Game Recaps 6/3: Aguilar, Captains muscle up for win

Jesus Aguilar (Photo: Lianna Holub)

Captains Walk Off with 8-7 Win

Lake County in walk off fashion defeated Clinton 8-7 on Friday night in front of a season high 9999 fans. Alex Monsalve drove in LeVon Washington in the bottom of the ninth, for the Captains first walk off win of the season.

The Captains took a 1-0, in the first inning, when Anthony Gallas drove in his 21st run of season with an RBI ground out scoring LeVon Washington.

In the second inning, Lake County used a couple of long balls to increase the lead to 2-0. Jesus Aguilar hit a solo homerun to right field, his eighth of the season to start off frame. Alex Lavisky hit his seventh of the season, a solo shot to left center.

Jesus Aguilar connected for his second home run of the game in the fourth inning to give the Captains a 4-0 advantage.

Lake County starter Kyle Blair was nearly untouchable till the top of the sixth inning. Mickey Wiswall reached on an infield single to short. With two out, Kalian Sams hit a two-run homerun to right center cutting the lead in half, at 4-2.

In the top of the seventh inning, the wheels came off for the Captains. The Lumberkings scored four runs to take a 6-5 lead.

The Captains responded in the bottom half of the seventh inning. Giovanny Urshela tied the game at six, with his second hit of the game scoring Washington. Urshela scored later in the inning on a wild pitch taking a 7-6 lead.

L’Kings’ Kevin Rivers hit a solo homerun in the top of the eighth inning; his third of the season tied the game at seven.

Captains’ Clayton Ehlert (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, working two innings in relief allowing a run on just one hit, striking out two. Tyler Burgoon (2-2) suffered the loss alloing three runs, one earned on three hits, walking one and striking out four. Kyle Blair was very good for Lake County in his start, he went six innings allowing two runs, on four hits, walking one and striking out four.

Lake County and Clinton continue their weekend series on Saturday night at Classic Park with first pitch at 7:00PM. The Captains will start All-Star selection LHP Mike Rayl (4-1) against Lumberkings All-Star LHP James Paxton (1-2).

Bats sail past Clippers, 10-4

Devin Mesoraco went 3-for-3 with a career-tying 5 RBI as the Bats defeated the Columbus Clippers 10-4 on Friday.

After they were quickly down 2-0, the Clippers would strike back in the third inning to tie the game at 2-2. Luke Carlin hit an RBI double to score Jared Goedert from first base. Carlin, who reached third base on a wild pitch by Brandon Hynick, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Cord Phelps.

Columbus loaded the bases courtesy of two walks and a single by Ezequiel Carrera to start off the fifth inning. Phelps then hit a single to bring in Goedert and once again tie the game at 3-3. Two batters later, the Clippers regained the lead on a sacrifice fly by Chad Huffman to score Carrera.

A six-run sixth inning blew the game open for the Bats. The Bats took back the lead on a pair of RBI doubles, a sacrifice fly, and a three-run home run to push the lead to 9-4.

RHP Carlton Smith (1-1, 3.75) received the loss for the Clippers.

The Clippers wrap up the two-game away series against the Bats Saturday at 6:05 p.m. RHP Matt Klinker (3-1, 6.65) will get the start for the Bats. LHP Scott Barnes (3-1, 5.12) will take the mound for the Clippers.

Aeros Bats Rally Late, But Fall Short

The Akron Aeros rallied for two runs in the bottom of ninth inning, but came up short as they dropped game one of a three-game series to the Binghamton Mets 6-2 Friday at Canal Park.

Lefty Joe Gardner suffered the loss for the Aeros lasting 4.2 innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits, walking three and striking out two.

Right-hander Brandon Moore pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win for Binghamton scattering three hits, walking three and striking out four.

Infielder Nick Johnson made his Aeros debut going 0-for-2 with a walk. Johnson was also hit by a pitch in Friday’s game.

The B-Mets (17-35) scored in the top of the first inning. Jonathan Malo reached on an error to start the inning. Reese Havens singled and Salomon Manriquez walked to load the bases with no one out. Malo scored when Brahiam Maldonado grounded into a force out giving the B-Mets a 1-0 lead.

Binghamton added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Carlos Guzman and Raul Reyes rapped back-to-back singles. Jose Coronado followed with a two-RBI double to make it 3-0. Later in the frame, Havens singled home Coronado to give the B-Mets a 4-0 lead.

The B-Mets added runs in the top of the fifth and seventh innings to make it 6-0.

The Aeros (26-30) scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Chun Chen sacrifice fly and a Kyle Bellows RBI single, but drew no closer as they lost game one of this three-game series.

The Aeros and B-Mets will continue their series Saturday. Right-handed pitcher Austin Adams will get the start for Akron. Adams is 4-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 2011. He will face fellow righty Brad Holt, who is 2-4 with a 3.78 ERA this season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Winston-Salem Beats Kinston 3-1

The Dash snuck by Kinston 3-1 Friday night in Winston-Salem.

Justin Collop got the spot start for Winston-Salem, not giving up a run in three innings of work. Collop was helped out by a run saving diving catch by center fielder Jared Mitchell. The catch robbed Kinston's Casey Frawley of a hit that would have driven in two runs in the third inning. Collop was replaced in the fourth inning by J.R. Ballinger.

T.J. House had a strong start for Kinston, limiting Winston-Salem to just one hit through the first three innings. In the fourth inning, Dash lead-off man Tyler Saladino reached on a single, then stole both second and third base. He scored on a Jose Martinez RBI ground-out. Kinston would even the score in the top of the fifth when Tyler Cannon led off with a single and Doug Pickens followed with a double. Holt would drive in Cannon with a ground-out.

The Dash would break the tie in the bottom of the frame starting with back-to-back doubles from Andy Wilkins and Jake Oester. Jason Bour would hit a run scoring single later in the evening to give Winston-Salem a 3-1 lead.

House turned in the longest outing of the season for Kinston while picking up his sixth loss of the season. House (2-6) allowed three earned runs over 7 1/3 innings, his longest career outing. The K-Tribe left hander walked one and struck out four. Jose Flores got the final two outs of the eighth inning for Kinston.

The counterpart of House, Justin Collop, did not last long enough to pick up a decision. With Collop gone after three innings, J.R. Ballinger was awarded for lasting through the sixth with his second win. Ballinger allowed one run on three hits and struck out two batters. Kinston was 0-for-13 at the plate with runners in scoring position, stranding seven on the night. Cannon continued his strong play for the K-Tribe, going 3-for-3 on the night.

The roadtrip continues in Winston-Salem on Saturday night, game time 7pm. Clayton Cook will take the mound for Kinston.

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).

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Gallas out to prove everyone wrong

Anthony Gallas (Photo: Tony Lastoria)

It is hard to get to the top when you start at the absolute bottom in pro baseball because the odds are extremely stacked against you. For an undrafted player in the minor leagues the road is arduous to ever achieve that dream of making it to the big leagues.

Every once in awhile a player beats those odds, as Indians fans have recently witnessed firsthand with right-handed pitcher Frank Herrmann and outfielder Brian Barton. Both are former Tribe farmhands who went undrafted in the MLB Draft and had to start from scratch, but found success and surprised a lot of people along the way to make it to the big leagues.

Current Low-A Lake County outfielder Anthony Gallas may be doing the same thing. In 49 games with Lake County he is hitting a blistering .350 with six homers, 20 RBI, and .996 OPS. He leads the entire 16-team Midwest League in batting average, hits (63) and doubles (23), and is second in the league in total bases (104) and OPS. With those numbers, a promotion to High-A Kinston is a possibility any day and likely by the end of the month.

Everything is clicking for Gallas who is excited about the start of his quest to prove everyone wrong.

