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Indians: Cleveland’s Top 30 prospects for 2021 has been revealed

By Chad Porto

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 01: Owen Miller #91 of the Cleveland Indians catches a throw from catcher Beau Taylor #46 as Lucius Fox #38 of the Kansas City Royals attempts to steal second base during the fifth inning a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 01, 2021 in Goodyear, Arizona. Fox was out at second base. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 01: Owen Miller #91 of the Cleveland Indians catches a throw from catcher Beau Taylor #46 as Lucius Fox #38 of the Kansas City Royals attempts to steal second base during the fifth inning a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 01, 2021 in Goodyear, Arizona. Fox was out at second base. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Indians have a great minor league system, and fans now get to see who the top 30 prospects are for the 2021 season.

It’s that time of the year; updated prospect rankings! Fans of the Cleveland Indians will want to check out the latest MLB rankings of the top 30 prospects from within the organization. These players represent the Tribes’ hope and future and thanks to MLB writer Jim Callis, we have some new details about some of the top prospects.

When it comes to guys who rose and fall over the last year, Callis believes Lenny Torres took the biggest leap. Torres went from 23rd in 2020 to 12th in 2021. Even though he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, Callis writes that Torres is regaining the “power stuff” that got people enticed by his skillset in 2018. The Indians over the last two decades have had great success with pitching, and if Torres can rebound and return to form, then the Indians may have yet another new Cy Young contender.

It’s not all good news, as Scott Moss, who was 18th in 2020 took the biggest fall, dropping to 28th. Callis writes that Moss fell not because of declining skills but the improved talent around him. The newly acquired prospects were the biggest reason why he fell, which makes sense. The Indians really gorged themselves on new minor league talent over the last year.

This does lead to an issue, however. While rankings are subjective, and not a final indictment of what a player will look like, part of the concern of the rankings is the lack of left-handed pitching.

The Indians have four lefties in the top 30, but all in the bottom seven, a clear sign that they’re not polished enough to be reliable; in theory. Having lefties you can rely on and call upon when needed helps balance not just the bullpen for pitching matchups, but the rotation as well. Everyone can use more left-handed pitchers.

For those interested, Callis goes on to list the players with the best individual tools. Tyler Freeman and George Valera were considered above-average hitters, while Bobby Bradley and Nolan Jones were given marks of above average in power. It’s no surprise then that Jones is the highest-ranked Indians prospect (36th) within the MLB’s Top 100 prospects.

Shortstop Gabriel Arias was given extremely high marks for his arm, while Emmanuel Clase reached the limit of the grading scale (an 80) for his fastball. Other players who stood out in the tool’s department were Petey Haplin, and Carson Tucker for their speed, Arias again for his overall defense, Triston McKenzie for his curveball, and Joey Cantillo for his changeup.

Despite his high marks, it’s important to note that Arias has a high rate of committing errors.

That said, the fact that Callis and the MLB gave so many prospects “above average” scores is encouraging, yet it should be noted that having “the best” tool doesn’t make someone the best player. It’s not about what strengths you have, but how you use them.

Despite that, things are encouraging for the Cleveland faithful. So much so that Prospects1500.com has the Indians with the 6th best farm system in the Majors.

Here are the top 30 players in the Indians organization according to MLB.com

  1. Nolan Jones (3B)
  2. Tristan McKenzie (SP)
  3. Tyler Freeman (SS)
  4. Bo Naylor (C)
  5. George Valera (OF)
  6. Gabriel Arias (SS)
  7. Daniel Espino (RHP)
  8. Bryan Rocchio (SS)
  9. Aaron Bracho (2B)
  10. Ethan Hankins (RHP)
  11. Josh Wolf (RHP)
  12. Lenny Torres (RHP)
  13. Carson Tucker (SS)
  14. Angel Martinez (INF)
  15. Gabriel Rodriguez (SS/3B)
  16. Tanner Burns (RHP)
  17. Emmanuel Clase (RHP)
  18. Owen Miller (SS/2B)
  19. Carlos Vargas (RHP)
  20. Bobby Bradley (1B)
  21. Daniel Johnson (OF)
  22. Isaiah Greene (OF)
  23. Petey Halpin (OF)
  24. Joey Cantillo (LHP)
  25. Logan Allen (LHP)
  26. Jose Tena (SS)
  27. Sam Hentges (LHP)
  28. Scott Moss (LHP)
  29. Bryan Lavastida (C)
  30. Junior Sanquintin (SS/2B)

Of this list, MLB.com predicts that Jones, McKenzie, Clase, Miller, Bradley, D. Johnson, and Moss will be on the Indians’ major league roster at some point. All of whom should be instant impact players. Guys like McKenzie and Bradley have already had a taste of the majors, while Jones, Clase, Miller, and Bradley are competing for spots as we speak.

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