Over the past couple seasons the Indians have been able to rebuild their farm system to the point where they are well positioned not only in prospects coming up but if they want to make trades.
During spring training, a lot of the prospects have made strong showings. Francisco Lindor batted .297 and had six extra-base hits, Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier have homered in Cactus League games and Tyler Naquin got extensive work.
In FoxSportsOhio.com's consensus Indians prospect rankings, all but one of the top 10 are position players and five are outfielders. Of the five, Zimmer, Frazier, Naquin and James Ramsey play center.
"It is a good problem to have. We won't complain about having too many difficult decisions but usually those kind of solve themselves," said Indians farm system director Carter Hawkins about the abundance of center fielders.
Depending on needs near the trade deadline, the Tribe should be in position to make a deal if the other team is looking for prospects.
Here is the top 10:
1. FRANCISCO LINDOR, SS
At some point this upcoming season Lindor will make his first Indians debut. He will start the season in Triple-A Columbus and is likely again to be the youngest player in the International League. Offensively he continues to show a great feel for the strike zone while defensively he is considered to be the best infielder in the farm system. He is showing some increased power at the plate after more work in the weight room.
2. BRADLEY ZIMMER, OF
Last year's first-round pick is likely to start the season in either Low-A Lake County or High-A Lynchburg. He's a very good contact hitter with a propensity for doubles along with very good arm strength in the outfield. The biggest question right now is whether the Indians keep him in center or take advantage of his arm strength and move to right.
3. CLINT FRAZIER, OF
Got off to a slow start last season but rebounded in July (.309, six home runs, 13 RBI) and finished .266 for the season. He is considered to be one of the best power hitters in the farm system but needs to do a better job of managing his at-bats after striking out 161 times last year. He has been in center field so far but it is possible that he could be moved to right if on the same team as Zimmer.
4. FRANCISCO MEJIA, C
The 19-year old was the cleanup hitter in Mahoning Valley last season, batting .282. He remains a work in progress at catcher but has one of the best arms in the system. Great upside but the Indians will take their time in getting him to develop, especially in calling games.
5. JUSTUS SHEFFIELD, P
The left-hander, who was the 31st overall pick last year, has a mid-90s fastball along with a late-breaking slider that can be a strong secondary pitch. Sheffield has the potential to be a No. 2 starter. He is likely to begin the season in Lake County.
6. TYLER NAQUIN, OF
Give the Indians credit above all for having an abundance of center fielders in the system. A first-round pick in 2012, Naquin was batting .313 in Akron before his season ended in late June after breaking a bone in his right hand after being hit by a pitch. He doesn't have a lot of power but his patient approach at the plate and speed could put him near the top of the order.
7. GIOVANNY URSHELA, 3B
Hit .280 with 18 home runs and struck out only 67 times in 485 at-bats. After suffering a knee injury in winter ball, Urshela was able to be back in time for spring training but then was slowed by a back injury before being sent down to Columbus.
8. MIKE PAPI, OF/1B
Very good discipline at the plate and can hit to all sides of the field. Played mostly the outfield last year after signing when Virginia lost in the College World Series but is likely to see plenty of time at first base in Lynchburg this season.
9. BOBBY BRADLEY, 1B
After being selected in the third round, he ended up leading the Arizona Rookie League in batting average (.361), home runs (8) and RBI (50) en route to MVP honors. Should continue to develop in the weight room and should open the season with Lake County.
10. JAMES RAMSEY, OF
After being acquired from St. Louis in the Justin Masterson trade, Ramsey batted .284 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 28 games with Columbus. According to STATS LLC, Ramsey led the Clippers in RBI, was third in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage once he joined the team.
