 Prospect list this week and four Indians were on the list: CA Carlos Santana (#26), OF/1B Matt LaPorta (#27), OF Nick Weglarz (#58) and RHP Adam Miller (#82).
Baseball America also released their rankings at each position, and here are the Indians included in those rankings:
Catcher: Carlos Santana (3rd)
First Base: Beau Mills (11th)
Second Base: Luis Valbuena (5th)
Shortstop: Carlos Rivero (12th)
Third Base: Lonnie Chisenhall (10th), Wes Hodges (14th)
Corner Outfield: Matt LaPorta (4th), Nick Weglarz (9th)
Left-handed Starter: David Huff (17th)
Relief Pitcher: Adam Miller (2nd)
The Indians did not have anyone ranked in center field or for right-handed starter, although Michael Brantley and Hector Rondon were surely close on those lists....and arguably should have been included.
**********
This past week the Indians opened their new Player Development complex where they will hold all spring workouts. The 42,000 square foot complex provides a state of the art facility which will be used year round by the Indians as they will field an Arizona League rookie level team and also use the complex for extended spring training and Fall Instructional League, meaning there will be minor league activity there pretty much from the end of February to the end of October there nonstop every year. The complex features separate minor and major league clubhouses on each side of the facility that are split by a giant weight room and training/rehab center in the middle of the complex. Outside of the facility, they have six full practice fields, two half-fields, an agility field and six outdoor batting tunnels.
While some players have already reported for early camp, pitchers report to minor league camp on March 5th and position players on March 7th.
**********
I’ll be making a few radio and TV appearances the next few weeks to talk Indians prospects and promote the new book a little. At the moment, I am still scheduled to be on SportsTime Ohio this coming Friday March 6th, and I will be on MiLB Radio either this coming Wednesday March 4th or the following Wednesday March 11th to talk Indians prospects. I will pass along the times and more details once they become clearer.
**********
Be sure to go here and pick up the 2009 Cleveland Indians Annual to get yourself up to speed on the Indians as the season opener looms on what looks to be a very promising and exciting 2009 season.
There will be many position battles in minor league camp this spring, particurly on the pitching staff for Kinston and Lake County as close to 40-50 players could be vying for what should be just 24 pitching spots available (12 on each team). I'll talk about all of that in the coming weeks as minor league camp gets underway, but right now one of the big camp battles is shaping up to be at Triple-A Columbus where Stephen Head, Michael Aubrey, and Andy Marte are essentially battling for what looks like two available spots on the roster there.
The roster size in Triple-A and Double-A is only 24 players (one less than the major league 25-man roster), so since Columbus likely will have 12 pitchers it means they will have just 12 position players where not including the designated hitter it leaves you four bench players (one of them plays as the DH). One spot is already locked up on the bench to be whoever is not starting at catcher between Wyatt Toregas and Chris Gimenez. Another spot locked in is a utility infielder that can primarily play up the middle, which will be one of Andy Cannizaro, Brandon Pinckney, Wilson Valdez, Jesus Merchan, and Tony Graffanino. This leaves two bench spots, one that has to be for a player that can play outfield and be the fourth outfielder on the team.
Head would seem to be close to a lock to fill one of the open bench spots as he can essentially be the fourth outfielder and also split time at first base and designated hitter. With Trevor Crowe, Michael Brantley, and Matt LaPorta slotted to be the regular starting outfield and Jordan Brown slotted as the regular first baseman, while Head would be filling in a role on the bench he would still be a regular by playing five to six games a week still because of his ability to play the outfield and first base as well as DH.
However, while going into camp Head was all but certain to start the year in Columbus, Andy Marte has thrown a wrench into the works somewhat. With the Indians designating him for assignment earlier in the week and him clearing waivers, Marte is now in big league camp as a non-rostered spring training invite. He has no chance to make the Indians opening day roster, and if they don't trade him during camp at some point he will be reassigned to minor league camp. Although, the Indians may decide instead to keep Marte in big league camp until the very end of spring training with the hope that they can maybe showcase him some for a small trade to a team looking to fill a depth need at third base. When spring training ends many teams will have figured out what they need and where they are short on depth, so the hope for the Indians may be that someone could use a third baseman at the Triple-A level or a bench option for the big league club.
