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Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (29) | 2011 (7) | 2010 (3) | 2009 (7) | 2008 (19)

2012 Affiliate Records
MLB:  [68-94] AL Central
AAA:  [75-69] International League — Columbus
AA:  [82-59] Eastern League — Akron
A+:  [63-77] Carolina League — Carolina
A:  [71-68] Midwest League — Lake County
A(ss):  [30-45] New York-Penn League — Mahoning Valley

Arizona Fall League PlayersScottsdale Scorpions
Shawn Armstrong (RHP); Trey Haley (RHP); T.J. House (LHP); Matt Packer (LHP); Alex Monsalve (C); Ronnie Rodriguez (SS); Tyler Holt (OF); Carlos Moncrief (OF)

Graduated Prospects of Note
Zach McAllister (RHP), Nick Hagadone (LHP)

The Run Down
If you’re here looking for soon-to-be-fantasy-relevant guys, I’m sorry.  Cleveland cannot help in this regard.  Take solace in the fact that this system graduated (or traded) a wave of useful fantasy talent just two seasons ago in 2011.  What’s left of the Indians’ farm — what’s worth noting, at least — is young and raw and risky.  Youthful systems are volatile.  I don’t care how many 17-year-old five-tool shortstops you sign out of Latin America, some of them are gonna bust.  Maybe all of ’em.  And that’s precisely what we’ve got here:  an iffy group of youngsters.  Good thing Terry Francona signed on for four years in Cleveland, because there’s no immediate help on the way — at least, not from the minors.   

Top Ten Prospects
1.  Francisco Lindor, SS:
  So, my “run down” may have failed to mention that the Indians have a top-ten overall prospect.  Sincerest apologies.  Anyway, Lindor is awesome:  a pure shortstop with outstanding athleticism and makeup.  He hit .257/.352/.355 in his first year of full-season ball at Low-A Lake County, which isn’t quite spectacular, but consider that he’s just 18 years old and also that scouting reports from all parties are glowing, and the outlook brightens up considerably.  Lindor projects to go 15/30, but he has a chance to blossom into a 20/20 type as he matures.  ETA:  2015

2.  Dorssys Paulino, SS:  In his first year of pro ball, Paulino hit .333/.380/.558 in 250 PA between rookie-ball and short-season A.  The 17-year-old has impressed at the plate, but few believe he’ll be able to stick at shortstop defensively.  Shouldn’t be a problem for the Indians, though.  The dude above him on this list will fill that role nicely.  ETA:  2016

3.  Tyler Naquin, OF:  The Indians drafted Naquin 15th overall back in June, and many thought they were reaching.  In reality, they were probably just saving some dough, but that doesn’t mean Naquin isn’t good.  The 21-year-old out of Texas A&M was regarded as one of the best hitters in college baseball, and he looked the part in his pro debut:  .270/.279/.380 through 161 PA in the New York-Penn League.  The concern is whether or not he can fit in defensively in the bigs.  Hitting ability typically shines through, though.  I’m confident that the Indians will find a spot for Naquin’s bat when the time comes.  ETA:  Late 2014

4.  Luigi Rodriguez, OF:  Rodriguez hit .268/.338/.406 in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League, stealing 24 bags and collecting 11 homers on the year.  The 19-year-old is physically raw, but he handles the bat well and he projects to be great in center.  ETA:  2015

5.  Tony Wolters, SS/2B:  Wolters transitioned from SS to 2B in 2012 at High-A, spending roughly half his time on the right side of the infield.  Projecting to post nice marks in both AVG and OBP, the 20-year-old could find himself at the top of Cleveland’s lineup once he surfaces.  ETA:  Late 2014

6.  Jesus Aguilar, 1B:  At 6-3, 255, Aguilar is a big boy and he can certainly hit, but he is limited defensively.  The 22-year-old posted a .833 OPS in 514 PA between High-A and Double-A.  The Tribe will surely make room for him if he continues to hit.  ETA:  2014

7.  Mitch Brown, RHP:  A pitcher! Brown was Cleveland’s 2nd-round selection this past June, and the 18-year-old was impressive in his pro debut:  3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 27.2 IP.  At 6-1, 195, he’s not your prototype ace, but he’s praised for his makeup and for his repertoire, which features a mid-90s FB, a plus curve, and a solid changeup.  ETA:  2016

8. Dillon Howard, RHP:  Another high school arm taken in the 2nd round (2011), Howard has a big frame (6-4, 210) and brings outstanding fastball offerings.  The downside here is his secondary stuff, which requires significant refinement. But at just 20 years old, there’s ample time for that.  ETA:  2016

9.  Ronny Rodriguez, SS:  Rodriguez spent the year in High-A, where he hit .264/.300/.452.  Scouting reports have always been positive on this 20-year-old, five-tool shortstop, but the Indians were certainly hoping that his ability at the plate would have come a bit further by now.  ETA:  Late 2014

10.  Austin Adams, RHP:  Adams missed all of 2012 to injury, but prior to being shelved, he was impressive at big league camp and was on the verge of breaking through.  Although he’s undersized, he generates upper-90s velocity and could certainly find himself in a high-leverage relief role before long.  ETA:  2014