By the measure of a team, the Lake County Captains didn’t have a great year overall. They finished a half game out of a playoff berth from the first half (40-30) and a second half five game losing streak took them out of clinching a spot there (32-38).
If you look at how many original Lake County Captains are currently on the Lynchburg Hilllcats playoff roster, however, it was a good season. Overall, it was a successful season at the Corner of 91 and Vine because several players developed positively.
Francisco Mejia started a national story level hitting streak there, was nearly traded to another franchise and ended it in Lynchburg as the best hitting streak in minor league modern history. Thomas Pannone sort of inexplicably started the year in Lake County again, but will now be part of the Lynchburg playoff rotation. The Captains offense cratered when Mejia and Tyler Krieger went up to Lynchburg and both continued to hit when they left.
There was some good outfield play from Connor Marabell, Ka’ai Tom before he was hurt and missed most of the yea with a serious shoulder injury, and Nathan Lukes before he was traded. There was some bad outfield play from David Armendariz, who dropped his glove trying to catch a fly ball, prompting some good natured ribbing of the name David One-Armendariz.
I also don’t want to leave out Andrew Calica, a 2016 draft pick who was promoted late to Lake County and slashed .359/.405/.513 in 10 games. He might be back next year or he could just go straight to Lynchburg depending on how things shake out there.
The pitching was pretty promising as well. From the consistency of Matt Esparza, some solid starts from Shao-Ching Chiang, some good starts from Casey Shane, Triston McKenzie exploding onto the scene of full season ball. Brock Hartson was very consistent. Even late, Independent League adds Trevor Foss and Jon Fitzsimmons had really good moments. Foss was extremely encouraging late in the year despite the fact he’s 26 playing in Low-A. How the Indians view him next year will be very interesting. One of the Indians better pitching prospects ended the year on a sour note like the team. 6’6″ left hander Sam Hentges had Tommy John surgery in the middle of the second half and will likely miss most of 2017.
MVP
It’s hard not to go with Francisco Mejia. Despite the fact that he didn’t play a game from July on with the team, he finished the year with the most RBI (51). He finished with a .915 OPS and threw out 43% of would be base stealers. He still needs to improve his game calling but his pop time and arm are for real. If Mejia can mature a little from an attitude standpoint between and away from the white lines, the needle will be pointing way higher than it already is for a soon to be 21 year old switch hitting catcher who hit everywhere he went this year.
Future Stars
Attitude or not, Mejia was far and away the most talented position player to don a Captains uniform this year of any player there not rehabbing an injury. He is only 20 and won’t be 22 until next season ends and will likely play all of his age 21 season in Double-A, so he has time to mature if the Indians stick with him.
There are no such thing as pitching prospects, but Triston McKenzie was probably the best pitcher to call Classic Park home since Danny Salazar or Chris Archer. The 19 year old Indians first round pick from 2015 is mature beyond his years and has an impressive confident-not-cocky attitude about him to match a witty/friendly personality. On the field he finished the year with his worst professional start: 3 ER in 4 1/3 innings and struck out six. Not bad for his worst start. He fanned 49 in in 34 innings and walked just six. In his first 83 1/3 professional innings, McKenzie struck out 104 batters and held hitters to a .195 average. Not bad for a 19 year old throwing 88-91 but has excellent command and feel for three pitches.
Under Appreciated
I wanted to put Krieger under future stars but I don’t know if he will be a star. He was the Captains’ second best hitter, slashing .313/.385/.427 and hit lefties (.316) as well as righties (.312) as a good switch hitter. Krieger didn’t play any shortstop but maybe it’s something the Indians will revisit with him next season when he is a full two years removed from an injury that sapped some zip from his arm. He picked up second base a bit slowly but his bat and high character will always carry him. He might not be a star, but he could be the heir apparent to Jason Kipnis at second base as a solid switch hitting, average defensive second basemen.
From a pitchers standpoint, Esparza lacks the electric stuff of McKenzie to be a future star, but he throws strikes, sits a comfortable 92-94 and has solid command. He throws strikes and has a durable frame, giving him a chance to climb the ladder a bit as a solid 4/5 starter.
Cause for Concern
Hentges joins a long list of Indians drafted pitchers to have Tommy John over the last two years. Another high Indians pick who’s star is fading is Kieran Lovegrove. He lost the job as a closer in the last month of the season and had control problems throughout. Lovegrove seemed to find some consistency once he was moved to an earlier role in the bullpen but ended the year with more control problems. He’s still 6’4″ and can throw in the upper-90s. The Indians also invested a lot of money in the 2012 3rd round pick, but he’s 22 and might repeat Low-A next season.
Most Power: Francisco Mejia
Best Bat: Francisco Mejia
Best Wheels: Bobby Ison
Best Glove: Ka’ai Tom
Worst Glove: Yonathan Mendoza
Best Control: Matt Esparza
Best Stuff: Triston McKenzie
Best Chance to be an MLB Pitcher: Triston McKenzie
Best Chance to be an MLB Hitter: Francisco Mejia
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