By Tony LastoriaSpecial To FOX Sports Ohio
The minor league season is about to kick off, and with that a lot of excitement surrounds a lot of the Indians lower level affiliates thisseason. As is the case in the minors, that excitement is not necessarily because of the potential to win a lot of games and a league championship, it is because of some of the hot, young prospects that are at aparticular affiliate. The Indians once again pushed the envelope this season and sent a lot of very young players to low-A Lake County. The Midwest League average age last season was 21.6 years old, and Lake County has eleven players that will open the season at age 20-years old or younger, including four players that will play most of the season at age 18 and 19. That inexperience and youthbrings with it a lot of inconsistency, but also a lot of upside which is fun to dream on. Last season Lake County had the crown jewel of the system shortstop Francisco Lindor with them all year. He has since moved on to high-A Carolina, but in his place there are several good young prospects ready to firmly establish themselves as some of the Indians’ best prospects going forward. Here is a rundown of the five best prospects to watch at Lake County at the outset of the season: Dorssys Paulino –Shortstop The Indians signed Paulino out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2011 for $1.1 million. Since the day he signed scouts loved the potential with his bat, and in his pro debut last season at rookie level Arizona he showcased it as he dominated the league finishing in the top five of almost every possible offensive category. He is a natural born hitter with a good feel for the bat head who has the potential to be a special offensive player with his ability to make consistent, hard contact, hit for power, and be disciplined enough in his approach to draw some walks and limit strikeouts. Defensively, he is still coming around and profiles as an average at best defender. While the Indians are committed to him at shortstop for the time being, he will probably outgrow the position and move to third base or a corner outfield position down the road. For a much more detailed report of Paulino, see his full scouting report at IBI. Mitch Brown –Right-handed pitcher The Indians picked up Brown last year in the 2nd round of the 2012 Draft out of Rochester Century High School (MN), and signed him for $639,700. He has a good, projectable frame to go along with some good stuff and a good, polished delivery for his age with smooth, consistent mechanics and really good arm action. He has five legit pitches, and that deep pitch mix gives hima ton of potential as a starting pitching prospect going forward. His fastball has a lot of life and jumps out of his hand sitting comfortably at 90-94 MPH and will touch 96 MPH, and complements it with a hard biting low-80s plus slider, good upper 80s plus cutter, an upper-70s curveball that flashes plus, and shows a feel for his developing changeup. Like most high school pitchers he is raw and needs game experience at the pro level to truly evaluate his talent. For a much more detailed report of Brown, see his full scouting report at IBI. Dylan Baker –Right-handed pitcher Baker was selected by the Indians in the 5th round of the 2012 Draft out of Western Nevada Community College, and was signed for $235,600. He is a big, strong pitcher with a live arm that has a lot of room to grow physically. He is free and easy on the mound with a fastball that has good life and sits 92-94 MPH and was up to 100 MPH last year in college. He features a curveball and slurvy slider with both having the chance to be plus pitches for him down the road, and also shows a feel for a developing changeup. The slider is a true out pitch as he gets good swing and miss with it because of its good late biting action and side to side movement as it explodes through the zone. He is raw with a lot of tools to work with on the mound, so he will need a lot of work to refine his abilities in order for his true talents to emerge. For a much more detailed report on Baker, see his full scouting report at IBI. Eric Haase –Catcher The Indians selected Haase in the 7th round of the 2011 Draft out of Divine Child High School (MI). He had a commitment to attend Ohio State University but signed with the Indians for $580,000. He is an athletic, high upside player that has a strong set of tools and is a well-rounded prospect. Offensively, he is a grinder that puts up quality at bats on a consistent basis, and what really stands out the most about him is his ability to attack the baseball. He has a good swing and generates good bat speed, and has some developing plus power potential with the ability to hit the ball out to any part of the ballpark. He shows a lot of athleticism behind the plate with a strong arm and quick release, and has the instincts, work ethic and upside that make the Indians believe he can stay behind the plate and could become at least a solid average Major League backstop. For a much more detailed report on Haase, see his full scouting report at IBI. Luigi Rodriguez –Outfielder Rodriguez was signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent in September 2009 out of the Dominican Republic. He is an exciting, dynamic player that can switch hit and is a very good leadoff hitting prospect for the Indians that can make things happen in all phases of the game. His hitting tools and talent are unmistakable as he has a great feel for the bat head with good bat-to-ball ability, and has a quick, line drive swing to pound the gaps and spray line drives all over the field. He only has below average power but he has a live bat with good bat speed where the ball jumps off his bat with solid gap power and occasional pop to hit the ball over the fence. He is a legitimate plus runner that is plus-plus at times and can create havoc on the basepaths, and when he gets on the bases he can really take over a game as he has the green light to steal in almost any situation. He has tons of ability as an outfielder and the Indians believe he has the potential to be an above average defensive center fielder. For a much more detailed report on Rodriguez, see his full scouting report at IBI. Others of note: Luis DeJesus (RHP): A converted shortstop who is new to pitching, he has a solid three pitch mix with a fastball at 87-91 MPH, slurvy curveball and changeup. He has a good delivery, size and athleticism, he just needs experience to see what he can truly become. Jorge Martinez (OF): He is a switch hitter originally signed as a shortstop and converted to left field in the offseason. He has a lot of athleticism and a very long frame, with developing hitting skills that could be plus in both the power and hitting department. Nelson Rodriguez(1B): He is only 18-years old but is massively sized at 6’2” 230 pounds. Hewas drafted last year as a catcher, but has been moved to first base where he has the potential to be at least an average defender. The raw power in his bat is amazing. Jake Sisco (RHP): He is a very projectable pitcher because of his youth, good body, and four pitches that all have a chance to be average or more. His fastball sits in the low 90s and his curveball has plus potential. He struggled last year, but he’s made some mechanical adjustments and is someone to watch. LeVon Washington(OF): He is a very raw high upside talent that has tremendous athleticism and oozes tools to be a very good leadoff hitter and defensive center fielder. He’s struggled with the injury bug the last few years, but if he is healthy he is one of the most exciting players to watch play in the system.
