Prior to the Indians’ horrific collapse – they started the season 50 – 50 and have gone 8 – 28 since – the organization showed a fairly large amount of reluctance in trusting what prospect depth it has dwelling in the upper minor leagues.
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Right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, never a solid prospect because of some fringy secondary offerings and matching strikeout rates, was the very definition of league average replacement value. In 73 innings, he posted a 5.18 ERA and some equally unimpressive peripherals – 4.43 K/9 and 3.21 BB/9. His replacement, Zach McAllister, has arguably been the best pitcher on the staff and could shock some people in the coming years.
Like Gomez, fellow right-hander Derek Lowe – 5.52 ERA with 3.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 – was given far too many starts as well, despite having a much younger pitcher, Corey Kluber, toiling away in the minors. And Kluber, despite some initial bumps, has a long history of missing bats in and should develop into a solid, league-average pitcher.
Utility infielder – and out-maker extraordinaire – Jose Lopez hit a pathetic .253/.276/.373 in 228 plate appearances. This, of course, is despite the fact that the team not only has one, but two players in Cord Phelps and Jason Donald that have long term potential with the team, at least in some capacity far greater than Lopez’s.
And now with the rosters expanded, the organization has called up left-fielder Thomas Neal – finally.
Originally acquired from San Francisco for second baseman Orlando Cabrera, Neal’s prospect status has taken a bit of a hit since 2010 where he rated as the 96th best prospect in baseball. He no longer profiles as an above-average everyday player, but is capable of serving as a quasi-starter/fourth outfielder.
Offensively, Neal’s more of line-drive bat, capable of double-digit homeruns and decent BB-rates. After getting 239 plate appearances in the Triple-A last season with the Giants (.295/.351/.409), the Indians started him off in Double-A this season, where he .314/.400/.467. And according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall offensive production was 42% better than the league average.
Defensively, Baseball America liked his ability to cover ground in the outfield corners in their 2011 Prospect Handbook.
Neal’s the type of player that can do several things well without having a particular standout tool. And the fact that Tribe left fielders have hit a combined .217.282/.335 only begs the question on why he wasn’t called up sooner.
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