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January 19, 2012

Future Shock

Indians Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

Previous Rankings: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

System in 20 Words or Less: This is the youngest, riskiest, most volatile Top 11 I've ever done.

Five-Star Prospects
1. Francisco Lindor, SS
Three-Star Prospects
2. Dillon Howard, RHP
3. Ronny Rodriguez, SS
4. Austin Adams, RHP
5. Tony Wolters, SS
6. Nick Hagadone, LHP
7. Dorssys Paulino, SS
8. Luigi Rodriguez, OF
Two-Star Prospects
9. Scott Barnes, LHP
10. Robel Garcia, INF
11. Elvis Araujo, LHP

Nine More
12. Jake Cisco, RHP: This 2011 third-round pick has size and stuff, but he’s raw.
13. Zach McAllister, RHP: He has command and fastball movement, but little else. His ceiling is a fifth starter.
14. Felix Sterling, RHP: This young righty has a power arm and big potential, but he needs refinement.
15. Jorge Martinez, SS: He’s yet another teenage Dominican with loud tools. He profiles as a third baseman with power.
16. Chen Lee, RHP: This undersized righty has an electric fastball. He should pitch in big leagues this year, and has a seventh- or eighth-inning ceiling.
17. Levon Washington, OF: He’s still a great athlete, but his swing fell apart in 2011.
18. Jesus Aguilar, 1B: This massive first baseman is a bat-only prospect, but there are questions about what he can do other than hit for power.
19. Chun-Hsui Chen, C: He has impressive offensive skills, but he’s well below average behind the plate.
20. Zack Putnam, RHP: Like Lee, Putnam should reach the big leagues this year, but he profiles as a solid reliever, not an impact one.

1. Francisco Lindor, SS
DOB: 11/14/93
Height/Weight: 5-11/175
Bats/Throws: S/R
Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011, Monteverde Academy (FL)
2011 Stats: .316/.350/.316 at Low-A (5 G)
Tools Profile: Yes.

Year in Review: The top shortstop in the draft shocked teams in private workouts. He nearly went second overall, but he shocked all by falling into Cleveland's lap with the eighth overall pick.
The Good: Lindor is loaded with tools. He's a switch-hitter with outstanding bat speed. He shocked officials by pounding balls out of Safeco Field, and projects to have as much as average power down the road (15-18 home runs annually). He's a 55-60 runner who should steal a good number of bases, and all of that is wrapped in a package of advanced shortstop skills including impressive range, hands and arm strength, and off-the-charts makeup.
The Bad: Lindor was just 17 when he was drafted. His inexperience shows at times, so he'll have to refine his approach and slow done the game defensively. More than anything, he needs at-bats.
Ephemera: The eighth overall pick in the draft has been used on a shortstop 11 times. Jay Bell (1984) is the only one to play in an All-Star game.
Perfect World Projection: He could be an All-Star shortstop.
Fantasy Impact: It’s probably less than real-world value because of the defense, but he'll still be an early pick as a player with double-digit home runs and stolen bases.
Path to the Big Leagues: Lindor will make his full-season debut at Low-A Lake County.
ETA: 2015