Cleveland Indians Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Indians Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

If you need to reach me in any way, please contact me via e-mail or post a comment at the bottom of the page and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. The first two prospects are available for everybody to read.

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Player Grades
Fastball – 65 Now | 70 Future
Curveball – 50/55 | 60
Change-Up – 45 | 50
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 40 | 55
Pitchability – 45 | 55
ETA – 2013
Final Grade – B-/B

I wrote a report on Jason Knapp back in late May, which you can read here.

I go into detail about Knapp’s mechanics and interestingly enough, Knapp was shut down with shoulder fatigue in July and subsequently had shoulder surgery. It’s not that surprising to be honest, and it’s not just because of the high risk mechanics. We also know he’s had past injuries, specifically to his elbow and that can be a precursor to future injuries. He saw a significant increase in velocity over a very short period of time and sometimes the shoulder can’t handle the extra stress/load of that extra velocity and the shoulder eventually breaks down as a result. Knapp also struggled to to repeat his mechanics. Not to mention, we don’t know anything about his genetics, and we don’t know anything about his past work load.

Still, Knapp has enormous upside as a pitcher because he combines his electric fastball with two promising secondary pitches. His command comes and goes, but as he continues to work on his delivery and he becomes more comfortable with his mechanics, I expect his command to improve.

However, it’s tough to predict what a pitcher will do after shoulder surgery, even as minor as the surgery Knapp had. I expect to see him start the season in A+ Kinston.

Best Case Outcome – Front of the rotation starter

More Likely Outcome – Because of health concerns, I ultimately see the Indians using him out of the bullpen

Player Grades
Contact – 45 Now | 55 Future
Power – 50 | 60
Discipline – 55 | 65
Speed – 30 | 30
Defense – 45 | 45
Arm – 50 | 50
Instincts – 55 | 60
ETA – 2012
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – He’s got a huge frame and a very muscular build

Scouting Report

After a miserable April in which he posted a .386 OPS, Weglarz mashed Double-A pitching before injuries slowly took their tole on the left fielder.

Weglarz is one of minor league baseball’s most patient and disciplined hitters. He walked in 17.6% of his plate appearances and for the second straight year struck out just a few more times than he walked.

Weglarz’ patience can be a double-edged sword as he’s often too patient and let’s good pitches go by, getting himself into bad hitter’s counts. Though he has good pitch recognition, he can get indecisive at times and you’ll often see him check his swing on certain pitches.

Weglarz has a pretty short swing for a hitter of his type. He controls the bat well and uses the entire field. Weglarz has made adjustments to his swing over the course of his career. He’s had an issue with pitches down and in on his hands, so last year he opened up a bit and widened his base a little, which helped him better connect with pitches on the inside corner as well as helped him keep his weight and his hands back.

Below we can see Weglarz plant, recognize the off-speed pitch, keep his hands and weight back just a second longer than normal, and then smack the pitch into left field for a single:

*Credit to farmsystem

Weglarz has plus raw power because of his raw strength, strong legs, and good bat speed, but it doesn’t always manifest in games.

The biggest obstacle for Weglarz is his own body. He’s piled up injury after injury and they have affected his performance. It would be in his best interest to slim down and find ways to improve his overall athleticism, which would help his defense in left field, where he is a mediocre with a fringe-average arm and make it easier for him to stay healthy.

Best Case Outcome – Above average offensive left fielder or slightly above average everyday first baseman

More Likely Outcome – Average everyday left fielder or somebody you can move around from left to first to DH

Brief Summary on Prospects 8 – 14

8. Carlos Carrasco | RHP | Grade – B- – Good stuff, but major consistencies issues…command needs work as well

9. Jason Kipnis | OF/2b | Grade – B- – Very solid all around player could be well above average offensive player if he can make the transition to second base work

10. T.J. House | LHP | Grade – B- – Prospects 10 – 19 are pretty interchangeable, but House is placed here because he’s a lefty with solid stuff and durability…he’s easy to project as a starter down the road. Click here for a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of House and Indians center field prospect Delvi Cid

11. Zach Putnam | RHP | Grade – B- – Putnam put up strong numbers across the board last year and has the stuff to match them…could be used as a starter or reliever

12. Alex Perez | RHP | Grade – B- – Big time sleeper for next year, Perez needs to put on some weight, but his breaking ball is excellent

13. Kelvin de la Cruz | LHP | Grade – B- – Looked poised for a breakout season last year before needing Tommy John surgery. He’ll have to prove he’s healthy next year and should he do so, he could be in for a big rise in the rankings

14. Lou Marson | C | Grade – C+/B- – Great discipline, but little power, Marson projects to be at best an average big league catcher, but would make for a very good backup

15. Scott Barnes | LHP | Grade – C+ – Lefty has put up strong peripherals in his two pro years, but his upside is limited and he needs to watch out for the long ball

*Take note that Michael Brantley, Jess Todd, and Tony Sipp are no longer eligible for this list based on the criteria I have set. You can see reports on other C+ prospects at the bottom of this article

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Other C+ Prospects

16. Bryan Price | RHP | Age – 23 – High ERA is a little deceiving as his peripherals were strong…could be a starter, but his fastball/slider combo would be most effective out of the bullpen

17. Josh Judy | RHP | Age – 24 – Reliever with a somewhat funky delivery could be ready for a big league job by the middle of 2010

18. Carlos Rivero | SS | Age – 21 – People are sleeping on him right now, but he was very young for his level last year and despite a lower OPS, he actually increased his walks and lowered his strikeouts. His BABIP indicated he was somewhat unlucky.

19. Jason Donald | UTI | Age – 25 – Injuries really set Donald back last year, but he’s got some pop and patience when healthy…more of a utility player instead of an everyday guy

20. Jeanmar Gomez | RHP | Age – 21 – Gets by more on deception than stuff and projects as a back of the rotation starter

21. Eric Berger | LHP | Age – 24 – Lefty with an over-the-top arm slot and big curve probably fits better in a relief role

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Abner Abreu (OF) | Clayton Cook (RHP) | Yohan Pino (RHP) | Beau Mills (1b) | Matt McBride (1b/C/LF) | Rob Bryson (RHP) | Greg Folgia (SS/OF) | David Roberts (RHP) | Cord Phelps (2b) | Kyle Bellows (3b) | Jordan Henry (CF) | Mike Rayl (LHP) | Trey Haley (RHP) | Tim Fedroff (OF) | Bryce Stowell (RHP) | Carlos Moncrief (RHP) | Cory Burns (RHP) | Hector Ambriz (RHP) | Paolo Espino (RHP) | Josh Tomlin (RHP) | Connor Graham (RHP) | Joe Gardner (RHP) | Mitch Talbot (RHP) | Delvi Cid (CF) | Wes Hodges (3b) | Jordan Brown (OF/1b) | T.J. McFarland (LHP)

ALSO SEE – Cleveland Indians Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Detroit Tigers Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits