Predicting Prospect Promotions June 2015

We are now two months into the season and it’s time to take stock of the Indians’ farm system. There have been a number of pleasant surprises so far this season and as the All-Star break draws near, many players are going to begin being considered for a promotion. These are some of the most deserving of a mid-season call up.

Francisco Lindor

The Indians’ top prospect has had a bit of an up and down season at the plate thus far, but his defensive abilities, the staple of his game, remain elite. Lindor is currently hitting .260 with a .338 on-base percentage and a .370 slugging percentage, to go along with 2 home runs and 8 stolen bases. While the Indians and their fans would probably prefer Lindor to be having more success at the plate now that he has been exposed to AAA pitching for 88 games, that’s a part of his game that is always developing and will continue to do so once he reaches Cleveland. The Indians aren’t going to be able to keep him in AAA for very much longer, especially with Jose Ramirez‘ struggles this season. Don’t be surprised if we see Lindor with the big league ball club in a few weeks’ time, and don’t be surprised if Jose Ramirez receives a demotion to AAA to make room for him.

Tyler Naquin

The Indians’ first pick in the 2012 Amateur Draft is due for a promotion to Columbus. Naquin missed the first month of the season still recovering from a hand injury that cost him the second half of his 2014 season, but he has dominated Eastern League pitching in the 29 games he’s played this year hitting .328/.407/.434. In 105 games played in Akron over the past two years Naquin is slashing .317/.381/.427, it is clear that Naquin has mastered AA pitching and will not benefit from staying as much as he would by being promoted. With the depth of outfielders in AAA already the Indians will have to think about cutting someone to make room for Naquin and Carlos Moncrief or Jerry Sands are the most likely candidates should anyone be cut. Moncrief is my guess as his struggles this season and the Indians’ fondness for Sands make me believe he doesn’t have a place the organization’s future plans.

Cody Anderson

Anderson was named the Indians’ top pitching prospect of 2013 but he flatlined in 2014 after a dreadful year. 2015 has seen Anderson return to the form that made him one of the Indians’ best prospects. After 9 starts this season Anderson has pitched 48 innings, striking out 6.6 batters per 9 innings, walking just 1.7 batters per 9 innings, while posting a ridiculously good 1.69 ERA. This is Anderson’s third go-round in AA and it looks like he has finally figured the Eastern League out. With the Indians not having any real prospects in the starting rotation in AAA, Anderson could easily slip into a starting role with Columbus for the rest of the season. The organization may see it fit to give him a few more starts in Akron, but if he continues to have as much success as he is having I’d have to imagine he’ll be called up in no time.

Bradley Zimmer

If you haven’t been paying much attention to the Indians’ farm system or perhaps you have just awoke from a coma, you should immediately get excited about Bradley Zimmer. The Indians’s first round draft pick last season is having an outstanding start to his first full professional campaign. Zimmer is smacking the cover off the ball slashing .315/.415/.522 with 9 home runs this season; his .315 batting average and 9 home runs lead the Carolina League. What’s even more impressive is that Zimmer is second in the league with 22 steals, showing the true makings of a 5 tool player, a combination the Indians haven’t had since Grady Sizemore. With Zimmer being a college draftee there may be less reluctance to hold him back in fear that he’ll be pushed too far too fast and we may see him in Akron sooner rather than later. I’ll be making the trip to Lynchburg on June 26th and hope to catch him there but there is a real chance he could be bumped up before then. Regardless of when he is finally promoted, Zimmer is a phenomenal talent with the potential to be a superstar.

Claudio Bautista

While multiple players have already made the jump from A- Lake County to A+ Lynchburg including J.P Feyereisen and Dace Kime, the next most likely to make the jump is Captains’ second baseman Claudio Bautista. This is Bautista’s second season in A- Lake County and his most successful. He’s slashing .317/.363/.468 with 5 home runs this season; his .317 batting average, .468 slugging percentage, 59 hits and 13 doubles lead the team. Bautista is just 21 years old so there’s no need to rush his development. He may benefit from a full year at this level but his success so far shows he may be better matched at the next level.