Cleveland Indians Top 30 Prospects in 2017: “Just Missed” List

Dylan Baker, RHP

For the second year in a row, Dylan Baker makes the “just missed” list. He was added to the 40-man roster prior to the 2016 season to avoid the Rule 5 Draft but missed the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

It was the second straight lost season for Baker who made just one start and threw just five innings in 2015. He’ll turn 25 on April 6 and will need to show he’s healthy this season to remain on the 40-man roster. When healthy, he has plus stuff and that is why he remains on the fringe here but time is running out for the right-hander who may be destined for the bullpen.

Mitch Brown, RHP

Like Baker, this is the second year in a row Mitch Brown makes this list.  At one time a Top 5 prospect in the Tribe system, Brown struggled once again in 2016, posting an ugly 5.03 ERA in 98 1/3 innings for Advanced-A Lynchburg. This was the second straight season Brown posted an ERA north of five at Lynchburg. So why is Brown on this list again?

He moved to the bullpen late in the year and actually looked rather solid. He posted a 3.27 ERA and held opponents to a .159 batting average in 19 relief appearances. Even more impressive was the 40 strikeouts in just 24 2/3 innings, giving him a 14.6 K/9 rate. A very small sample size but perhaps the bullpen is where the former top prospect finds his way to the big leagues.

Andrew Calica, OF

After four years at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Andrew Calica was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 11th round of the 2016 draft. He split this past season between the short-season Mahoning Valley Scrappers and the Class-A Lake County Captains.

It was just 50 games but between the two levels he hit .382/.474/.556 with 10 doubles, six triples, three home runs, and 15 stolen bases. He split time between left field and center field, playing primarily left. He stands 6-foot-1 and will turn 23 on March 5. This summer was also the second time the Tribe had drafted the switch-hitting Calica, having taken him in the 17th round back in 2012.