The minor league season has come to a close and the Indians farm system was incredibly successful with the Clippers, RubberDucks, Captains and AZL Indians all making the play-offs and the Indians winning the their championship and Lake County currently battling in their own championship series. In order to be that great there has to have been a lot of great talent, so for the first time, BurningRiverBaseball is increasing the top prospect list to 70 (not including 2014 draftees) with this being the players ranked 61st through 70. Later this month we will cover the the seasons of the 2014 draft picks in a separate article.
1. Anderson Polanco – Pitcher
A Lake County – International Free Agent 2011 – 2013 Rank #43
Polanco has made a slow rise after signing as an 18 year old out of the Dominican Republic, but has eventually succeeded at every level. He was originally signed as a starter in the Dominican Summer League, but did not start again until this year. This season, he had his best ERA (1.95), WHIP (0.96), most innings (50.2) and strike outs since his first year in the DSL. He is already 21 and at this rate, he won’t make it to AAA until 2018, but there is obviously some underlying talent that could make this turnaround the one that counts.
2. Luis Jimenez – Starting Pitcher
DSL Indians – International Free Agent 2013 – UR
Jimenez is in his second season with the DSL Indians and has made vast improvements. In a year, he has dropped his ERA from 5.25 to 1.67 and his WHIP from 1.73 to 1.09. He also increased his innings and strike outs (from 28 to 39) despite pitching in less total games. He has become a more permanent starter and will likely pitch for the AZL Indians in his age 20 season.
3. Li-Jen Chu – Catcher
AZL Indians – International Free Agent 2012 – UR
Chu is one of four Taiwanese players to play for the AZL Indians this year, all of whom were successful with some of that success possibly coming from an increased comfort level due to having fellow countrymen around. In his rookie season, he was part of the incredible Indians offense that lead them to an Arizona League Championship. He batted a very impressive .348/.431/.596 with 13 doubles and 19 RBI all while doing a great job behind plate, getting the most out of the Indians Rookie Level pitchers.
4. Jorma Rodriguez – 2nd Base/SS
DSL Indians – International Free Agent 2012 – UR
Rodriguez is in his second year with the DSL Indians at the age of 18 and has been an impressive versatile infielder, batting .330 with 13 steals and 45 runs while playing games at second, third, short and in the outfield. While he was primarily a short stop in 2013, he has spent most of his time at second this year with a questionable .965 fielding percent. He should be advanced to Goodyear at some point next season.
5. Emmanuel Tapia – First Base
AZL Indians – International Free Agent 2013 – UR
Tapia was the Rookie Indians starting first baseman until Bobby Bradley emerged and won the AZL MVP, then he starting DHing. Across both positions, he batted .315/.405/.488 with 27 RBI while batting in the second half of the lineup. He was replaced at first with good reason as he committed eight errors for a .950 fielding percent and it could be difficult to find the 6’3″ 215 lb slugger a position as he advances through the system.
6. Sean Brady – Starting Pitcher
A Lake County – Drafted Round 5 in 2013 – #65
Brady was solid in ten starts last year for the AZL Indians and was even better in Mahoning Valley considering the increased work load and increased competition level. In 14 short season starts, he threw 71 innings with a 2.79 ERA. Although he pitched poorly in his one start with Lake County, it is unfair to throw an untested pitcher into play-off race with one week left in the season. He should spend all of 2015 in Eastlake and that should be a more accurate depiction of his actual talent level.
7. Jhon Ventura – Starting Pitcher
DSL Indians – International Free Agent 2014 – UR
Venture threw 35.2 innings in his first season in the Indians organization, keeping opponents to a 2.02 ERA. He made just eight starts and has obvious control issues seen from his 30 walks, but was more than good enough that he should make the cut for next year’s squad. He will likely stay in the Dominican for his age 20 season where the Indians can further evaluate him to see if he is good enough to join the AZL squad.
8. Yhoxian Medina – Short Stop/2nd Base
Advanced A Carolina – Drafted Round 38 in 2011 – UR
Medina has already exceeded expectations by sticking around this long considering how late he was picked and this has been his best year yet. He set career highs with 111 hits, 60 runs, 19 doubles, 36 RBI, 12 steals, 39 walks and a .288 average. After bouncing around between three teams in 2013, Medina has spent all of 2014 with the Carolina Mudcats where he has become an important member of the offense. He has played games at second, third and in the outfield, but has generally been the team’s short stop.
9. Trevor Frank – Relief Pitcher
A Lake County – Drafted Round 8 in 2013 – UR
The Indians have many talented relievers who look to have possibly Major League futures and Frank is one of the best of those. For the second straight season, he has dominated, leading to a 2.71 career ERA in 70 games with 101 strike outs in 89.2 innings. This season he has been even better than in 2013, increasing his strike out total from 39 to 62 and decreasing his WHIP from 0.94 to 0.89. He has done this in increased pressure situations, leading to 18 saves while racking up five wins.
10. Erick Algarin – Relief Pitcher
AZL Indians – International Free Agent 2013 – UR
Algarin made the jump from the Dominican Summer League to the Arizona Rookie League this year and didn’t miss a step. He pitched 31 innings as a reliever with a 2.32 ERA, walking just eight batters while striking out 33. The AZL is generally a good offensive league with poor defense and poor pitching, so any pitcher who can stand out is even more legitimized. He should be able to make the jump North next season with either Lake County or Mahoning Valley.
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