IPI Inbox: Will The Indians Roster Jordan Brown?

It's time to unveil a new feature for the site today, and that is the IPI Inbox which will be a mailbag piece covering some topics that IPI readers have asked about in emails. Lots of other sites do this, and since I get a lot of e-mails asking various questions I felt it would be good to share a few of them from time to time. In the offseason this piece probably will only run once or twice a month due to lower volume, but in-season the inbox is always filling quickly so I hope to make this a weekly feature on the weekend during the season.

If you have a question about the Indians farm system or even the major league team, feel free to contact me using the contact form at the top left of the homepage.

With that out of the way, onto the first installment of the IPI Inbox….

David B. wrote: What was with the non-promotion of Jordan Brown? As reported by several in the print media, Wedge told Brown he wouldn't get time wanting LaPorta to play more at 1B and then put non entities like Niuman Romero on the sack for several games, Chris Gimenz and of course Andy (going nowhere) Marte. Will Brown make the 40 man or will he be subjected to the Rule 5 draft? I don't see where he has anything to prove at the dish having several Minor League Hitting titles and he's at least an average 1B/OF. Maybe a tad slow but with a decent arm and good range. He didn't make stupid mistakes while in the field like I saw from some of the more highly regarded guys on most top 10-15 prospect lists. I saw about 12 Clippers games and Brown was a solid fielder. More prepared than LaPorta in the OF.

Me: I was candidly told by someone in the Indians organization that “when the Rule 5 Draft comes he will either be on our roster or someone else's roster, so he won't be in the draft." This obviously means he will be added to the Indians 40-man roster or could possibly be traded before the November 20th roster deadline (not likely).  He is going to be rostered.  No doubt.

The Indians 100% believe his bat is ready for the big leagues and there are few if any questions about it. His problem is he really is a man without a position and he also has to overcome two other players in Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta to get into the everyday lineup in Cleveland. He's an average defender at best at 1B, and in the outfield he is still extremely raw and inconsistent. He's improved a lot out there, but he still has a ways to go to become a more average and reliable defender in the outfield. He is currently out in Venezuela playing in the outfield exclusively to continue his transition out there. If he is still with the Indians when spring training starts, it should make a great three man battle between him, LaPorta, and Brantley for left field and first base. LaPorta is coming off of offseason surgery to his hip and toe, which may prevent him from being ready when the season starts, which could be the opportunity Brown needs to get his long overdue chance to shine.

Ben C. wrote: The reason I am e-mailing is to get your thoughts on Jason Donald. A guy I know from Philly is sky high on him (and Knapp). He thinks Donald is going to be an all-star level player and should be our 3B of the future. Seems to me he's more likely to be used as a utility guy by the Tribe and probably won't even get a shot at a full time gig. What do you think about him? Does he have a chance to be a regular?

Me: It remains to be seen, but Donald definitely has a chance to be a regular. The Indians from what it sounds like view him more as a 2B than a 3B, and this may be because they may think he complements Luis Valbuena well at 2B and we have the likes of Lonnie Chisenhall and Wes Hodges at third base in the upper levels of the system. They like Donald’s versatility, pop, and presence/makeup. They also believe he is highly valued around the league, and they themselves are very high on him.

Now, will he be a star in the big leagues? I really do not know, especially since I didn't see him play and he only played a handful of games with Triple-A Columbus before going down with the back injury. He did not have a good year at all this season between the Phillies and Indians Triple-A teams, though some of that could be blamed on the injuries and other things. I'll say he certainly has the ability/tools to be an impact everyday player where some have compared him to a younger Michael Young, but I wouldn't count on it and I think instead he should be viewed more as a potential solid everyday guy or a valuable super utility guy in the mold of what Casey Blake was when he was here.

Joan wrote: How is it that Carlos Rivero is even playing in the AFL? Per the AFL eligibility page “one foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league." Since Carlos is Venezuelan, how is it that he's even allowed to participate in the AFL?

Me: Good question, and nice catch by the way. I had no idea so asked the Indians, and their response was that there is some sort of loop hole in this rule where as long as the player is not on the 25-man roster for his native country’s team then the player is eligible. Too complex if you ask me, I prefer to just keep it simple and say “play ball!”

Devin R. wrote: “Whatever happened to Edward Salcedo? You couldn't get on a baseball site two offseasons ago without reading a rumor about him, but ever since they began investigating his age, there have been no follow ups. Last I knew, he was in the Indians' camp in the DR and in a bidding war between the Yankees and Indians. Any idea what his status is at this point? Surely he's still playing ball.

Me: I have no idea of the whereabouts of Salcedo at this point, but the Indians interest in him obviously cooled a lot once concerns arose over his age. Apparently, since he has not yet signed other clubs are concerned as well and he has seemingly lost all bargaining power at this point. I think he will eventually sign with someone, maybe even the Indians, but not for anywhere close to the $2.9M he was rumored to be demanding nor will he come with the amount of hype his signing would have initially brought.

Richard S. wrote: Am I missing something? Do you really think that Santana when he is called up will become a demonstrably better defensive and play calling/pitcher handling catcher than Lou Marson will be three/fourths of the way through the season?

Me: Santana is a good defender with a cannon for an arm while Marson is only considered average or maybe on a good day a tick above average. Santana is clearly a better defender than Marson from a physical/talent standpoint, but at this time Marson is clearly a better catcher from a mental standpoint as far as calling a game, handling a pitching staff, etc. That's what Santana needs work on polishing up, and why he will spend at least two months in Columbus to start the season.

Gary P. wrote: Have you heard any update on Anthony Reyes after his surgery?

Me: The Indians do not expect Reyes to pitch in the big leagues next year as he is expected to be out for 12-18 months following his surgery in mid-June this year. He is rehabbing, but won't really start or get into a throwing program until next spring. He could see some time on a rehab assignment late in the year, or if things go really well he could potentially be a late June or late July addition to the staff, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. It’s too hard to predict at the moment and we should have a better idea of how he is progressing once spring training starts. Don't be surprised if he is DFAed prior to the November 20th roster deadline and then resigned to a minor league deal to remove him from the roster and create a roster spot for someone else.

Rich S. wrote: I just had a question. Why is there just one pitching coach? Couldn't you have a major league pitching coordinator and a right-handed pitching coach and a left-handed pitching coach, or a coach that works with starters and one with relievers. Sort of like in football where there is a defensive coordinator, and separate defensive line coach, linebacker coach, and defensive back coach. Why is it so specialized in football but so general in baseball?

Me: That’s an interesting question, and you got me stumped on that one! There may be a rule as to how many coaches are allowed on a big league bench or on the field in general, and if so this would obviously limit the specialization of coaches. But you would think major league teams would prefer more individualized one-to-one coaching with an outfield coach, first base coach, third base coach, catching coach, etc., so unless someone else can refute my hypothesis I’m going with the idea that there is a limit to the number of coaches a team can have!

Posted in: Anthony Reyes,Carlos Rivero,Carlos Santana,Edward Salcedo,Jason Donald,Jordan Brown,Lou Marson