Indians Journal

The Indians found another guy who can fill in at the back of the rotation when they traded prospect Zach Putnam to the Rockies for Kevin Slowey.  Putnam had worked in the Indians organization for a few years now and finally made his debut in 2011, getting most of his time out of the pen.

Slowey had an awful season for the Twins last year so you wondering what the Indians were thinking (Putnam made the Indians top ten prospect list).  He was 0-8 with a 6.67 ERA but that was for an awful Twins team.  He looks like a below average pitcher who managed to win his share of ball games despite some mediocre stats.  His best season was 2008 when he threw 160 1/3 innings with an ERA of 3.99 and a 1.154 WHIP.  He’s a typical Twins pitcher.  Not a ton of strikeouts but a low walk rate.

The prospect lists continue to roll out and the latest is Kevin Goldstein’s.  Topping the list is the lone five star prospect and that’s 2011 first round pick Francisco Lindor.  He made his debut at High-A and while he only got into five games, he had a solid enough showing.  That’s most likely where he’ll start the 2012 season.

Number two is Dillon Howard.  He’s the second pick in 2011 and he signed too late to play.  He’s a big guy and another high school guy so we won’t see him with the Indians for a while.  Still, he’s pegged as having a 2015 debut.

Ronny Rodriguez is third and this shortstop struggled at the plate  at Low-A but that was a nineteen year old.  Like the other top guys, he’s several years away from a debut.  Austin Adams (RHP) and Tony Wolters (SS) round out the top five.

1)  Francisco Lindor  SS
2)  Dillon Howard  RHP
3)  Nick Hagadone  LHP
4)  Chen Lee  RHP
5)  Luigi Rodriguez  OF
6)  Zach McAllister  RHP
7)  Tony Wolters
8)  Austin Adams
9)  Scott Barnes  LHP
10)  Zach Putnam  RHP