Cleveland Indians top prospects update: Mejia, McKenzie continue to shine

Cleveland Indians top prospects continue to impress in 2017, but Triston McKenzie and Francisco Mejia lead the charge.

Cleveland Indians No. 2 overall prospect Triston McKenzie is the real deal. The 19-year-old’s performance Saturday against the Wilmington Blue Rocks is just the latest example of his brilliance.

The Advanced-A Lynchburg Hillcats ace began his first outing since the All-Star break by tossing six consecutive hitless innings. Brandon Downes leadoff single in the seventh broke up the no-hit bid, but did nothing to tarnish another stellar outing by McKenzie.

McKenzie’s emergence this season in Lynchburg is a microcosm of the entire Cleveland Indians farm system. Players continue to develop at an accelerated pace, leaving the Indians with plenty of assets at the trade deadline.

Meanwhile, McKenzie and No. 1 prospect Francisco Mejia represented the Tribe at the SiriusXM Futures Game last Sunday. Mejia recorded a single, while McKenzie retired the only batter he faced.

Here’s a quick update on the Indians’ top-10 prospects, according to MLB.com.

10. LHP Juan Hillman

The 2015 second-round pick Juan Hillman has the potential to be a “back-end starter,” according to MLB.com. Like most young arms, Hillman struggles with command. The 20-year-old has 34 walks in just 89.2 innings of Midwest League play.

Although, it seems Hillman is coming around of late. In 12 first half starts, Hillman went 3-3 with a putrid 6.44 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. In five second half starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 0.94 WHIP — significant improvement, to say the least.

With a fastball that sits in the high-80s, it’s unlikely Hillman ever becomes a top-notch starter. But his dominating performance in the second half thus far makes him worth watching as he ascends through the Indians system.

2017 Stats: Lake County Captains (A-Full), G- 7, GS- 7, W/L: 5-4, SO- 74, ERA- 5.12, WHIP- 1.34, AVG.- .252; Last start (July 15, Burlington Bees): (W, 5-4): IP- 7, H- 5, R- 1, ER- 1, BB- 1, SO- 3

9. SS Yu Chang

Yu Chang, one of four Akron RubberDucks Eastern League All-Stars, is having one of my favorite statistical seasons of all-time. In some ways, Chang resembles the middle infield version of former slugger Adam Dunn. He’s an All-Star for a reason — Chang has been extremely productive, his status among the EL and Akron’s offensive leaders proves it:

• Runs (45): T-12th in EL (1st on AKR)
• Home Runs (19): 3rd in EL (1st on AKR)
• RBI (50): T-9th in EL (2nd on AKR)
• Total Bases (144): T-9th in EL (1st on AKR)
• Slugging Percentage (.500): 11th in EL (3rd on AKR)

But a couple other EL stats highlight his shortcomings in the batter’s box, including:

• Strikeouts (90): 7th most in EL
• OBP (.305): T-13th worst in EL
• Batting AVG. (.229): 7th worst in EL

Meanwhile, Chang’s defensive progression this season has been admirable. His 4.86 Range Factor (RF) remains the best of his MiLB career.

2017 Stats: Akron RubberDucks (AA), G- 81, AB- 288, R- 45, HR- 19, RBI- 50, AVG.- .229, SB- 7, OBP.- .305; Last 10 games: AB- 35, R- 8, HR- 2, RBI- 6, AVG.- .314, SB- 1

8. OF/3B Yandy Diaz

Yandy Diaz’s 18-game stint with the Cleveland Indians this season was forgetful — slashing just .203/.268/.219. But the 25-year-old should still be considered a part of the Indians’ future.

Diaz’s offensive production at the Triple-A level has been phenomenal. In 71 plate appearances at the MLB level, he racked up 17 strikeouts. In Columbus, Diaz has just 35 punch outs in 221 plate appearances.

His .434 OBP lends to his improved discipline. At this point, if a utility player of sorts is needed at the big-league level Diaz should get the nod over Giovanny Urshela. In fact, Diaz has played second base, left field, right field and third base this season.

Recently, Diaz has been a tear — translating to the MLB level seems to be the problem. At 25, the clock is ticking — but I still believe Diaz could be an everyday player at the highest level.

2017 Stats: Columbus Clippers (AAA), G- 50, AB- 185, R- 34, HR- 4, RBI- 21, AVG.- .335, SB- 1, OBP.- .434; Last 10 games: AB- 36, R- 7, HR- 1, RBI- 6, AVG.- .361, SB- 1

7. OF Greg Allen

Greg Allen is just returning from a broken hand, suffered May 7 in Akron. The 2016 MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove award-winner is an integral part of the Indians future. At 24, I believe Allen will make the opening day roster next season. Forget his injury-riddled 2017, he’s a base stealer with an elite glove in center field.

Hopefully, Allen continues to get on base and swipe bags during the second half of EL play.

