The Cleveland Indians have been able to have sustained success over the past decade.
Having a talented farm system has helped the cause in a big way.
Jose Ramirez and Shane Bieber are both homegrown stars and fans have heard plenty about the next crop of stars in the organization.
So where does the team stack up against the rest of MLB?
MLB Pipeline released its full 2021 farm system rankings and the Indians showed up at No. 13 overall.
#Indians 23yr old RHP Triston McKenzie w/ four strikeouts tonight over his three innings pitched vs the Reds.@T_eazy24 @Team_BL101 #Future pic.twitter.com/YyZMx0Nd1t
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) March 18, 2021
A Modest Ranking in 2021
The Tampa Bay Rays sit atop the list while the Washington Nationals showed up last.
The Indians come in at No. 13 and that may even be too modest given the young crop of talent waiting in the wings.
Top prospects came to Cleveland in the Mike Clevinger trade and even more came over in the Francisco Lindor deal.
But Nolan Jones and Triston McKenzie are the two players contributing most to the hype in the farm system.
McKenzie is already a fixture in the starting rotation, while Jones should see plenty of playing time somewhere on the field this season.
No. 12: Triston McKenzie
No. 42: Bo Naylor
No. 76: George Valera
No. 78: Tyler Freeman
No. 86: Nolan Jones
No. 99: Brayan RocchioDetailed analysis from Keith on each here: https://t.co/d3Bj4omXdX
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) January 28, 2021
Next up is Tyler Freeman, who is ranked as the No. 98 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB.com.
But where would the shortstop play in 2021?
Shortstop appears to be held down by Andres Gimenez.
Cesar Hernandez is at second and Jose Ramirez isn’t going anywhere at third.
Freeman may need to wait yet another year if the Indians don’t trade away any veterans.
Shortstop is a fascinating position and a spot where the Indians have a stockpile of talent.
Gabriel Arias is a young player who could be the future at the position.
But the same is true for Gimenez and Freeman.
The surplus at the position could help the Indians in future years in terms of making a blockbuster trade.
Prospects at the MLB Level
McKenzie is already with the team after getting time in the rotation in 2020.
Jones will, hopefully, be up soon after starting the season in the minors.
After them, players like Bobby Bradley, Emmanuel Clase, and Daniel Johnson should get plenty of chances to contribute in 2021.
Clase is the one among that group set to make the biggest impact this season.
At least on paper.
The Indians have a strong system based on the potential surrounding the top-ranked younger prospects in the organization.
Players like Arias, Bo Naylor, and George Valera are all marked as future starters at the MLB level.
They are just a few years away and that is why the Indians could see a huge jump from No. 13 overall in 2022.
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