 |
| Nick Weglarz (Photo: Lianna Holub) |
"Minor Happenings" is a weekly column which recaps the important developments and news in the Indians farm system. While most of the information in this report is from my own research and through interviews I have conducted with organizational personnel, some information in this report is collected and summarized from the various news outlets that cover each team.
Today is the second to last
Minor Happenings of the season. I will have one final farm report at the end of next week recapping the outcomes of the championship series’ that Triple-A Columbus and High-A Kinston are in as well as some final notes on some players. As always though, it will not end there as shortly after that piece I will begin to wrap up the season and unveil all the 2011 Tony Awards as well as start diving into coverage on all the fall and winter league action with Instructs, the Arizona Fall League, and winter leagues. The fun never stops!
Speaking of Instructional League…that kicked off yesterday. If you missed the roster and schedule
I posted it on Tuesday. If you do not know what Instructional League is,
here is a FAQ that gives a rundown of it (I will probably repost the FAQ this Saturday). Also, I did a profile piece on
outfielder LeVon Washington who will be getting in a ton of work out in Instructs.
Also, some big changes are coming to the site in the very near future. I will announce them shortly once some things I am working on behind the scenes become clearer. It’s been a tough year for me from a health perspective with the cancer diagnosis back in April and subsequent surgery, so my eyes on a lot of things were really opened. One thing I will say is I will continue to keep striving to make this site better and better everyday and to make it the #1 place to go for everything Cleveland Indians related from the minors to the big leagues.
Onto the
Happenings…
Weglarz’s tough 2011 ends
 |
| Nick Weglarz |
What a tough year it was for Double-A Akron outfielder Nick Weglarz as he once again battled his way through an injury minefield. Coming into the season he was on the big league map as an option in Cleveland this year, but his season got off on the wrong foot when he tore the meniscus in his left knee running the bases in mid-March. As a result he missed the first two months of the season and when he returned he was never himself as he was unable to drive the ball because the knee was still bothering him.
Weglarz was never 100% all season with the knee as he spent the entire season working on strengthening it, and as a result he was never comfortable at the plate all year because he was unable to have any consistency or rhythm when he hit. He ended up playing in just 41 games and hit a disappointing .179 with 3 HR, 12 RBI and a .666 OPS.
Also, for the fourth time in six years, Weglarz ended the season on the disabled list because of a left elbow injury that hurt when he threw the ball during fielding practice before games. The Indians gave him some time at the beginning of August to rest from the elbow issue, but when he returned the issue was still there and after a few games he was shutdown for the rest of the season.
The elbow injury is the latest in a litany of injuries that have affected Weglarz’s career and prevented him from reaching his potential and making it to the big leagues. There is no word on what exactly the issue is with his elbow and whether he will require surgery, but somehow, someway he has to find a way to avoid the injury bug next season or his opportunity may be gone (if not already).
Directors Cuts
 |
| Ross Atkins |
Indians Farm Director Ross Atkins has been in Triple-A Columbus a lot of late to see the Clippers finish out their season and take part in the postseason. Here are a few comments he recently made on several players and coaches with the Clippers:
On Mike Sarbaugh: “He is getting hard to talk about as we are talking about him so much because he has so much success. That really is a testament to him and I couldn’t enjoy doing it more. When I walked into the clubhouse yesterday the first thing I did was congratulate [hitting coach] Lee May Jr, [pitching coach] Ruben Niebla, [strength and conditioning coach] Todd Kubacki and [athletic trainer] Michael Salazar, the guys who have been with him but don’t get their names in the publications. It is very much a team effort. As you and I have talked about in the past what Sarby creates is an environment of consistency that allows for players to improve and to raise their standards. He couldn’t do that if he was constantly doing that himself. We couldn’t be happier with what has occurred in the past couple of years in Triple-A and long before that with the impact he has had in the organization over a long period of time. It starts with his consistency and then it is his passion for baseball. He wakes up everyday and the second thing he thinks about after his family is the Cleveland Indians and the Player Development system. Not just the Columbus Clippers as he thinks about the bigger picture and that sets the tone. He is always one step ahead. He is always thinking about what is going to occur two days from now, five days from now and then 30 minutes from now. That sets the tone, and the passion in addition to that consistency is what helps raise the standards of a player going through professional baseball. You have heard it for a long time as the only way to do it is by example, and that is what he does. There are no secret formulas. There is no magic. It is passion and his work ethic which creates that consistency. Players know what they can count on and what they are going to get from him and the benchmark is high.”
On Nick Hagadone: “You think about Nick a year ago and where he was in Double-A where he was just okay and not extremely effective to where he is now with his arm strength and his fastball command. He by no means is a finished product, but he is somebody who can contribute at the Major League level for sure. He has a lot of upside left. To think that we are talking about a very powerful, very intelligent, very hard working left handed pitcher that has been durable for us and throws 95-98 MPH and then to put upside on that still is really exciting. If the consistency with the fastball command and the slider come then there are really not a whole lot of limits as far as a bullpen role goals. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.”
