What does everyone else predict?

Also, I think these should at least be honorable mention:

• J. Huber
  
• C. Hart
  
• D. Pedroia
  
• R. Shealy
  
• W. Bankston
  
• R. Garko
  
• C. Snelling (if he can ever stay healthy)
  
• F. Gutierrez
  
• C. Aguila (if Reed is listed, he should be, too)
  
• M. Kemp (I read where he could get significant playing time this year.  I'd say he has at least as good a chance as Ethier.)

SethSpeaks - Garko is beginning 2006 at AAA Buffalo to work on his defense at 1B as the Indians see him as a future 1B, not as a catcher (not even as a backup catcher; he would probably be the emergency, 3rd-string catcher, as he is catching one day a week, but it's likely Einar Diaz or Tim Laker will be the backup to Martinez if Bard is traded and either Shoppach is not acquired or is sent to Philadelphia or elsewhere.)

Gutierrez - I think the Indians want him to get more AAA experience as he was just starting to handle the AAA level the final month or two in 2005 (such as an improved walk rate and more consistent hitting.)  Personally, I think he should spend at least the first half of 2006 at AAA, just to make sure he is ready to contribute in 2007 and beyond.

That's why the Indians are interested in acquiring Jason Michaels, in my opinion:  they see him as a one-year stop-gap for 2006 until Gutierrez, Francisco, Snyder, Mulhern, Cooper, etc. are ready to contribute in 2007 and beyond.  After 2006, the Indians would probably make Michaels a bench player/4th outfielder or let him go.  

Therefore, I believe Garko and Gutierrez can contribute in 2006, but probably not until the second half of 2006.  It's more likely they will contribute in 2007, in my opinion.

Just my 2 cents. :-)

Take care and have a great day!

Good question! :-)

To be honest, I'm not sure which outfielders will make it and stay with the Indians for the long-term, as I mentioned five different ones

Gutierrez
Francisco
Snyder
Mulhern (he's taking balls in the OF; with Garko, Aubrey, and Head coming, I think he will move to the OF, as I believe he played the OF in college.)
Cooper

I'm presuming that Sizemore will stay for the long term and Blake will certainly go within a few years.  Crisp, I'm not sure about - he could be here for a while, but I get that feeling, at some point, he will be traded - perhaps now, perhaps later.  Therefore, I think two of the OF prospects will have the chance to "stick" for a while.  The question is, which two?

Right now, I think it comes down to Gutierrez, Snyder, and Mulhern, though I think Francisco could force his way in if he hit like he did in the Mexican League this offseason - 17 or 23 HRs (not sure, but a significant power increase, along with a power increase at AA Akron.)  

Cooper I think is a long shot, as he's older than the others and seems to have been bypassed by the younger OFs of Gutierrez, Francisco, and Mulhern, all likely to start at AAA in 2006, with Snyder probably still at AA to begin 2006, but with a higher ceiling than Cooper as well.

Referring to Gutierrez, I think he has the inside track on one of the 2 OF spots; right now, I think he might hit anywhere from 15-25 HRs, be able to hit from .270-.300+, depending on whether his strike zone discipline holds or not (it improved at AAA Buffalo in 2005) and steal 20-30 bases a season.  

In some ways, he reminds me a bit of New York Mets prospect Lastings Milledge in that I don't think he will hit for a ton of power, though possibly more than Milledge, but perhaps with a lower OBP than Milledge.  

Defensively, he supposedly has a very good arm and very good range.  The question is, will he be a better CF than Grady Sizemore and force Sizemore to move?  The only reason I think it's possible is because Gutierrez has a stronger arm than Sizemore and comparable range.  If he doesn't move Sizemore, most likely he will take over in RF, which is probably likely, since I think the Indians like Sizemore in CF, even though his arm is only average.  

As for the other OF prospect to make it, Snyder might have the best overall talent, but Mulhern is closer and his power surge last year I think opened the Indians' front office's eyes.  Chances are that I think Mulhern will make it to Cleveland first as he will probably start at AAA Buffalo to begin 2006.  

If I were the Indians, I would hold Snyder back at AA Akron to start 2006 because his BB/K ratio could still improve a bit.  Therefore, I think Mulhern may have the other OF spot for a little while - then, either Snyder will force Mulhern to go back to 1B, meaning that Garko will be forced out (unlikely, but possible,) Mulhern will force out Gutierrez in RF if Gutierrez struggles to hit ML pitching, or Mulhern will be out of Cleveland.  

Another possibility for Mulhern is if Snyder is traded, but I think Snyder's overall potential is higher than Mulhern's, so unless the Indians are "bowled over" by an offer, I don't think that Snyder will be traded.

Francisco could force his way in there if he continues to play like he did in 2005, or at worst, be a 4th outfielder, as some had projected before his 2005 power surge.

Cooper, I have my doubts about.  He improved a bit in 2005, but I'm not sure he will be a consistent offensive force as he's never really hit for a high average at AA or AAA and his BB/K has not been great at AA or AAA either; plus, being older than the others, I think he will be forced out (possibly trade bait.)

Just my 2 cents. :-)  I hope this was helpful for you.  Let me know if you have any more questions or thoughts on Gutierrez or any of the other Indians' prospects.

Take care and have a great day! :-)

I can see him hitting .260/.350/.450 this season, and improving every year after.

Also a big fan of Kubel. I can definitely see him putting up a .290-.300/.350-.360/.460-.470 line.

Those are my two favorites. Fielder should also be very, very impressive.

Not much of a Barfield fan, but I am somewhat interested in the Marlins Rule V 2B. He looks like he may be a good hitter.