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Conner Capel is our No. 9 Cleveland Indians prospect. Who should be No. 10?

MLBPipeline

The people have spoken, and they’ve selected outfielder Conner Capel as the ninth-ranked Indians prospect in the LGT rankings.

After a very quiet half-season in rookie ball, Capel made a tremendous leap in 2017, impressing the Indians brass enough in spring ball to skip Low-A Mahoning Valley entirely and debut with the Single-A Lake County Captains.

Capel was the only high school player selected by the Indians in the 2016 draft to skip Low-A, and he responded by blasting 22 home runs, good for third overall in the Midwest League. He also was fifth in the league in slugging percentage at .478.

There was an adjustment period, however. Capel saw his strikeout rate spike from 13.1 percent to 22 percent. He was touted for improvements in his speed, but despite stealing 15 bases, he also was caught 10 times.

If Capel can stick at center field, his power has tremendous upside for the position, and with the 22 home runs in 2017, he’s already showcasing the ability to be a plus power threat from the corner positions as well.

The 2018 season could be a big year for Capel as he’s expected to debut with the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats. If he can continue to make leaps in his development, the Texas native could continue to surge up the Indians prospect rankings.


WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 10 PROSPECT FOR 2018?

Will Benson, OF (Age 19)

2017 (A-): 236 PA, .238/.347/.475, 10 HR, 7 SB, 13.1 BB%, 33.9 K%, 146 wRC+

Strikeouts are an early red flag, but patience at the plate and power make him an an exciting prospect at 19 years old.

Aaron Civale, RHP (Age 22)

2017 (A): 10 GS, 57.0 IP, 22.5 K%, 2.1 BB%, 4.58 ERA, 2.51 FIP

2017 (A+): 17 GS, 107.2. IP, 21.1 K%, 2.2 BB%, 2.59 ERA, 3.40 FIP

Converted reliever impressed mightily after being promoted to High-A Lynchburg in 2017. Has the best slider in the Indians system, according to Baseball America.

Tyler Freeman, SS (Age 18)

2017 (R): 144 PA, .297/.364/.414, 2 HR, 5 SB, 4.9 BB%, 8.3 K%, 116 wRC+

The second pick by the Indians in the 2017 draft, Freeman had the most success of any prep player that debuted in the system last season. Might have trouble sticking at shortstop.

Quentin Holmes, OF (Age 18)

2017 (R): 169 PA, .182/.220/.289, 2 HR, 5 SB, 4.7 BB%, 36.1 K%, 39 wRC+

The first pick by the Indians in the 2017 draft. Holmes was the fastest player in the draft and possesses, legitimately, 80-grade speed. Plenty of room for development hailing from a northern climate in New York.

George Valera, OF (Age 17)

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in July 2017 with the Tribe for $1.3 million. He has yet to debut professionally in the Indians organization, but scouting reports are impressed with the lefty bat that could put up a high batting average and high OBP.

Poll

Who should be the Indians No. 10 prospect?

This poll is closed

  • 33%
    Will Benson
    (92 votes)
  • 20%
    Aaron Civale
    (56 votes)
  • 4%
    Tyler Freeman
    (13 votes)
  • 2%
    Quentin Holmes
    (8 votes)
  • 38%
    George Valera
    (106 votes)
275 votes total Vote Now