2017 Stats (combined): Akron RubberDucks (AA)/AZL Indians (Rookie), G- 33, AB- 113, R- 19, HR- 1, RBI- 13, AVG.- .265, SB- 12, OBP.- .344; Last 10 games: AB- 31, R- 4, HR- 0, RBI- 4, AVG.- .226, SB- 3

6. OF Will Benson

Outfielder Will Benson, the Indians 2016 first-round selection, is off to a very slow start in Short-A. With the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Benson is hitting just .169 — with 33 strikeouts in 77 plate appearances. His .169/.244/.539 slash-line is concerning, but he is just 19 years old.

Perhaps time is what Benson needs. His 6-foot-5, 225 pound frame displays his raw athleticism — ambitiously, I can’t help but think Aaron Judge when viewing Benson. Benson is a long ways from Judge, but he possesses the physical tools to be special.

2017 Stats: Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Short-A), G- 19, AB- 71, R- 3, HR- 1, RBI- 6, AVG.- .169, SB- 0, OBP.- .244; Last 10 games: AB- 36, R- 1, HR- 1, RBI- 3, AVG.- .139, SB- 0

5. 3B Nolan Jones

Nolan Jones, despite his .239 batting average, has been encouraging in Short-A this season. Through 21 games, the 2016 second-pick has a .393 OBP — displaying excellent discipline at the dish.

Like his teammate Benson, it’s too early to judge Jones’ progression. His defense has been dreadful, with a .881 fielding percentage at third base. But patience is required with prospects such as the 19-year-old Jones.

2017 Stats: Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Short-A), G- 21, AB- 67, R- 10, HR- 1, RBI- 5, AVG.- .239, SB- 0, OBP.- .393; Last 10 games: AB- 29, R- 4, HR- 0, RBI- 2, AVG.- .207, SB- 0

4. LHP Brady Aiken

Despite a recent surge, 2015 first-round pick Brady Aiken’s 2017 campaign should call for panic. As I’ve mentioned in the past, his velocity has yet to improve since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015.

Even more concerning, Aiken is displaying zero command at Lake County. The 20-year-old has ten more walks (67) than strikeouts (57) this season. His 67 walks lead the Midwest League (MID) by 23.

Meanwhile, Aiken’s 1.76 WHIP is tied for worst in the MID.

2017 Stats: Lake County Captains (A-Full), G- 18, GS- 18, W/L: 2-10, SO- 57, ERA- 4.10, WHIP- 1.76, AVG.- .279; Last start (July 14, Peoria Chiefs): (W, 2-10): IP- 6, H- 7, R- 0, ER- 0, BB- 3, SO- 2

3. 1B Bobby Bradley

When discussing whether to re-sign 1B Carlos Santana, Indians’ brass must consider RubberDucks 1B Bobby Bradley as a potential replacement. Bradley ranks third in the EL in RBI with 62 — his 39 walks rank fifth.

Bradley is a legitimate slugger at the Double-A level. I would argue the 21-year-old was an EL All-Star snub, his production speaks for itself.

2017 Stats: Akron RubberDucks (AA), G- 83, AB- 287, R- 43, HR- 16, RBI- 62, AVG.- .258, SB- 3, OBP.- .348; Last 10 games: AB- 32, R- 2, HR- 1, RBI- 6, AVG.- .188, SB- 1

2. RHP Triston McKenzie

As previously mentioned, McKenzie is a prime example of the Indians underrated farm system. If the Indians must part ways with McKenzie or Mejia at the deadline, I would rather deal Mejia.

McKenzie has been that good. Just look at his ranks among Carolina League pitchers:

• Wins (8): T-2nd in CAR
• ERA (2.89): 2nd in CAR
• Strikeouts (124): 1st in CAR
• WHIP (0.98): 2nd in CAR

Saturday night, McKenzie brought a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Wilmington. He ended the night with nine punch outs — his fourth performance of nine or more  strikeouts this season.

Expect a promotion for the lanky, 19-year-old soon.

2017 Stats: Lynchburg Hillcats (A-Adv), G- 17, GS- 17, W/L: 8-4, SO- 124, ERA- 2.89, WHIP- 0.98, AVG.- .155; Last start (July 15, Wilmington Blue Rocks): (W, 8-4), IP- 7, H- 3, R- 2, ER- 2, BB- 2, SO- 9 

1. C Francisco Mejia

I’ve said it before, and ill say it again; All Francisco Mejia does is hit. His .336 batting average leads all of the EL, and his 78 hits lead all catchers.

Listed at a generous 5-foot-10, Mejia is a hitting machine — and very possibly the asking price for any arm the Tribe’s front office may be targeting. Like I said, I’d be willing to part with Mejia before McKenzie — but it’s extremely close. The reason it’s so close is because Mejia could help the Indians this season.

Offensively, it can’t get much worse than Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez for the big-league club. If Mejia survives the deadline, expect to see him in Cleveland this season.

Next: 5 back-end starters the Indians should target in a trade

2017 Stats: Akron RubberDucks (AA), G- 61, AB- 232, R- 37, HR- 10, RBI- 35, AVG.- .336, SB- 5, OBP.- .385; Last 10 games: AB- 36, R- 3, HR- 1, RBI- 4, AVG.- .250, SB- 0