Transactions: First Cuts

by Ryan on Mar 12, 2011 8:50 AM EST in Transactions

Optioned IF Jared Goedert, RHP Hector Rondón, and Corey Kluber to Columbus (AAA)

Optioned RHP Kelvin de la Cruz and RHP Nick Hagadone to Akron (AA)

Assigned LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Bryce Stowell, and C Chun-Hsiu Chen to minor-league camp

Usually the first cuts in Spring Training are pitchers, as the front-line starters are pitching longer into games.Two of the pitchers on this list could help the Indians this year. Corey Kluber, who came over from the Padres in the Jake Westbrook deal, should be part of the Columbus rotation, and Bryce Stowell should be a key part of the Clipper bullpen. Stowell isn't on the 40-man roster, so he'll be at a disadvantage should the Indians look to Columbus for some bullpen help.

Jared Goedert will also be in Columbus, but Lonnie Chisenhall will be in front of him at third base. Probably his best shot of making it to Cleveland will be if the Indians need a short-term fill-in at first base before Nick Johnson is ready to go.

Kelvin de la Cruz should be back for a second season in Akron's rotation; he only pitched 93.2 innings despite making 20 starts, so he'll need to go longer into games to stick as a starter. Talented Nick Hagadone should join him in the Aeros rotation; he needs to start moving fast, as he's already 25 years old. Drew Pomeranz, who will be making his professional debut this spring, should start in Kinston, and if everything goes to plan, will move to Akron within a couple months.

Chen had a fantastic 2010 season, hitting .315/.368/.518 between Lake County and Kinston. As a prospect, he is my opinion just behind the Chisenhall/Pomeranz/White/Kipnis group. He should be Akron's starting catcher, and if he continues to hit, will give the Indians a very nice problem next season.

Rondón probably won't be pitching until late in the season as he recovers from elbow surgery.

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I was really surprise how low BA rated Chen—#22 overall on the Tribe prospect list, and the #2 best catcher behind Alex Lavisky. I really thought he was just outside the Top 10…but I guess this speaks more to our organization depth than his skills. I hope.

by OscarDog on Mar 12, 2011 9:48 AM EST reply actions

That line you posted was actually only his Lake County line. I would be much less excited about him if he didn’t go to Kinston and dramatically improve his walk rate, which he did.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on Mar 12, 2011 12:54 PM EST reply actions

Hearing whispers about the D

by stuart dean on Mar 12, 2011 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

Tony Lastoria is in AZ to check out minor league camp and has some prospect rehab updates here:
Tony

Jonathan Mayo takes a look at Kipnis and current Tribe top 10:
Mayo

Sheldon Ocker gives a decent mid-camp appraisal of how the 25 man roster is shaping up:
Ocker

Looks to me at this point like Buck and Duncan as 4/5 OF, Tomlin as #5 starter, Herrmann as last BP spot, with UT and backup catcher completely up for grabs.

by mcrose on Mar 12, 2011 1:59 PM EST reply actions