Now, having Gimenez on the team pretty much eliminates the need for a backup third baseman, as he can more than adequately fill in at third base when the regular starter Wes Hodges needs a rest. Because of the versatility of Gimenez, there is no need for an additional player on the bench who can play third base. Gimenez can also play some outfield and fill in out there, but likely won't play out there on a regular basis.
It is hard to envision the Indians actually sending Marte to Columbus, but if this scenario is to take place he would go to Columbus and be a bench player filling in at third base, first base and designated hitter. But if this happens, when you consider you already have Brown at first, and then Marte on the bench able to play first and designated hitter, it pretty much means Aubrey and Head could be considered redundant and one would not make the team. Aubrey would be released, or Head would open in Double-A Akron instead.
Head opening in Akron would not be a huge shock as the Indians have done this before as it happened to Trevor Crowe last year. The Indians may also surprise and actually have Crowe make the big league team out of camp, which if that happened it would make Head a slam dunk to be in Columbus since he would become the starting right fielder. This would also mean that both Marte and Aubrey could make the team as players on the bench. But, if the Indians do not go that route and Crowe opens the season in Columbus, then bottom line Head's versatility and talent should trump Aubrey and Marte and he should be on the team regardless, which would mean that final bench spot comes down to Aubrey and Marte.
Three years ago many would have laughed in my face if I said Aubrey and Marte would be fighting for a job at Triple-A. But, after years of disappointment (Marte) and injuries (Aubrey), this is what it has come down to for these once highly heralded prospects. To think both of these guys were at one time #1 or #2 ranked prospects in their organization and where they are now. In the end, if I had to make a prediction, I would say Head and Aubrey make the team and Marte is traded in a small deal at the end of camp. I just don't see how he fits in at Columbus and will get any regular playing time without getting in the way of the development needs of more promising players like Hodges, Gimenez, Head, and Brown.
Just to show you how crazy the bench makeup could be in Columbus, the Indians could even throw a curveball and choose to keep two of the utility infielders mentioned above, thereby leaving just one spot open for Marte, Aubrey, and Head.
Ah, yes, the joys of virtual GMing and the excitement as the start of minor league camp nears.
**********
Indians first baseman/outfielder Stephen Head was on our Smoke Signals program this past Thursday. If you have not yet listened to any of our interviews, this is one you have to check out as he was easily the best interview we've had on the show so far. That is not meant as any disrespect to any of our prior guests as all of them have been great, it is just based on the feedback from those who have already listened and how relaxed and engaging he was in response to the questions asked. His candor and insight was really nice on some of the things we talked about such as how he struggled through the 2006 season in Kinston. He had a hard time adapting to some adjustments to his swing that were handed down and he lived through what was really a bad year and many people hold that season against him, so his comments on that were spot on. Also, all the stuff he shared about being in big league camp was some really great stuff. Thanks again to Stephen for coming on the show.
This week (March 5th) we will have right-hander Steven Wright on the program. Wright is already in Arizona for early camp, so we should be able to get some insight into what goes on for those who report early as well as what he is up to.
**********
Baseball America released their Top 100 Prospect list this week and four Indians were on the list: CA Carlos Santana (#26), OF/1B Matt LaPorta (#27), OF Nick Weglarz (#58) and RHP Adam Miller (#82).
Baseball America also released their rankings at each position, and here are the Indians included in those rankings:
Catcher: Carlos Santana (3rd)
First Base: Beau Mills (11th)
Second Base: Luis Valbuena (5th)
Shortstop: Carlos Rivero (12th)
Third Base: Lonnie Chisenhall (10th), Wes Hodges (14th)
Corner Outfield: Matt LaPorta (4th), Nick Weglarz (9th)
Left-handed Starter: David Huff (17th)
Relief Pitcher: Adam Miller (2nd)
The Indians did not have anyone ranked in center field or for right-handed starter, although Michael Brantley and Hector Rondon were surely close on those lists....and arguably should have been included.
**********
This past week the Indians opened their new Player Development complex where they will hold all spring workouts. The 42,000 square foot complex provides a state of the art facility which will be used year round by the Indians as they will field an Arizona League rookie level team and also use the complex for extended spring training and Fall Instructional League, meaning there will be minor league activity there pretty much from the end of February to the end of October there nonstop every year. The complex features separate minor and major league clubhouses on each side of the facility that are split by a giant weight room and training/rehab center in the middle of the complex. Outside of the facility, they have six full practice fields, two half-fields, an agility field and six outdoor batting tunnels.
While some players have already reported for early camp, pitchers report to minor league camp on March 5th and position players on March 7th.
**********
I’ll be making a few radio and TV appearances the next few weeks to talk Indians prospects and promote the new book a little. At the moment, I am still scheduled to be on SportsTime Ohio this coming Friday March 6th, and I will be on MiLB Radio either this coming Wednesday March 4th or the following Wednesday March 11th to talk Indians prospects. I will pass along the times and more details once they become clearer.
**********
Be sure to go here and pick up the 2009 Cleveland Indians Annual to get yourself up to speed on the Indians as the season opener looms on what looks to be a very promising and exciting 2009 season.
History: Brown was a 4th round pick in the 2005 Draft out of the University of Arizona. After a very slow start in 2006 at advanced Single-A Kinston where he hit .232 with 0 HR and 9 RBI in the first 28 games that season, Brown settled in to finish the season hitting .290 with 15 HR, 87 RBI and an .831 OPS and won the Carolina League MVP Award. At Double-A Akron in 2007 his .333 batting average won him a league batting title and his second consecutive league MVP award, this time in the Eastern League. Brown's back-to-back MVP seasons in 2006 and 2007 are only rivaled by Victor Martinez as he won the Carolina League MVP in 2001 and the Eastern League MVP in 2002 in successive years just like Brown. Brown was also the Topps Carolina League Player of the Year in 2006 and Topps Eastern League Player of the Year in 2007. 
History: The Indians selected Crowe in the 1st round of the 2005 draft out of the University of Arizona. His junior year in college, Crowe hit .403 with 83 runs scored, 25 doubles, 15 triples, 9 home runs, 27 stolen bases, 54 RBI, and a 1.192 OPS. He was named the 2005 Pac-10 Conference Baseball Co-Player of the Year and was a Golden Spikes Award Finalist representing the best player in college baseball. He hit .350 with a .992 OPS as a sophomore, and .316 with a .789 OPS as a freshman. 
History: Tomlin was a 19th round pick in the 2006 Draft out of Texas Tech. He grew up in East Texas and went to Angelina Junior College before transferring to Texas Tech. A sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow in 2006 sidelined him for six weeks and ultimately hurt his status for the draft where he slid to the Indians in the 19th round. He signed with the Indians quickly and made an impressive professional debut that year in Mahoning Valley holding opposing batters to a .196 batting average, and finished first in the NY-Penn League that year in starts (15), second in wins (8), and third in ERA (2.09). Last year at Kinston he finished 2nd in the Carolina League in ERA and was 10th in strikeouts (1st among relievers). He also participated in the Arizona Fall League this offseason (2-3, 6.43 ERA, 8 games, 28.0 IP, 36 H, 3 BB, 28 K). 
History: Putnam was a 5th round pick in the 2008 Draft out of the University of Michigan. Coming into his final year at Michigan last year, Putnam had a strong track record before going through a minor shoulder problem and then strep throat which sidelined him for a few weeks and ended up with him losing almost 20 pounds. He was slated to go in the late first or first round supplemental and slid to the fifth because of the minor injuries in 2008 and signability concerns, so was an extreme value in that round. 
History: Rodriguez was a 2nd round pick in the 2006 Draft out of Rice University. Going into his draft year, he was considered the top shortstop available in preseason draft rankings, but his draft stock plummeted somewhat when he suffered a serious elbow injury in the fall of 2005. The injury limited Rodriguez to designated hitter duty for most of the 2006 season at Rice, and when he returned to the field late in the year he was moved to third base so he would not have to make any long relay throws which could further damage the tendon in his elbow. His nine triples at advanced Single-A Kinston in 2007 tied a franchise record, and is he one of only two players in Kinston history to put up at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season (Jon Nunnally). 
History: Gomez was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in April of 2005. 
History: Phelps was a 3rd round pick in the 2008 Draft out of Stanford University. His professional debut was slowed by a sprained ankle he suffered prior to the College World Series, so he spent a few weeks in Winter Haven rehabbing the injury before moving on to short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley where he excelled. 
History: Perez was signed as an undrafted free agent in May 2007 out of the Dominican Republic. Last year, he finished 2nd in the Gulf Coast League with a .204 batting average against. 
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