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The Cleveland Indians enter 2006 with a modified version of the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: "Bring me your tired phenoms, yearning to play free."
The Indians have brought in two exceptional talents.
Andy Marte (See: Marte Marches to the Majors) was stuck under the green cap (See: The Green Cap) at the other tribe, the Atlanta Braves. He batted .275 with the R-Braves last season with 20 home runs and 74 RBI and a strike count in the low 80s. He was called up to produce-or-perish Atlanta, where he struggled a bit and fell from grace. Always on the beauty contest lists for his talent, he needs a little seasoning in an organization that can really use him more immediately, so the switch of camps for this ex-Brave may be what he needs to get on track.
Catcher Kelly Shoppach (MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 No. 20 ), who was part of the well stocked Red Sox machine, batted only .253 in Pawtucket but drove in 26 home runs and 75 RBI with a healthy 16 doubles and 46 walks. When his patience level improves to keep his strikeout count under the century mark, he has a great shot at being a big league catcher.
The news of Shoppach's arrival was a big blow in the confidence shown PCL All-Star Ryan Garko (MLN FAB50 Baseball 2005 No. 41 ) who brought his numbers well into line with what sources in the tribe told us were where he needed to be to advance. Garko batted .303 in 2005, with 19 home runs. He showed more patience and better overall production with 25 doubles, and 44 walks and 77 RBIs.
Even if one lands a reserve spot on the major league roster, the war is hardly over. Pitting two big-hitting talents against one another will hardly be a "fun" position to spend the season for either player, but it should be fun for fans to watch unfold in 2006.
Outfielder Brady Snyder is a not-ready-for-prime-time player who put up good numbers in Kinston and ignition numbers in Akron in 2005. Track his continued progress.
Of the hurlers, we like Fernando Cabrera, whose 1.23 ERA with Buffalo and 1.47 record with Cleveland should be putting the big grins on back on ballcaps. Edward Mujica, who played for Kinston and Akron last season delivered a 2.08 ERA in Kinston and a 2.88 ERA in Akron. We look for him to progress well this season. Jason Stanford has been getting an education in the Indians farm system, moving from Mahoning Valley to Buffalo in one season on some very weird numbers. If he can come to rest in the AAA, where his limited numbers suggest he can hang with the big dogs, he should put together a season worth keeping an eye on.
The Indians have a mini camp for the developing minor league players. We did not do a full evaluation of players in the mini-camp for the Indians, but provide you the beauty list of those whom the tribe tapped to be on the fast track to Indians camp.