“I knew in spring training I was going to have to prove something just to make the Lake County roster,” Gallas said in an interview this week at Classic Park in Eastlake. “So I worked really hard in the offseason and I just came in ready to earn a spot. I think that has helped my approach toward this season as I have to earn everything I am given and all the opportunities I get. I think that has helped me have the start that I have had.”

As a senior at Kent State last year Gallas hit .369 with 17 homers, 81 RBI and a 1.107 OPS in 64 games, but no team came calling in the draft and he went undrafted. Shortly after the draft the Indians and a few other teams contacted him with offers to sign him so they could fill out their minor league rosters and he signed an undrafted free agent (UDFA) contract with the Indians. Players stateside who sign UDFA contracts typically get a very small signing bonus in the $1000 to $1500 range.

Upon signing the 23-year old Gallas quickly learned that since he is not a big bonus guy or high round pick that there are a lot of politics involved in the pro game. Teams are going to give many opportunities to players they invested six figures or more to sign or took high in the draft. On the flipside, players who are undrafted or taken very late in the draft that the organization has very little invested in monetarily will maybe get one chance to prove themselves, if even that.

Gallas understands this dichotomy in the game, and knows he has to put the petal to the metal and that he cannot let up on the gas in order to continue to survive in the game.

“It is [tough] as you feel like you do everything you can possibly do,” Gallas said. “The last few days of spring training I had no idea if I would be here or not. I was hoping so badly I would come [to Lake County] as I had put in all the work and it might not have paid off. I didn’t really want to be in extended after playing in the [Arizona Summer League] last summer. It is disappointing when you feel like you are outplaying some guys and you don’t get the same treatment, but at the same time I like it that way as I like to earn everything I get and I feel like it is going to make it that much more sweeter once I ultimately make it up there [to the big leagues].”

Gallas had a solid pro debut last year where in 54 combined games between rookie level Arizona and short season Single-A Mahoning Valley he hit .272 with three homers, 26 RBI and a .722 OPS. After the season he made it a priority to use the near six month offseason to improve and get better. With his parents temporarily living in California, he went out there and used the warm weather to his advantage to get outside every day and work out six days a week.

Gallas worked out at RedLine Athletics out in Orange County to help develop core stability, improve his speed and agility, and get stronger. He believes that by being out in the warm weather and also with all of his offseason work it really propelled him to come into spring training in the best shape he has ever been in.

While working out on the West Coast, Gallas was able to see some of the many advantages young baseball players get year round out there compared to those on the East Coast who typically have to dodge snow and rain for over half the year. It makes it tougher to scout players on the East Coast because you often get fewer looks at players, and can sometimes affect the standing of a player in the scouting community.

“I saw something where since I am from the Midwest I don’t have as much experience as other guys [on the West Coast], but I disagree with that,” Gallas said. “I started all four years at Kent State and played summer ball all three years and played in the Arizona League last year. Doing the math I have played over 400 games the past four years. I would put that up against anyone as I don’t think anyone has played that many games. I think it has helped me with this season just knowing what to expect and how to prepare my body.”

Some feel that is the reason why Gallas went undrafted as he maybe slipped through the cracks because of the East Coast stigma, but this is not very true as if you can pitch, hit or field the area scouts for all the teams will find you whether you play in California or Ohio. However, we often see over time that players are overhyped and overvalued in a draft, so Gallas may have just been a player that for whatever reason scouts undervalued.

“To this day I don’t know why I went undrafted,” Gallas pondered. “I don’t know if it is something in Kent, but there are guys there who when I look at the talent in this league I know can play here. I put up four good years and after my All American freshman year people said I could be drafted in the 10th round after my junior year, but I didn’t get drafted after my junior year and nothing happened after my senior year.”

Even with the disappointment of not getting drafted, Gallas remains steadfast.

“I wasn’t upset because I knew I did everything I possibly could,” Gallas said. “I basically forgot about school and my social life as I wanted to give it one shot to see if I could be drafted or not. So I had no regrets, and when the [Indians called after the draft] I said I gotta do it and see what happens.”

The Indians drafted and signed nine outfielders in last year’s draft, and only two of them – Tyler Holt and Chase Burnette at High-A Kinston – are playing at a higher affiliate. Holt is a high profile outfielder out of Florida State who was in Lake County last year, and Burnette is actually more of a first baseman now.

It is a testament to how hard Gallas has worked to get where he is at presently. Not only has he been given an opportunity at Lake County above at least a half dozen guys in his draft class who are instead stuck in purgatory in extended spring training out in Arizona, but he is outperforming every player from the entire 2010 Draft class except 1st round pick left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz.

Such is the beauty of baseball.

Sometimes players come from out of nowhere to become prospects, and so many times the unheralded players make the big plays in the big games. Baseball is not only unpredictable on the field, but is just as unpredictable off the field with evaluating young players. Sometimes a player just needs an opportunity, and that is what he got at the end of spring training when he was assigned to the Lake County roster.

“It was like middle school tryouts for basketball or something as I went up to a wall and checked the list and I was on there,” Gallas beamed. “I was [relieved] and thankful as I was so happy to come back home and I wanted the games to count. I was ready for this.”

Now back home in Ohio and enjoying his time at Lake County, Gallas commutes about 45 minutes to and from games back to his parents’ house in Strongsville. He was a two sport star at Strongsville High School and was one heck of a wide receiver. He had some offers from MAC schools and even got a few sniffs from Iowa to play football, but he felt his best path to the pros was via baseball.

“Football is my favorite sport,” Gallas said. “I am from northeast Ohio, so that is how it is up here with the Browns and everything. But I just felt I had a better chance going pro [with baseball]. Just traveling around the state I noticed I was one of the better players as compared to football where there are just athletes everywhere. Playing wide receiver I felt I was not fast enough, so I just felt I had a better shot at baseball. I was realistic about it.”

Deficiencies in a player’s game are more easily accepted in baseball as a player does not need to be blazing fast or an athletic freak to hit a baseball or throw it 98 MPH. Athleticism is certainly involved, but baseball is a sport that players who have average abilities (by baseball standards) across the board can have a long and prosperous career.

Gallas is a well rounded player who has shown an ability to hit for average and has some strength to hit the ball out to all parts of the ballpark. He is a solid average runner and versatile outfielder who has a good arm. While he is not great in any one area of his game, it is his consistency which may be his best attribute.

“I am not a player that is going to wow you in one game,” Gallas said. “I am going to wow you over the course of the season with the way I approach every single day. The game is 24 hours and I don’t think a lot of people figure that out. It starts in your routine with getting to bed, waking up, eating the right food and coming to the ballpark and being focused and once you get here it is time to work as this is a job. I am here to work from the time I get to the ballpark and the time I leave. It helps me get through the grind. I am just going to show up everyday and just be consistent.”

Obviously there are some players who are just much better than the rest of the field and are born with star potential, but for the rest of the field there is really a fine line between the haves and have nots. A lot of times work ethic and consistency can be the difference.

“It gets to the point where everyone is the same talent, and it is just who works in the weight room, who is coming in early hitting, and who does the little things,” Gallas said. “That is really what it comes down to. You just have to keep your head up and not get discouraged as it is baseball. Sometimes you are going to go 5-for-5 or 0-for-5, but you have to stay in the middle and keep your head on an even keel and take what comes and be a man.”

Even with all of the success Gallas has enjoyed so far this season at Lake County, he knows he still has a lot to work on. In college and in his first taste of the pros last season he knew he had trouble catching up to 95 MPH fastballs to the inside part of the plate. Knowing this he made some adjustments to his swing in the offseason and the results so far speak for themselves.

“I go to the opposite field really well, and I talked to [Indians Hitting Coordinator] Bruce Fields last year and one day in the cage he said if I am going to continue to move up I am going to have to handle that inside pitch and have to put some power on it,” Gallas said. “So [in the offseason] I moved my hands out and what that did is it just freed up my hands and now I can get to any pitch on the plate. It has really been a separator for me. I feel confident with what I am doing at the plate right now and with how my swing is and have a lot of confidence.”

