From John Farrell, head of player developement for the Tribe, his list of players coming up through the system to watch. We all know Michael Aubrey, Franklyn Gutierrez and Ryan Garko tops the list, but here is a few more to keep an eye on.
- Outfielder Ryan Goleski: "A physical right fielder who's got above-average power. The things we'll continue to work on with him are recognizing and handling the breaking ball."
- Infielder Pat Osborn: "A breakout year last season. Health has caused him to miss some time the past couple of years, but he's developed into a smooth-fielding third baseman who's starting to hit and develop power."
- Infielder Eider Torres: "A speedy middle infielder. A switch-hitter with well above-average contact. A good base stealer who will start the year in Akron. We'll try to get him some exposure to center field as well. He could be a super utility-type player at the Major League level."
- Pitcher J.D. Martin: "Physically continues to fill out and is allowing his best fastball to be thrown more consistently -- currently in the upper 80s. But he has a well above-average feel for four pitches."
- Pitcher Jeremy Sowers: "His first full season, and he starts the year at Kinston. A left-hander with the ability to change speeds and locate his fastball -- a very intelligent pitcher."
- Pitcher Tony Sipp: "A very interesting case here. Very limited pitching at the collegiate level before being drafted last year out of Clemson, but came in and dominated at the lower levels. Left-handed pitcher who's shown the ability to be a well above-average strikeout pitcher."
- Infielder Chris Gimenez: "A physical third baseman with the ability to catch. We'll try to develop his catching ability. He's a very driven, hard-nosed baseball player."
- Pitcher Chris Cooper: "Interesting case. He's developing himself into a Major League prospect. A left-handed reliever who was a low-round draft pick that had continued to put up numbers year after year. He was very successful in winter ball in Puerto Rico and the Dominican."
- Outfielder Ben Francisco: "Somewhat of an underrated outfielder in our system because of the names of our other guys. A right-handed hitter that we jumped three levels last year, and he more than held his own at the Double-A level. He will start back there again, but versatility to play all three outfield positions and has above-average gap and home-run power."
- Pitcher Adam Miller: "Would be the best arm in our organization. He's a guy who in a year since the draft has seen his fastball jump anywhere from five to seven miles per hour. He starts the year at Akron. Couple of things we're gonna continue to focus on with him: refocus on repeating his delivery. The development of his changeup will be the key to his rapid ascent through the system."
And do not forget, Jason Cooper, Matt Whitney, and Brad Snyder.