Cleveland Indians: Tony Wolters Claimed by Rockies

The Cleveland Indians Lose Tony Wolters To Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have claimed former Cleveland Indians catching prospect Tony Wolters off waivers today, ending his tenure with the organization.

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Wolters was

designated for assignment last week

to make room for free agent reliever

.  Wolters has two minor league options remaining, but still a mild surprise he was claimed.  After showing promise at Advanced-A Carolina in 2012 and 2013, Wolters really struggled offensively upon his promotion to Double-A Akron. He has hit just .233 in 159 Double-A games with a weak .607 OPS.  However, he has played very well defensively behind the plate throwing out nearly 50% of would-be base stealers the last two seasons and sports a career 40% mark in the minors.

Wolters was originally a third-round draft pick in 2010 by the Cleveland Indians. He signed straight out of high school after a rather nice signing bonus lured him away from a college scholarship.  A shortstop originally he moved to second base before eventually settling in behind the plate before the 2013 season. It appeared his bat would play up there and before injuries set in the move appeared to be paying off.  He ranked as a top ten prospect in the eyes of some at one point, and he was added to the Tribe’s 40-man roster prior to last season but never got things going at the plate.

Next: Is Mike Napoli Going to Boom or Bust?

Sad to see the team lose a guy like Wolters, but with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez mainstays in Cleveland there wasn’t a lot of need to keep Wolters on the 40-man given his inability to stay healthy and hit. Best of luck to him in Colorado from all of us here at Wahoo’s on First.