Cleveland Indians Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 1 – 5

ALSO SEE – Indians Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

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.

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Player Grades
Contact – 55 Now | 60 Future
Power – 55 | 60
Discipline – 60 | 70
Speed – 40 | 35
Defense – 50 | 55
Arm – 60 | 60
Instincts – 55 | 65
ETA – 2010
Final Grade – A

Body Type – A little stocky, but he’s a good athlete

Scouting Report

I compiled a scouting report on Carlos Santana earlier in the season and I don’t think too much has changed since. He’s a model of consistency at the plate, never getting into extended slumps and consistently finding ways to get on base.

Santana is one of the best all around hitters in minor league baseball. He gets on base and hits for both average and power. He has excellent plate discipline, walking more times than he struck out. Because of his tremendous hand-eye-coordination, Santana can swing hard and still square up on the ball and maintain good contact rates.

Santana has been better from the right hand side of the plate over the course of his career, but he’s been more than solid from the left hand side as well.

Santana has made a lot of progress on the defensive side of the ball. His arm has plenty of strength, but like last year he’s still working on the finer points of catching. He’s an inconsistent receiver but getting better.

While Santana is a solid athlete for a catcher, he’s also below average runner.

Best Case Outcome – All Star everyday catcher

More Likely Outcome – Borderline All Star catcher

Player Grades
Fastball – 65 Now | 70 Future
Slider – 60 | 60
Change-Up – 45 | 55
Control – 45 | 55
Command – 50 | 60
Pitchability – 50 | 55
ETA – 2012
Final Grade – B+

Body Type – Athletic and muscular pitcher’s frame

Stuff

Fastball – Electric fastball clocked in the mid-90′s with plus life and some sink as well

Slider – Tightly spun pitch with a late, two-plane break induces a lot of swings-and-misses and is a nightmare for left handed hitters

Change-Up – Pitch has good fade and sink…potentially an above average offering, but a little inconsistent because the change-up is a feel pitch and he hasn’t really accumulated the innings to master the pitch yet

Scouting Report

Nick Hagadone remains one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in baseball, but it’s been really difficult to get a feel for what he’ll ultimately become.

Hagadone had TJ surgery back in 2007, and he’s been handled — rightfully so I believe — with kid gloves. He didn’t exceed three innings in any of his 12 starts, so there are a couple of questions he has to answer.

1. Can he stay healthy over the long haul? Because it’s been 2.5 years since being drafted and he’s only accumulated 104 innings.

2. How will his stuff and command hold up over a period of longer than three innings?

Hagadone will also have to work on his stamina and build up the endurance to be a starter long term, and while I’m sure the Indians are committed to that process for now, it’s going to take a while. And I do wonder how long they’ll follow through on that commitment for. I wonder because Hagadone is already 24 and has just two starts above Single-A.

Because of this, they may want to fast track him to the Majors as a reliever even though there is a chance he could make it as a front of the rotation starter if they give him enough time to build his endurance and innings.

But until they decide to move him permanently to the bullpen, Hagadone still has that chance to become a front of the rotation starter. He has the stuff to do it. And he should eventually have the command to do it. Command is one of the last things to return to a pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery.

From a statistical standpoint, Hagadone has been dominant. He misses bats at a tremendous rate, he keeps the ball on the ground, and he’s very tough to center the ball against as evidenced by his career 5.0 H/9 mark.

Hagadone will likely start the season in A+ Kinston and could move quickly if he continues to show the dominance he has in the past.

Best Case Outcome – Front of the rotation starter

More Likely Outcome – Could be used as a dominant 100-inning type reliever

Brief Notes on Prospects 3 – 5

3. Lonnie Chisenhall | 3b | Grade – B+ – Young third baseman has above average tools almost across the board…could be a borderline All Star at third base, but more likely will settle in as an above average regular

4. Hector Rondon | RHP | Grade – B – MLB-ready middle of the rotation starter…with an improved breaking ball, he could be closer to a No. 2 starter than a No. 4. Click here to watch Rondon against one of the best line-ups in minor league baseball

5. Alex White | RHP | Grade – B/B- – 2009 first round pick has good stuff and an excellent college track record…some debate about whether he’s a starter or better out of the bullpen

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UP NEXT – Cleveland Indians Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

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