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Cleveland Indians: Top Ten Prospects for 2018

By Benjamin Chase

28 Feb 2002: A picture of the Cleveland Indians logo printed on a bag during the spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. The Twins won 6-4. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: M. David Leeds/Getty Images
28 Feb 2002: A picture of the Cleveland Indians logo printed on a bag during the spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Florida. The Twins won 6-4. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: M. David Leeds/Getty Images /
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6. Quentin Holmes, OF

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/7/99 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: Arizona Rookie League Indians
2017 Stats: .182/.220/.289, 169 PA, 2 HR, 5 SB, 8/61 BB/K

Info: One of the best overall athletes in the entire 2017 draft, Holmes played his high school ball in New York state, which meant he was a bit less polished than many of his high school draft-mates. His speed, however, was considered at the top of the draft class.

His time in rookie ball flashed all of the impressive tools that he does have, with a pure 80-grade on his speed, but he’s not a speed only guy. Holmes can wheel in the outfield, allowing him to cover for a below-average arm with excellent routes and the make up speed to cover any poor initial reads he may have.

Offensively, Holmes is built like a football player, with a 6’3″ frame that holds more than his listed 175 pounds, and the ability to drive the ball is evidence of his overall build. He totaled 10 extra base hits in his 29 total hits on the season.

With his cold weather prep background and growing into his athletic frame recently, Holmes very well could be a guy who moves slowly through the system, akin to the pace that the Indians had with their high school picks from the first round in 2016.

Holmes will likely open 2018 in the New York-Penn League after spending time in extended spring to continue to work on his pitch recognition and zone recognition, which proved to be an issue in rookie ball in 2017.

5. Will Benson, OF

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 6/16/98 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball Mahoning Valley Scrappers
2017 Stats: .238/.347/.475, 236 PA, 10 HR, 7 SB, 31/80 BB/K

Info: Considered one of the most physically impressive prep prospects in Georgia since Jason Heyward, Benson stood 6’5″ and over 200 pounds as a high school senior, an imposing presence in the batter’s box. He also flashed incredible athleticism, showing above-average speed and power both in showcases.

The Cleveland Indians grabbed Benson 16th overall in the 2016 draft, and he had an up-and-down rookie league performance, showing power and speed (6 HR, 10 SB), but struggling with contact (.209 average, 32.6% strikeout rate). His time in the New York-Penn League in 2017 was not a ton better, with power and speed, along with contact issues.

an imposing presence in the batter’s box (Benson has) incredible athleticism, showing above-average speed and power

However, not all was negative in Benson’s 2017. He improved his walk rate from 12% to 13.1% and continued very effective work on the bases, stealing 7 bases while only being caught once, giving him 17 steals as a professional with just 3 times being caught.

Benson’s stature is now an impressive 225 pounds, and he will need to work on bringing down the length of his swing, as he brings the bat incredibly fast through the zone once he gets the bat head into the zone, but getting the bat to the zone is slow right now.

The Cleveland Indians will give Benson time to work on his swing, moving one level at a time. That will likely put him at Lake County in the Midwest League in 2018.

Next: #3 and #4

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