Undervalued or not, Gallas is quickly proving to have value and is moving up on the priority totem pole of outfielders in the Cleveland Indians farm system. He is old for a prospect and there are still many more levels in the minors and players in the outfield within the system to hurdle, but he has already taken big steps at becoming a priority player in the Indians’ farm system.

“I just want to maintain my focus and finish with a year that the Indians organization says ‘okay, this guy is a prospect’,” Gallas said. “That’s all. Whatever way that is, be it coming out and working or seeing it in the cage or games, I just want to be on their list as a guy they want to move up and continue to work with. I just want some credit for the stuff I am doing and continue to get the opportunities.”

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).

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Nick Johnson activated

The Indians have activated first baseman Nick Johnson from extended spring training and assigned him to Double-A Akron. He is recovering from left wrist surgery and is on a rehab program where he could work his way up to Triple-A Columbus and then to Cleveland by month's end if all goes 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).

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On-Deck with the Captains: Week 8

First off, congratulations to Captains Manager Ted Kubiak on his 1,000th career victory this past week. Kubiak clinched the win in game two of the Captains doubleheader on Memorial Day. The Captains beat West Michigan by a score of 4-3. Kubiak has been in the Indians organization for the last 18 years as a coach and instructor.

Record: 25-28

Game Results:

May 27th - West Michigan @ Lake County (Loss: Striz)
May 28th (G1) - West Michigan @ Lake County (Win: Cooper, Save: Haley)
May 28th (G2) - West Michigan @ Lake County (Loss: Wright)
May 29th - West Michigan @ Lake County (Win: Blair, Save: Ehlert)
May 30th (G1) - West Michigan @ Lake County (Loss: Rayl)
May 30th (G2) - West Michigan @ Lake County (Win: Sarianides, Save: Ehlert)
May 31st - Kane County @ Lake County (Win: Cook, Save: Cooper)
June 1st - Kane County @ Lake County (Win: Goodnight, Save: Dickerson)
June 2nd - Kane County @ Lake County ()

Transactions:

None

Notes on Offense:

As the weather in Northeast Ohio starts to heat up, so has catcher Alex Lavisky. After looking lost at the plate most of the season, the Lakewood native has busted out of his slump in style. In 26 at-bats this week, Lavisky has collected eight hits (.308); three of which were homeruns. Lavisky also drove in seven runs. Even though he is barely hitting above the Mendoza line (.211), he is starting to improve at the plate. One area that Alex really needs to focus on is plate discipline. He struck out 10 times this week and did not walk once. From what I have seen, he is a free swinger. With a little more discipline, Lavisky could get into better hitting counts and could possibly get better pitches to hit.

Outfielder Anthony Gallas continues to shine. Manager Ted Kubiak has moved Gallas from the six spot to the clean-up position. He deserves it. In my opinion, Gallas is the best hitter on the team and I am surprised this move in the order took so long with the way Jesus Aguilar has struggled. This week, Gallas hit .360 (9/25) with two homeruns and five RBI. He also had a 14 game hitting streak snapped on the 30th. It will not be long before Gallas starts sporting a K-Tribe uniform.

LeVon Washington has started to pick it up with the calendar turning to June. Washington hit .240 this week with a RBI, five runs scored, and two stolen bases. A .240 average is nothing to write home about, but that marks an improvement from the past two weeks of hitting in the .100's. Washington strikes out too much for my liking (6 K's to 3 BB's on the week), but he is only 19 years old and has plenty of room to grow and develop better strike zone management (same goes for Lavisky). The key to his game is to get on base and score runs.

Hitter of the Week:

The Hitter of the Week this week is catcher Alex Monsalve. Monsalve hit .393 (11/28) with four runs scored, two RBI, and a double. Monsalve is hitting .289 on the season with two homeruns and 20 RBI. Alex is second on the team in batting average (Gallas is first).

Notes on Pitching:

Trey Haley picked up his first professional save this past week. Haley might not be long for the bullpen, but in his time there it showed that the kid can pitch. Haley pitched two scoreless innings this week, striking out three and walking two. Once mechanical issues get straightend out, Haley should be back in the Captains rotation.

Cole Cook picked up his second win of the season this week. He went seven innings and gave up three runs (two were earned). He struck out four and walked two. Cook is 2-5 on the season with a 4.76 ERA in 51 innings pitched. Cook has struck out 30 batters on the season.

Closer Clayton Ehlert picked up his team leading 10th save of the season, which is good for a tie of third place in the Midwest League. Ehlert picked up two saves this week. He pitched three innings, giving up one run and striking out one.

Pitcher of the Week:

Kyle Blair is this week's Pitcher of the Week. In one start this week, Blair went six innings and gave up no runs. He struck out a career high of nine and walked just two. It was good to see the fourth round pick get back on track.

Upcoming Games:

June 3rd - Clinton vs. Lake County
June 4th - Clinton vs. Lake County
June 5th - Clinton vs. Lake County
June 6th - Off
June 7th - Lake County @ Wisconsin
June 8th - Lake County @ Wisconsin
June 9th - Lake County @ Wisconsin

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Around the Farm: June 2

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.

Jeanmar Gomez - SP, Columbus: 8 IP, 3 H, ER/R, 3 BB, 4 K.
After being sent back to Columbus, Gomez's first two starts didn't go the way he would have liked them to and was unimpressive. In his first two appearances, he pitched a combined 10.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and 7 earned runs/runs. He also allowed one home run and surrendered 5 walks, while striking out 12. In his three starts since, he's pitched a combined 23 innings, allowing 14 hits, 4 earned runs/runs, and surrendering one home run. He's also walked 8 and struck out 13. Breaking the numbers down, in his first two starts, he pitched an average of 5.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3.5 earned runs/runs, 2.5 walks, and striking out 6.5. In his three starts since, he's pitching an average 8 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run/run, 2.5 walks, and striking out 4. His strike out-to-walk ratio is slightly down, but he's allowing less hits and runs, which is an encouraging sign from Gomez.

• Jason Kipnis - 2B, Columbus: 2-3, 2B, RBI, BB. Kipnis walked with the bases loaded in the top of the tenth, which proved to be the winning run.
• Jared Goedert - 1B, Columbus: 1-4, RBI. The only other Clipper to drive in a run, as Goedert gets back in the swing of things from injury.
• Zach Putnam - RP, Columbus: 2 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K. Putnam closed the door for Columbus, earning the win.
• Matt McBride - 1B, Akron: 3-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, K. McBride certainly deserves a call up, but there's no where to place him on an extremely crowded Clippers roster.
• Beau Mills - DH, Akron: 2-4, 2 RBI, BB, K. He followed up a poor outing last game, rebounding to drive in two for the Aeros.
• Kelvin De La Cruz - SP, Akron: 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER/R, 5 BB, 4 K. Command continues to haunt De La Cruz this season and is becoming a legitimate concern going forward.
• Paolo Espino - RP, Akron: 6 IP, 3 H, ER/R, 6 K. Akron couldn't have asked for a better relief appearance from Espino, who really saved the day.
• Delvi Cid - CF, Kinston: 2-4, 3 R, 2B, BB. Once considered a sleeper prospect has really dwindled in a struggling Kinston offense.
• Jeremie Tice - 1B, Kinston: 3-5, 2 R, RBI, K. Of all the games I've seen Tice play, I've came away impressed. He must stay healthy.
• Adam Abraham - 3B, Kinston: 3-5, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI. After laying essentially a goose egg last game, the K-Tribe offense came alive, due in large part to Abraham, who has been a surprising contributor this season.
• Abner Abreu - RF, Kinston: 2-4. One prospect who has really declined in my eyes is Abreu, who has all the potential in the world, but has yet to live up to it.
• Giovanny Urshela - 3B, Lake County: 2-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 K. In his past ten games, Urshela is hitting .194.
• Steven Wright - SP, Lake County: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER/R, 3 BB, 4 K. Not one of Wright's more impressive starts this season. Nevertheless, still a solid outing that he gave the Captains.

