Cleveland Indians Preliminary Prospect List
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 1:22 PM EST
21 comments
Here is the preliminary list for Cleveland Indians prospects for the book.
I have a problem with this one. This system is LOADED with Grade C/C+ prospects I found about 60 guys worth writing about. I've cut that down to 45, but I need to drop at least five more. So which guys on the following list should I drop? Obviously if you want to suggest someone different you have to suggest two cuts to get them on.
Abner Abreu OF
Austin Adams RHP
Hector Ambriz RHP RUL5
Scott Barnes LHP
Kyle Bellows 3B
Eric Berger LHP
Brett Brach RHP
Michael Brantley OF
Jesus Brito 3B
Jordan Brown OF
Cory Burns RHP
Carlos Carrasco RHP
Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Jose Constanza OF
Clayton Cook RHP
Kelvin De La Cruz LHP
Jason Donald INF
Paulo Espino RHP
Joe Gardner RHP
Jeanmar Gomez RHP
Conor Graham RHP
Nick Hagadone LHP
Jordan Henry OF
Wes Hodges 3B
T.J. House LHP
Josh Judy RHP
Jason Kipnis 2B
Jason Knapp RHP
Lou Marson C
Matt McBride OF
T.J. McFarland LHP
Beau Mills 1B
Alex Perez RHP
Yohan Pino RHP
Zach Putnam RHP
Carlos Rivero SS
Hector Rondon RHP
Carlos Santana C
Nick Sarianidis LHP
Tony Sipp LHP
Mitch Talbot RHP
Jess Todd RHP
Donnie Webb OF
Nick Weglarz OF
Alex White RHP
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cuts
Cutting Wes Hodges and Austin Adams….
makes it 43. need 3 more.
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 1:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hodges
Why cut Wes Hodges? The former 2nd round pick is only 1 year removed from almost 100 RBIs and the Indians thought enough of him to stash him on thier 40 man roster. Granted, he layer an egg in ‘09 but he was injured. He could have a productive 2010. I’d much rather have him than a mediocre arm like Ambriz.
by Havok1517 on Jan 8, 2026 2:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
Fair enough since he’s on the 40 man. But so is Ambriz, so if Hodges stays someone else has to go
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would campaign to keep Hodges on the list for one more year.
He was battling some injuries this year, wasn’t he? However, I’m not entirely sure who to suggest be discarded.
by aCone419 on Jan 8, 2026 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
cut
Cutting Jose Constanzo.
now at 42.
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 1:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would cut Cory Burns and Sarianidis as well I think. Hodges belongs on the list imo probably in favor of Ambriz.
Btw, just a heads up John, Kelvin De La Cruz is born August 1st 1988 and not January 8th 1988 like some sites state.
by JP_Frost on Jan 8, 2026 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Trey Haley
Trey Haley was horrible last year, but I have to think as a 2008 2nd rounder who the Indians were on record as considering in the first round last year, there must be a fit for him. I don’t know enough about the Indians prospects to suggest removing someone, however.
by WrenFGun on Jan 8, 2026 4:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
list
OK, i’ve had to be brutal here and cut several guys from the ’09 draft .
Abner Abreu OF C
Hector Ambriz RHP C
Scott Barnes LHP C+
Eric Berger LHP C+
Michael Brantley OF B-
Jesus Brito 3B
Jordan Brown OF-1B C
Carlos Carrasco RHP
Lonnie Chisenhall 3B
Clayton Cook RHP
Kelvin De La Cruz LHP
Jason Donald INF
Paulo Espino RHP
Joe Gardner RHP
Jeanmar Gomez RHP
Conor Graham RHP
Nick Hagadone LHP
Jordan Henry OF
Wes Hodges 3B
T.J. House LHP
Josh Judy RHP C+
Jason Kipnis 2B
Jason Knapp RHP
Lou Marson C
Matt McBride OF
T.J. McFarland LHP
Beau Mills 1B
Alex Perez RHP
Yohan Pino RHP
Zach Putnam RHP
Carlos Rivero SS
Hector Rondon RHP
Carlos Santana C
Tony Sipp LHP
Mitch Talbot RHP
Jess Todd RHP
Donnie Webb OF
Nick Weglarz OF
Alex White RHP
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like it
I this list includes the most known talent.
by Havok1517 on Jan 8, 2026 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
www.oriolesprospects.com | twitter @orioleprospects
by ravensfan3 on Jan 8, 2026 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like the list, though I would include Haley over Espino, but it’s not a terrible miss.
2 other names I’d personally include are Chen Lee and Santo Frias. They’re both relievers in Kinston, but they have the stuff and potential to move through the system pretty quickly.
by JP_Frost on Jan 8, 2026 8:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
B- for Brantley?
Do prototypical leadoff hitters not mean anything anymore?
This kid is gonna be an exciting young player who ignites the tribe’s lineup.
JOSH THOLE > carlos santana
by Dewey Finn on Jan 8, 2026 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Sure Brantley doesn’t have much power yet (or perhaps ever), but consider his plate discipline, speed and athleticism. He was one of the youngest players in AAA last year and was victimized by a flukey low BABIP of .288 for a person of his speed.
by Alex Trebek on Jan 8, 2026 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do prototypical leadoff hitters not mean anything anymore?
No, not really. I think most people are well past judging players by artificial lineup position. A good player should be just as good whether you hit him 1st or 8th.
by aCone419 on Jan 8, 2026 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you're missing the point
Brantley’s talents are best utilized atop the lineup.
JOSH THOLE > carlos santana
by Dewey Finn on Jan 9, 2026 12:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure
but that will make very little difference in his long term value.
by aCone419 on Jan 9, 2026 12:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
brantley
I love brantley. I’ve been pushing him as a prospect since he was in high school, well before anyone else did.
He’s on the border between B- and B….we’ll see where he lands once I get the other players graded and start slotting them.
by John Sickels on Jan 8, 2026 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does anybody have reports on Kipnis's defense at 2B?
I loved him even as an outfielder, so him moving to 2B makes me like him that much more.
by cr1578 on Jan 8, 2026 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
From BA:
“Kipnis showed surprising skill at second base with good hands, footwork, body control and the ability to make plays to both sides.”
And the Indians brass was supposedly EXTREMELY excited about what Kipnis showed at 2nd base.
It’s promising stuff, but let’s see how he handles his first full year.
by JP_Frost on Jan 8, 2026 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No Delvi Cid, John? I know he’s really raw, but he does have potential. Is he too much of a wild card to include him over Donnie Webb or Hector Ambriz?
by JP_Frost on Jan 8, 2026 11:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Alex Perez
Very curious how you’ll grade him. Plus curve ball, potential plus change, good command, very projectable frame…if he adds a little weight and velocity in the offseason, I could see him making The Leap next year.
by Franchise887 on Jan 9, 2026 1:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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