Indians Trade Deadline: Grading every trade The Tribe made

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Jun 19, 2018; Omaha, NE, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs starting pitcher Konnor Pilkington (48) and catcher Dustin Skelton (8) walk to the dugout after warming up before the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

Losing Cesar Hernandez hurts the infield’s defense but it gives Owen Miller and possibly Andres Gimenez an opportunity to play second base. The Tribe sent Hernandez to the in-division rivals’ Chicago White Sox for a Top 50 prospect in LHP Konnor Pilkington.

Both Miller and Gimenez are considered top prospects in the Indians organization and both came over in deals for major stars. Miller came over in the Mike Clevinger trade, while Gimenez came over in the Francisco Lindor trade.

Both men are going to be needed to help contribute to the future success of the team. To stretch their winning seasons’ streak from eight to nine and continue their push for regular playoff pushes, both Miller and Gimenez will need to find their groove.

As for the player the Tribe got back from the White Sox, Pilkington is in the midst of a solid season in Double-A. He’ll start playing for the Akron Rubberducks soon enough, and will bring in season totals of a 3.48 ERA, across 14 starts, with a 4-4 record and 71 strikeouts against 61.1 innings pitched.

He’s not a top prospect but then again, don’t forget that Corey Kluber wasn’t a top prospect either. Pilkington may just become a star for all we know.

Grade: B+

Pilkington is playing well for Double-A, and that’s all you can judge him on. Who knows what he’ll be.

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