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).

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Game Recaps 6/2: Espino pitches Aeros to victory

Paolo Espino (Photo: Lianna Holub)

Aeros Salvage Finale With R-Phils

The Akron Aeros downed the Reading Phillies 8-4 Thursday morning at FirstEnergy Stadium to salvage the finale of a three-game series.

Right-handed pitcher Paolo Espino recorded the win for the Aeros tossing six innings of relief, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out six while walking none. Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz made the start for Akron lasting three innings, giving up three earned runs on three hits, walking five and striking out four.

Right-hander J.C. Ramirez suffered the loss for the R-Phils pitching four innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits, walking five and striking out one.

The Aeros (26-29) got on the board in the top of the first inning. Jordan Henry led off with a walk and quickly stole second. With two outs, Henry advanced to third on a J.C. Ramirez wild pitch. Beau Mills followed with a single scoring Henry and giving Akron a 1-0 lead.

The R-Phils (28-24) answered in the bottom of the second inning. Niuman Romero drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Tim Kennelly followed with a two-RBI double to give Reading a 3-1 lead.

Akron retook the lead in the top of the third inning. Donnie Webb led off with a double and Henry moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt. Tim Fedroff reached on a fielding error allowing Webb to score to make it 3-2. Matt McBride followed with a two-run home run giving the Aeros a 4-3 lead.

The Aeros added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning. Karexon Sanchez was hit by a pitch with one out. With two outs, Sanchez stole second and Webb walked. Henry and Fedroff followed with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 6-3. McBride capped the inning with an RBI double to give the Aeros a 7-3 lead.

Reading got a run back in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 7-4.

Akron added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning and went on to the win.

The Aeros will return home to begin a three-game series with the Binghamton Mets Friday. Right-handed pitcher Joe Gardner will get the start for Akron. Gardner is 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 2011. He will face fellow righty Brandon Moore, who is 4-3 with a 4.27 ERA this season. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Kinston Wins Their Fifth Straight Series With a 7-6 Win

Kinston grabbed their fifth straight series win with a 7-6 victory over Wilmington Thursday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The K-Tribe took three of four games from Wilmington for the series win. Kinston (27-25) is now just 3 ½ games behind Myrtle Beach for first place in the Carolina League Southern Division.

Wilmington's Michael Mariot made his first start of the season and Kinston took advantage in the bottom of the first inning. Delvi Cid led off with a single. Cid stole second base and advanced to third on an errant throw by Blue Rock's catcher Juan Graterol. Bo Greenwell then drove Cid home with a ground-out. With two outs in the inning, Jeremie Tice singled. That was followed by a home run from Adam Abraham, giving Kinston a 3-0 lead. The shot to left field was the team leading seventh of the season for Abraham. Abraham drove in his third run of the game with a double scoring Tice in the third inning. The bottom of the third started when Tice led off with a single.

Up 4-3 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, Kinston scored again when Cid led off with a double and came home on a Justin Toole single. K-Tribe starting pitcher Brett Brach kept Kinston in the lead, going 5 1/3 innings giving up three earned runs on six hits. Brach walked two and struck out two.

In the top of the seventh inning, Wilmington’s Rey Navarro hit a two-run home run off of Kinston reliever Tyler Sturdevant. Navarro’s second two-run shot in as many days tied the score at five. Kinston would respond in the bottom of the eighth inning when Tyler Cannon led off with a single. Delvi Cid then bunted the ball to Wilmington pitcher Ran Dennick who threw high at second base for an error. Toole then took advantage by bunting Cannon and Cid over with a sacrifice. Greenwell followed with a grounder to the shortstop that drove home Cannon. Up 6-5, Tice would add a very important run with a two-out, RBI single to bring home Cid.

The insurance run was just that as Kinston closer Preston Guilmet gave up a solo home run to Juan Graterol to begin the ninth inning. Guilmet would recover and get the next three batters for his Carolina League leading 13th save of the season. Kyle Landis (1-0) got the win for Kinston in relief. He pitched a perfect eighth inning. Dennick (1-2) took the loss in relief.

Kinston banged out 15 hits on the night. Tice went 3-for-5, Abraham 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. Cid, Abreu and Cannon each had two hits for Kinston.

Kinston now hits the road for a seven game roadtrip. The trip begins in Winston-Salem Friday night, game time 7pm. T.J. House will take the mound for Kinston.

Cougars Avoid Sweep, Beat Captains 4-2

Travis Jones hit a two run homerun in the top of the ninth inning on Thursday night lifting Kane County by Lake County, 4-2. The Cougars avoid a sweep with a win in series finale.

Giovanny Urshela hit his sixth homerun of the season to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning, the solo shot game the Captains a 1-0 lead.

Kane County tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly by Yowill Espinal that scored Geulin Beltre.

The Cougars took their first lead of the night in the fifth. Cheslor Cuthbert drove in a run with his second single of the game scoring Ryan Stovall to make it 2-1.

Lake County’s Anthony Gallas reached on a two base error by pitcher Jason Adam. Jesus Aguilar drove in his team high 34th RBI to tie the game at 2-2.

Dwight Childs crushed a solo homerun to leftfield, his first of the season to cut the lead in half at 3-2, but it was not enough for the Captains.

Mitch Hodge (1-0) picked up the win working two innings in relief, allowing just three hits and striking out two. Chas Byrne picked up his third save of the season working ninth giving up a run, on one hit. Nick Sarianides (3-3) suffered the loss allowing two runs, on just one hit, hitting a batter and striking out one.

Lake County will welcome in Clinton to Classic Park for a rematch of last year’s championship series on Friday night at 7:00PM. The Captains will start RHP Kyle Blair (3-3) against RHP Jandy Sena (2-2) for the Lunberkings.

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).

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IPI Inbox: Should Santana be sent to Columbus?

Carlos Santana (Photo: AP)

It is time for another IPI Inbox to talk about some of the questions from the minors to the big leagues that Indians fans have asked of late. These are all questions I have received of late via e-mail or on my Twitter page (@TonyIPI).

If you have a question on anything pertaining to the Cleveland Indians from the minors to the big leagues that you would like answered in a future inbox, feel free to contact me. I also pull from questions in the comments sections in articles, and also from Twitter, so you can post your question there as well.

To the IPI Inbox we go.....

Rick Thomas wrote: Why not send Carlos Santana back to the minors to get his swing and confidence back?  Am I the only one who thinks he is hurting the team right now?

Me: Good question Rick.  I think there is a difference between sending a guy back to the minors to work on his swing and sending a guy back to the minors because he has a poor approach.  The thing is, Santana's approach has really been very good this year.  He's been patient, working counts, and laying off a lot of bad pitches, which is obvious since even with a .224 average he is 19^th in the AL in on-base percentage (.362) and is 1^st in the AL in pitches seen per at bat (4.49).  I mean for as great as shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has been this season, Santana has actually been on base MORE than him.  Obviously Cabrera has been more productive, but purely from putting up good at bats and getting on base arguably no one has been better except Travis Hafner.

Santana is seeing tons of pitches...the problem has been when he is getting a pitch to swing at he is overswinging and is getting under the ball.  He is missing some pretty hittable pitches by fouling them off when he should be hammering them, which is a sign he is late with his swing.  The Indians made a correction this week to eliminate the toe tap he used to do in order to try and cut down on so much of the movement he has at the plate with his swing.  Hopefully this will help him get the timing back.

