CLEVELAND, Ohio – Third baseman Nolan Jones, infielder Tyler Freeman and outfielder George Valera will train with several of the top 20 prospects for the Cleveland Indians at Classic Park in Lake County after the club announced their group. of 60 players on Sunday afternoon.
Major League clubs had until 4 p.m. Sunday to submit their rosters of 60 men, including up to 20 players eligible to train at an alternate site near their ballpark.
Other prospects joining Jones, Freeman and Co. at Capitanes Single-A home include right-hander Triston McKenzie, catcher and No. 1 pick from the 2018 draft, Bo Naylor, and best pitcher of 2019, Daniel Espino. Right-hander Ethan Hankins, taken No. 35 in 2018, will also train at Eastlake.
Only players in a team’s 60-player pool are eligible to appear in games during the shortened 2020 season, though many prospects are unlikely to see action in a game this year.
Non-INF / OF guests Ernie Clement, right-hander Eli Morgan and left-hander Kyle Nelson will also be in a 15-man training in Lake County. The Indians have five vacant seats on their 60-man roster, leaving the possibility of signing additional players.
More familiar names grace the 40-man roster of the Tribe of players who will train at Progressive Field once the camp reopens later this week.
Catcher Beau Taylor, who appeared in nine spring training games in March, will provide depth in the position when camp opens. Infielders Yu Chang and Mike Freeman are listed on the major league park where they are expected to renew their battle for the utility position with Christian Arroyo. Daniel Johnson, Bradley Zimmer and Tyler Naquin will train at Progressive Field in a heated race for places on the crowded field.
Starting pitchers Jefry Rodríguez and Logan Allen will train with the major league players, while relievers Anthony Gose, Dominic Leone and Scott Moss will also provide depth.
Cleveland’s opening day roster will include 30 players, a number that will drop to 28 after two weeks of games and finally to 26 after four weeks. Players placed on the 60-day disabled list (this year a 45-day list) do not count against a team’s total in the 60-man player pool. The tribe currently has no players on the disabled list.
Jones, ranked No. 42 prospect in the offseason by MLB Pipeline, advanced to Akron Double A last season and earned an invitation to Major League Baseball during spring training, where he appeared in nine games, walking seven times. and striking out nine.
Tyler Freeman, who led all the minor league Indians with 151 base hits in 2019, is ranked No. 96 overall by MLB Pipeline. He hit .333 with a run batted in nine at-bats during camp in March.
Valera, ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the organization, appeared in a spring training game and broke a solo homer, ending with three runs scored.
Progressive Field List (40)
Collectors Roberto Pérez, Sandy Leon, Beau Taylor.
Infielders: Francisco Lindor, Yu Chang, Cesar Hernández, José Ramírez, Mike Freeman, Christian Arroyo, Carlos Santana.
Gardeners: Franmil Reyes, Greg Allen, Bradley Zimmer, Delino DeShields, Domingo Santana, Oscar Mercado, Daniel Johnson, Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow, Tyler Naquin.
Initial launchers: Zach Plesac, Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko, Mike Clevinger, Carlos Carrasco, Aaron Civale, Jefry Rodriguez, Logan Allen.
Relief launchers: Phil Maton, James Karinchak, Nick Wittgren, James Hoyt, Cameron Hill, Adam Cimber, Hunter Wood, Oliver Perez, Brad Hand, Anthony Gose, Dominic Leone, Scott Moss.
Classic Park List (15)
Collectors Bo naylor
Infielders: Aaron Bracho, Bobby Bradley, Ernie Clement, Tyler Freeman, Nolan Jones.
Gardeners: George Valera
Jugs: Daniel Espino, Ethan Hankins, Sam Hentges, Triston McKenzie, Jean Carlos Mejia, Eli Morgan, Kyle Nelson, Nick Sandlin.
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