Cleveland Indians 2017 Top Prospects: 10 more names to know

Jose Fermin – SS

Jose Fermin was one of the bigger international signings for the Indians in 2013, signing out of the Dominican Republic. He was the 28th ranked international talent according to Baseball America and was just 16 at the time of his signing.

He just turned 19 a couple of days ago but is already a solid defender at shortstop. He has a solid bat but lacks any power at this point.

He has yet to play stateside but that should change in 2017 with Fermin likely opening at the Tribe’s Arizona Rookie affiliate later this summer. He cracked Baseball America’s top 30 list this year (subscription required), but I need to see him in the states before I put him quite that high.

Justin Garza – RHP

Finally recovered from Tommy John surgery, Justin Garza will look to get his first real taste of professional ball this year. Originally a 26th-round pick of the Indians out of high school in 2012, Garza was again drafted by the Indians in 2015, this time in the eighth round out of Cal State Fullerton.

Garza was a standout with the Titans in his three years and helped lead them to the 2015 College World Series, but blew out his elbow in late May.

The Indians took a flyer on him and after a year-plus rehab, Garza made his professional debut in 2016, appearing in six games for the Tribe’s Arizona Rookie League team.

Despite throwing just nine innings, the Indians have decided to start him in full-season ball at Class-A Lake County in 2017. His ceiling isn’t the highest in the system but if healthy he could become a solid middle of the rotation starter.

Oscar Gonzalez – OF

Oscar Gonzalez is a guy I was very tempted to put in the top 30. He’s a 19-year-old outfielder who put up huge numbers this season in the Arizona Rookie League.

In 40 games, the right-hander hit .303 with a .907 OPS. He hit eight home runs in just 155 plate appearances, posting the highest ISO (isolated power) among Tribe minor leaguers with a .262 mark. However, he also struck out in over one-third of his plate appearances (36.8 percent).

He also struggled in his first season stateside in 2015, hitting just .203 with a .587 OPS in Arizona. Gonzalez did make a brief stop at Short-Season Mahoning Valley in 2016 and he’ll start the 2017 season there as well (after some more work in extended spring training).

Baseball America put him in their top 30 this season (subscription required) and if he shows he can hit like he did in 2016 again, then he’s definitely moving into the top 30 for 2018.