As to whether you send Santana to the minors to work on this new change to correct his swing, I think this is something that can be ironed out at the big league level and the Indians are right for doing it.  Sending him down to Triple-A Columbus to try to become more consistent hitting Triple-A pitching will not help because once he gets back up who knows if the same issues will persist.  It is mostly about confidence, and that is why at least to me you first try to get the ship righted at the big league level so the confidence is already there and he can move past this.  Now if his very good approach ever goes by the wayside, then you seriously consider sending him to Columbus.

Thankfully Santana has maintained his approach even through all of the frustration he is going through as a hitter, which is a testament to how talented and mentally strong he is as a player.  Through it all, even with the poor hitting he amazingly has a .750 OPS which is 2^nd in the AL for catchers and 6^th in all of baseball for catchers.  Imagine when this guy starts hitting, which is what he is starting to do since he had a few “mental health” days and was dropped down in the batting order last weekend.  Ever since then he is playing better, which is good news for the Indians and bad news for the rest of the league.

Rick Smith wrote: I've noticed that Adam Miller is only pitching once every three to five days. Is this time period between appearances part of a plan? Will this time period shorten as the season goes on? Is he a long-shot big league option this year, barring any setbacks?

Me: I believe the length of time between Miller’s appearances when he was at High-A Kinston was twofold.  One being the Indians were still being cautious with him, and the other due to all the rainouts they have had.  But from what I understand he will get at least two rest days between appearances for the time being.  Once he proves he can pitch effectively with the slider, the command of his pitches is there, and he is healthy and up to Triple-A, THEN his workload will probably be increased to pitching more every other day or even back-to-back nights.  That will be the final test if you ask me.

As far as a big league option this year, I believe Miller is a long shot.  Yes, it is an incredible story, but emotions aside it is just not very realistic.  Not only does he have to remain healthy, effective, and move up through Akron and Columbus, but I think a lot of people forget he would have to vault over guys like Josh Judy, Nick Hagadone and Zach Putnam who are waiting and next in line on the big league train in Columbus.  So unless the Indians have serious injury issues, I don't expect Miller to be up this year except maybe as a September callup when rosters expand and they can more easily get him on the roster.  In fact, if healthy and performing well, I expect him to be a September callup as it is a perfect time to give him that cup of coffee and what a story it would be.

Bottom line, though, I think this season is more of a proving ground for Miller and if he proves healthy and effective he is certainly in the immediate plans right out of the gates next season.

Chad L. wrote: I was wondering has the Tribe thought about selling high on Marson's early success to those teams (Red Sox, White Sox, Rockies, etc.) that need catchers really bad?  I like Marson but his only role with us will be a career back-up catcher and if we can get another quality arm or position depth it might be better for the club in the long run.  We have Carlin as a career back-up in AAA and he is doing really well there.

Me:  Chad, I think there is the potential that if the right deal comes along that the Indians could deal Marson.  But, here is the thing, in addition to his very good defensive abilities, he is under club control for a long time, has an option left, and really provides a lot of roster flexibility to the team going forward.  It would almost make no sense to trade him unless they are blown away in an offer for a high profile player and he has to be included in the deal (for what it is worth, I don’t see such a high profile trade happening).

Marson surely has his warts as a hitter, but he has proven to be a very good handcuff to Carlos Santana and is going to be needed if Santana can’t overcome his offensive issues or is injured.  That and he is still young (24), and actually quite valuable as a cheap backup catching option making league minimum this year and next year as well.  With his youth he also has some upside still where the bat may always come around, which is why many think with his defensive abilities he could start for a lot of teams down the road or even now.  There is certainly attractive trade value in that, but with nothing else in the minor league system ready to contribute at the big league level as a backup or starting catcher in the next two or three years, he is probably most valuable to the Indians and probably will stay put until he gets into his arbitration years and becomes too expensive as a backup.

Hopefully by then the Indians have a catcher in their system that emerges as a major league quality defensive catcher to be Santana’s caddy who by then is hopefully putting up huge numbers on a yearly basis.

Bob B. wrote: Has your rating of McAllister changed - or do you need to see him when you get fully recovered?

Me: Yes, my rating on Triple-A Columbus right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister has definitely changed.  Those preseason rankings almost become immediately obsolete once spring training starts as they are based on the previous year and some of the offseason work.  But man, McAllister looked completely different this spring.  I'm sold.

If the rankings were updated two months into the season, McAllister is a top 10-15 prospect in the system without a doubt and probably should have been to start the season.  Too much was put into his performance last year, when he really had three good years before that and scouts liked him.  His home run rate jumped considerably last year, which explains the high ERA and ineffectiveness, but this year it is back to previous levels.  He put in a ton of work with the Indians coaching staff in the offseason during Instructional League where they made some adjustments with his delivery, and the results are showing.  He is just oozing confidence again and going out and really performing well this season night in and night out.  If the Indians need another starter, I hear that Jeanmar Gomez may not be the slam dunk as the first option everyone thinks he is and that the Indians will seriously consider giving McAllister the call.

The Indians got McAllister last year in exchange for Austin Kearns when the Yankees were selling low on him, and in the future could prove to be another one of former GM Mark Shapiro’s best moves and rivals Casey Blake for Carlos Santana, Ben Broussard for Shin-Soo Choo, and Eduardo Perez for Asdrubal Cabrera.

Richard Schwartz wrote: It is really a shame that Weglarz is hurt. Do you think he would have been a possibility for the big leagues this year? He is already on the 40 man roster so I don't super 2 would apply to his status, right? How is his rehab going? Does he have a chance to come up to the majors this year in your opinion? When he does come up, what is he going to play?

Me: Yes, if Weglarz were healthy and performing when Hafner went on the disabled list it is probably almost a certainly that he would be up here instead of Travis Buck right now.  Weglarz and Buck are obviously both on the 40-man roster, outfielders, and left-handed hitters, but Weglarz is a priority player in the Indians system and with his power and patient approach it would have been an ideal time to insert Weglarz into the lineup and ease his way in while Hafner has been sidelined.  Definitely a missed opportunity for him.

As for Super 2, that would certainly apply had Weglarz been called up prior to somewhere around the first week of June as he would get about 120 or more days of service time this year if he stayed up the rest of the year.  If he stayed up all of 2012 and 2013, then he would be a Super 2 after the 2013 season.  Speaking of Super 2, we are about past the Super 2 point for zero service time guys that teams may want to bring up to the bigs and avoid the Super 2 hassle, players for the Indians like Cord Phelps, Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis, Zach Putnam, Zach McAllister, etc.

Weglarz’s rehab is going well and he is expected to begin a rehab assignment any day, and when he does he may initially start in Double-A Akron like Jared Goedert recently did.  If he proves healthy, I see no reason he is not a big league option by the All Star break so long as he is also performing.

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).

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Around the Farm: June 1

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.

Drew Pomeranz - SP, Kinston: 5 IP, 3 H, BB, 4 K.
After two weeks off, Pomeranz looked sharp in his return to action. He continues to show good command and dominates the batters that he faces. After his start, he lowered his ERA to 1.85, which is incredible. He's looking like everything we had hoped for and more when we drafted him nearly a year ago. There's not a doubt in my mind that following this season, he'll become our top prospect and will be an anchor in the Tribe's rotation for many years to come.

