Reaction: Cleveland Indians eye middle infield in 2019 MLB mock draft

Don’t forget MLB Mock Drafts, and one writer has the Cleveland Indians adding to what will be a major need in three to five years.

Francisco Lindor is only under contract for three more seasons, and with the game’s premier shortstop eyeing a $300 million contract, the Cleveland Indians need to start looking toward the future.

It’s probably why MLB.com’s Jim Callis taking a shortstop with the 24th overall pick in June’s MLB Draft.

In his first mock attempt of the season, Callis predicted the Indians would take Will Wilson, a shortstop out of NC State. Wilson is currently hiring .323 with a 1.048 OPS for the Wolfpack, to go along with 13 home runs, 22 walks and 37 strikeouts in 167 at-bats.

For what it’s worth, there are some scouts who project Wilson as a second baseman because there are questions about his defense at short, via Baseball Prospect Journal.  

"“The one knock on Wilson is his defense. Although has the arm strength and instincts to play shortstop, his below-average speed has caused professional scouts to wonder if he profiles better at second base.”"

Because Lindor is poised to leave in free agency in three seasons, we’ll look at the current state of the Indians’ shortstops in the system. The Tribe hasn’t been ignoring the position, as five of their current 15 top prospects, as rated by MLB.com, play shortstop.

No. 3 prospect, Tyler Freeman, 20, is in his first season with the Low-A Lake County Captains and batting .273 with a .360 on-base percentage. He’s only struck out eight times in 88 at-bats. He’s a former second-round pick. He hasn’t flashed a lot of power, but considering how young he is, that’s not a big issue. For what’s its worth, Freeman has also played some games at second base.

No. 7 prospect, Brayan Rocchio, may end up manning short at Progressive Field sometime in the distant future, but that’s a long time a way. A member of the Indians’ international free-agent signing class of 2017, Rocchio is just 18. He’ll begin the year in the Arizona Rookie League.

No. 11 prospect, Yu Chang was almost traded in the Jonathan LeCroy trade of 2016. But since the deal was nixed, he stayed put. His glove is probably big-league ready, but there are questions about his bat. He’s batting .151 at Class AAA Columbus.

No. 13 prospect Gabriel Rodriguez is only 17, but considered an advanced hitter for a teenager. He was the Tribe’s top target in the 2018 international class. There’s just no way of knowing how he’ll do.

Aaron Bracho was given $1.5 million in 2017 international pool money and is also considered to have an “advanced bat.” He’s also 18.

No. 15 prospect, Ernie Clement, is batting .120 at Akron. He’s probably better suited for second base and a utility role in the big leagues. He’s a former Cape Cod League MVP and won the College World Series as Virginia’s center fielder in 2015. He was a fourth-round pick in 2017.

When it comes to replacing Lindor, the Indians have some talent, but that talent is raw, as you can see. Wilson would still need some time to mature in the minors, but at 21, he won’t have to spend a season in Arizona and the Mahoning Valley.

In a perfect world, he could get his feet wet with the Scrappers and if things go well, he could move to Lake  County. He could then either start 2020 with the Captains and then hopefully earn a promotion to Akron.

Perhaps he ends up playing second base. Either way, he’ll be filling a position of need in three to four years.