Tony Lastoria of the Indians Prospect Insider was kind enough to spend some time with me and answer some questions on the Cleveland minor league system.
I know that there are a few of you out there that think that I give the Indians the short end of the stick and compared to the Pirates,I likely do just that.
So to those people,here is some bonus Tribe coverage.
Be sure to check Tony's site out and if you post anything there,be sure to tell his readers how you got there,perhaps we may pick up a reader or two.
What was it that Cleveland didn't like?
Tony Lastoria:Bottom line, his value is not as high as was originally believed. He
throws hard and still has potential as a major league reliever, but
apparently some problems he has had with adjusting mechanics and commanding
his pitches made the Indians give up on him. The Dodgers pretty much gave
up on him last year (he was a throw in with Carlos Santana) for what I am
hearing are the same reasons. The Indians had him in the system less than
a year, and the Rays had him for basically a month and let him go. I very
much think he has a chance to have a good career, but when three teams dump
you without giving you much of a look at the big league level that says a
lot. The Pirates are a team obviously that can afford to be a little more
patient with him.
2) TRS: Over here,we have always had a soft spot for Akron's Nick Weglarz
because
he has always been such a nice guy,how has Nick progressed this season with
the Aeros and has he jumped over Matt LaPorta as the Indians preeminent
power prospect?
TL: Going into the season, Weglarz was the Indians best power hitter by far and
still is. Now, there is a difference between best power hitter and best
run producer, which the latter I think is LaPorta. Weglarz still hits with
a low batting average and lives and dies by the walk and home run it seems.
He reminds me a lot of an Adam Dunn type who will hit massive bombs, but
also rack up a lot of strikeouts and walks. To me, that is a #5 or #6
hitter. LaPorta is a middle of the order bat who can more consistently
drive in runs because he hits for a much better average, though is a step
below Weglarz in the power department (though still very powerful).
3) TRS: I have seen both Nick Hagadone and Jason Knapp start games here in
Hagerstown this season.
Which of the Tribe's new arms do you prefer as a prospect Knapp,Hagadone or
another new arm Scott Barnes??
TL: I like all three of these guys a lot. Barnes is a guy who has been
overlooked, but has excellent potential as a very good
middle-of-the-rotation starter. As I wrote about this week, I think the
Indians may have found a gem in him for Ryan Garko. Still, Knapp and
Hagadone have the greatest upside of any new arm they picked up in the
trades this July, though they also present the biggest risk. Going on pure
projection, these two have the potential to be absolutely dominant arms as
either frontline starters or backend relievers. I have only seen Hagadone
pitch, but haven't talked to him yet. I've talked to Knapp, but have not
seen him pitch. What I have seen and heard from them I like. Hagadone
will be a work in progress the rest of the year as he gets back to 100%
from Tommy John surgery, but what he has shown already is impressive and
the Indians officials love what they have seen in his two outings. Knapp
has unbelievable makeup for an 18-year old kid, which is key as he needs to
be open to coaching and also take the bad moments and mistakes in stride
and as a learning experience. Some young kids can't do that due to a lack
of maturity.
4) TRS: Looking at Beau Mills' numbers,it appears that he has plateaued a bit.
Do you think that it is the case and if so,Why?
TL: Mills has had an okay season. I don't think he is the impact prospect many
hoped he would be, but I think he will have a major league career. Just
how good of one is the question. He has some very good power, but his
swing and follow through leads to so many popups. I have to give credit to
Keith Law for pointing this out way back this offseason in the Arizona Fall
League about the issues he is going to have at the higher levels facing
more advanced pitchers because of the way he swings the bat. He's
certainly fallen out of the Top 10 and into the #11-20 range for me.
5) TRS: Lonnie Chisenhall was clearly the best player in a down year for the
Kinston club,
A few thoughts on Chisenhall?
TL: What else can you say about Chisenhall that hasn't already been said? He
was the best player in the Carolina League when you factor in his age (20),
how much he carried that Kinston team offensively and in the clubhouse, and
of course the numbers he put up. The home runs have been a pleasant
surprise this year, and he looks like a guy who can be a 25 HR 100 RBI guy
in the bigs at third base or second base. On top of that, he is a .300
hitter in the making. I'm not saying he is Kevin Youkilis because of
ability, but as far as production goes and the ability to be a thorn in a
pitchers side night after night at the plate, that's what I think he'll
become at the big league level (just he won't be an @#$hole like Youkilis
is lol).
6) TRS: Any ideas on why Cleveland always seems to target the same type of
hitters in the draft (with some exceptions) slow,college infielders that
seem to excel at Kinston and slowly drop performance wise?
TL: This is an interesting question, and something I myself have never been
able to put a finger on. I believe that a lot of it comes from their very
conservative approach as an organization. Be it the free agent signings
they make, the slow, methodical way they typically promote prospects, or
the low upside but what-you-see-is-what-you-get draft picks. Ever since
they were burned in the 2001 Draft after taking all those high school
pitchers, it seems they have tried to eliminate such risk and focused less
on big upside, but guys who are more proven and further along in their
development path. That being college hitters and arms. Some of this is
skewed because some impact guys they did draft which looked like sure-fire
impact guys like Adam Miller, Michael Aubrey, etc all got hurt. I think in
the last year-plus we have seen a shift where they are now more open to
high upside, high risk guys in the draft and going after them and signing
them. Be it from last year's draft with Chisenhall, Trey Haley, T.J. House
and others, or this year with the acquisition of a Jason Knapp in the Lee
trade.
