Cleveland Indians 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

Indians Top 50 design by @designsbypack on Twitter

The return of Minor League Baseball has seen a lot of movement in the Cleveland Indians’ prospect rankings, mostly for the better. Andres Gimenez, Yu Chang, and Emmanuel Clase have all graduated, and a pitching-heavy draft has brought in several new names. Strong performances throughout the organization have vaulted players up this list, but there are some regressions. With a Rule 5 squeeze coming this offseason, several players on this list need to earn their spots on the 40-man roster or a protected spot to solidify their place in the Cleveland organization. One thing is for certain. This list will look very different come January.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players who are worth keeping an eye on, but likely to never make a team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1

1. Nolan Jones, 3B/OF (January rank #1)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Jones started slow but caught fire in June. He’s now among the organizational leaders in extra base hits.

2. George Valera, OF (January rank #2)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Valera has dealt with injuries in 2021, but his mechanics appear as sound as ever.

3. Tyler Freeman, 2B/SS (January rank #3)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Freeman continues to hit, and his power numbers have continued to improve as he’s progressed to higher levels. Look for a promotion to Columbus soon.

Tier 2

4. Daniel Espino, RHP (January rank #4)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Espino’s overpowering stuff has come as advertised this year, earning him a July promotion to High-A Lake County.

5. Brayan Rocchio, SS (January rank #6)
Age: AA
Current Level: 20
Rocchio picked up where he left off in 2019, providing an offensive spark at the plate and above-average defense at shortstop.

6. Bo Naylor, C (January rank #8)
Age: 21
Current Level: AA
The lone Cleveland representative at the Futures Game, Naylor’s stellar defense has more than offset his light offensive output in 2021.

7. Gabriel Arias, SS (January rank #10)
Age: 21
Current Level: AAA
Arias is holding his own in Columbus, despite being well below the league average age.

Tier 3:

8. Jhonkensy Noel, 1B (January rank #21)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Despite injuries, Noel has been one of the best all-around offensive players in the organization in 2021.

9. Angel Martinez, SS (January rank #23)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
Another recent international signing, Martinez has put up exceptional offensive numbers in his first year of full-season ball.

10. Ethan Hankins, RHP (January rank #5)
Age: 21
Current Level: AA (60-day IL)
Hankins slides due to early-season Tommy John surgery and the increased bullpen risk that comes along with the procedure.

11. Tanner Burns, RHP (January rank #11)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
While the win/loss record may not reflect it, Burns’ peripheral stats point to a strong performance and a pitcher who has continued to improve as the year goes on.

12. Isaiah Greene, OF (January rank #19)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Greene has gotten off to a strong start in the ACL, his first experience in professional baseball.

13. Petey Halpin, OF (January rank #20)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
The organization started Halpin in Lynchburg, and he hasn’t disappointed – Halpin and Greene continue to have very similar profiles that will play well in Cleveland.

14. Xzavion Curry, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
The year’s biggest surprise, the former seventh round pick leads the organization in most pitching categories and has vaulted up the organizational rankings.

15. Logan T. Allen, LHP (January rank #42)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
While Curry leads the organization in most stats, Allen is typically a close second. The recently promoted pitcher’s stuff has him on the fast track to Cleveland.

Logan Allen – Dayton Dragons at Lake County Captains, June 3, 2021. Photo by Jim Zele, @ZelePhotography

16. Alexfri Planez, OF (January rank #13)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
Planez has struggled in the first half, but the 19-year-old has plenty of time to turn the season around.

17. Aaron Bracho, SS (January rank #9)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Bracho has struggled a bit in High-A. His power is still there, but the AVG and OBP have been underwhelming.

18. Gavin Williams, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: N/A – 2021 Draft Pick (Rd 1, Pick 23)
The first 2021 draft pick on the list, Williams is a projectable righty who shouldn’t take long to reach Cleveland.

19. Owen Miller, SS (January rank #25)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Miller was on fire to start the season but struggled in sporadic playing time in Cleveland. He’s come back down to Earth after being optioned to Columbus but is still posting solid numbers.

20. Jose Tena, SS (January rank #40)
Age: 20
Current Level: High-A
Tena has impressed in his first full season, showing impressive slugging prowess despite his diminutive size.

Jose Tena – Dayton Dragons at Lake County Captains, June 3, 2021. Photo by Jim Zele, @ZelePhotography

21. Oscar Gonzalez, OF (January rank #49)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
While his peripherals seem to indicate a coming regression, Gonzalez has just continued to hit all year. The recently promoted outfielder may be up for a September callup.

22. Will Benson, OF (January rank #26)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
2021 is a make-or-break year for Benson, and so far, he’s making it. His .918 OBP is an equal combination of strong OBP and SLG.

23. Daniel Johnson, OF (January rank #14)
Age: 26
Current Level: MLB
The Indians’ continued unwillingness to regularly play him combined with Johnson’s age has him sliding down this list.

Tier 4:

24. Bryan Lavastida, C (January rank #36)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
If there’s a level in which Lavastida will be challenged at the plate, he hasn’t reached it yet.


