Here are the Indians' 2019 Top 30 Prospects
Since MLB Pipeline began ranking baseball's best farm systems four years ago, the Indians have yet to crack our Top 10. That may change in the very near future, because the lower levels of the organization are overflowing with enticing young talent.
Half of the prospects on our new Cleveland Top 30 list played as teenagers last season, including 2018 first-round picks Bo Naylor and Ethan Hankins, plus short-season New York-Penn League batting champion Tyler Freeman. The bulk of that group comes from the Indians' international program, which has focused on advanced bats since reorganizing under new director of Latin America scouting Koby Perez in 2016. Those efforts have landed outfielder George Valera; shortstops Brayan Rocchio, Gabriel Rodriguez and Aaron Bracho; and several others in the last three years.
:: Team Top 30 Prospects lists ::
The system's top prospect (right-hander Triston McKenzie, 21 years old) and most dangerous slugger (first baseman Bobby Bradley, 22) have developed rapidly and will push for their first opportunities in Cleveland this summer. Most of the Indians' other potential impact talents are at least a couple of years away -- but could prove to be well worth the wait.
Here's a look at the Indians' top prospects:
- Triston McKenzie, RHP
- Nolan Jones, 3B
- Tyler Freeman, SS/2B
- Bo Naylor, C
- George Valera, OF
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2018 preseason list to the 2019 preseason list.
Jump: Brayan Rocchio, SS (2018: NR | 2019: 7) -- Part of Cleveland's exciting 2017 international class, he's an advanced hitter with plus speed.
Fall: Will Benson, OF (2018: 7 | 2019: 25) -- Has enticing power and athleticism, but his .180 batting average was second-worst in the Minors last year.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Tyler Freeman
Power: 60 -- Bobby Bradley
Run: 80 -- Quentin Holmes
Arm: 70 -- Daniel Johnson
Defense: 60 -- Oscar Mercado
Fastball: 70 -- Ethan Hankins
Curveball: 60 -- Triston McKenzie
Slider: 60 -- Carlos Vargas
Changeup: 55 -- Ethan Hankins (Triston McKenzie, Luis Oviedo)
Control: 60 -- Aaron Civale (Nick Sandlin)
How they were built
Draft: 17
International: 11
Trade: 2
Breakdown by ETA
2019: 8
2020: 4
2021: 6
2022: 10
2023: 2
Breakdown by position
C: 2
1B: 1
2B: 2
3B: 1
SS: 9
OF: 5
RHP: 9
LHP: 1