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

We kick off our 2017 Cleveland Indians top prospect countdown by taking a look at several prospects who just missed the top 30 list.

With the start of Cleveland Indians spring training games, it’s once again time to dive into our seasonal Top 30 Prospect list. Through trades, big league promotions, and new draft picks we’ll see several new names on the list with some shakeup at the top of the list with last year’s top prospect, Clint Frazier, now a member of the New York Yankees’ system.

Like last year, we’ll begin by looking at a few prospects that “just missed” the top 30 prospect list, but who are players worth mentioning and following this season.

The one that got away?

Before we look at ten prospects that just missed the top 30 list, I want to talk about one prospect who would be on the list if he was still in the organization.

Taken in the Rule 5 Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, outfielder Anthony Santander was a kid I was very excited to see again in 2017. Always full of talent, the switch-hitting slugger struggled with injuries at times early in his career but finally was able to stay on the field, playing in 128 games for the Tribe’s Advanced-A Lynchburg Hillcats. He hit .290/.368/.492 with 20 home runs, 42 doubles, and 95 runs batted in.

The 22-year-old likely would have started the 2017 season at Double-A Akron where he would have started in left field. There’s still a chance he could return to the Cleveland Indians as in order for the Orioles to retain him, he must spend the entire 2017 season on the big league roster.

Santander likely will open on the disabled list after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason. This will allow the Orioles some time before making a decision, but after re-signing outfielders Mark Trumbo and Michael Bourn, the Orioles may not have a spot for Santander. That said, the Orioles are reportedly very high on him.

Hopefully, he is returned as he’s a guy that has an extremely high offensive ceiling. Had he been with the organization this year he’d have not only made the top 30 list but come in at number 10. Instead, Tribe fans are left wondering if they’ll ever get to see Santander in a Tribe uniform again.

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.

Perci Garner, RHP

Like Colon, Perci Garner also made his big league debut in 2016 with the Cleveland Indians. The Dover, Ohio native joined the Tribe for the 2015 season after struggling with the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander reliever quickly rose through the system, jumping from Advanced-A ball in 2015 to the big leagues last year.

Between Double-A, Triple-A, and the big leagues, Garner threw a staggering 88 innings in 2016, all in relief. He made eight appearances for the Tribe posting a 4.82 ERA. He did strike out 12 in 9 1/3 innings at the big league level.

Luis Lugo, LHP

The lanky 6-foot-5 left-hander dropped this year after opening 2016 as our 25th ranked prospect. On paper, Lugo pitched very much like how he had the previous two years. He set career highs in starts (26) and innings pitched (136) while lowering his ERA slightly to 4.04. However, he was repeating a level (Advanced-A) and while his ERA went down, so too did his strikeout rate.

After striking out 146 batters in 2014, he struck out just 113 in 2016 despite throwing an additional ten innings this past summer. He will turn 23 this March so he’s running short on time to be lingering in the lower levels.

Dorssys Paulino, OF

The prospect who at one time was second only to Francisco Lindor in the Tribe’s system, Dorssys Paulino once again comes in on our just missed list. He hit well once again at Advanced-A Lynchburg, batting .284/.353/.445 for the Hillcats.

Unfortunately, he only played in 55 games for the Hillcats due to injury. He’ll be 22 years old this season and the outfielder is running out of chances. He is still very athletic and full of potential, but is barely clinging to prospect status.

Francisco Perez, LHP

The 19-year-old Dominican shined in his first season stateside posting a 2.62 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 63 2/3 innings for the Tribe’s rookie affiliate. He has a three-pitch mix relying heavily on his 91-94 mph fastball though he also throws a slider and developing change. He is the most inexperienced pitcher on this list but one that could make a big rise in 2017 as he continues to grow and develop.

Next: Breaking down the 25-man roster

Be sure to check back daily over the next few weeks as we begin counting down the top 30 prospects. Let us know which prospects you like and if you agree or disagree with our rankings in the comments below.