Friday, June 10, 2011

Indians select Lindor,Howard and Sisco

The Cleveland Indians traveled the best player on the board route and then attempted to add to their power arms with their first three picks in the amateur draft.

Francisco Lindor was the highest-rated shortstop in the draft and was projected as a top ten selection.
The Florida high schooler is touted as a top-notch leather man, hits for average, and projects to perhaps mature to a 15 to 20 homer a year hitter with some luck eventually.
Lindor hits from both sides of the plate and is reported to have plus speed.
Lindor is the first high school player to be picked in round one by Cleveland since Dan Denham in 2001.
Lindor has a commitment to Florida State, but the Wahoos are expected to be able to reel him in.


Second-round pick Dillon Howard is a right-handed high school pitcher from Arkansas and has a commitment to the Razorbacks.
The tall (6"4) hard-throwing (mid-'90s) fell to round two, due to the expected cost of signing him away from the Hogs, but it is looked at as a tough but possible sign.
Howard uses the sinker and a changeup as his change of pace and has been discussed by some as the best high school pitcher to come out of Arkansas.
If Cleveland can add Howard to the system, the Tribe walks away from the draft in a similar spot as the Pirates, if they can sign Josh Bell-two first-round caliber selections...

The Indians selected a surprise in the third round in Jake Sisco (no, not the annoying character from Deep Space Nine) from Merced JUCO in Calfornia.
Sisco was a late-round pick of the Giants last year and passed on their offer.
Sisco has next to no data on him, but Tony Lastoria at Indians Prospect Insider says Sisco was creeping up the draft board after a season that saw his velocity reach the low to mid 90's and was referred to by some as a strong sleeper.
This is a likely sign and the Indians hedging their bets a bit on the status of Dillon Howard.

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