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

#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.