• Cord Phelps - SS, Columbus: 0-4, K. It hasn't been often lately that you see Phelps go hitless and have an off night.
• Lonnie Chisenhall - DH, Columbus: 2-4, R, 3B. After falling into a bit of a funk again as of late, Chisenhall looked sharp at the plate and smoked a triple to dead center field, which also broke up a perfect game.
• Jordan Henry - CF, Akron: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, K. It seems like every game, Henry at least produces some offense for the Aeros and this game was no different.
• Chun Chen - C, Akron: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI. Chen has really come on as of late and is hitting .285 on the year. Have to wonder if we may see him in the Future's game again.
• Beau Mills - 1B, Akron: 0-4, RBI, K. He's really struggled since coming off the disabled list, but giving Mills the benefit of the doubt, he did miss significant time, so it's natural to be rusty coming out of the gate.
• Matt Packer - SP, Akron: 2.2 IP, 9 H, 7 ER/R, K, 3 HR. What a disastrous outing for Packer, who struggled to keep the ball in the yard.
• Adam Miller - RP, Akron: IP, 5 H, 3 ER/R. It was a bad day in general for Aeros pitching and Miller was no exception.
• Bo Greenwell - RF, Kinston: 2-4, 2B. What little offense Kinston has this season, Greenwell has been a major contributor to it.
• Kinston offense - For the game, they hit a combined 5-30 (.167), walking four times and striking out 13 times. There's no doubt this offense continues to struggle big time.
• LeVon Washington - CF, Lake County: 1-4, R, 3 K. Another guy who has struggled coming out of the gate is Washington, who is hitting .200. Not sure how healthy he really is or if it's just an adjustment period he's going through.
• Carlos Moncrief - RF, Lake County: 2-4, R, 3B, HR, RBI, K. Moncrief really crushed the ball each time he saw it, as indicated.
• Anthony Gallas - LF, Lake County: 3-3, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB. What's left to say about Gallas? Night in and night out, this guy has produced.
• Michael Goodnight - SP, Lake County: 5 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 8 K. A player who has really flown under the radar this season is Goodnight, who is quietly putting together a great season.

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).

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Game Recaps 6/1: Pomeranz sharp in his return

Drew Pomeranz (Photo: Tony Lastoria)

Blue Rocks Blank Kinston 2-0

Wilmington turned the tables on Kinston, shutting out the K-Tribe 2-0 In a special 11 am school day game at Historic Grainger Stadium. Kinston (26-25) is now 12-3 in their last 15 games.

Drew Pomeranz, making his first start since May 18th, did not show any signs of rust, as he did not give up a run in five innings of work. Pomeranz walked one and struck out four, giving up just three hits. For the second straight game, Wilmington’s starting pitcher matched Kinston’s. Jake Odorizzi went six innings, giving up three hits in the no decision. He walked two and struck out eight.

Wilmington finally broke a 19-inning series scoreless streak in the eighth inning. With K-Tribe reliever Francisco Jimenez (1-1) on the hill, Carol Testa walked with one out. Rey Navarro followed with a home run to left field. The two-run shot was his third homer of the season, giving Wilmington all the runs they would need. Jimenez gave up three hits in three innings of work. He walked one and struck out two. Blue Rock’s reliever Tyler Sample (3-3) gave up two hits in two innings of work for the win. Kevin Chapman got the save for Wilmington. Chris Jones pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Indians. Wilmington racked up seven hits on the day, Kinston had five hits led by Bo Greenwell’s 2-for-4 day at the plate.

The K-Tribe ends the homestand with a Thirsty Thursday 6:30 pm game against Wilmington. Brett Brach (4-3, 2.84) will get the start for Kinston.

Durham nips Columbus 5-4

A Wes Hodges blast got the Clippers back in the game, but Durham pulled it out by a final of 5-4.

In the top of the seventh, Hodges stepped to the plate with two on and one out and took a Cory Wade pitch out to left to tie the game at four.

Joe Martinez (4-2) gave up one in the bottom frame after replacing Corey Kluber, who went six innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits.

The Clippers put Lonnie Chisenhall and Chad Huffman on with singles in the eighth, but the Bulls got out of the jam.On the game, Chisenhall went 2-4 with a run scored.

After losing the first three to Durham, the Clippers, 35-18, look to take one Thursday night, before moving on to International League west rival Louisville Friday.

Jeanmar Gomez will pitch against Durham's Edgar Gonzalez starting at 7:05pm.

Aeros Late Rally Falls Short In Reading

The Akron Aeros scored seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally and tie the game, but the Reading Phillies scored three in the bottom of the frame to win game two of a three-game series 12-9 Wednesday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Righty Adam Miller allowed all three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and suffered the loss for the Aeros pitching one inning of relief. Left-hander Matt Packer got the start for the Aeros lasting 2.2 innings, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits and striking out one.

Right-handed pitcher Chris Kissock got the win for the R-Phils pitching 1.2 innings of relief, scattering three hits and striking out two. Right-hander Phillippe Aumont pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn the save.

The Aeros (25-29) got on the board in the top of the second inning. With one out, Juan Diaz walked and scored on a Chun Chen RBI double. Chen came across to score on a Karexon Sanchez RBI groundout to make it 2-0.

Akron’s lead was short lived as Tuffy Gosewisch hit a grand slam in the bottom of the frame to the give the R-Phils a 4-2 lead. Shane Victorino followed with a solo shot of his own making it 5-2.

The R-Phils (28-23) added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Matt Rizzotti hit a solo home run to make it 6-2. Later in the frame, Gosewisch drove in Carlos Rivero to give Reading a 7-2 lead.

Reading got a two-run home run from Cody Overbeck in the bottom of the fourth inning to increase their lead to 9-2.

The Aeros battled all the way back in the top of the seventh inning. Diaz led off with a single and Chen followed with a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 9-4. Karexon Sanchez doubled chasing Reading starter Josh Zeid from the game. The R-Phils went to Jacob Diekman, who walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases. With the bases full, Jordan Henry reached on an error allowing Sanchez to score to make it 9-5. Tim Fedroff pushed another run across on a groundout and Matt McBride walked to reload the bases. The R-Phils again went to the bullpen replacing Diekman with Kissock. Kissock allowed a RBI sacrifice fly to Beau Mills to make it 9-7. Diaz batted for the second time and hit a two-RBI double to tie the game 9-9. Diaz is the first Aero to have two hits in an inning since Jason Kipnis on August 13, 2010.

The R-Phils answered right back in the bottom of the frame scoring three times and going on to the win.

The Aeros will look to salvage the final game of this three-game series against Reading Wednesday. Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz will get the start for Akron. De La Cruz is 3-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 2011. He will face right-handed pitcher J.C. Ramirez, who is 5-3 with a 2.83 ERA this season. First pitch is set for 9:35 a.m.

Home Run Ball Helps Captains Beat Cougars 5-3

The Lake County Captains hit three home runs and Mike Goodnight threw five scoreless innings as the Captains defeated the Kane County Cougars 5-3 on Wednesday. The Captains have a three game winning streak which ties their season high.

Carlos Monrcrief hit his seventh home run of the year and his second in the last two games to give the Captains a 1-0 lead after one inning. The Captains hit back to back home runs in the top of the second inning when Giovanny Urshela and Anthony Gallas both connected and the Captains led 3-0. The Captains tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Gallas plated a run on an infield single and the Captains led 4-0. Ronny Rodriguez added a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning that allowed Alex Monsalve to score to make it 5-0.

The Cougars stormed back in the top of the seventh inning when Julio Aparicio hit a three run home run to cut the Captains advantage to 5-3.

Goodnight (4-3) got the win working five scoreless innings allowing three hits walking four and striking out eight. J.D. Reichenbach pitched two innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits while walking one. Dale Dickerson threw the final two innings to record his first save of the season.

Cougars starter Yardano Ventura (0-1) took the loss allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits, walking one while striking out seven.

The Captains and Cougars wrap up the series on Thursday at 7:00 PM with the Captains sending RHP Steven Wright (1-1 1.77) to the hill to oppose RHP Jason Adam (2-0, 1.96).

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).

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2011 MLB Draft: Q&A with Brad Grant

Brad Grant (Photo: AP)

The 2011 MLB Draft is less than a week away.

The three day extravaganza kicks off next Monday night with the first round on national television, and with that in mind it is time to start focusing in on the draft and get a feel for what the Cleveland Indians may do this year.

