Cleveland Indians 2016 Top 30 Prospects Review – No. 12 to 7

Aug 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin (30) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Reviewing the Cleveland Indians 2016 Preseason Top Prospects – No. 12 to 7

As we once again continue our top prospect reviews, we get our first look at our top 12 prospects, including at a pair of players who could play big roles in the playoffs for the Cleveland Indians. We also look at one of the hottest hitters in the minor leagues this season, a player on the cusp of joining the big league club, and a pair of young lefties, one of which is no longer with the organization.

#12 Juan Hillman, LHP

Coming in at number 12 on our preseason top prospect list was left-handed pitcher Juan Hillman. Last year’s second-round pick had a solid season with the Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers, making 15 starts.

He went 3-4 in 63 innings of work with a 4.43 ERA. He got off to a scorching start, allowing just three earned runs in his first six starts (0.89 ERA) including five in a row without allowing an earned run. He struggled after that, though, going more than four innings just once in a start.

Future Outlook: Through the first part of the season it was looking like Hillman was going to be shooting up prospect lists as he was making things look easy. His second-half struggles were a reminder that it’s not easy for a kid that was barely 19 years old when the season began to pitch at the professional level. Hillman is still a top pitching prospect in the system but likely will be just outside the top ten once again. He could repeat Short-Season though mature enough that he could be pushed to Class-A Lake County depending on how aggressive the team wants to be with him.

#11 Tyler Naquin, OF

Tyler Naquin just missed our top ten, coming in at number 11 on our preseason list. He was a somewhat surprise member of the Cleveland Indians’ opening day roster thanks to injuries to Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall, as well as a winter suspension to Abraham Almonte.

After some initial struggles (that resulted in a short 17-game trip to Triple-A Columbus), he proved he not only belonged at the major league level but was one of the best rookies in the league. In 116 games with the Cleveland Indians, Naquin hit an impressive .296/.372/.514. His 135 wRC+ (weighted runs created) was tops on the club, just beating out Carlos Santana (132). He added 14 home runs, which were more than he had hit at any level in the minor leagues. He also hit 18 doubles, five triples, and swiped six bags.

He struggled defensively, however, posting an ugly -17 DRS (defensive runs saved) in center field, which was the second worst among all big league center fielders (Andrew McCutchen, -28). Despite the defense, Naquin was able to post a solid 2.4 fWAR, which was the fifth highest among Tribe position players, behind only Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis, Jose Ramirez and Santana.

Future Outlook: Naquin certainly exceeded expectations this season as he was thought to be a guy that was going to spend much of 2016 in Triple-A, not starting in center field for Game 1 of the American League Division Series. He won’t return to the list next year as he’s long since graduated from prospect status.

How good of a career he can have remains to be seen. Despite his great season, there are still some questions to be answered. Of his 365 plate appearances, just 40 came against left-handed pitching. Naquin struggled in his minor league career against lefties and it remains to be seen if he can be an everyday guy at the big league level or not. The Indians did well easing him in this year and maximizing his offensive talents. He’ll certainly be on the big league roster in 2017 but in what capacity, we shall see.

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World pitcher Adalberto Mejia (right) celebrates with catcher Francisco Mejia (left) after defeating USA during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World pitcher Adalberto Mejia (right) celebrates with catcher Francisco Mejia (left) after defeating USA during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

#10 Yandy Diaz, 3B/OF

Coming in at number 10, Yandy Diaz was one of the most talked about prospects in the upper levels to not see the big league club this season. He initially began the year at Double-A Akron due in part to fellow third baseman Giovanny Urshela manning the spot at Triple-A Columbus.

Diaz lasted just 26 games with the Rubberducks before being promoted to Triple-A. He hit .286/.445/.381 with Akron, including a ridiculous 21.8 percent walk rate. Diaz then appeared in 95 games with the Clippers, putting up even better offensive numbers batting .325/.399/.461. His walk rate dropped quite a bit though still a very solid 11.3 percent. He also added seven home runs, 22 doubles, and three triples while at Columbus and was named a member of the 2016 Futures Game, playing for the World Squad.

He suffered a leg injury late in the year but was able to come back and finish the season as the team fell in the International League playoffs. He also opened up his defensive repertoire more this year playing third base, second base and the outfield. He had played almost exclusively third base since coming over from Cuba but was originally a second baseman in his home country and is athletic enough to handle the outfield.

Future Outlook: Diaz was a guy many felt should have been a late season call-up to help in the outfield, especially versus left-handed pitching. Whether the injury played a part or the club just didn’t want to add him to the 40-man roster yet (he’s still not Rule 5 Draft eligible), the end result was Diaz staying home while the club clinched the division title.

