Sunday, October 2, 2011

Are the Cleveland Indians still well-armed in the minor leagues? Paul Hoynes analysis

Following the trades of top prospects Adam White and Drew Pomeranz, is the cupboard bare of pitching prospects for the Indians? Here's a look at the top arms in the minors.

huff-tribe-2011-angels-nohit-vert-cc.jpgView full sizeDavid Huff's solid work in three spot starts in July have moved him to the top of the Indians' depth chart when assessing the team's minor-league pitching prospects.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The big prospects with the big arms have left the building.

Right-hander Alex White and left-hander Drew Pomeranz, projected to be No.1 or No.2 starters for the Indians in the near future, were traded a week ago to Colorado for right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who already is what Pomeranz and White are trying to become.

So what's left in the cookie jar? Who are the best of the rest pitchers in the Indians' farm system? Here's a look at the top 20:

1. LHP David Huff, 26, Class AAA Columbus: Coming off an impressive three-start performance in the big leagues. Revamped delivery has given him more command and velocity, touching 94 mph. Middle-of-rotation candidate.

2. RHP Jeanmar Gomez, 23, Columbus: Pitched in the big leagues in the last two seasons for the Tribe. Sinker/slider pitcher who puts the ball on the ground. Could be fourth or fifth starter.

3. LHP Nick Hagadone, 25, Columbus: Hard-throwing lefty is another bullpen prospect. Indians acquired him from Boston in the Victor Martinez deal.

4. RHP Zach McAllister, 23, Columbus: Made his big-league debut this year in an one-and-done performance. Big guy who can pitch a lot of innings. Projects to be middle to back-end of the rotation starter.

5. RHP Zach Putnam, 24, Columbus: Fifth-round pick in 2008. Has good stuff, needs to keep the ball down. Middle reliever/set-up man in the big leagues.

6. RHP Austin Adams, 24, Class AA Akron: He's as converted college shortstop who has hit 100 mph with a good breaking ball. Needs work on change-up and command, but is considered a major-league depth pitcher right now.

7. LHP Scott Barnes, 23, Columbus: Could be a starter or back-end reliever. Tough on lefties. Was 7-4 with 3.68 ERA when he injured his knee.

8. RHP Chen-Chang Lee, 24, Columbus: Bullpen prospect with good arm strength and a funky motion. Drew a lot of interest at the trade deadline. Is a combined 5-1 with 87 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings at Columbus and Class AA Akron.

9. RHP Josh Judy, 25, Columbus: He's already had two tours with the Tribe this year. He's closing at Columbus, striking out 51 in 41 1/3 innings. Set-up candidate in the big leagues.

10. LHP T.J. McFarland, 21, Akron: Sinker/slider pitcher, who is tough on lefties. Projects as fourth or fifth starter.

11. LHP Matt Packer, 23, Akron: Has four pitches and knows how to use them. Having good second half at Akron, increasing strikeouts with good command. Could be fourth or fifth starter. In Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, Scott Lewis mold of lefties.

12. LHP Kelvin De La Cruz, 22, Akron: He's starting at Akron, but path to the big leagues in probably in the pen. He's tough against lefties.

13. LHP Mike Rayl, 22, Akron: He's similar to Packer. Made himself a prospect this year for the big-league rotation.

14. RHP Clayton Cook, 21, Class A Kinston: He's shown potential for three above-average pitches -- fastball, curve and change -- at Kinston. Ninth-round pick in 2008.

15. LHP Giovanni Soto, 20, Kinston: Acquired from Detroit last year in the Jhonny Peralta trade. He has 58 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings this year.

16. RHP Felix Sterling, 18, Class A Lake County: He's 6-2 and 240 pounds. He's 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in three starts at Lake County. Started the season in the Arizona Rookie League, going 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in six game, including four starts.

17. RHP Michael Goodnight, 22, Lake County: The Tribe's 13th-round pick out of the University of Houston in 2010. He's 5-10 with 90 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings at Lake County.

18. LHP Elvis Araujo, 20, Arizona Rookie League: Araujo is 6-4 and 246 pounds. He's 5-1 with a 3.68 ERA in nine starts with 39 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44 innings.

19. RHP Rob Bryson, 23. Akron: Acquired from Milwaukee in CC Sabathia trade. Big arm, big strikeout totals, but has had trouble staying healthy.

20. RHP Tyler Sturdevant, 25, Akron: The Tribe's 27th-round pick out of New Mexico State in 2008. He's 4-2 with a 1.98 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 41 innings. Has a WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings) of 0.95.

Hector Rondon and Jason Knapp were not included because they've been injured much of the season.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/08/are_the_cleveland_indians_stil.html

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