Francisco Lindor Shining in Arizona Fall League

Indians top prospect playing like it so far this winter

Everyone in baseball knows that Francisco Lindor is the future at shortstop for the Cleveland Indians, the only question is when. After a successful season with the Indians Double-A affiliate Akron RubberDucks, where he slashed .278/.352/.389 and had a solid BB/K  rate of .66, he was promoted to the Tribe’s Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers. He finished the season with the Clippers batting .273/.307/.388 but saw his plate discipline decline with a BB/K ratio of .25.

The 20-year-old switch hitter is showing much better plate discipline through his first nine games playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, striking out five times but drawing three walks. He leads the squad in runs with 6, has hit three doubles and a homer, and is slashing .300/.349/.450. He’s also chipped in a stolen base and two RBI.

MLB.com’s Teddy Cahill takes a look at Lindor and other Indians playing in the Arizona Fall League

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With Jose Ramirez most likely starting the season at shortstop for the Indians it will be interesting to see how the plate discipline and bat develop when the year opens at Columbus in 2015.

Other Indians Of Note in Winter Ball:

  • Giovanny Urshela, 3B, Venezuelan League (Aguilas de Zulia) – 10 games, .435/.447/.458, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 6/0 K/BB
  • Carlos Moncrief, OF, Venezuelan League (Aguilas de Zulia) – 8 games, .345/.441/.379, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 11/5 K/BB
  • Alex Monsalve, C, Venezuelan League (Bravos de Margarita) – 6 games, .375/.444/.375, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2/1 K/BB
  • Jordan Smith, OF, Arizona Fall League (Peoria Javelinas) – 10 games, .238/.289/.357, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 11/3 K/BB
  • Nick Maronde, LHP, Arizona Fall League (Peoria Javelinas) – 4 games, 6.1 IP, 11 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 9.95 ERA
  • Louis Head, RHP, Arizona Fall League (Peoria Javelinas) – 4 games, 4.1 innings, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 4.15 ERA
  • Dylan Baker, RHP, Arizona Fall League (Peoria Javelinas) – 2 games, 4 innings, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4.50 ERA
  • Grant Sides, RHP, Arizona Fall League (Peoria Javelinas) – 5 games, 6.1 innings, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 0.00 ERA