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5 Cleveland Indians Prospects Likely To Be Promoted In 2017

By Nick Dudukovich

February 27, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Erik Gonzalez (78) poses for a picture during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 27, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Erik Gonzalez (78) poses for a picture during photo day at the Cleveland Indians Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ryan Merritt (54) fields a ground ball during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ryan Merritt (54) fields a ground ball during a workout at the Goodyear Ballpark practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Merritt, LHP

Ryan Merritt cemented himself in Cleveland Indians history with his gutsy Game 5 performance in the ALCS. On the biggest of stages, Merrit turned in 4 1/3 inning of scoreless baseball. He turned the game over to the bullpen and the Tribe went on to win the sixth AL pennant in franchise history.

Even though Merritt was pitching on the biggest of stages, his career has really yet to take off. He’s the 29th rated prospect on the MLB.com Pipeline site. Unfortunately, if we see Merritt in 2017, it will be because of the same reason Tribe fans placed their hopes in him during the ALCS: Injuries.

When it comes to starting pitching, you almost have to account for one or maybe two guys getting hurt. Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco getting sidelined late last season is proof.

The Tribe’s AL championship hasn’t even started yet, and Carrasco is already laboring through some elbow issues, while Cody Anderson is on the shelf with a UCL sprain.

Merritt might not be an elite prospect, but he’s knocking on the door of the big leagues.

While at Triple A, Merrit was 11-8 with a 3.70 ERA. He won’t blow anyone out of the batter’s box, but he’s not going to issue a ton of free passes, either. In 143 1/3 innings, Merrit issued just 29 walks in the minors last season. Opposing batters hit .279 against him. That’s concerning, but perhaps Merrit first contributes out of the bullpen. When facing lefties, southpaws hit just .250 off Merritt.

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