News and Notes: June 5, 2012

Indians select Texas A&M outfielder Tyler Naquin with 15th pick | indians.com: News

With many good starting pitchers on the board, I was surprised that the Indians selected college position player, but the Indians had him as the best player available on their board:

"We had our board up in order of how we would select them," said Brad Grant, the Indians' director of amateur scouting. "Tyler was the next guy up. He was the guy that we liked best and who was available on our board at the time."

The scouting reports generally agree that he has a plus outfield arm, though he hasn't yet shown the power necessary to fit into a corner outfield spot, and he may not have the range to play center in the majors. But the Indians liked his bat speed, and that can eventually lead to power:

"He's got really good bat speed," Grant said. "He's got a knack for centering the baseball, and he drives the ball the opposite way very well. He's got more power than some guys give him credit for. He has the ability to drive the ball to the gap. He has the ability to turn doubles into triples, and he'll occasionally pull a ball out of the yard, too."

Now if he eventually develops power, then he'll be a very good fit in right field.

Carlos Santana on his way back, Lou Marson locked in: Cleveland Indians Insider | cleveland.com

Santana is eligible to return from the 7-day Disabled List, and after a successful rehab outing in Lake County, is probably going to be activated in time for tonight's game. He didn't catch for the Captains, but has passed all the mandated tests.

Kent State baseball: Grateful fans, family, friends greet Golden Flashes - Top Stories - Ohio

Kent State defeated Kentucky on Sunday to clinch their first-ever NCAA regional title. Earlier in the weekend, they outlasted Kentucky in a 21-inning game, and beat Big Ten champion Purdue. They will now play Oregon in a best-of-3 super-regional. If they win that, then they'll be going to the College World Series.