Let’s Go Tribe top Indians prospects for 2020 voting

It’s that time of year again, perhaps my favorite time of the year when the Let’s Go Tribe community works together for one full month to compile its own top prospects list for the Cleveland Indians organization.

If you’ve been around for top prospect votes in the past, you’ll be familiar with how it’ll work this year: Posts will go up at 10:00 a.m. ET every Monday through Saturday, staying open until 10:00 p.m. that same night. Due to the depth of top young talent in the Tribe system, you will have five options to choose from for the top overall prospect through the top five, seven options for slots six through 10, and 10 options for slots 11 through 20.

Feel free to comment, debate, argue, whatever in the comments, but keep it civil. Everyone sees prospects and values skills differently, so don’t bash someone for valuing a prospect differently than you, but you’re free to try and change their mind nicely. You can also make suggestions for the next prospect to be added to the list, but whoever gets added is ultimately up to the staffer writing the next day’s post.

Tyler Freeman, SS (Age 20)

2019 (A): 272 PA, .292/.382/.424, 3 HR, 11 SB, 6.6 BB%, 10.3 K%, 138 wRC+

2019 (A+): 275 PA, .319/.354/.397, 0 HR, 8 SB, 2.9 BB%, 9.1 K%, 119 wRC+

The 2017 second rounder impressed mightily in his first taste of full-season ball. Showed improved patience early, but that tailed off after he was promoted (although strikeout rate also dropped in High-A).

Ethan Hankins, RHP (Age 19)

2019 (A-): 8 GS, 38.2 IP, 27.9 K%, 11.7 BB%, 1.20 ERA, 3.22 FIP

2019 (A): 5 GS, 21.1 IP, 29.8 K%, 12.8 BB%, 4.64 ERA, 4.28 FIP

2018 first round comp. pick blew away hitters at short season ball and earned a late promotion to full season Lake County. His strikeout rate is impressive, but he’ll need to cut down on walks as he moves through the system.

Nolan Jones, 3B (Age 21)

2019 (A+): 324 PA, .286/.435/.425, 7 HR, 5 SB, 20.1 BB%, 26.2 K%, 157 wRC+

2019 (AA): 211 PA, .253/.370/.466, 8 HR, 2 SB, 14.7 BB%, 29.9 K%, 147 wRC+

Maintained elite walk rate while displaying improved power after making the toughest jump in minor league baseball from High-A to Double-A. Had offseason surgery on his thumb but should be ready to start spring training.

Triston McKenzie, RHP (Age 22)

2019: ——

Former No. 1 Indians prospect injured a muscle in his back during spring training and never pitched in the 2019 season, although he was added to the Tribe’s 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

George Valera, OF (Age 19)

2019 (A-): 188 PA, .236/.356/.446, 8 HR, 6 SB, 15.4 BB%, 27.7 K%, 142 wRC+

2019 (A): 26 PA, .087/.192/.174, 0 HR, 0 SB, 7.7 BB%, 34.6 K%, 14 wRC+

Struggled to make consistent contact but posted elite on-base and power numbers in short season ball, earning a late promotion to full season Lake County.