Diaz is in a great spot heading into 2017 though. I would not expect him to make the opening day roster (though said the same about Naquin), but he could be up before Memorial Day depending on how the Indians attack the offseason. His ability to play the infield and outfield give the team options on where to put him especially with Jose Ramirez able to move around as well. I could easily see the 25-year-old being the 2017 version of Naquin and competing for the Rookie of the Year.

#9 Francisco Mejia, C

Maybe the most nationally talked about prospect still in the system, Francisco Mejia came in at number nine on our preseason top 30 list. Mejia made headlines this year with his 50-game hitting streak that was one of the longest in minor league history. He began his season (and streak) at Class-A Lake County where he was repeating the level after a so-so year at the plate in 2015. This time around Mejia had no issues, batting .347/.384/.531 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, and three triples in 60 games for the Captains.

He received a midseason promotion to Lynchburg where he didn’t skip a beat, batting .333/.380/.488 with four home runs, 12 doubles, and a triple in 42 games for the Hillcats. Mejia also continued to improve defensively as a catcher, throwing out 43 percent of would-be base stealers this year at each level. Like Diaz, Mejia was also named a member of the 2016 Futures Game and was Yandy’s teammate on the World Squad.

Future Outlook: The soon-to-be 21-year-old switch-hitter really impressed this season and was nearly a member of the Milwaukee Brewers as he was the centerpiece of the failed Jonathan Lucroy deal. He is a top-100 prospect in the eyes of many publications and figures to jump into the top five in the Tribe’s system next year. The one knock on Mejia is his attitude/drive as he has been suspended for not hustling at times. Some of that could be his age and maturity and if he can get past that he has a chance to be a true franchise catcher with All-Star (superstar?) potential.

If not for his speed he’d be that true “five-tool” player scouts talk about and given his position on the diamond, speed is not something many will care about. He likely will start 2017 back at Lynchburg though seeing him at Double-A would not be out of the question either.

Sep 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (52) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

#8 Mike Clevinger, RHP

Yet another top prospect who made it to the big league level this year, Mike Clevinger came in at number eight on our preseason list. After bursting back onto the prospect scene with an outstanding 2015 season, Clevinger backed it up with an equally impressive 2016 campaign. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason and began the year at Triple-A Columbus, where he finished the previous year pitching in the International League playoffs. In 17 starts for the Clippers this year, he went 11-1 with a 3.00 ERA. He struck out over a batter an inning (9.4 K/9) and held batters to just a .227 batting average.

He made multiple stops in Cleveland, totaling 17 appearances on the year including 10 starts. All told, he threw 53 innings with a forgettable 5.26 ERA. The 25-year-old right-hander did look better in relief,  posting a 3.00 ERA in 12 innings while holding batters to a .182 average.

Future Outlook: Thanks to his stuff and solid work out of the bullpen, there’s a realistic shot that Clevinger could be in the bullpen for the Divisional Series against the Boston Red Sox. He could also get a start should the Tribe decide to go with four starters in a piggy-back role. Long-term he still projects as a big league starting pitcher.

He had some true struggles this year but that’s hardly uncommon for a rookie. He could even compete for an opening day rotation spot in 2017. If he fails to win a role there, the team will have a big decision on whether it’s best to use him in the bullpen or keep him in Triple-A as starting depth.

#7 Justus Sheffield, LHP

Now a former Indians’ prospect, Justus Sheffield came in at number seven on our preseason prospect list.  The 20-year-old lefty got off to a great start with Advanced-A Lynchburg, making 19 starts and going 7-5 with a 3.59 ERA. He also struck out nearly a batter an inning (8.8 K/9). However, he was one of the key pieces in the blockbuster Andrew Miller deal with the New York Yankees. He continued to impress when he switched organizations and eventually made it to Double-A where he made one regular season start. In total, he made six starts for the Yankees’ farm system going 3-1 with an ERA of 1.50.

Future Outlook: The former first-round draft pick continued to impress and was no small loss for the Cleveland Indians. The one big knock on Sheffield will always be his height as he is just 5-foot-10. He continues to look like a big league starter, but as he starts facing off against Double-A and Triple-A talent he could end up in the bullpen. He’ll obviously not be in the 2017 Tribe rankings but had he not been dealt he’d have likely ended up in a similar spot and held serve.

Next: Cleveland Indians Top 30 Prospects Review - No. 18 to 13

Breaking into the top ten and one realizes just how deep the Cleveland Indians farm system was this year. So much talent and so many highly rated players that not only met expectations but surpassed them. That trend will continue as we look at the top six prospects from our preseason list.

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