Indians send four pitchers (and no position players) to AFL

A quartet of Aeros pitchers — Austin Adams, Matt Packer, T.J. McFarland, Tyler Sturdevant — will join the Phoenix Desert Dogs for the Arizona Fall League. They're joined by prospects from the Reds, A's, Blue Jays and Yankees organizations. No position players from the Indians are on the roster, however.

9 months ago Jay 9 comments 0 recs |

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As Tony says via Twitter, Indians just haven’t decided on position players yet. Juan Diaz, Chun Chen, maybe Weglarz or Mills, Fedroff…seem like viable candidates.

by APV on Sep 9, 2011 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Austin Adams is an interesting guy. He is a converted position player who probably is destined for the bullpen, but throws very very hard. Matt Packer is also kind of interesting in a Josh Tomlin sort of way. In 2010 he put up what was probably the best statistical season of any pitcher in the Tribe’s system while spending time in Lake County and Akron. This season he was terrible for the first half in Akron (5.71 ERA) and fantastic in the second half (2.78 ERA). The difference between the two halves, however, has almost everything to do with allowing far fewer hits and HRs in the second half. With the departure of Carrasco to injury and White/Pomeranz/Gardner via trade, Packer has definitely moved up the depth chart.

by APV on Sep 9, 2011 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

I’m pretty sure De La Cruz is /will be moved to the bullpen, leaving Adams, Packer and perhaps McFarland as the guys headed to Columbus next year to become the next wave of rotation depth.

Worthwhile to note that Rondon should be joining them as well, and Alex Perez should show up in Akron. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them both get some AZL/Winter ball assigments.

by mcrose on Sep 9, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Wasn’t there some talk about sending Lindor out there as well?

by lilkeysdad on Sep 9, 2011 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

No, what’s being talking about is the Arizona Fall League, which is an off-season league for prospects in AA or AAA.

What you’re thinking of is the Arizona League, which is a Rookie League (lowest level of the minors) based in the Spring Training complexes.

by Ryan on Sep 9, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotcha. I thought I read something stating that his nice debut at Mahoning Valley would possibly lead management to give him a shot out there.

by lilkeysdad on Sep 9, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure, but I think that would be quite unusual. The AFL seems to evolved into a little bit of a remedial league. A lot of the prospects there seem to be guys who have done a little late blooming but are nontheless 1-2 years away from running out of time.

by Jay on Sep 9, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions