Weekend Update: Gimenez A Dark Horse Bench Option?

It is time again for the rundown on the week that was in the Indians minor league system. Things are VERY quiet these days, but to be expected with spring training right around the corner. Some minor leaguers will report to early camp on February 25th, while the majority of them will report on March 6th. As an FYI again, I will be arriving in Goodyear, AZ on March 26th and will be there the last ten days of minor league camp until I leave on April 5th. I’ll have a daily update of all the happenings, videos, pictures, and so on.

Anyway…..

One thing not being talked about much, but probably will once spring training starts, is how catcher Chris Gimenez is a dark horse to make the Indians opening day roster out of spring training as a bench guy. I think he provides more value than Josh Barfield and Andy Marte, the only real candidates for that last roster spot, and I wouldn't be surprised if he in fact made the team.

Gimenez is an older player as he just turned 26 in December, so the need for him to "play" and continue to develop in the minors is not necessary. Also, his flexibility should allow him to get into games regularly, so combined with his advanced age it should not be a concern that he would rot on the bench. His power right-handed bat, good approach at the plate, excellent makeup, and versatility to play anywhere on the diamond except really shortstop, second base and center field makes him a perfect complement to the Indians regulars. Plus, he is already on the 40-man roster.

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Here is just a quick update on the 2009 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More book. I received my third and probably final shipment of books a few days back and have only a few copies remaining. I am not certain if I am going to order another shipment or not because of the cost involved and not wanting to get stuck with many unsold copies. That said, if you want a copy of the book please contact me at tlastoria@indiansprospectinsider.com or use the order form on the right to place an order while supplies last. Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

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Thanks again to the Vin Man, right-handed reliever Vinnie Pestano, for coming on our on-line radio show Smoke Signals on Thursday night. Vinnie was very good and provided some great insight into his career, as well as his whole Tommy John experience. What a crazy situation that entailed with how he was hurt going into the June 2006 Draft yet the Indians drafted him anyway, then he had Tommy John surgery in July 2006 and the Indians sign him a month later in August 2006. Anyway, we did not get to all of the fan questions this week and will use the ones we did not get to this week on the next show. If anyone has a question on the big league or farm teams, email us at smokesignals@theclevelandfan.com. This week, right-handed pitcher Josh Tomlin will be our guest, and then finally outfielder Nick Weglarz should be on the show on Feb 19th.

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This is just another reminder that the Indians Prospect Insider (IPI) is now on Facebook. Go here to view the page on Facebook that is dedicated to the site:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64292286250&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=64292286250&ref=mf

Feel free to pass the word on to other people to join the group, and I look forward to interacting with all of you there!

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Baseball Prospectus recently released their Indians Top 11 Prospect listing as well as some scouting reports on the players and analysis of the system. The piece is a premium article, so click on the link for more info, but their Top 11 ranking was:

Five-Star Prospects
1. Matt LaPorta, LF
2. Carlos Santana, C
Four-Star Prospects
3. Nick Weglarz, LF
Three-Star Prospects
4. Adam Miller, RHP
5. Beau Mills, 1B
6. Hector Rondon, RHP
7. David Huff, LHP
8. Trevor Crowe, OF
9. Carlos Rivero, SS
10. Lonnie Chisenhall, SS
11. Michael Brantley, CF/1B

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Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Taylor Green is going to be out of action for several weeks with a fractured left wrist. The injury is not considered serious, but he is expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season and be back in action by May 1st. Many will remember that Green was the "other" player the Indians had to choose between to complete the C.C. Sabathia trade. The Indians had two players to pick from on the player to be named later list, and they chose outfielder Michael Brantley.

Posted in: Chris Gimenez,Vinnie Pestano