Gameday Magazine May

Prospects to watch

2018

Outfielder Mitch Longo batted .361 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 55 games for the Captains before injuries robbed him of a full 2017 campaign. Longo was activated from the disabled list on August 31 when he made his debut with the Hillcats, and played in 5 games while going 9-for- 16 at the plate. Cleveland’s 14th round pick in 2016 looks to have a healthy ‘18 and build on his .349 career average through 98 games. Third baseman Nolan Jones finished the 2017 season on a tear. The 19-year-old hit .371 with three home runs and 18 RBI in August for the Short-Season Mahoning Valley Scrappers. In 62 games, he batted .317 overall with four homers and 33 RBI. Jones, a 2nd round pick by the Tribe in 2016, is ranked by MLB.com as the Indians No. 5 prospect. Although he has just two minor league seasons under his belt, it’s possible that Jones could find himself in a Hillcats uniform at some point in 2018. Left-hander Brady Aiken is likely to be a big part of the ‘Cats pitching staff in 2018. The 21-year-old spent the entire 2017 season in Single-A Lake County, where he went 5-13 with a 4.77 ERA in 27 starts. Aiken struggled at times with his control (101 walks in 132 innings pitched), but is still considered one of Cleveland’s top pitching prospects. He was the Indians first round pick in 2015 out of the famous IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Aiken is ranked as the Indians No. 24 overall prospect by MLB.com. Left-hander Juan Hillman also figures to be a part of Lynchburg’s pitching plans at some point in 2018. He spent last season with Single-A Lake County, going 7-10 with a 6.08 ERA in 26 starts for the Captains. Hillman’s best month was June, when he sported a 2.89 ERA in five starts. He was selected by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft out of high school in Orlando, Fla. Hillman is ranked by MLB.com as Cleveland’s No. 17 prospect. Shortstop Luke Wakamatsu could potentially play a big role in the Hillcats infield this year. The switch-hitter spent last season with Single-A Lake County and batted .239 with 12 homers and 53 RBI in 100 games. He is the son of Don Wakamatsu, who is a coach on the Texas Rangers major league staff. Wakamatsu had a strong second half of the season with the Captains when he hit at a .249 clip with nine homers and 36 RBI. The Indians selected Wakamatsu in the 20th round of the 2015 draft and he is ranked by MLB.com as the Tribe’s No. 27 prospect. A variety of Indians prospects who made some noise throughout Cleveland’s other affiliates last season figure to be in the Hillcats plans in 2018.

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