Cleveland Indians
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PrintBaseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2008.
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| LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY |
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While their season ended in disappointing fashion, the Indians completed their rebuilding project by returning to the top of the American League Central. The organization had been pointing toward that goal since Mark Shapiro took over as general manager after the 2001 season, the last time Cleveland had gone to the playoffs. Shapiro's administration immediately tore down an expensive roster and began assembling younger talent.
The Indians won 93 games in 2005 and looked well on their way back, but a faulty bullpen contributed to a 78-84 finish in 2006. Their young core matured last season and showed that the step back in '06 was the anomaly.
What will linger in Cleveland fans' memories, however, is how much better it could have been. The Tribe knocked off the Yankees in the AL Division Series, then pushed the Red Sox to seven games in the AL Championship Series. The most frustrating part was that the Indians had Boston on the ropes with a 3-1 series lead with a chance to clinch at Jacobs Field. But Josh Beckett turned the tide in Game Five, starting a run of three straight wins for the Red Sox that dashed the Indians' hopes of their first World Series title since 1948.
"I'm disappointed obviously we weren't able to finish it off," manager Eric Wedge said. "I'm proud as I could be of our players. We fell short, but I think we learned a great deal in this postseason."
The good news is that the remade Indians are equipped to go on the same kind of run they enjoyed from 1995-2001, when they went to the playoffs six times in seven years. While a primary focus of Shapiro's rebuilding efforts centered around homegrown contributors such as Fausto Carmona, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and C.C. Sabathia, the pro scouting department helped build the club as much, if not more, than the amateur department.
Recognizing the talent of Grady Sizemore while he was in Class A or Travis Hafner when he was in Triple-A paid huge dividends. So did stealing Asdrubal Cabrera from the Mariners in a trade for Eduardo Perez.
After graduating several players to the big leagues, the farm system is at a crossroads. The system still has depth, but aside from oft-injured righthander Adam Miller, no true blue-chip prospects are waiting in the wings.
And aside from holdovers liked Miller, no new faces outside of Double-A first baseman Jordan Brown separated themselves from the pack in 2007. The system was wracked by injury and lack of performance last year, as lefthander Tony Sipp had Tommy John surgery, outfielder Brad Snyder went down with a broken thumb in July and the two top draft picks from 2005 (outfielders Trevor Crowe and John Drennen) were disappointments.
Double-A Akron and high Class A Kinston were again powerhouse clubs in the minor leagues, though both teams lost in the postseason. Kinston's 87 victories were the third-highest total in the minors..
The Indians had just one pick in the first three rounds of the 2007 draft, selecting slugger Beau Mills 13th overall. Two of their later-round picks have a lot of upside, as the club went over slot to sign Florida high school lefthander Chris Jones (15th round) for $350,00 and Oregon prep two-way standout Joey Mahalic (32nd round) for $123,000.
| Scouting reports for the Top 10
Prospects
(How to subscribe) |
| Pre-Order the 2008 Prospect
Handbook 30 scouting reports on every team |
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