Article:Cleveland Indians 2008 Top Ten Prospects

The Indians are essentially in the same predicament as the Arizona Diamondbacks], two years ago they had a top ten Minor League system but now, with all those players having graduated to the major leagues, the cupboard is now bare. With the exception of #1 prospect Adam Miller, there is not one player in the Indians entire system projected to become a front line player in the big leagues. And even Miller himself is at a cross-roads, he has had just one injury free season in his four years in the organization and needs to prove himself healthy if he expects to take the next step.


 * 1) Adam Miller, 23, RHP, first round supplemental, 2003

The organizations minor league player of the year in 2006, Miller was expected to spend a minimum amount of time in the minors in 2007, fine tuning himself for what was believed to be a final and permanent call to Cleveland. Instead, Miller again fell victim to the injury bug (finger and elbow) and missed almost two months. Upon returning in August, the Tribe kept Miller in the bullpen in order to limit his pitches and while he threw well at times, the consistency wasn't there. Miller ended the season in the Arizona Fall League where he was hit around pretty good and showed less than impressive stuff. When healthy, Miller possesses a plus fastball which has touched 97 mph with a plus slider, which Cleveland considers his bread and butter pitch. Miller has a loose, repeating delivery and sound mechanics. Miller struggled after returning from his injuries with his changeup, at its best an average pitch. His release point, arm speed and angles were all off and they never returned. The Indians plan on the continuation of the bullpen experiment in the major leagues in 2008, assuming his change returns and he is able to refine his pickoff move the move is a temporary one, he has all the makings of a front-line starter.


 * 2) Chuck Lofgren, 21, LHP, fourth round, 2004

Led Indians minor league pitchers with 123 strikeouts in 146 innings. Average/plus fastball with movement with an improving slider. Curve and change are average. Stuggled with his delivery at times which threw off his command and his changeup actually regressed. Will repeat Double A to start the season, with stops in Triple A and Cleveland likely during the season.


 * 3) Beau Mills, 21, lefthanded hitting third baseman, first round, 2007

Son of Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills. Plus power to all fields, level, controlled swing with good bat speed. Has a good eye and discipline is improving giving the Indians hope he will be a consistent .300 hitter. Defensively, hands and feet are good, biggest weakness is lack of speed. Had a shoulder injury in college which sapped his arm strength, if it doesn't return Mills will likely move to first base or left field. High Class A in '08


 * 4) Wes Hodges, 23, righthanded hitting thirdbaseman, second round, 2006

Suffered long list of injuries, from broken leg during his senior season at Georgia Tech to toe and hamstring injuries last year. A line drive hitter who uses the whole field but most power is to the left side. Good arm and hands with limited range, especially in and to his right. Struggled at times with pitch recognition especially breaking stuff. Double A in 2008


 * 5) Aaron Laffey, 22, LHP, sixteenth round, 2003

ML debut in 2007, going 4-2 with a 4.56 ERA in nine starts. A ground ball pitcher who lacks a ML quality fastball, makes up for it with a plus sinker with a decent slider and change. He needs to be on his stuff every time out because of the lack of a fastball and if he is off he'll get hit hard as referenced to his .322 BAA to lefty hitters. Will go into spring training with a good shot of landing a rotation spot.


 * 6) Nick Weglarz, 20, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, third round 2005

Missed most of 2006 with a broken hand, rebounded well in '07 with 23 homers and 82 RBI. A patient hitter with plus plate and pitch recognition. Has a long swing but has made positive strides in shortening without losing effectiveness. Drafted as a firstbaseman, Weglarz doesn't have the footwork or lateral movement necessary to play the position in the majors and his arm doesn't project to rightfield which limits him to leftfield. Has a tendency to cut-off his swing, Indians are working on him staying back and driving his hands through the ball, which adds loft to his swing and consequently power without sacrificing contact. High Class A


 * 7) Jordan Brown, 24, lefthanded hitting and throwing first baseman, fourth round, 2005

Swing reminiscent of Wally Joyner. Class A Carolina League and Double A Eastern League MVP respectively the past two years. Led CL with 88 RBI and was EL batting champ (.333) last season. Inside out swing has him a predominant opposite field hitter but can pull when situation arises. Bat speed average, plus recognition and discipline. Indians love his character and leadership ability. Defensively average. Below average runner and will report to spring training recovering from September knee surgery. Triple A in 2008.


 * 8) David Huff, 23, LHP, first round supplemental, 2006

Shut down in May with elbow problems, Huff did pitch in the Arizona Fall League. Four pitches, sinker, slider, curve and change, all equally efficient and all close to major league average. Has good strike zone command and is not afraid to pitch inside. Showed no ill effects of the elbow problem during his AFL stint. Has trouble with lefty hitters, doesn't have a dominant out pitch. Spring training performance (and health) will determine his 2008 destination, either High Class A or Double A.


 * 9) Ben Francisco, 26, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, fifth round, 2002

.274/3/12 in 74 AB's in Cleveland in 2007. Average power, has trouble against lefthanders. Struggles when behind in count and subsequently will swing at bad pitches to protect the count. Best tools are defensive, has the speed, range and arm to play all three OF positions with CF being his best position. Triple A in 2008, with an appearance in Cleveland at some point a certainty.


 * 10) Jensen Lewis, 24, RHP, third round, 2005

College teammate at Vanderbilt of teammate Jeremy Sowers and 2007 first round pick by Tampa David Price. Drafted as a starter, moved to bullpen in 2007 and made 26 appearances with Cleveland. Plus sinker and curve and manageable changeup. Has a tendency to work too fast which throws his mechanics off with his pitches ending up at the top of the strike zone and he usually pays the price. An integral part of Cleveland's bullpen in 2008.


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America with contributing text by Chris Kline

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