I recently had a chance to chat with Indians Amateur Scouting Director Brad Grant about the upcoming draft and asked him a ton of questions with regard to their philosophy going into it. While he kept several of his answers simple and vague so as to not tip anyone off on who they may pick or what their budget may be – which makes sense from a competitive standpoint – he did share several things that should help answer several burning questions on the minds of Tribe fans leading into the draft.

Q: The weather has been brutal around the country, especially the eastern portion of the United States. How has this affected your scouting efforts?

Brad Grant (BG): “It’s been tough. You have only been able to see four or five starts with high profile pitchers because of all the weather and everything. It has been everywhere to Alabama and Mississippi, and for the first four weeks on the West Coast you couldn’t get a game in out there. It has been stressful, but we will get it done.”

Q: Scouting Director John Mirabelli runs the entire scouting operation for the organization and is still very involved with the draft. How do you and John handle the draft with regard to who ultimately has the responsibility and makes the final decisions?

BG: “I rely on John a lot for his evaluations and his experience in the draft room. He is invaluable to me in terms of those two things, but at the same time he allows me to ultimately make the decision in the end who we scout and who we draft. But he is definitely a big part of it and I rely on him a lot. There is a big process to it and you have to rely on all of your people to give you the information and then make the decision.”

Q: With the depth in the system does it allow you to maybe be more aggressive with higher upside high risk picks?

BG: “Yes it does. We are at a point now where we do have depth and we can take some risk. I think we have shown we are willing to do that, but there is still a balance to everything. You want to try and acquire all different types of players with some guys who will make it quickly and guys who have higher upside too possibly. We are going to scout everybody, put them under the microscope, go through the process with everyone, and then take the player we feel best about with each pick.”

Q: So if you had a weaker system you may play it safer?

BG: “Yes, but at the same time you don’t want to draft all the same type of guys where you are basing your risk on these high upside guys. You want to try and balance it out at the same time too. There is a risk and reward to balance with each pick and the investment that goes with it as well.”

Q: You haven’t drafted a high school player with a first round pick since 2001. Any chance we break the ten year cycle of no prep plays in the first round this year?

BG: “We’ll see. We are not eliminating anybody at all. We are scouting everybody, and it is just a matter as to what is available with that pick. We are looking at taking the best player.”

Q: It does not seem like a coincidence but more a philosophy that we have taken a college player with our first pick for so long. Has it really been a philosophy to go with college players in the first round?

BG: “Yes, I think so. Again you are trying to minimize the risk with that first pick, but I think with where we are at right now and with where the strength of the draft is this year we have to keep everything available. Everything is in play this year, I can tell you that.”

Q: Are there any players you have ruled out due to perceived bonus demands or being a two sport high school player?

BG: “We’ll just take it on a case by case basis and take a look at it. Right now we are not eliminating anything and everything is open to us at this point.”

Q: Due to compensation rules the Tampa Bay Rays will make ten selections before we even make our second pick. Do you foresee the draft compensation system being something that is looked at this offseason when discussing the new CBA?

BG: “I think it will be for sure, but we will see what happens. It will be something that will surely be talked about with the next agreement.”

Q: Does the looming CBA and the potential for hard slotting in the future affect your draft plans at all this year?

BG: “No, you just take it on a year by year basis. We are going to go with what we have to work with right now, and then adapt with whatever comes in the future.”

Q: Do the new composite bats in college change the way you evaluate the players? Does it give you a better feel for hitting ability and a pitcher’s pitch ability?

BG: “We are going through the process a little bit, but it definitely helps the pitchers for sure and I think it helps clarify a little bit the hitters as it is closer to wood. I actually think the ball comes off wood better than the composite bats at this point. So, it is something we are trying to figure out how we balance it, but I think it has definitely helped the pitchers pitch with their fastball more and keep the ball in the ballpark more. At the same time your good hitters are always going to be able to hit no matter what bat they use, so those guys kind of separate themselves out. But there is a noticeable difference, there is no doubt about that.”

Q: Is your scouting philosophy focused more on results or projection?

BG: “Both come into play. We are looking at results, but at the same time we are projecting how things will play out in the future too. Results help you in the process, but at the same time you are not always going to see results when you go to the games. You are always projecting out different things with how they are going to play. With a pitcher you are projecting out how their pitches are going to play, and with a hitter you may not see him go 4-for-4 but you have to project out how things are going to go in the future too. It is a combination of both, and when you have both it gives you more information to make a better decision.”

Q: Last year you guys broke the bank with a very aggressive draft and signing process, in 2009 you guys mostly held to slot, and in 2008 it was a mixture of the last two years. Do we plan to be aggressive again this year with the draft and budget?

BG: “Just from a competitive standpoint we can’t really say where we are at with our draft philosophy or budget coming in. I think it is safe to say we will go out and get the best player available.”

Q: Do you consider this to be the deepest draft in many years?

BG: “Yeah, I think especially with the power arms with the number of people throwing up to 95 MPH is deep this year. We haven’t seen that number of power arms in the past. When you add in the position players as well, it is a very good draft and definitely has depth to it. It should be an exciting draft this year for sure.”

Q: There are no guarantees with the draft since so much forecasting is involved. You have had three strong drafts in a row, so do you feel confident in your process and the success of the past where we can have another very good draft this year?

BG: “I think we have learned from our process and I think we will be prepared to make good decisions. You don’t know what is going to happen and you can’t predict things or make assumptions. With where we are at now we don’t go into the draft room and make any assumptions. We are prepared to make good decisions all the way through the draft, and react when we have to react. Hopefully that process continues this year, and I believe it will.”

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).

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Around the Farm: May 31

Lavisky (photo: Lake County)

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.

Alex Lavisky: C, Lake County: 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 K:

There was a small part of me that just wanted to ignore this, like I would jinx Lavisky or something.  But, you can't ignore a potential break out performance for a local kid who has been struggling all season.  Lavisky broke open a tie game in the sixth inning with a three-run blast that gave the Captains a 6-3 lead.  He then added a two-run shot in the eight inning to put the game out of reach.  Lavisky, hitting all of .210 this season, has clearly struggled enough at the plate to worry some that he was a stretch in the top ten.  It's games like this that remind everyone that if he can put it all together, he can be a special player.

Giovanni Soto: SP, Kinston: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 10 K:

Soto continues to baffle Carolina League pitching, and I can't quite figure out how this kid can roll out double-digit strikeouts like this.  When you watch a kid like Pomeranz, the ball is electric off his hand, but Soto is something different. The kid is tall, but when he turns sideways, you barely see him, he's so thin. He is extremely efficient, and throws a ton of strikes, which is odd for any minor league pitcher, but can be especially scary for a kid that barely touches 90. He knows how to pitch, and they've been saying this about Soto from the start. He pounds the lower half of the zone, and varies speeds like a veteran. While you can teach it to pitchers, he clearly has an instinct that goes beyond anything a pitching coach can show him. Keep him on your radar. While I don't see the Tribe moving him up quickly through the system, he may end up moving by default. He has an incredibly easy delivery that he can replicate. This will likely keep him of the DL, and as long as he's dominating (as he's done at all levels), there's no reason to think he can't be a solid, maybe even spectacular big leaguer. Still, the jump to Double A is a big one, so it will be interesting to see how his stuff translates.

Zach McAllister: SP, Columbus: 8 IP, 6 H, 4 R/3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, L (7-1):

You would be hard-pressed to say that McAllister isn't the best starting pitcher in the Tribe's minor league system.  With Drew Pomeranz disappearing for two weeks because the Indians are 'monitoring his innings,' and with Alex White out because of the Tribe propensity to allow their pitchers to mountain climb (bad joke, I know), McAllister has stepped into a huge void in a system that isn't quite as full as it was a month ago.  When you see a pitcher taking a complete game loss with a solid line like McAllister's tonight, you know that you have a workhorse.  The Clippers were two hit, and McAllister made a couple of mistakes.  Past that, this was as good a start as any of his wins.

