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Erik Gonzalez is our No. 14 Cleveland Indians prospect. Who should be No. 15?

Gonzalez has little left to prove in AAA yet nowhere to go in Cleveland.

By Tyler Griffith
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Gonzalez found his way to Cleveland in 2016 and made his MLB debut on July 16 against the Minnesota Twins. He pinch hit late in the game and promptly struck out. His first MLB hit would come 3 days later against the Royals, and his next hit wouldn't come until September 27 where he went 3-for-3 against the Detroit Tigers (granted,he was back in AAA for the month of August, but still).

While his time at the major league level was limited in 2016, the majority of his playing time last season came at the AAA level. Over 460 plate appearances, the short stop hit a slash line of .296/.329/.450, good for a wRC+ of 122. None of his stats truly blew anyone away, but he was solid all around as the starting shortstop for the Columbus Clippers. That being said, as a 24 year old, he's still young for his level, so there's a lot to like about Gonzalez going forward. He hits for a high average, he's got a good amount of pop in his bat, decent speed on the bases, and (maybe most importantly) an ability to play multiple positions. After a successful 2016 at the AAA level, there's little left for Gonzalez to do other than make it to the majors and see how he fares against MLB-caliber pitching over an extended period of time.

The main issue for Erik Gonzalez is really nothing that he has control of at all. He came up as a shortstop, and that means he's blocked in Cleveland by Francisco Lindor. Jose Ramirez was the utility fielder for the Tribe before he became the every day third baseman, and Yandy Diaz looks poised to take over the utility role in 2017 (unless Tito decides "haha, nope, Michael Martinez it is!"). Gonzalez could be a starting shortstop on a major league team, but that team is not the Cleveland Indians. He could end up on the team out of spring training depending on what happens with Yandy Diaz, but expect Erik to be in Columbus to begin 2017 and potentially find his way to a new team at some point in the future.

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WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 15 PROSPECT FOR 2017?

Shawn Armstrong, RHP (Age 26)
2016 (AAA): 49.0 IP, 1.84 ERA,2.19 FIP, 35.3 K%, 14.2 BB%
2016 (MLB): 10.2 IP, 2.53 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 15.9 K%, 11.4 BB% 2011 eighteenth round pick,

Spent the bulk of his time during 2016 in AAA where he struck out seemingly everyone with his mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider. Struggles with walks quite a bit, but he can blow hitters away with a couple of advanced pitches.

Willi Castro, SS (Age 19)
2016 (A): 548 PA, 7 HR, 16 SB, ..259/.286/.371, 90 wRC+
2016 (A+): 9 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, .222/.222/.222, 18 wRC+

Switch-hitting short stop out of the Dominican Republic. Spent the majority of 2016 in A-ball, strikeouts spiked as did his power. Good speed on the bases, hardly walks at all.

Aaron Civale, RHP (Age 21)
2016 (A-): 37.2 IP, 1.67 ERA, 2.59 FIP, 20.0 K%, 5.7 BB%

2016 third round draft pick, a power arm transitioning from the relief role to starting. His innings were limited in his pro debut due to the college season, but he should be ready to stretch out in 2017.

Matt Esparza, RHP (Age 22)
2016 (A): 100.1 IP, 3.14 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 27.2 K%, 5.5 BB%
2016 (A+): 39.0 IP, 3.92 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 18.8 K%, 8.2 BB%

Excelled in first full season in Indians system, struck out 12 batters in one Class-A game. Made it to High-A late in season, likely to start 2017 with Lynchburg Hillcats.

Tyler Krieger, 2B (Age 22)
2016 (A): 299 PA, 3 HR, 15 SB, .313/.385/.427, 141 wRC+
2016 (A+): 257 PA, 2 HR, 6 SB, .282/.369/.405, 118 wRC+

A high-average hitter with a good amount of speed on the base paths. Doesn't strike out a lot and walks at a decent clip. Could find himself in Akron at some point in 2017.

Mark Mathias, 2B (Age 22)
2016 (A+): 490 PA, 5 HR, 9 SB, .274/.359/.405, 115 wRC+
2016 (AA): 16 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, .067/.125/.133, -35 wRC+

2015 third-round pick skipped Single-A Lake County and had an expected slow start to 2016, but finished with 40 doubles and improved every month. Played third base when Krieger was promoted.

Shawn Morimando, LHP (Age 24)
2016 (AA): 93.1 IP, 3.09 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 19.0 K%, 9.4 BB%
2016 (AAA): 59.0 IP, 3.51 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 18.2 K%, 8.3 BB%
2016 (MLB): 4.2 IP, 11.57 ERA, 9.79 FIP, 18.5 K%, 18.5 BB%

Could be a back-of-the-rotation starter or a reliever. Fastball sits in the low to mid-90s. Secondary pitches, including slider and changeup, are good compliments. Command is an issue moving forward.

Adam Plutko, RHP (Age 25)
2016 (AA): 71.2 IP, 3.27 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 22.2 K%, 4.2 BB% 
2016 (AAA): 90.0 IP, 4.10 ERA,3.97 FIP, 17.7 K%, 9.0 BB%
2016 (MLB): 3.2 IP, 7.36 ERA, 6.69 FIP, 16.7 K%, 11.1 BB%

Excellent control of his four-pitch repertoire. Won't succeed on "stuff", but has good pitch selection and precision.

Nellie Rodriguez, 1B (Age 22)
2016 (AA): 579 PA, 26 HR, 1 SB, .250/.352/.474, 129 wRC+

Continued to mash as he spent a full season in Akron. Strikes out at an alarming rate, but also saw an uptick in walks last season. Drove in 85 RBI to lead the RubberDucks in 2016

Gabriel Mejia, OF (Age 21)
2016 (A-): 293 PA, 0 HR, 28 SB, .322/.378/.375, 129 wRC+

Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2013. Has yet to hit a home run in his professional career, but continues to be a threat on bases after swiping 28 bags in 2016 (second best in New York-Penn Leagu). First season where he struck out significantly more than he walked

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