Around the Farm: August 18

Around the Farm takes a quick look at some of yesterday's performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday's games.

Scott Barnes – SP, Akron: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR.
Barnes of late is really starting to look like the Major League caliber starting pitching prospect the Indians picked up last July for Ryan Garko. He got off to a terrible start this year in April (8.00 ERA) and May (6.56 ERA), but has steadily gotten better as the year has progressed (June 4.21 ERA, July 3.49 ERA, August 1.29 ERA). ERA is not the be-all-end-all and can be deceiving, but his progress shows he is not as susceptible to the big innings like he was earlier in the year. Controlling his emotions is something he has worked on all year as the game can speed up on him, and it looks to be paying off. He has now gone 6.0 or more innings in nine straight starts and over that period has a 2.81 ERA with eight quality starts.

• Jose Constanza – OF, Columbus: 3-for-3, RBI, 2 BB. As a minor league free agent this offseason he is going to be coveted by teams looking for outfield depth and versatility.
• Ezequiel Carrera – OF, Columbus: 0-for-5, 3 K. Hitting .274/.335/.330 in 92 Triple-A games this year. Constanza hitting .315/.369/.384 in 97 Triple-A games. Biggest difference? Carrera is four years younger.
• David Huff – SP, Columbus: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. Suffers first loss in Triple-A this year (7-1).
• Carlton Smith – RP, Columbus: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 0 K. Not a good showing at all in Triple-A this year where in 32 games has a 7.43 ERA, .329 BAA, and allowed 7 HR in 40.0 IP.
• Connor Graham – RP, Akron: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. No one hotter in the bullpen in the Indians system over the past six weeks than this guy.
• Jordan Henry – OF, Akron: 2-for-5, K. Not much power to speak of (.362 SLG), but can his impressive bat-to-ball ability (.317 AVG), on-base ability (.412 OBP), plate discipline (61 BB, 66 K), and speed (23 SB) be overlooked? Not to mention great defense?
• Jerad Head – OF, Akron: 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K. Really showing more consistent power this year in Akron (.601 SLG) compared to last year (.433 SLG).
• T.J. McFarland – SP, Kinston: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR. Faced just eight hitters and threw 40 pitches before being removed from game. Organizational policy with high stress innings to remove a guy after a 35-40 pitch inning.
• Dave Roberts – RP, Kinston: 2.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K. 2008 4th rounder just not progressing well with 5.91 ERA and .306 BAA this year at Kinston, and could be on roster bubble in offseason.
• Chun Chen – DH, Kinston: 1-for-1, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB. Hitting even better in Kinston .313/.427/.487 than he was in Lake County .312/.368/.518.  So much for a drop off.
• Juan Diaz – SS, Kinston: 2-for-4. Stick is coming on, hitting .405/.421/.541 in last ten games.
• Clayton Cook – SP, Lake County: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Was off to another good start, but had to leave the game early because of tightness in his shoulder. Future status unknown.
• Delvi Cid – OF, Lake County: 2-for-4, R, 2 BB, SB. Now hitting .299/.354/.359 since June 1st and dropping switch hitting approach. Also up to 62 stolen bases on season.
• Diego Seastrunk – C, Mahoning Valley: 1-for-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K. Short, powerful catcher with decisive blast of the game (3-run homer).
• Carlos Moncrief – OF, Mahoning Valley: 2-for-4. Having an outstanding August hitting .373/.471/.559.
• Mike Rayl – SP, Mahoning Valley: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Not talked about often, but is a lefty pitcher Indians like a lot.
• Nate Striz – RP, Mahoning Valley: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Nice pro debut for highly regarded reliever out of North Carolina.
• Alex Lavisky – C, AZL Indians: 0-for-4, 3 K. Not the most memorable debut, but it’s good to get that first game out of the way.
• Mark Brown – OF, AZL Indians: 0-for-3, K. Also made his debut, but like Lavisky better days ahead.

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