Arizona Rookie League
The Arizona Rookie League Indians started play last week in Goodyear, and have sputtered out of the gate to a disappointing 1-5 start. They trail the 6-0 Brewers by 5 games in the AZL Central Division, which is comprised of the rookie clubs of the Indians, Brewers, Reds, and Dodgers.
However, their poor record to date is somewhat expected as the Indians boast many high upside but extremely raw 16 and 17-year-old players. The less publicized AZL typically serves as a good place for extremely young and inexperienced players to “get their feet wet”, with intensive focus on fundamentals prior to entering the pipeline of short season Single-A Mahoning Valley and full season Single-A Lake County. Additionally, many of the international signings will play in the AZL when they first come to America. The Indians are extremely excited about what the future might hold for this team, and the roster which was released last week is published on IPI’s organization depth chart.
Here are a few of those players of interest to keep an eye on this season:
Alex Monsalve, C: This extremely athletic 18 year-old catching prospect has scouts drooling. Monsalve is coming off a decent year in which he batted .274 in the Dominican Summer League in 2009, and is penciled into the 3-hole in the lineup this season. As can be expected of any player this young, he still is incredibly raw, however the organization feels he has the frame and ability to add significant power and be a strong defensive player. Monsalve already has 8 hits, 3 of them doubles through 6 games.
Jorge Martinez, 2B: Martinez has been moved over from his listed position of shortstop to second base for his first professional season. This may be in order to allow 2010 6th round amateur draft pick Nick Bartolone to have first crack at playing the shortstop position. There is a lot to like about Martinez, just like with Monsalve, as he is athletic but extremely inexperienced. So far on the year he has 6 hits in 23 at bats, and the Indians have been hitting him in the 7th in the lineup.
Felix Sterling, RHP: Sterling is another player who is young and new to the states, but figures to be the team’s go-to starter throughout the season. Sterling already has 10 strikeouts through 2 games. He is supposedly a power pitcher, but his full arsenal and ability is not known at this time and information on that is still being gathered. Once again, Sterling is a player who is being brought over to the states slightly earlier then in the past, due partially to a more aggressive organizational philosophy and partially to the fact scouts feel very strongly about him.
Dominican Summer League
The Indians Dominican league team is off to an auspicious start at 15-10, and is tied with the Dominican League Mets for first place in the 9-team Boca Chica North division. Third baseman Erik Gonzales is off to an extremely hot start with the bat hitting at a .385 clip in 20 games at the hot corner, but has already committed 7 errors. Right-handed starting pitcher Enosil Tejada has been lights out with a 2.15 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a freakishly good 44-2 stikeout to walk ratio. Other players to watch include first baseman Charlie Valerio, shortstop Jairo Kelly, and starting pitcher Alexis Paredes.
Jorge Martinez, 2B: Martinez has been moved over from his listed position of shortstop to second base for his first professional season. This may be in order to allow 2010 6th round amateur draft pick Nick Bartolone to have first crack at playing the shortstop position. There is a lot to like about Martinez, just like with Monsalve, as he is athletic but extremely inexperienced. So far on the year he has 6 hits in 23 at bats, and the Indians have been hitting him in the 7th in the lineup.
Felix Sterling, RHP: Sterling is another player who is young and new to the states, but figures to be the team’s go-to starter throughout the season. Sterling already has 10 strikeouts through 2 games. He is supposedly a power pitcher, but his full arsenal and ability is not known at this time and information on that is still being gathered. Once again, Sterling is a player who is being brought over to the states slightly earlier then in the past, due partially to a more aggressive organizational philosophy and partially to the fact scouts feel very strongly about him.
Dominican Summer League
The Indians Dominican league team is off to an auspicious start at 15-10, and is tied with the Dominican League Mets for first place in the 9-team Boca Chica North division. Third baseman Erik Gonzales is off to an extremely hot start with the bat hitting at a .385 clip in 20 games at the hot corner, but has already committed 7 errors. Right-handed starting pitcher Enosil Tejada has been lights out with a 2.15 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a freakishly good 44-2 stikeout to walk ratio. Other players to watch include first baseman Charlie Valerio, shortstop Jairo Kelly, and starting pitcher Alexis Paredes.
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