The Cleveland Indians have boasted a great minor league system over the past several seasons.
The Tribe’s 30 top prospects for the 2021 season were recently released courtesy of MLB.com.
Most Indians fans know a great deal about third baseman Nolan Jones and pitcher Triston McKenzie.
Both Jones and McKenzie are listed as the top two prospects in the entire organization.
Though Jones and McKenzie both appear to have bright futures ahead in C-town, here are three other names to know from the top 30 prospects list.
1. Shortstop Tyler Freeman
Here it is! #Indians 21yr old (SS) prospect Tyler Freeman's absolute bomb against the Rangers today. The 2 run shot was his 1st of the spring. Freeman's up to date spring numbers:
3-6 3R 1HR 2RBI 1BB .500 AVG .571 OBP@tyler_freeman34 #Future #CLESpring pic.twitter.com/CJCyssuSqT
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) March 9, 2021
The Indians drafted Tyler Freeman in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft and everyone has been pleased with his play so far.
Although Freeman is only 21 years old, he has impressed the Indians coaches this spring by batting a robust .375 with one homer so far.
Though small in stature at only 6-feet tall and 165 pounds, Freeman knows how to handle the bat.
In fact, Freeman has hit at least .292 in each of his three seasons of professional baseball and won a minor league batting title in 2018 with a .352 clip.
Though Freeman does not yet hit for much power, keep in mind that he should continue to add some muscle weight to this frame.
Some time in the weight room could mean that Freeman could eventually reach 10 homers per season.
The Tribe expects Freeman to be Major League ready possibly as soon as 2022.
2. Catcher Bo Naylor
#Indians 21yr old (C) prospect Bo Naylor w/ the impressive opposite field HR today vs the Angels.@_BoNaylor_ #Future #CLESpring pic.twitter.com/t3FfVnaL7L
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) March 10, 2021
Bo Naylor is the best catching prospect in the Indians organization and the younger brother of Tribe outfielder Josh Naylor.
Though Naylor is small for a catcher at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, he has a huge amount of power potential at the plate.
In 2019, Naylor smacked 11 home runs in only 107 games for Lake County in Class-A ball.
The Indians made Naylor a first-round draft choice in 2018 out of Saint Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Canada.
Scouts and coaches have raved about Naylor’s short, quick, and powerful left-handed swing.
Naylor has torn up spring training pitching so far by hitting .444 with a homer.
If Naylor has a good season in the minors this year, he could possibly compete for a job with the Indians as soon as next season.
3. Outfielder George Valera
George Valera, #6 in our Top 30, is only 19 years old and is known for his bat.
Our game yesterday in Goodyear was not televised, but here is a video of George's WICKED swing on his solo shot …pic.twitter.com/cY1vcGzznP
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) March 2, 2020
Indians fans will soon be hearing a great deal about George Valera because scouts say that he has the sweetest swing in the Tribe’s minor league system.
Unfortunately, Valera has not been able to get many at-bats in his pro career due to an injury-riddled 2018 and the pandemic canceling the 2020 minor league schedule.
Nevertheless, Valera has smoked nine homers in only 58 games in his short minor league career thus far.
Many scouts and baseball purists predict that Valera’s hitting ability will only get better as he matures.
Valera could end up being a .300 hitter in the big leagues with 20 to 30 home run potential.
Valera also has shown an above average throwing arm as he has 11 outfield assists.
The Indians do not plan to rush Valera to the majors and want him to get at least a couple more seasons of pro ball under his belt.
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