Cleveland Indians 2016 Rule 5 Draft and Roster Decisions

The Longshots

Michael Peoples – RHSP, Trevor Franks – RHRP, Jake Lowery – C, Eric Haase – C, Sicnarf Loopstok – C, Ronny Rodriguez – UT,  Mitch Brown – RHSP, Jeff Johnson – RHRP, Josh Martin – RHRP

Last year, Perci Garner was on this list of “longshots” to make the roster. Although he was not rostered at the time, he eventually did find his way onto the Cleveland Indians’ big league roster and made his debut with the club after a solid 2016 season in the bullpen. I’d be a bit surprised if any of these players made the roster today but all have a case to be made.

Peoples and Franks have appeared in the Arizona Fall League this year and have had success in the minors. Lowery, Haase, and Loopstok are catchers who could provide depth while Rodriguez is a utility man that can play all over the diamond. Brown is a former second-round pick who has struggled as a starter but could possibly be used as a reliever. Johnson was a guy who many thought would be rostered last year but wasn’t while Martin was taken by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 Draft last year but returned to the Indians.

Prediction: None Rostered

Next: Kluber Still Tribe Ace

Conclusion

Unlike some years where there are several prospects that jump out as “must adds,” this year there is really just the one player that the Indians need to add and that’s Francisco Mejia. Nellie Rodriguez and Anthony Santander are both impressive players and while I expect both to be added it wouldn’t be a monumental shock for either to be added.

One reason this year seems weaker is that one of the better Rule 5 Draft eligible players was already added to the roster in Adam Plutko. Plutko was added late in the regular season to give the Tribe depth and thus was not on this list. Similarly, relievers like Garner and Joseph Colon have added depth to the point where some of the relievers could find it hard to crack the roster.

While I could see the Indians losing a player like they did last year, I also wouldn’t expect anyone lost to be a major loss for the organization. I don’t see a Hector Rondon in here though one never knows.

So who do you think the Cleveland Indians should add before the Rule 5 Draft? Did I miss someone?  What players (if any) do you think should be removed?  Let us know in the comments section below.