On Zach McAllister: “I think Zach is much more than just a contributing piece to this puzzle for us. I think he is going to be in the middle of a rotation for a long time and there are a lot of people who think that. I know Zach thinks that and that is probably the most important person. He has things not everyone has. He has a three pitch mix, sometimes four. He is durable, he is very strong, he is very intelligent, and he has the work ethic and the passion which are the standards that are elevating. When you look back at Fausto Carmona when he was 20 years old or Jake Westbrook when he was 22-23 years old and breaking into the Major Leagues, they were not exactly seamless transitions. There is a correction from a talent standpoint and a correction because it is the end of the line. So you increase the expectations for yourself and there is some anxiety for the majority of players that are transitioning. I think as he settles in and realizes what the appropriate adjustments are he is capable of all of the adjustments that will allow for him to have success a long time in the Major Leagues.”
On Paolo Espino: “There is not a whole lot of difference between Paolo Espino and Josh Tomlin. Tomlin is a better pitcher, but there are tiny subtleties that allow for Tomlin to take his skill set to the Majors and have the success he has had there. Paolo is a very similar pitcher, and I think the difference is a little more athleticism from Tomlin and a little more consistency with his fastball command. But when I watch Paolo pitch I marvel at what he is able to do. You see guys that are in the mid-90s with power breaking balls and are around the zone and can’t even come close to what Paolo is able to accomplish. This is because of his consistency in putting the ball over the plate which is definitely number one, and then his ability to throw any pitch in any count. Those types of pitches like Josh and Paolo just keep guys off balance. He has been an asset to this organization, and hopefully we can help find his way to the big leagues one of these days.”
Henry has surgery
 |
| Jordan Henry |
Double-A Akron outfielder Jordan Henry had a tough second full season in the organization. After hitting .300 with a .752 OPS in 79 games at Akron last year and a combined .312 with 0 HR, 29 RBI, 29 stolen bases, and .768 OPS in 116 total games for High-A Kinston in Akron, the hope was that he would build upon that success this year. That did not happen as he played all year at Akron and in 119 games hit just .256 with 0 HR, 33 RBI, 33 stolen bases, and a .633 OPS.
Henry, 23, maintained success with stealing bases and actually saw his stolen base totals increase this past season, although his success rate dropped from 83.3% in 2010 to 73.3% in 2011. He also maintained his good approach at the plate as last season he had 76 strikeouts and 86 walks, and this season had 69 strikeouts and 75 walks.
Henry’s issues this year stemmed from a much lower batting average and a complete loss of any power he had. Last year his batting average of balls in play (BABIP) at Kinston was .400 and at Akron was .377, but this season it was just .306. On top of that his slugging percentage dipped from .356 last year to .280 this season. The drop in BABIP and slugging percentage suggest that maybe he was just unlucky this year, or that his talent had plateaued.
But it may have also been because Henry played the season on two bad knees. This would affect his ability to leg out infield hits - something he thrived on in 2009 and 2010 – and also his ability to muster any ability to drive the ball. The knee issue is likely also what has kept the Indians from assigning him to the Arizona Fall League this offseason.
Recently Henry met with doctors and had an MRI done on his right knee, and he is scheduled to have surgery on the knee to clean it out and repair cartilage sometime this month. His left knee is also a concern, but no surgery will be required at this time as it is felt with rest it will heal. Once the surgery is complete he will go to Arizona for at least six weeks of rehab.
The knee issues have been chronic for Henry over the past few seasons, but they were at their worst this season so hopefully the surgery, rehab and some rest this offseason will help get him back in top form going into what will be a big 2012 season for him. It is also another reminder that sometimes there are things behind the numbers that offer some context as to why a guy is struggling or having success.
Pack Attack moves to Columbus
 |
| Matt Packer |
Double-A Akron left-handed pitcher Matt Packer was promoted to Triple-A Columbus this week for the start of the International League Championship Series. He will help fill the void left by the departure of right-handed pitcher Zach Putnam and others who were recently called up to Cleveland this week.
Packer, 24, was one of Akron’s workhorses in the rotation all season. In 27 starts he went 9-12 with a 4.31 ERA, and in 169.1 innings allowed 175 hits, 33 walks, and had 129 strikeouts. He finished the season with a flurry going 8.0 innings or more in six of his last ten starts and in 11 starts after the All Star break went 6-4 with a 2.78 ERA. He has not yet appeared in a game with Columbus.
Packer’s surge in the second half of the season was the result of some minor corrections he and Akron pitching coach Tony Arnold made with his mechanics. Earlier in the season he wasn’t getting good tilt and was not finishing his delivery. As a result he had problems locating and commanding his pitches because his arm angle was off, which is devastating for a pitcher like him that does not throw hard or have dominating stuff. His pitches were flattening out and the result was a pre-All Star record of 3-8 with a 5.71 ERA in 16 starts. He and Arnold worked on his delivery and eventually things clicked in July where they corrected his arm angle and shored up his delivery and then he just took off.
