Name: Bryan PricePosition: Right-handed relieverCurrent team: Triple-A Columbus ClippersAge: 26Height: 6’4”Weight: 210Bats: RightThrows: Right2013 stats: 2-1, 3.32 ERA, 30 G, 43.1 IP, 38 H, 4 HR, 11 BB, 57 K, .228 BAA Facts & Info: Price was originally selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2008 draft out of Rice University. The Indians acquired him as part of a three player deal from the Red Sox in July of 2009 in exchange for catcher Victor Martinez.
The Stuff: Price has a fastball that sits at 91-93 MPH though when he reaches back it has flashed 97 MPH in the past. He complements it with a good slider and developing splitter. His slider is a plus offering and the best pitch in his arsenal as it has good tilt and he gets a good amount of swings and misses with it. The slider is his go-to pitch, and he has the confidence to throw it at any time and in any count. In the middle of the 2010 season he dropped his changeup in favor of the splitter, and it continues to be a work in progress that he primarily uses to attack left-handed hitters. The Intangibles: Price is an aggressive, power-armed reliever who has good size, athleticism and strength. He has the ability to make batters swing and miss, and he gets good leverage on hitters because of his size and the downward plane his ball gets when it comes out of his hand. He is smart and is coachable. The Focus: Price has struggled with some shoulder injuries during his time with the Indians that have resulted in missed time over each of the last few seasons. That has stalled his development and progress up the minor league ranks. He has limited time in Triple-A and has shown inconsistent fastball command as the result of some inconsistency in his delivery and arm slot, so he needs to get better repeating his delivery and control his effort level so that his arm slot can be more consistent and allow him to throw more strikes. He needs to develop more consistency in his splitter so he can better attack lefties. The Future: Price was a former first round pick and was part of a big trade, so the Indians will continue to give him opportunities in the upper levels of their system to see if he can realize his major league potential. The Indians control him through the 2014 season as he is not eligible for minor league free agency until then, but he is 26-years-old and may be maxed out as a prospect. The Indians have bullpen depth in the upper levels, but if they continue to have issues in Cleveland and he continues to improve, it is possible he could get a call to Cleveland at some point this season or next.
