MLB Preview 2011: 5 Under-24 Minor Leaguers Who Can Help the Indians This Year
For the past three years, Indians fans have been told over and over again that the team was rebuilding for the future. We said goodbye to CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, Casey Blake, Jhonny Peralta and many others, all for players two or three years away from the big leagues.
I don't need to say that the past three years have been rough for Tribe fans. We all know that.
The good news is that these young prospects are finally ready to contribute at the big league level. We've seen some of them already (Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley) make it to the majors. While they've had varying levels of success, their futures, at least for now, look bright.
The even more exciting part for Indians fans everywhere is the rest of the crop of young players on their way up. There is plenty of talent pushing through the farm system ready to burst onto the scene. Five of these players are under 24 and poised to contribute to the big league club in a big way this year.
1. Lonnie Chisenhall
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Third base is the Indians' biggest hole. The Indians' best prospect plays third base. Sometimes things just work out.
If Lonnie Chisenhall, who is only 22 years old, had any experience at the Triple-A level, he would probably be headed to Cleveland, not Columbus, after breaking camp. As it is, Chisenhall will likely only need to spend a couple of months at Triple-A before coming to save us from the two Jasons (Donald and Nix) manning the hot corner.
Chisenhall has the ability to hit more than 20 home runs in a full major league season and only strikes out 1.80 times to every walk (the major league average is 2.17). There is a distinct chance that the Indians will have their star of the future putting the final touches on his minor league resume this summer.
2. Jason Kipnis
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He may not be doing much in spring training (.694 OPS, 1 HR in 20 PA), but that small sample size shouldn't turn Tribe fans off of what Jason Kipnis has accomplished in his two minor league seasons.
At age 23, Kipnis can boast a .873 OPS (.887 at Double-A) and a 1.79 SO:BB ratio. His defense is not bad at all (which is saying something about a converted center fielder). After his heroics in the Triple-A playoffs (hitting for the cycle in Columbus' series-clinching win), Kipnis, like Chisenhall, should only need a little more seasoning at Triple-A before claiming the second base job from new addition Orlando Cabrera.
Kipnis is easily capable of hitting 15 home runs a season at the big league level (not bad for a 2B) with an elite OPS. He could easily end up being the next Chase Utley and help Indians fans forget that Brandon Phillips should have been ours.
3. Alex White
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Alex White, the Tribe's 2009 first-round draft pick, has been more than worth the investment to this point. He looked dominant in his first minor league season and should pick up right where he left off this year.
Last year, White posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.122 WHIP, 2.40 DICE (Defense Independent Component ERA), 7.0 SO/9, 2.7 BB/9 and 2.54 SO:BB. Among qualified pitchers in the AL last year, that ERA would've ranked third, the WHIP fifth, the SO/9 tied for 21st, the BB/9 tied for15th and the SO:BB 18th.
All that stat talk is simply to indicate that, despite his inexperience, the 22-year-old White looks like the real deal. He'll need a little more work, but by September, he could easily be joining the big league club.
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4. Nick Weglarz
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Despite being only 23, Nick Weglarz has spent six seasons in the minors. In that time, with 1,961 plate appearances, whatever stats Weglarz has posted in the minors will probably hold true in the majors.
Those stats paint a favorable picture. Weglarz holds a career .838 OPS with a .383 OBP and a 1.35 SO:BB ratio. The outfielder has also been impressive so far this spring, boasting a 1.067 OPS in 15 plate appearances.
If Grady Sizemore can't come back fully healthy, Michael Brantley struggles or an outfielder gets hurt, then Weglarz could fill in admirably. Even though the Indians signed Austin Kearns for that purpose, they'd be better off giving Weglarz the chance to fill in.
Weglarz has enough pop in his bat to hit more than 20 home runs but a good enough eye to draw 100 walks in a full major league season. Shin-Soo Choo, the best player on the 2011 Indians, can only boast 20 HR and 80 BB. Elite 2007-2008 Grady Sizemore averaged 28 HR and 100 BB.
Nick Weglarz could be at their level if given the chance.
5. Cord Phelps
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If I had my way, Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall would be the starting 2B and 3B on Opening Day for the Indians. If I were persuaded that they should see some time at Triple-A, then I would make Cord Phelps the Opening Day 2B. (Jason Donald would still start at 3B, by the way.)
In three minor league seasons, the 24-year-old Phelps holds a .790 OPS. In 273 plate appearances at Triple-A last year, however, he raised in to an impressive .892. Phelps did last year what people want Chisenhall and Kipnis to do before being called up this year: prove himself at Triple-A.
If Orlando Cabrera, Jason Donald and Jayson Nix can't handle the 2B/3B jobs and Kipnis and Chisenhall aren't ready, there's no reason that Cord Phelps can't fill in. The job should have been his already.
Conclusion
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The Indians have plenty of young talent in the organization. Check out this list:
C: Carlos Santana (24), Lou Marson (24)
1B: Matt LaPorta (26)
2B: Jason Kipnis (23)
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera (25)
3B: Lonnie Chisenhall (22)
Utility Infielders: Jason Donald (26), Cord Phelps (24)
OF: Michael Brantley (23), Shin-Soo Choo (28), Grady Sizemore (28), Nick Weglarz (23)
P: Fausto Carmona (27), Carlos Carrasco (23), Alex White (22), Justin Masterson (25), Drew Pomeranz (21), Chris Perez (25)
That list doesn't include all of the young talent in the system or any veterans the Indians have now or could pick up. Even if some of these players miss, there's still plenty in the pipeline to fill in the blanks.
The future is bright for the Tribe. Even better, it's almost here.
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