1) Lonnie Chisenhall 3B AA Akron
The lefty swinging third baseman has the potential to have the best all around hitting skills for an Indian third baseman since Jim Thome or Matt Williams played there years ago.
Chisenhall doesnt have their power,but he should be good for 20 or so homers a year and should hit in the .280 and up area.
Chisenhall still needs time to develop as a hitter and especially defensively,but after a year at Columbus,Chisenhall should be ready to be the starter in 2012....
2) Alex White RHP High A Kinston/AA Akron
The top pick of the 2009 draft,White dominated the Carolina League and posted similar,if not better numbers after being promoted to Akron.
Some see White as a potential closer,but the Indians want to give him every chance to succeed in the rotation first.
White throws in the low to mid 90's and uses a splitter as an out pitch.
White is refining a slider that would make his fastball even more effective.
White will start at AAA Columbus and could see Cleveland by July....
3) Drew Pomerantz LHP Ole Miss
The 6'5 lefty was the Indians top pick last season and did not play after signing.
Pomerantz throws in the mid 90's and is reported to have a devastating knuckle curve.
Pomerantz has shown touches of wildness and that seems to be the main flaw in his game.
If he can harness his stuff and throw strikes a bit more consistently,Pomerantz has the abliity to be a number one or two starter.
Pomerantz will follow the same course as Alex White last year,starting at High A Kinston and hoping to finish at AA Akron....
4) Nick Weglarz OF AA Akron/AAA Columbus
Weglarz recovered from a .229 2009 at Akron to perform well at both levels last season.The lefty slugger has the potential to be a well above average power producer and he isnt afraid to walk either.
His swing will produce strikeouts and the bat will have to carry him with both his speed and glove being average on a good day.
The comparison that I like best is Adam Dunn with a little less power and a tick higher average,if all goes well.
Weglarz should return to Columbus and has a chance to get the call to Cleveland before seasons end....
5) Jason Kipnis 2B High A Kinston/AA Akron/AAA Columbus
Kipnis roared through the Indian system last season after being shifted to second base and passed Cord Phelps as a prospect on most depth charts.
Kipnis will always be a work in progress defensively after just one season,but he looks to hit for average and should be in the low double digits power wise.
Kipnis isnt a base stealer,but has average speed and should evolve to avoid being slow for the position.
Kipnis will start at Columbus and assuming that free agent Orlando Cabrera is a trade deadline sale asset,Kipnis should get the call as his replacement.....
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