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Quentin Holmes is our No. 19 prospect. Who should be No. 20?

The fastest player in the 2017 MLB draft is still a work in progress.

Anthony J. Causi

LGT readers were finally feeling the need for speed, voting Quentin Holmes as the number 19 prospect in the Cleveland Indians minor league system yesterday.

The Indians did not have a first round pick in 2017 due to the Edwin Encarnacion signing, but Holmes, a late first round grade, slid to them in the second round.

A native of New York, Holmes was scouted as the fastest player in the 2017 MLB draft and profiles as a centerfielder. The 18-year-old is an exceptional athlete, but he struggled a bit in his professional debut last season for the AZL Indians, slashing just .182/.220/.289 in 169 plate appearances.

Most frustrating of all was the fact that the speed demon was caught stealing four times in nine attempts

Hopefully Holmes can figure out his timing a little better after spending a full offseason working with coaches and trainers in the Tribe system. Being a native of a northern climate, Holmes wasn’t able to play year-round like some of his south-based teammates, so while there is a steeper learning curve, there is also potential for major leaps to be taken.


WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 20 PROSPECT FOR 2018?

Matt Esparza, RHP (Age 23)

2017 (AA): 17 GS, 94.2 IP, 17.8 K%, 8.9 BB%, 4.94 ERA, 5.14 FIP

2017 (A+): 9 GS, 47.0 IP, 20.3 K%, 5.6 BB%, 3.26 ERA, 4.25 FIP

Drafted in the 14th round from UC Irvine in 2015, Esparza struggled a bit in his jump to AA. Has managed to hold batters to a sub-.300 BABIP at all levels of play since single-A. Still fairly young for the AA level and is the subject of the #TeamEsparza hashtag across LGT.

Ernie Clement, 25 2B-SS (Age 21)

2017 (A-): 187 PA, .280/.315./343, 0 HR, 6 SB, 3.2 BB%, 6.4K%, 99 wRC+

The Indians selected Clement in the 4th round of the 2017 MLB draft. He won a National Championship while playing at Virginia University and tallied a 21-game hit streak at Mahoning Valley last season.

Brady Aiken, LHP (Age 21)

2017 (A): 27 G, 132 IP, 14.9 K%, 16.9% BB%, 4.77 ERA, 5.76 FIP

It’s probable that no prospect will far as fall on this and other Indians’ prospect lists. In his first full season of baseball after Tommy John surgery Aiken struggled. All the tools remain, but the path back from a torn UCL is never easy.

Mike Rivera, C (Age 22)

2017 (A-): 53 PA, .170/.231/.234, 0 HR, 0 SB, 22% K, 5.7% BB, wRC+ 43

Mike Rivera won the college World Series with Florida and was picked in the sixth round by the Indians in 2017. The offensive numbers look terrible because they are, but the glove is already MLB ready. He showed some pop in college, and if he develops into even a tolerable hitter the glove will earn him time in the Majors.

Johnathan Rodriguez, OF (Age 18)

2017 (R): 119 PA, .250/.381/.333, 0 HR, 0 SB, 17.6 BB%, 19.3 K%, 108 wRC+

The youngest player in the 2017 MLB draft, has a good eye at the plate and a great throwing arm. Has a very projectable frame at 6-foot-3 with the potential to develop power although he doesn’t have any yet.

Eric Stamets, SS (Age 26)

2017 (AAA): 380 PA, .251/.324/.455, 15 HR, 8 SB, 22.9% K, 7.9% BB, wRC+ 116

2017 (AA): 50 PA, .325/.429/.525, 1 HR, 2 SB, 26.0% K, 16.0% BB, wRC+ 163

Primarily known for his MLB-ready glove, experienced a power surge in Columbus with 15 home runs in 2017. If offense continues to blossom, could be a solid sleeper prospect.

Ka’ai Tom, OF (Age 24)

2017 (A+): 529 PA, .254/.340/.418, 10 HR, 23 SB, 11.2 BB%, 18.9 K%, 114 wRC+

A speedy outfielder with above average gap power and contact skills, Tom put up solid numbers in his first healthy season in 2017 for High-A Lynchburg and then impressed in the Arizona Fall League in brief appearances.

Poll

Who should be the Indians No. 20 prospect?

This poll is closed

  • 3%
    Matt Esparza
    (4 votes)
  • 0%
    Ernie Clement
    (1 vote)
  • 35%
    Brady Aiken
    (37 votes)
  • 0%
    Mike Rivera
    (0 votes)
  • 38%
    Johnathan Rodriguez
    (40 votes)
  • 13%
    Eric Stamets
    (14 votes)
  • 7%
    Ka’ai Tom
    (8 votes)
104 votes total Vote Now