• Paul Phillips-C, Columbus: 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B: Columbus was two-hit tonight, and Phillips got one of them, and scored the only Clippers run on the night.  Any time you can drop the name of a 34-year old on a minor league report, it's a good night.
• Luis Valbuena-SS, Columbus: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1K: Here's Columbus' second hit, which drove Phillips in.  Slow night on the offensive side of things for the Clips against a Durham Bulls team that seems out to prove a point.
• Jordan Henry-CF, Akron: 3-5, SB (17): It's good to see Henry rolling out a solid game from the lead-off position.  Henry's been ice cold of late, as this is his first multi-hit game since May 21.  While Henry lacks the pop that you want to see in an outfielder, his OBP is always fairly impressive.  His current .370 would be the worst of his career should the season end today.
• Tim Fedroff-LF, Akron: 1-5, 1 R, 1 K: Not a big night for Fedroff, but he has hit in three in a row, and in 23 of his last 24 games.  I know the system is full, but he needs to bump someone out of that outfield in Columbus.
• Beau Mills-1B, Akron: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI: Mills hit his first homer of the 2011 season tonight, for Akron's only two runs of the game.
• T.J. McFarland-SP, Akron: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 3 K, 2 HR, L (1-4): McFarland clearly isn't the pitcher he was for most of last season.  He began struggling in late July, and has yet to find the magic that led him to be one of the top pitchers in the Carolina League.
• C.C. Lee-RP, Akron: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K: Lee hasn't given up a run in 12 of his 17 outings.
• Adam Abraham-DH, Kinston: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI: Abraham drove in the only run of the game, with his third double in the last two games.
• Jose Flores-RP, Kinston: 1 2/3, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K, W (2-3):  This is Flores' third straight solid outing in a row, and it got him a much deserved win, although Soto may have something to say about that.
• Preston Guilmet-Closer, Kinston: 1 1/3, 2 K, S (12): Yawn, another save for Mr. Perfect.  He goes 1 1/3 perfect innings, and saves his 12th save out of 12 attempts.  In 18 games and 20 innings, he's only given up two runs in one appearance.  His 12 saves are tops in the league.
• LeVon Washington-CF, Lake County: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB (5): Washington has struggled early on, but he has moments like tonight in which he shows off that impressive speed.
• Carlos Moncrief-RF, Lake County: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K: Moncrief hadn't had a hit in four games.
• Alex Monsalve-DH, Lake County: 3-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 K: Monsalve has three multi-hit games in his last five.
• Jesus Aguilar-1B, Lake County: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K: Aguilar has had many solid games like this, but he hasn't been able to string them together yet.
• Ronny Rodriguez-SS, Lake County: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K: Rodriguez had been hitless in his previous three games before tonight two-hit performance.
• Anthony Gallas-LF, Lake County: 0-4, 1 R, 1 K: Gallas saw his 14-game hit streak come to in end, ironically enough, in a game in which Lake County had 13 hits total, in one of their better offensive games in recent weeks.
• Cole Cook-SP, Lake County: 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R/2 ER, 4 K, W (2-5): Cook followed in the footsteps of all the other starters from the Tribe, to Columbus, to Akron, to Kinston, in putting out a solid outing and getting the win.
  

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Game Recaps 5/31: Soto-rrific

Giovanni Soto (Photo: Tony Lastoria)

Kinston Blanks Blue Rocks 1-0

A brilliant battle between two tough starters ended in a 1-0 shutout win for Kinston over Wilmington Tuesday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. The shutout was Kinston’s sixth of the season, the second most in the Carolina League this year. The K-Tribe (26-24) has now won 12 of their last 14 games.

Kinston starter Giovanni Soto had one of his best starts of the season, but was saddled with the no decision. Soto tied a career high with ten strikeouts. He gave up only two hits and no runs. Wilmington starter Justin Marks was better, however, taking a no hitter into the seventh inning. Through his first six frames Marks allowed just one base runner, when Tyler Holt walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Marks walked Kinston’s Jeremie Tice. Adam Abraham then screamed a grounder down the third base line. The just fair ball headed all the way to the corner and Tice scored all the way from first to give Kinston the 1-0 lead. Marks (2-3) was the tough luck loser, giving up just two hits through eight complete innings of work. He walked two and struck out seven.

Kinston’s bullpen took over from there as Jose Flores pitched 1 2/3 innings of one hit ball. Flores (2-3) picked up the win, walking one and striking out four. K-Tribe closer Preston Guilmet got the final four outs of the game for his 12th save in 12 tries. The Carolina League leader in saves pitched a perfect 1 1/3 innings, striking out two and lowering his ERA to 0.90. Wilmington managed just three hits on the night. The 2:09 game was the shortest of the season for Kinston.

The series continues with a special 11 am Lenoir County Schools day on Wednesday morning. Drew Pomeranz will take the mound for Kinston.

Familiar Face Burns Aeros In Reading

Former Akron Aero Carlos Rivero hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and help the Reading Phillies win game one of a three-game series 4-2 Tuesday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Lefty T.J. McFarland allowed the Rivero home run and suffered the loss for the Aeros lasting six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and striking out three while walking none.

Right-hander B.J. Rosenberg earned the win for Reading pitching six innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one. Righty Justin De Fratus pitched two scoreless innings of relief to record the save.

The R-Phils (27-23) broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Matt Rizzotti two-run home run.

The Aeros (25-28) answered in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Tim Fedroff singled and, after Matt McBride popped out, Beau Mills hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 2-2.

Reading quickly answered in bottom of the frame retaking the lead on the Rivero home run.

The R-Phils added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning and went on to the win.

The Aeros and R-Phils will continue their series Wednesday. The Aeros will give the ball to left-handed pitcher Matt Packer, who is 2-5 with a 3.91 ERA in 2011. He will face right-handed pitcher Josh Zeid, who is 2-3 with a 6.27 ERA this season. First pitch is at 2:05 p.m.

Lavisky Powers Captains by Cougars 9-4

Alex Lavisky hit, not one, but two homeruns on Tuesday night lifting Lake County to a 9-4 win over Kane County. Lavisky drove in a career high five runs batted in for the Captains.

The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, 1-0 in the first inning. Alex Llanos reached on a rare error by Argenis Martinez and came around and scored on an RBI double Julio Aparicio.

Kane County jumped up 2-0 in the second inning; Geulin Beltre singled to reach and scored on a Cole Cook wild pitch from third.

In the third inning, LeVon Washington started things off with a leadoff single. Carlos Moncrief crushed a ball to deep right centerfield for his sixth homerun of the season tying the game at two.

The Cougars took the lead back in the sixth inning. Aparicio reached on a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a pair of Cook wild pitches. Cheslor Cuthbert singled in the runner for his eighth RBI of the season making it 3-2.

In the bottom half of the sixth inning, with runners on first and third, Jesus Aguilar dribbled one down the third baseline scoring Anthony Gallas from third for the infield base hit. Lavisky hit his first homerun a monster shot to right field, a three run homerun giving Lake County a 6-3 lead.

Alex Monsalve started the eighth inning off with a double to right centerfield. Lavisky hit his second homerun of the ninth, his sixth of the season into the leftfield bleachers to make it make 8-4. Ronny Rodriguez took the very next pitch deep to left for his second homerun of the season, and the first time the Captains went back-to-back this season for a 9-4 advantage.

Cole Cook (2-5) was fantastic picking up his second win of the year, tossing a career high seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits, walking a pair and striking out four. Jordan Cooper worked the final two inning allowing just one run on one hit, striking out four for his first professional save. Leonel Santaigo (4-5) took the loss, giving up six runs on ten hits in just 5.1 innings, striking out six.

Lake County and Kane County continue their three game series on Wednesday morning from Classic Park at 11:00AM. RHP Mike Goodnight (3-3) will get the start for the Captains and RHP Yardano Ventura (0-0) throws for the Cougars.

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).

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