Tribe Talk: Indians Engage In A Brief Flirtation With Improvement

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The offense is going about as well as could be expected considering the injuries. The starting pitching is only going to give you so much, as it now looks like Cliff Lee and a cast of thousands out there.

The bullpen has slowly started to improve, which is why it's no surprise the team has started to win some games.

2. Last week, the Indians drafted RHP Alex White (UNC) with their first pick in the amateur draft. What do you think of White as their first round choice? What do you think of their selections in subsequent rounds and overall?

Samantha Bunten: Generally speaking, I like the Alex White pick. The fact that the Indians needed to draft pitching was obvious, and it was a smart move to take a seasoned college player since the Tribe needs pitching NOW. I think they were correct to focus on someone who could help the team sooner rather than later.

That being said, I do not agree with the Indians' immediate declaration that they plan to convert White into a reliever. If White ultimately proves better suited to that role, so be it, but I would be very hesitant to take a guy who has the tools to be a potential starter and shove him into a bullpen role before he has even signed a contract.

Overall, I think the Indians did a nice job. They stuck with college players for the most part (as they usually do) and made good selections in the second and third rounds.

Second-round pick Jason Kipnis has good makeup, a good glove, and pretty good bat speed, though he can be a little pull-happy.

Right-hander Joe Gardner, the Indians' third round pick, is a little more of a wild card, but still a solid selection for a third rounder. His delivery and motion are raw and awkward, but he has good enough stuff that it may very well be worth the extra work required to refine him.

Dale Thomas: Alex White brings a critical attribute to the Tribe in that he says his favorite movie is Bull Durham. This alone might justify the pick.

If he gets command of his fastball, I think he can help the team. Overall, I like the strategy of bringing in a lot of pitching in this year's draft.

Scott Miles: I like the pick a lot, which pains me a bit to say because I'm a Dukie at heart and despise all things Carolina. But in Alex White, the Indians selected a pitcher who was regarded to be one of the three or four best in the draft, so you gotta love that.

By all accounts he has a real good arm and good "stuff," and I was impressed watching his outing against Arizona State on Sunday.

What I don't like is the organization coming out and saying that he's being converted to a reliever. Why? I'd rather see him try to develop as a starter and if it doesn't work out, shift him to the bullpen in a few years. I don't understand why the team won't even try him as a starter.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?