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Scott Moss debuts as the No. 12 prospect in the Cleveland Indians system after he was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the Trevor Bauer trade in July of 2019.
The 6-foot-6, 225 pound southpaw was drafted out of Florida by the Reds in 2016. Florida’s team was absolutely loaded that year, with pitchers A.J. Puk and Dane Dunning getting drafted in the first round, three position players (including future ROY Pete Alonso) going in the second round and another pitcher, Shaun Anderson, going in the third round.
Moss didn’t play much at Florida after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014. Due to the talent in front of him, he only appeared in 14 games (five starts), sporting a 1.57 ERA, but it was good enough for the Reds to take him in the fourth round.
Moss pitched well at every level in the Reds system, never posting an ERA above 3.68, but it wasn’t until his trade to the Indians where he really turned a corner with his performance.
After being acquired by the Indians as a Double-A starter, Moss made two appearances with the Akron Rubberducks, tossing a combined 10.0 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out 13 and allowing just three hits.
The southpaw was quickly promoted to Columbus, where he struck out 23 batters in four starts spanning 18.2 innings, allowing just four earned runs, good for a 1.93 ERA.
Moss sits comfortably in the low 90s with his fastball, touching the mid-90s. He pairs his fastball with an above average slider and changeup. While his strikeout rates have been impressive, posting career bests 34% and 30% since being acquired, he does need to work on his command, as he posted career-high walk rates in 2019 (although they did drop from the Reds to Akron to Columbus).
If Moss can continue with his current momentum, he’s more than capable of making some spot starts for the Indians at some point in 2020.
Logan Allen, LHP (Age 22)
2019 (AAA): 18 GS, 80.0 IP, 22.3 K%, 9.3 BB%, 5.85 ERA, 5.57 FIP
2019 (MLB): 4 GS, 27.2 IP, 13.4 K%, 10.2 BB%, 6.18 ERA, 5.49 FIP
Headlining piece of the Trevor Bauer trade, Allen was a top 100 MLBPipeline prospect at the time of his acquisition. Allen had a great MLB debut (7.0 shutout innings vs Milwaukee), but struggled in many of his other 2019 appearances in both MLB and Triple-A.
Will Benson, OF (Age 21)
2019 (A): 259 PA, .272/.371/.604, 18 HR, 18 SB, 14.3 BB%, 30.1 K%, 172 wRC+
2019 (A+): 255 PA, .189/.290/.304, 4 HR, 9 SB, 12.2 BB%, 28.6 K%, 75 wRC+
Former 1st round pick dominated in his repeat stint at Lake County in 2019, one of only two MiLB players in 2019 to have a 20 HR, 20 SB season (besides Luis Robert). Struggled after midseason promotion, but did post career-low K% at High-A.
Aaron Bracho, SS (Age 18)
2019 (R): 137 PA, .296/.416/.593, 6 HR, 4 SB, 16.8 BB%, 15.3 K%, 162 wRC+
2019 (A-): 32 PA, .222/.344/.481, 2 HR, 0 SB, 15.6 BB%, 25.0 K%, 141 wRC+
Injury kept him from debuting in 2018, but the DR native made up for it in 2019, rebuilding his hype by posting incredible numbers in the AZL and earning a promotion to Mahoning Valley.
Bobby Bradley, 1B (Age 23)
2019 (AAA): 283 PA, .264/.344/.567, 33 HR, 0 SB, 10.2 BB%, 33.8 K%, 125 wRC+
2019 (MLB): 84 PA, .178/.245/.356, 1 HR, 0 SB, 8.2 BB%, 40.8 K%, 51 wRC+
A career best 33 home runs at Triple-A earned the slugging first baseman his first cup of coffee with the Indians. He hit the hardest home run for the Tribe in the statcast era, but also whiffed in 40% of his at bats. Will need to cut down on the Ks if he wants to stay in the show.
Yu Chang, SS (Age 24)
2019 (AAA): 453 PA, .253/.322/.427, 9 HR, 0 SB, 9.2 BB%, 23.7 K%, 88 wRC+
2019 (MLB): 49 PA, .178/.286/.274, 1 HR, 0 SB, 13.1 BB%, 26.2 K%, 50 wRC+
Slowed by injuries in 2019, but made his MLB debut and showcased improved patience against MLB pitchers. Potential full-time utility candidate for the 2020 season with room to grow.
Angel Martinez, SS (Age 17)
2019 (DSL): 261 PA, .306/.402/.428, 1 HR, 11 SB, 11.1 BB%, 11.1 K%, 134 wRC+
One of the top Indians international signings from 2018, Martinez was the top performer of Tribe DSL players in 2019, showcasing patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths.
Eli Morgan, RHP (Age 23)
2019 (A+): 6 GS, 33.2 IP, 32.8 K%, 4.1 BB%, 1.87 ERA, 2.70 FIP
2019 (AA): 18 GS, 102.0 IP, 24.1 K%, 7.26 BB%, 3.79 ERA, 3.75 FIP
2019 (AAA): 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 9.1 K%, 9.1 BB%, 5.40 ERA, 4.62 FIP
Morgan’s excellent control combined with the best changeup in the Tribe system allowed him to advance three levels in the 2019 season despite a lack of elite velocity. Morgan started extremely strong both in High-A and Double-A, but tailed off as the season wore on.
Nick Sandlin, RHP (Age 23)
2019 (AA): 15 G, 17.1 IP, 36.0 K%, 10.7 BB%, 1.56 ERA, 3.46 FIP
2019 (AAA): 9 G, 9.0 IP, 29.7 K%, 18.9 BB%, 4.00 ERA, 6.40 FIP
Sidearm-throwing reliever taken in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB draft. Likely would have made it to the Indians if not for a pair of 2019 injuries, which slowed his ascent through the system.
Ka’ai Tom, OF (Age 25)
2019 (AA): 343 PA, .285/.386/.512, 14 HR, 3 SB, 12.5 BB%, 21.3 K%, 162 wRC+
2019 (AAA): 211 PA, .298/.370/.564, 9 HR, 2 SB, 10.0 BB%, 25.1 K%, 132 wRC+
Breakout 2019 season saw him dominate offensively at both Double-A and Triple-A, nearly doubling his previous career best in home runs. One of few MiLB players with double digit HR, triples and doubles in 2019 (23, 10, 25).
Lenny Torres, RHP (Age 19)
2019 —
Entered 2019 with huge expectations after dominant pro debut as 2018 1st round competitive balance pick, but underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. Is throwing off the mound and expected to return this season.
Poll
Who should be the No. 13 Indians prospect?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Logan Allen
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3%
Will Benson
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42%
Aaron Bracho
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9%
Bobby Bradley
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1%
Yu Chang
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2%
Angel Martinez
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3%
Eli Morgan
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3%
Nick Sandlin
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6%
Ka’ai Tom
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5%
Lenny Torres