Who do the Cleveland Indians Draft
By: Jamie Renner
Tonight the MLB draft is on! Hell Yes! I love watching the draft. I love finding out about all these players and their backstories. You truly do not know who is going to become a somebody or a nobody in this league and most of the time, the dream starts and stops at the draft.
The Cleveland Indians have the number 23 pick and with a front loaded heavy class, things could be very interesting. Now, while I am no serious mock draft expert, I have done a bit of research and am confident that there are going to be some studs available tonight. With the right amount of luck, our first round selection could turn into something seriously special. We know what they look for in prospects, and for those who do not... the Indians look for middle infielders who are young and have the potential upside of moving all around the diamond or even play the outfield. For pitching they look for late round studs that are not velocity heavy athletes but have great control at the college level and have room for adjustments. For outfield or catching prospects, we focus on Dominican Republic players that are not big names but can murder the baseball, which is why so many of our young and talented players are rule 5 eligible, we signed them at 15/16 years old. Regardless of where they draft, franchise altering types of talents are in this first round. Let's discuss some of the guys who I think the Cleveland Indians could draft. *no particular order*
- Harry Ford - Catcher - North Cobb (GA)
- Ranked as the #13 overall prospect and the #2 catching prospect in this class (via MLBpipeline) this kid is super young and talented. Ford has been labeled as a player who can play all over the field, put him anywhere and he very well could succeed. If there is one thing the Indians look for in their players, it's versatility and Harry is the embodiment of that statement, great bat, great athleticism and what seems to be a super high IQ. Our lack of depth at the catching position should make us super contenders for his skill set.
- Gunnar Hougland - RHP - Ole Miss
- I absolutely love everything about this kid, everything works on him and is special. Electric stuff..... Only downside is that he's about to be 22 and already having to get Tommy John surgery. I guess it is not that scary considering you actually come back from this type of surgery throwing much harder.... Massive risk but includes massive reward. Plus, I love the name. Gimme the HOUG!!
- Bubba Chandler - RHP/SS - North oceanee HS
- Listen if Dabo Swinney wants to recruit him at quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, the Indians could most likely use him on the bump every 5 days. People, this song and dance is typical, the Cleveland Indians love their highschool pitchers and he fits the mold.
- Jud Fabian - outfielder University of Florida
- I truly do not know how to feel about this kid. I get we (the indians) need outfield help but our track record of drafting first round outfielders is to put it nicely... absolutely fucking garbage. I don't recommend taking him at 23 but hey, I am the idiot just writing the papers not drafting the guys. He is a possibility if he is here at
23.
- Frank Mozzicato - LHP - East Catholic (CT)
- The same song and dance begins here, tall lefty thrower that does not have much secondary pitches and while he is 18, his potential is limitless. Has a 2 pitch mix but again, is only 18 and very well could be a guy the Indians mold together to be up in the big league in 3 years time. Really like this kid's potential as lefty’s are a weak point in the system.
Overall, those are just some of the guys who I think the Indians would consider taking. It really comes down to being a crap shoot and I am just excited about it being draft season again.
Honorable mentions
- Ryan Cusick- RHP - Wake Forest
- Christian MacLeod- LHP - Mississippi St.
- Seth Lonsway - LHP - Ohio State
- Cameron Cauley - SS - Barbers Hill (Texas Hs.)
- Jay Allen - Outfielder - John Carroll Catholic (Florida Hs)
Hope this draft goes well!
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