7) TRS: Through the years,I have seen each of the players in the Phillies trade
play on several occasions.
The one head scratcher is Lou Marson,considering the general wealth of
young
catchers in the system,why was a singles hitting catcher included in the
deal?
Could Marson be moved?
or do you think Cleveland looks as Marson playing the Kelly Shoppach role
to
Carlos Santana's Victor Martinez for years to come?
TL: Marson has a lot of value as just about everyone in major league baseball
view him as a starting catcher in major league baseball someday. Sure, he
doesn't have the impact with the bat like a Carlos Santana will, but aside
from maybe three to four starting catchers in the big leagues the rest all
have huge warts offensively. What makes Marson so special is his rapport
with his pitchers and leadership qualities. This guy is a manager in the
making, and he shows those skills from behind the plate with the way he
handles his pitching staff, whether it be settling a guy down, pushing them
to pitch better, and just taking complete control on the field. Plus,
while he does not have a lot of pop, he should hold his own offensively and
hit for a good average and not be a black hole in the lineup like so many
catchers are. I think a good comparison with Marson and Santana is that
Marson next year will fill the role that Josh Bard did in Cleveland in 2003
as the placeholder for Martinez (Santana) when he eventually got the full
time job at the start of 2004 (2011). Once Santana takes the regular full
time job, Marson would move into more of a backup role. I think they will
keep him and trade Shoppach this offseason.
8) TRS: If indeed,Eric Wedge is removed at season's end,is there a chance that a
manager in the system could be the new boss and if so,who?
TL: I'm 50/50 that Wedge will be fired at the end of the season, and the reason
why I think it is still up in the air is I get the impression that GM Mark
Shapiro will not fire him and is still in his corner, but that the decision
will ultimately rest with team President Paul Dolan and his dad owner Larry
Dolan. I get the impression from listening to Paul Dolan that Wedge is
likely gone. When (if) that happens, I really believe the replacement
options will be two people: current Triple-A manager Torey Lovullo or Red
Sox Pitching Coach John Farrell. Obviously Lovullo has been in the
organization for awhile so it would be almost a seamless transition going
with him and may make some sense with the youth movement. Plus he is a
highly regarded manager many view will get a big league gig someday.
Farrell has ties to the organization as he was the Farm Director until he
left after the 2006 season to join the Red Sox as their pitching coach.
This could shape up to be like when the Indians were looking for a manager
in 2003 where it was between Wedge and Bud Black (another former Indians
guy), and they ultimately choose Lovullo. And before anyone jumps off the
ledge, let is be clear that while Lovullo is like Wedge in a lot of ways
with their philosophy, they are so very different in their demeanor,
communication, and just about everything else. So there would be a
noticeable change going to Lovullo, and a new voice no doubt.
9) TRS: Figuring that barring injury Hector Rondon will join the Wahoo rotation
next year,do you think any other players from the farm will be given a real
chance to be a regular next year?
TL: As it stands, it looks like the 2010 rotation to start the season will be
Jak Wesbrook, Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, David Huff, and Aaron
Laffey. The first three of Westbrook, Carmona, and Masterson are set
barring injury, but there could be some competition in the final two spots
with Huff and Laffey. The thing is, Laffey is pretty much a lock himself
because he is out of options. So, unless they move him to the bullpen, he
is one of the starters. So, it could come down to a battle for the #5 spot
with Huff along with Rondon and a guy like Carlos Carrasco. In any case, I
see guys like Rondon, Carrasco, Scott Lewis, and even a Chuck Lofgren all
getting long and extended looks at some point with the big league club next
year. When the dust settles, I expect 9-10 starters will log significant
innings.
10)TRS: Your thoughts on Matt LaPorta and do you think he was jerked around with
moving up to the parent club and sitting on the bench?
Would he have been better served to wait until Sept. to move up?
TL: Yeah, the way they handled LaPorta with that May callup was odd.
Allegedly, the Indians brass wanted LaPorta to play, but Wedge was not
confident in him and sided instead with his veterans, namely David Dellucci
if I am not mistaken. How a manager can have this much power to supposedly
ignore using a high level prospect time after time is beyond me, and is a
big reason why I think a change needs to be made with the manager. In any
case, LaPorta has handled it well, but he should have been in Cleveland and
playing everyday two months ago, or even should have been playing everyday
since May. At this point, he is best served to come up in September when
Columbus' season ends on Sept 7th and get about four weeks to play. In the
meantime, for the next three weeks up until his callup it will allow
marginal guys like Andy Marte, Chris Gimenez, and Wyatt Toregas to play
regularly so they can get a better read on them and if they will be a part
of the future of this team. Once LaPorta joins this team in September, he
should pretty much lock down first base or left field for the foreseeable
future and never go back to the minors again.
Thanks to Tony for his time in doing this interview and we have added Indians Prospect Insider to our list of links on the right.
Again if you have any interest in Cleveland Baseball,I implore you to check Tony's site there.
Back later with some thoughts on our trip to the NY-Penn league All star game and catching up on things,so be ready for several posts over the next two days....
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