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Let's Go Tribe is putting together its own ranking of the top Indians prospects. Here are the previous entries in the series:
- Francisco Lindor
- Clint Frazier
- Bradley Zimmer
- Giovanny Urshela
- Francisco Mejia
- Tyler Naquin
- Bobby Bradley
- James Ramsey
- Justus Sheffield
- Erik Gonzalez
In the closest results* so far, Mike Papi beat out Mitch Brown by just two votes:
- Mitch Brown 30%
- Mike Papi 31%
- Luis Lugo 5%
- Yu Cheng Chang 13%
- Jesus Aguilar 15%
- Shawn Morimando 1%
- Ryan Merritt 5%
Here is Papi's Baseball-Reference page and Fangraphs page
After the Indians selected Papi between the first and second rounds in the 2014 draft, they sent him - after a brief two-game stint in Mahoning Valley - to Lake County, a place where few draft picks play in their first pro season. But Papi was considered one of the more advanced hitters in the draft, and had plenty of experience against the best college baseball had to offer. He had helped lead Virginia to the College World Series, and had put up impressive numbers despite playing his home games in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the nation.
Papi struggled with the Captains in 2014, hitting .178/.305/.274 in 165 Plate Appearances, but that hasn't dimmed his prospect sheen that much. He enters the 2015 season as someone who could easily see Akron by September, and if everything goes right, could be on the major-league radar by the end of the 2016 campaign. He played mostly in the outfield for Lake County, but could also end up at first base. But those are rather minor concerns, for if Papi's bat develops as expected, the Indians will find a spot for him in the lineup. His left-handed swing, which produced a bunch of line drives at Virginia, should start to produce home runs as he matures.
Papi may start the 2015 season back in Lake County, but I would expect him to get promoted to Lynchburg quickly if he starts well.
Other Indians Top Prospect Lists