Around the Farm: August 27

Paolo Espino
(photo: Columbus
Clippers)

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 game.


For those prospect watchers this weekend, the Indians #1 draft pick, Francisco Lindor, will be making his professional debut today for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The Scrappers take the field at 5:05. With the Scrappers already loaded with offensive talent from the 2011 draft, Lindor should fit right in.


Paolo Espino: SP, Columbus: 4 IP, 1 H, 6 K:


Paolo Espino didn't get the win, and he didn't even make it into the fifth inning? So why did he make it into the spotlight player of the day for the second time this week? Perhaps it was the fact that he pitched a one-hit, four-inning gem on only three days rest, after pitching a seven-inning, two hit gem on August 23rd. Espino made has been absolutely dominant since a start on July 19th. Since that game, he's made four starts and three relief appearances totaling 28 2/3 innings. During that time period, he's only given up 16 hits, three runs and four walks, while striking out an impressive 29 batters. His ERA during the streak is 0.96, out of every role imaginable. His yeoman's work out of the starting role, the relief role, and as their "emergency everything" pitcher should get him up to the big league club sooner than many people think. He'll never be the stud prospect that guys like Drew Pomeranz and Alex White were, but there's no doubt he could prove to be just as valuable.


Jared Goedert: 3B, Columbus: 3-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB:


Just when you thought Goedert was finished in this organization, he rises from the ashes. Goedert started the season off on the DL, and by the time he returned, Cord Phelps, Jason Donald, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis were all firmly entrenched ahead of him. Goedert also struggled early on with Columbus, and was placed on waivers. After clearing, he re-signed with the Clip-Show, and has really started looking like the player that hit .283, with 27 homers and 83 RBI last year. With yesterday's performance, the Clippers' third baseman has five multi-hit games in his last ten, to go along with three doubles, four homers and nine RBI. His ten-game line is an impressive .342/.395/.737. While he isn't close to supplanting the Kip/Chis duo in the bigs, he could be a part of the conversation next season with players like Donald and phelps, should injuries become an issue.

• Luis Valbuena: SS, Columbus: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB: Valbuena has hit in five straight, and four straight since returning from Cleveland. During the five-game streak, he's 7-for-19, with three runs, a double, an RBI and three walks.
• Tim Fedroff: LF, Columbus: 2-5, 1 R: Fedroff is officially hot, and on another hit streak. Fedroff had three double-digit hit streaks in Akron, including a 20-game streak that allowed him to win the Eastern League's player of the month title. This streak only stands at seven games, but after back-to-back two-hit games, look out. Fedroff may be on the verge of another tear.
• Jerad Head: CF, Columbus: 3-4, 1 2B: The only thing Head has done this year is hit the ball a ton. It hasn't gotten him anywhere with the organization, but it should put a bit of a spotlight on him for other teams who need a solid, multi-purpose, fourth outfielder, who can provide pop from the right side.
• Zach Putnam: RP, Columbus: BS (4), 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K: Putnam didn't give up any of his own runs, but did give up Eric Berger's inherited runners. Not a perfect outing from one of the top relievers in the system, which follows his pattern since mid-August. He's given up six earned runs in 4 2/3 IP heading into last night's game.
• Chen Lee: RP, Columbus: W (4-0), 1 1/3, 1 BB, 2 K: Lee seems back on track after a bit of a swoon in late July and early August. This was his third straight shutout appearance, and second straight no-hit appearance.
• T.J. McFarland: SP, Akron: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R/1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K: McFarland had a decent outing, although clearly struggled a bit with control. Still, the Aeros offense was held to three hits, and couldn't get enough on the board to get the lefty the win.
• Rob Bryson: RP, Akron: 2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K: Bryson rebounded from a five-run implosion on August 22 to give the Aeros 2 1/3 innings of two-hit, shutout relief. This kid is the hidden gem in the CC Sabathia deal from a few years back. I can't wait to see what he does with a healthy spring training behind him next season.
• Cory Burns: Closer, Akron: L (2-5): 1 2/3, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K: Burns gave up his first run in ten appearances a day after tying Preston Guilmet for the organizational saves lead. Just a blip on the radar for this future major league closer.
• Lake County Offense: 3-28, 0 BB, 9 K: The Captains only sent up one more batter than the minimum last night, without a walk, while striking out nine batters. Ouch...
• Nick Wetmore: RP/SP, Lake County: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 6 K: Wetmore wasn't the starter of record last night, but he came in on normal rest and was outstanding in his six innings of "relief work." Unfortunately, the bats were slumbering last night.
• Bryson Myles: RF, Mahoning Valley: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB, CS (5): Myles continued his hot ways with another hit and a walk. The hit upped his current streak to 11-games.
• Tony Wolters: SS, Mahoning Valley: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K: Wolters continued with is outstanding offensive 2011 with another multi-hit performance. Here's my question: if Lindor is a shortstop, where will Wolters be playing tomorrow?
• Jake Lowery: C, Mahoning Valley: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K: Don't let Lowery's .238 fool you. He still carries a big-time bat, with solid power.
• Daniel Jimenez: SP, Mahoning Valley: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R/0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K: Jimenez has had a fantastic season, and he continued it last night with another outstanding performance.
• Jack Wagoner: RP, Mahoning Valley: W (1-0), 2 IP, 1 K: Wagoner, the Indians 33rd round pick this year, got his first professional win in his fourth appearance with the Scrappers. Overall, he's pitched in four innings, giving up one hit and three walks, while striking out four.
• Enosil, Tejada: Closer, Mahoning Valley: S (11), 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K: Tejada has had a spectacular season in general, but an even more outstanding August. Including his last appearance in July, Tejada has gone eight-straight appearances without giving up a run, and has only given up two hits and three walks over the same time period. He's pitched in 8 1/3 innings during the stretch, striking out a whopping 16 batters.  Perez, Burns and Guilmet better pay attention, because this kid may be knocking on the door as well.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra). Use discount code 2Z6F362B to receive 40% off the book through the site store!

Posted in: Around the Farm,Jared Goedert,Paolo Espino