Indians: Down on the Farm

End of Year Report

Baseball America ranks the Indians farm system 8th in the league. While a good deal of the system was in a dysfunctional state for part of the season, there are a few players who put up impressive numbers. One of them was supposed to be Venezuelan phenom Juan Urias, but after breaking his knee during spring training Juan spent the season rehabbing at Winter Haven, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Of the rest of the system, four players stood out, all of them at AAA Buffalo-- shortstop Robert Ruano and starters Anthony Weil, Leon Vanmeeter, and Matt Donaldson.

Infielder Robert Ruano was impressive for the Bisons, hitting .281 and playing in all 138 games. His speed on the basepath and work with the glove will earn him a spot on the big league club sometime next year, but he looks only to back up Gonzalez and Quinto up the middle. If the quick-footed switch-hitter can increase his contact he might challenge for playing time. He showed great power to the gaps with 67 extra base hits in Buffalo, including 14 triples. Ruano also managed 25 steals in 33 attempts.

Top lefty prospect Anthony Weil had a solid if unspectacular season, going 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 25 starts. Weil continues to show great poise and leadership on the field. His ability to take it to the next level when he needs a tough out will make him an instant Tribe favorite. He has developed a nice arsenal of pitches, but his pinpoint control of his slider and curveball are what have impressed the scouts for years.

Leon Vanmeeter started 30 games at Buffalo, ending the season 14-3 with a 2.60 ERA. While his stats are exceptional, the biggest question mark about Vanmeeter is control. He walked 105 in 180 innings. If he can lower that even by a small amount he could provide another young arm for the Indians.

Matt Donaldson also put up solid numbers for the Bisons, earning six wins against 2 losses while maintaining a 2.04 ERA in 79 innings pitched. After correcting a hitch in his delivery that was tipping hitters off to his changeup, Donaldson looks to fight for the fifth spot in Cleveland's rotation.