This season was a bit of a disappointment for the Lake County Captains, the Indians single A affiliate, as they finished 9.5 games out of first in the Midwest League Eastern Division. As always, however, from a Major League standpoint the primary focus is on individual achievements at this level, not that of the team as a whole. Of those there were plenty, particularly on the offensive side where a number of players had break out years or seasons that confirmed what we saw in 2014.
MVP
Bobby Bradley was not just the Captains MVP, but was voted as one of the biggest stars in all of Minor League Baseball at the season’s end. This year he was awarded Player of the Week honors three times and Player of the Month once, in August. All this coming off a tremendous season in Goodyear last year where he won the Triple Crown and MVP of the Arizona Summer League.
As far as numbers, the powerful first baseman known as the Assassin crushed 27 home runs, knocked in 92 and slugged .529. He lead the team in these categories as well as triples despite missing about a month early on with an oblique strain. He will almost certainly begin the 2016 campaign in Lynchburg, essentially replacing a similar hitter in Nellie Rodriguez. He was promoted to the Indians Advanced A affiliate for the final two games of their season.
If there is one cause for concern with Bradley, it is his extreme strike out totals. Like a few other Indians prospects (particularly Clint Frazier), Bradley has been a bit of an all or nothing player this year and batted just .269 with 148 K’s. That is a much higher rate than last season, when he struck out just 36 times in 155 at bats. It’s possible he just needs some more adjustment time and hopefully the 19 year old will catch up at the next level.
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Future Stars
In addition to Bradley, the Captains number one star was Greg Allen. While the 6th round 2014 pick was largely unheard of before this season, he really burst onto the scene with Eastlake. After a so-so season in Mahoning Valley last year where his only big take away was his 30 steals in 57 games, his .273 average, 27 doubles and 45 RBI in Lake County really opened some eyes. Did I mention he was fast? In addition to his impressive defense, Allen also added 43 steals in 59 attempts. Like Bradley, he was promoted for the final games in Lynchburg and stole three more bases in as many games without being caught.
Not just an awesome name, reliever J.P. Feyereisen began the season with the Captains and was on fire. He didn’t allow a run to score in his first 29 professional appearances from 2014 through 2015 and ultimately allowed just 11 in his first 64.2 innings across three levels. He was quickly promoted Lynchburg and deservedly so. He is most likely going to be the first Captain from the 2015 squad to make a Major League appearance.
One more reliever to watch is Cameron Hill. He stuck around Eastlake longer than Feyereisen and was able to build up some gaudy numbers. In 59 innings, he struck out 70 a far cry from his 5.3 K/9 in Mahoning Valley last season. Also impressive compared to last year is that with the increase in strike outs, he threw the same amount of walks, 20, in similar innings. He was used as a closer this year and saved 10 of 12 attempts, winning five other games and posting a 1.53 ERA overall.
The top starter in Lake County this year was Justus Sheffield and he will probably be the top starter next year in Lynchburg. He held the opposition to a 3.31 ERA and a .264 BAA while striking out 138 in 127.2 innings. He was a first round draft pick of the Indians in 2014 and after some struggles in the AZL in 2014 has looked very comfortable at this level.
Under Appreciated
It’s hard to call him too under appreciated since he was called the 84th best prospect in all of baseball going into the season, but Francisco Mejia is still a relatively unknown name among Indians fans. The top catcher in the Indians system as far as ceiling is concerned, Mejia batted just .243 this year but hit nine home runs and knocked in 53. He has a solid bat and the Indians will have to hope that he doesn’t flame out at a low level like so many other catching prospects have in recent years.
Another name few Tribe fans know is second baseman, Claudio Bautista. He spent just 64 games in Lake County and batted an even .300 with seven home runs. He was the only Captains batter to hit over .286 on the season with at least 20 at bats and he had 253. He did struggle after the promotion, but at 21, can afford to spend another season with the Hillcats.
Cause for Concern
A lot of people are starting to like Taylor Murphy and he did hit eight home runs and 21 doubles this year, but he seems to be the type of player who peaks in the minors. He is already 22 years old and he committed 32 errors as a third baseman this year. He played only in the outfield last year and for the Indians in Spring Training played third, second and outfield in Major League camp.
Once top prospect Dorssys Paulino started what was looking to be his third straight dreadful season in Lake County when he was promoted to Lynchburg mid-season. Once there, he took off and maybe a change of scenery was all he needed. He’s already been forced to change positions from the infield to the outfield and too many more delays will push his Major League possibilities into further doubt.
Yu-Cheng Chang was a force in the AZL Indians line-up last year next to Bradley, but unlike Bradley, he didn’t continue his success this season. All his production numbers have dropped and his strike outs have risen. In addition, while he was used primarily as a third baseman in the AZL, a move back to his normal position of short stop exposed some of his range issues and he committed 25 errors as part of the Captains porous left side.
Best Bat: Bobby Bradley
Best Glove: Greg Allen
Worst Glove: Taylor Murphy
Best Wheels: Greg Allen
Best Chance to be an MLB Pitcher: J.P. Feyereisen
Best Chance to be an MLB Hitter: Bobby Bradley
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