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Bo Naylor is our No. 9 Cleveland Indians prospect. Who should be No. 10?

Naylor was the Tribe’s top draft pick in 2018 and was not overwhelmed in his Arizona Rookie League debut.

Joseph Coblitz

Catcher Bo Naylor is our No. 9 Cleveland Indians prospect after he was selected with the Indians first round draft pick at No. 29 overall in the 2018 MLB draft.

At 18 years old, Bo Naylor is the younger brother of power-hitting Padres prospect Josh Naylor, but Bo appears to be the better athlete playing a position that will aid his prospect status.

Bo Naylor debuted in the Arizona Rookie League last season and definitely looked like he belonged, sporting a .274/.381/.402 slashline in 139 plate appearances over 33 games while hitting a pair of home runs. He even flashed a little bit of speed with five steals.

Naylor possesses solid power, but his hit tool grades a bit better than his ability to hit the long ball, which is a good thing. He also showcased a patient approach at the plate, walking at an elite 15.1 percent rate (although he did strike out 20.1 percent of the time).

A big factor in Naylor staying a top Indians prospect will be whether or not he can stay behind the plate, where his offensive profile makes him one of the best catching prospects in baseball. Naylor has a strong arm and his athletic ability and size will allow him to stay at the position for now, but it’s worth keeping an eye on as his career continues.

Another intriguing factor for Naylor is that he’s from Canada, which means he hasn’t spent quite the same amount of time on his craft compared to others in warmer climates, so there is still some serious potential for growth if the Tribe’s minor league coaching staff can tap into it.

Look for Naylor to begin 2019 in Low-A Mahoning Valley as he continues moving up the organizational ladder. The Indians have some time to be patient with him, especially if they want to keep him at catcher.


WHO SHOULD BE THE NO. 10 PROSPECT FOR 2019?

Luis Oviedo, RHP (Age 19)

2018 (A-): 9 GS, 48.0 IP, 32.5 K%, 5.3 BB%, 1.88 ERA, 2.44 FIP

2018 (A): 2 GS, 9.0 IP, 16.7 K%, 19.4 BB%, 3.00, 4.48 FIP

The Venezuelan broke out in 2018, winning back-to-back-to-back Pitcher of the Week awards in his Low-A debut for Mahoning Valley. He’s a sinkerballer with nasty swing and miss stuff in the mid 90s.

Lenny Torres, RHP (Age 18)

2018 (R): 5 GS, 15.1 IP, 34.9 K%, 6.4 BB%, 1.76 ERA, 2.38 FIP

Indians 2018 first round competitive balance pick was completely unfazed in pro debut, pounding the strike zone and missing bats with a mid to upper 90s fastball and a potentially wicked slider.

Sam Hentges, LHP (Age 22)

2018 (A+): 23 GS, 118.1 IP, 24.2 K%, 10.5 BB%, 3.27 ERA, 3.21 FIP

The six-foot-six southpaw didn’t miss a beat in his first full season since 2016 Tommy John surgery and Indians showed faith in him by adding him to the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 draft.

Daniel Johnson, OF (Age 23)

2018 (R): 24 PA, .300/.417/.450, 1 HR, 1 SB, 8.3 BB%, 8.3 K%, 152 wRC+

2018 (AA): 391 PA, .267/.321/.410, 6 HR, 21 SB, 5.9 BB%, 23.0 K%, 103 wRC+

Acquired in the Yan Gomes trade, Johnson possesses plus speed, arm strength and power from the outfield. Johnson’s 2018 season was affected by a broken hamate bone injury, which sapped his power.

Oscar Mercado, OF (Age 24)

2018 Cardinals (AAA): 427 PA, .285/.351/.408, 8 HR, 31 SB, 8.4 BB%, 15.0 K%, 101 wRC+
2018 Indians (AAA): 119 PA, .252/.342/.320, 0 HR, 6 SB, 10.9 BB%, 19.3 K%, 93 wRC+

2013 second round pick acquired in a trade from the Cardinals for Conner Capel last summer. Brings elite speed and strong defense in the outfield, but hit tool is still catching up.

Jean Carlos Mejia, RHP (Age 22)

2018 (A): 15 GS, 92.0 IP, 26.1 K%, 5.4 BB%, 3.13 ERA, 2.55 FIP
2018 (A+): 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 12.5 K%, 4.2 BB%, 6.00 ERA, 2.86 FIP

Exploded into relevance in the second half of 2018, when he racked up 78 strikeouts over the final two months of the season, top five in all of MiLB. Earned a spot on the Tribe’s 40-man roster for his effort.

Raynel Delgado, 3B (Age 18)

2018 (R): 204 PA, .306/.409/.382, 1 HR, 10 SB, 14.7 BB%, 21.6 K%, 133 wRC+

2018 sixth round pick the Indians paid $664,400 over slot to sign. Delgado held his own in his professional debut, putting up strong numbers and showing great patience at the plate in the AZL.

Poll

Who should be the No. 10 Indians prospect?

This poll is closed

  • 50%
    Luis Oviedo
    (110 votes)
  • 11%
    Lenny Torres
    (26 votes)
  • 20%
    Sam Hentges
    (45 votes)
  • 4%
    Daniel Johnson
    (9 votes)
  • 8%
    Oscar Mercado
    (19 votes)
  • 1%
    Jean Carlos Mejia
    (3 votes)
  • 2%
    Raynel Delgado
    (5 votes)
217 votes total Vote Now