Breaking down the Indians’ return from the Mike Clevinger trade

By now you’ve heard the news that Mike Clevinger and Greg Allen are headed to San Diego. In return, the Cleveland Indians welcome six new additions to their organization.

Allow us to make the introductions.

SS Gabriel Arias

The No. 7 prospect in the Padres’ organization, according to MLB.com. Arias hails from Venezuela and was a member of the 2016-17 international free agent class, signing with San Diego as a 17-year-old and earning $1.9 million. He ascended as high as Class-A Advanced last season, slashing .302/.339/.470 with 17 home runs and 75 RBI and posting a 120 wRC+. And according to his MLB. com scouting report, Arias is a “strong defender at short” with “excellent arm strength and range” that “make it clear that he is cut out for the position long-term.”

I’m not going to comment on why the Indians would trade for a top shortstop prospect. Nope.

LHP Joey Cantillo

The No. 9 prospect in the Padres’ organization, according to MLB.com. Cantillo is a 20-year-old left-hander who was a mid-round selection out of high school in the 2017 MLB Draft. The lanky southpaw has a low 90s fastball that he likes to throw up in the zone, complemented by a change-up that he developed after high school and a curveball. Cantillo struggled in three starts of A+ ball late last season before being shut down in August due to reaching a new career-high in innings, but he had acquitted himself well in A ball prior to that, recording a 1.93 ERA, 2.15 FIP, 11.76 K/9, and 0.28 HR/9 in 98 innings pitched in Fort Wayne.

INF Owen Miller

The No. 11 prospect in the Padres’ organization, according to MLB.com. Miller was selected in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft and made a splash in rookie ball by recording 100 hits in 75 games. With Double-A Amarillo last season, Miller slashed .290/.355/.430 with 13 home runs, posting an 8.2% walk percentage. Looking at his plates, he was more productive against lefties (.932 OPS) than righties (.749 OPS). There is debate over whether he ends up at shortstop or second base, but he can also play at third and has value as a possible utility man.

C Austin Hedges

The veteran catcher was in his sixth year with the Padres, alternating between the starting catcher spot and a reserve role during his tenure in San Diego. Hedges is an okay a better than okay pitch framer behind the plate, but his bat is abysmal and the lack of offensive production has been what has kept him from securing the regular catching duties. His best season with the Padres was in 2018, when he slashed .231/.282/.429 and produced 90 wRC+. He’ll be a bench player in Cleveland.

He was arbitration-eligible this season but signed for a one year deal worth $3 million, and is arbitration-eligible the next two seasons before entering free agency ahead of 2023.

RHP Cal Quantrill

Quantrill was selected eighth overall in the 2016 MLB Draft and made his big league debut last season, starting 18 games for the Padres and finishing the season with a 5.16 ERA and 4.28 FIP. He has a four-pitch arsenal, relying heavily on his sinker and slider and complementing them with a four-seam fastball and change-up. Quantrill was denied a spot in the rotation coming into this season and has been relegated to a bullpen role. Through 17.1 innings of work this season, he has recorded a 2.60 ERA, 3.94 FIP, and 9.35 K/9.

Expect him to take up residence in the Indians’ bullpen.

OF Josh Naylor

Naylor is another former first round pick, selected 12th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2015 MLB Draft. He was traded to the Padres at the deadline in 2016. Naylor made his big league debut in May of last year, appearing in 94 games for the Padres and slashing .249/.315/.403. He has been slightly better in 18 games so far this season, with a .278./.316/.417 slash line and 99 wRC+ (compared to 89 in 2019). But his walk rate has dropped from 9% to 2.6% and he does not boast much power for a corner outfielder, with one home run and a .139 ISO this season.

Add another outfielder to the Indians’ Outfield of Misfit Toys.