Cleveland Indians Claim Fabio Martinez on Waivers from Los Angeles Angels

Cleveland Indians Claim Former Hot Prospect Fabio Martinez from Los Angeles Angels

This transaction is easy to miss, but it could be important in the future. The Cleveland Indians claimed erstwhile prospect Fabio Martinez from the Los Angeles Angels today.

Also known as Fabio Martinez Mesa, the 22-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic was a hot commodity after fanning 141 in 103 innings for Low-A Cedar Rapids in 2010, showing off a mid-90s fastball and a nasty slider.

However, he missed almost the entire 2011 season with a mysterious shoulder ailment, and he's been bug-awful at High-A Inland Empire in 2012, going 0-5 in eight starts with a 10.72 ERA and a 23/32 K/BB in 23 innings. His mechanics are a mess and his control is badly broken at this stage.

Martinez has no shot at helping in the majors anytime soon, but he's still young. Perhaps a change of organization will revive his chances. He will reportedly convert to relief, where he can just come in and blow the ball past hitters, worrying less about developing his changeup or pacing himself.