Francisco Lindor called up; take a look back at other Indians prospects' MLB debuts

In case you haven't heard, the Indians are calling up Francisco Lindor, who's been the team's top prospect for what feels like forever*. We've been writing about him since he was the team's 1st round pick in 2011, and have probably spent as much digital ink on him in the last few years as most of the guys who've actually played for the team during that time.

*I went to see him at the 2012 Midwest League All-Star Game and got to talk to him for a minute while he signed autographs. I said I looked forward to seeing him playing for the Indians come 2015. He smiled and replied, "Sooner." Looks like I won that round.

It's hard to say when the Indians last had a debut with this much build up, given that few prospects are thought of so highly from such a young age, giving fans lots of time to daydream about them. It's also different now than it was a decade ago, because of social media and enhanced access to information about prospects. I don't think I've ever looked forward more to a prospect making his debut.

While counting down the hours, I thought I'd look back at the debut of other highly rated Tribe prospects during the 2000s. The players below are those who were on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list (as an Indians prospect) for the offseason before making their MLB debut with the Tribe, and were either in the top 50 once, or anywhere on the list multiple times.

CC Sabathia (April 8, 2001)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #7 heading into 2001. He was on roster to start of that season (which almost never happens anymore), and made debut at home against the Orioles.

The first batter he faced was Brady Anderson, who hit a fly out to left field. Gave up 3 runs in 1st inning, but then settled in and retired 16 of the next 17 batters before walking a man with two outs and in the 6th and being lifted. The Indians came back to win, but Sabathia did not factor in the decision. His line: 5.2 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Danys Baez (May 13, 2001)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #39. He was called up to work out of the bullpen made his debut a few weeks into the season, on a Sunday at home against the Devil Rays.

He was brought in for the 7th inning with the Tribe trailing 7-0. (They would go on to lose by that score) He got a fly ball out from the first batter he faced and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. He then walked the first two batters in the 8th inning and was removed from the game.

Victor Martinez (September 10, 2002)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #16, though that ranking was not until the offseason following his September cup of coffee with the Tribe. He made his debut on a Tuesday at home against the Blue Jays.

He popped out to the shortstop in his first plate appearance, but in the 7th inning he collected his first MLB hit, a single that drove in two runs and tied the game (which the Tribe would go on to lose 5-4).

Jeremy Guthrie (August 28, 2004)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #53. He made his debut on a Saturday at home against the White Sox.

He was brought in to pitch the 9th inning of a 5-3 loss. He struck out Jose Valentin looking to begin his career, then hit a batter before getting a double play to end the inning.

Grady Sizemore (July 21, 2004)

Sizemore had skyrocketed all the way to #9 for his only appearance on the BA list. He was called up midseason and made his debut on a Wednesday at home against the White Sox.

Sizemore didn't enter the game until the 9th inning, as a defensive replacement in a game the Tribe lost 14-0. He got to bat in the bottom half of the inning, making the final out of the game on a pop up to the second baseman.

Jeremy Sowers (June 26, 2006)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #53. Made his debut on a Sunday at home against the Reds.

He started the game and got the first batter he faced to hit a line out to the second baseman, and pitched a 1-2-3 1st inning. In the 4th inning he gave up his first runs on a homer by Ken Griffey. He finished with 4 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings, with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Matt LaPorta (May 3, 2009)

LaPorta (who also made the list while in Milwaukee's system) was at #27 on BA's list heading into 2009. He made his debut on a Sunday on the road against the Tigers.

He struck out against Justin Verlander in his first plate appearance and finished the day 0 for 4 in a 3-1 loss.

Carlos Santana (June 11, 2010)

On the BA list, peaking at #10. He made his debut on a Friday at home against the Nationals.

He hit into a fielder's choice in his first plate appearance and then scored on a home run by Austin Kearns. Santana finished the day 0 for 3, but did draw the first of many, many walks. The Indians won 7-2.

Lonnie Chisenhall (June 27, 2011)

Was on the BA list twice, peaking at #25. He made his debut on a Monday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

He hit a long fly ball out in his first plate appearance, but later picked up a double for his first MLB hit, and then an RBI single that put the Tribe ahead in a game they went on to win 5-4. Lonnie finished 2 for 4.

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I notice that the first six of those debuts all took place at home. I'm not sure if that was a coincidence or not. More recently though, two of the last three big debuts took place on the road (as will Lindor's). It seems there may have been a time when the front office liked their marquee prospects to debut at home, but if that was ever the case, that time has passed.

I also notice that 7 of those 9 debuts happened in Tribe losses. Fortunately, Santana ended that run, and the Indians have won the last two times they debuted a top prospect.