25. Richie Palacios, 2B (January rank #31)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Just promoted to Columbus, Palacios has come back strong from a couple of injury-ridden years, and his offensive output in Akron has him moving back up the list.

26. Carson Tucker, SS (January rank #22)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Tucker is off to a slow start in 2021, but the talent that saw him selected in the first round of the 2020 draft is still there.

27. Lenny Torres, RHP (January rank #12)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Torres has struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery. A rebound in the second half will have him moving back up the list.

28. Josh Wolf, RHP (January rank #18)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Much like Torres, Wolf has struggled so far this year. Keep an eye out for a second half rebound.

29. Nick Sandlin, RHP (January rank #24)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB
Sandlin was called up in April and has proven to be a competent arm out of Cleveland’s bullpen.

30. Joey Cantillo, LHP (January rank #29)
Age: 21
Current Level: AA
Cantillo’s return from injury is imminent – He’ll be a pitcher to keep a close eye on in the second half.

31. Ernie Clement, SS (January rank #34)
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB
Clement has seen time in Cleveland and has been effective in a utility role despite inconsistent playing time.

32. Milan Tolentino, SS (January rank #41)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Tolentino has held his own at the plate while getting reps across the infield in the ACL.

33. Raynel Delgado, SS (January rank #27)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
Some struggles at the plate have moved Delgado down the list a bit, but his multi-positional ability will give him a better chance of advancing.

Raynel Delgado – Dayton Dragons at Lake County Captains, June 3, 2021. Photo by Jim Zele, @ZelePhotography

34. Gabriel Rodriguez, SS (January rank #30)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
Rodriguez has struggled at the plate, but his age will allow him more time to figure it out and move up.

35. Jean Carlos Mejia, RHP (January rank #28)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB
Mejia has had some control issues in his time with Cleveland, but there are glimmers of hope that he’ll develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

36. Mason Hickman, RHP (January rank #50)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Hickman started hot but cooled off as the season has gone on. If he’s able to regain his early-season form, he’ll join the list of promoted pitchers.

37. Tommy Mace RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: N/A – 2021 Draft Pick (Rd CB-B, Pick 69)
Another 2021 draft pick, Mace has excellent raw talent that should benefit from Cleveland’s development staff.

38. Eli Morgan, RHP (January rank #33)
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB
Another prospect called into big league action due to injuries with the club, Morgan has been solid if not stellar in his time with Cleveland.

39. Sam Hentges, LHP (January rank #39)
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB
Hentges has been a starter this season, but his 6’8” frame will likely play better out of the bullpen (Think Andrew Miller).

40. Carlos Vargas, RHP (January rank #38)
Age: 21
Current Level: N/A – Injured
Vargas underwent Tommy John surgery early in the season and will not return until 2022.

41. Scott Moss, LHP (January rank #37)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
The 26-year-old will need to make a strong impression in the second half or risk falling off the prospect list.

Tier 5:

42. Doug Nikhazy, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: N/A – 2021 Draft Pick (Rd 2, Pick 58)
While his repertoire may not be major league ready, Nikhazy’s well-documented intensity should translate well to a bullpen role if he can learn from the Tribe’s development staff.

43. Junior Sanquintin, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Sanquintin’s power has played well in his first experience state-side; an OBP improvement may see him at Lynchburg before the end of the year.

44. Jose Fermin, 2B (January rank #35)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Fermin is still a promising middle infield, bottom-of-the-order prospect, but he may be outshined by other players within the organization.

45. Steven Kwan, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
Kwan continues to hold his own at the bottom of the Top 50, putting up solid offensive numbers in Akron despite an injury.

46. Tanner Bibee, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: N/A – 2021 Draft Pick (Rd 5, Pick 156)
Bibee has some work to do on his repertoire, but his ability to throw strikes has my attention as he begins his professional career.

47. Jose Pastrano, IF (January rank #45)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Pastrano carries the offensive and defensive talent that got him signed in 2019 to the states as he begins his professional career in the ACL.

48. Luis Durango, OF (January rank #46)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)
Durango co-headlined the 2019 international class with Pastrano and also finds himself in the ACL to start 2021.

49. Angel Genao, SS (January rank #47)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)
Genao has a solid mix of offensive and defensive talent, which he’s developing in the DSL to start 2021.

50. Jake Fox, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: N/A – 2021 Draft Pick (Rd 3, Pick 95)
The 2021 third-round pick likely won’t stick at shortstop, but his talent from the left side of the plate makes him an intriguing prospect to watch going forward.

Worth noting:
Alex Call, OF
Age: 26
Call got off to a hot start and hasn’t slowed down, and he may get a shot in Cleveland later this year given the team’s outfield situation.

Francisco Perez, LHP
Age: 24
Another late bloomer, Perez has put up stellar numbers this year and may be in line for a late-season call-up.

Quentin Holmes, OF
Age: 22
Holmes has struggled at the plate throughout his career, but his on-base and slugging numbers have improved dramatically in 2021. With continued success, he may find his way back to the top 50.




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