• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

3 Best Top Cleveland Indians Draft Picks Since 2010

By Steven Kubitza June 24, 2021 @kubitzawrites

Francisco Lindor #12 celebrates with Bradley Zimmer #4 of the Cleveland Indians after the Indians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Tigers 11-2.
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

 

The 2021 MLB Draft is approaching and that means it is time to look back on some past Cleveland Indians draft picks.

Specifically, we are going to look at some of the best top picks.

Since 2010, the Indians have drafted both studs and duds.

Anyone remember Brady Aiken?

That is all part of any MLB Draft.

A sure-fire prospect from high school or college could never pan out, while a late-round pick could end up being the franchise’s next star.

So let’s go back to 2010 and look at the team’s three best top picks since that point.

 

3. Bradley Zimmer – 2014

Bradley Zimmer remains a player of unknown potential for the Indians since making his debut in 2017.

Francisco Lindor gave Bradley Zimmer some advice on the day of his MLB debut: pic.twitter.com/ia2cQywm6b

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 17, 2017

He played in 101 games that year, but has not even matched that total combined since.

Injuries have plagued the high-flying outfielder, yet he has made his return in 2021.

Zimmer was the No. 21 overall pick in a draft that saw Aiken go No. 1 overall to the Houston Astros, only to not sign and end up with the Indians a year later.

Zimmer at least making it to the MLB level is why he makes our list here.

And when healthy, he has proven to be a positive-WAR player, even if he is not an All-Star.

First-round picks need to make it to the majors and Zimmer still has time to turn things around.

 

2. Tyler Naquin – 2012

Tyler Naquin was the No. 15 overall pick in 2012.

Carlos Correa was the top pick in that draft, followed by Byron Buxton.

Like Zimmer, injuries held back Naquin’s true rise in Cleveland.

But he sure seems to be doing just fine in Cincinnati this year.

Naquin showed up in 2016 during the World Series year and managed to finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

He struggled to get playing time after that year, and an injury in 2019 slowed what could have been his rise into a full-time job.

Naquin is now getting everyday time in Cincinnati and while some Indians fans may be upset, a change of scenery seemed to do him well.

Sometimes it just never works out with a top pick.

 

1. Francisco Lindor – 2011

We hope you're not opposed to beginning your morning with a clutch Francisco Lindor home run.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/XE1TVSGXHQ

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 29, 2019

We have arrived at the obvious player on this list.

The Indians hit a home run with the Francisco Lindor selection in 2011 when they drafted him No. 8 overall out of high school.

One note on that draft is Trevor Bauer went No. 3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks before eventually finding his way to Cleveland soon after.

Lindor debuted in 2015 and was an All-Star a year later.

As we all know, the story did not have a happy ending, but he did prove to be a big star during his time in the city.

The Indians hit on this pick, only for it to go so well they determined he was too expensive to keep.

That problem is much bigger than the game itself and has to do with ownership.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily), Cleveland Indians News And Rumors (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland indians

About Steven Kubitza

Steven has been an Indians fan since the day he was born. Lucky enough to not remember the World Series losses in the 90s, he will never forget the magic and the heartbreak of Game 7 in 2016. He wore the No. 13 playing baseball growing up because of Omar and still rocks a Cody Allen jersey for good luck.

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Indians News

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on July 16, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Indians Players With Something To Prove In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (77) looks to the dugout as he makes a pitching change after Cleveland Indians pitcher Hunter Wood (54) hit by a ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on August 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Is It Time For The Indians To Begin Rebuilding For The Future?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado (35) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on September 15, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Bold Predictions For The Cleveland Indians In 2021

2 years ago

indians logo

3 Indians Players To Watch During Spring Training

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout after scoring on a Yasiel Puig (66) single in the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

Who Will Replace Francisco Lindor At Shortstop For The Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan addresses the crowd prior to the Opening Day Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in ten innings.

Should Paul Dolan Sell The Cleveland Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Carlos Santana, Kansas City Royals Reach 2-Year Deal

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 20, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Report: Indians To 'Aggressively' Listen To Offers For Francisco Lindor

2 years ago

A general view of Progressive Field during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Draft Trevor Stephan In Rule 5 Draft

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez, Brad Hand Named To All-MLB team

2 years ago

A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus

Cleveland Indians Top 3 Prospects Of 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians on August 4, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Top 3 Cornerstone Cleveland Indians Players Of The Future

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez (68) delivers a pitch to the plate during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 22, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Parts Ways With Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) motions towards the Indians dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Bryan Shaw (27) pitches during the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox on September 4, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Bryan Shaw Returning To Indians (A look At His Past)

2 years ago

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) throws a pitch during the National League Wild Card Series game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves on September 30th, 2020 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.

Trevor Bauer Is Making More Than the Indians 2020 Payroll

2 years ago

Members of the Cleveland Indians staff wear masks during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Will The 2021 Indians Finish Better Than The 2020 Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) at bat during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates on August 19, 2020, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh PA.

3 Reasons Why The Indians Should Not Trade Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch during the MLB baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins on September 11, 2020 at Target Field, Minneapolis, MN.

Shane Bieber Contract: What A New Deal Might Look Like

2 years ago

A Realistic 2021 Plan For Indians Prospect Nolan Jones

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Francisco Lindor (12) hits a solo home run during a Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on July 27, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

Grading The Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor Trade

2 years ago

cleveland indians fireworks

3 Reasons To Believe In The Indians In 2021

2 years ago

progressive field

A Look At The Top 3 Indians Prospects In Their System

2 years ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.