Once Columbus’ season is over Packer will go out to Arizona later this month to get ready for the Arizona Fall League. The Arizona Fall League will be a good test for him as he will face the top talent in the minor leagues. The Indians already feel he is a starting pitching option for them in the future at the big league level, but the question is whether he will end up being a middle of the rotation innings eater or a back of the rotation depth starter type.
Rebabbing in Arizona
 |
| Hector Rondon |
The Indians will have several pitchers that are rehabbing from Tommy John surgery pitch this fall out in Arizona. Right-hander Robbie Aviles will pitch in Instructional League and right-handers Hector Ambriz, Hector Rondon, Danny Salazar and Alexander Perez will pitch in the Parallel League (advanced Instructional League).
All five of these pitchers missed all or almost all of this season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2010, and it is good to see that all five are back on the mound and pitching again. The farm system needs a boost after losing so many pitchers in the past year due to injury, trades, and callups.
Playoff update
Triple-A Columbus and High-A Kinston are both tied 1-1 in their respective best-of-five series’. Both are traveling to their final destinations today with Columbus hitting the road for LeHigh Valley (Allentown, PA) and Kinston returns home.
Columbus looks to repeat as Governor’s Cup champions while Kinston looks to win the Mills Cup for the first time since 2006. If Columbus wins the Governor’s Cup and are crowned the kings of the International League, they will play for the Triple-A National Championship on Tuesday September 20th in Albuquerque, NM against the winner of the Pacific Coast League. If Kinston wins a championship it would be a fitting end to their relationship with Cleveland which has been near perfect and has had a lot of success since it all started 25 years ago in 1987.
Random Notes
 |
| Zach McAllister |
Triple-A Columbus right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister probably finished up his minor league season on Tuesday as he went 8.0 innings and allowed 11 hits, 5 runs/earned, 1 walk, and had 6 strikeouts. In two playoff starts he went 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA (14.0 IP, 16 H, 2 BB, 9 K), and in 25 starts for Columbus in the regular season went 12-3 with a 3.32 ERA (154.2 IP, 155 H, 31 BB, 128 K). He was a model of consistency all season with his ability to get ahead of hitters and locating his pitches. If Columbus wins the International League title he probably would pitch the September 20th game in the Triple-A National Championship, but could be up in Cleveland to pitch one of the double-headers looming the final week of the season.
Double-A Akron right-handed pitcher Adam Miller finished off a successful 2011 season where in 31 combined appearances between High-A Kinston and Akron this year he went 1-5 with a 5.93 ERA (44.0 IP, 51 H, 21 BB, 39 K). The numbers themselves were not pretty, but it was a successful year in the fact that he pitched the entire season without any incidents cropping up with his surgically repaired right middle finger. The numbers also would not look so bad if not for back-to-back blow ups in July where in two games covering 3.1 innings he allowed 13 hits and 10 earned runs. In any case the goal all along this season was to get him back on a mound and pitching in a professional environment. He showed a lot of rust with the fastball command and the slider is a big question mark going forward, but he showed he can still pitch it is just getting his consistency back and finding a way to make that slider more effective. He is a minor league free agent, but I see no reason why he and the Indians do not continue their marriage for another year. There is too much respect on both sides for him to pitch elsewhere next season.
 |
| Clayton Cook |
High-A Kinston right-handed pitcher Clayton Cook finished off his season strong with two very good starts in the postseason going 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 11 H, 6 BB, 10 K). This was a much better finish than he had in his final regular season start where he did not make it out of the first inning on September 2nd when he allowed 6 hits, 6 runs and a walk in just two thirds of an inning. He actually pitched okay in that outing and was the bearer of some bad luck with some tough hops and a tight strike zone, and was only removed because he eclipsed the 35 pitch inning threshold the organization has in place for pitchers in the farm system. Even with the rough final start he finished the season 9-9 with a 4.56 ERA in 25 starts (122.1 IP, 124 H, 53 BB, 106 K) and had two nice outings in the postseason. It was another good year from the 21-year old Texan.
Low-A Lake County shortstop Ronny Rodriguez put the finishing touches on a very good first year of pro ball this year where in 98 games he hit .246 with 11 HR, 42 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and .723 OPS. The walk (13) and strikeout (83) rate leaves a lot to be desired, but considering how raw and talented he is it is something that the Indians believe they can shore up some as he moves along in the system to High-A Kinston next year. The Indians believe he is the whole package defensively with his arm strength, speed, range, and instincts, and feel he was the best defensive shortstop in the entire Midwest League this year. They are excited about his chances to be a multi-tool player and believe he has the potential to be a four or five tool player down the road.
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!
I’m finally settled in back home from my visit last week to 
Everything on this site is free, but for those interested in making any monetary contributions to help support the stability and growth of this site please click on the "Donate" button below.
