Chisenhall shines with bat for Tribe

Lonnie Chisenhall might be slated to start to start the season at Triple-A, but he continues to impress in Spring Training.

The Indians' top prospect went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored Friday, leading Cleveland to a 6-2 Cactus League triumph over the Rockies in Goodyear, Ariz.

Including his 2-for-2 spring debut against the Reds on Feb. 27, the 2008 first-round Draft pick is batting .500 in five spring appearances.

Chisenhall, MLB.com's No. 36 prospect, singled in the second inning off Jhoulys Chacin, then struck out on three pitches against Matt Lindstrom in the fourth.

He homered off Clay Mortensen leading off the sixth and singled off Eric Stults with two outs in the seventh.

Former second-rounder Chad Huffman also was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and 23-year-old outfield prospect Ezequiel Carrera went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Indians.

Chisenhall has not played above Double-A and is expected to open the campaign in the International League, regardless of how well he performs in the Cactus League.

"He has all the ability and talent to impact the team," Indians vice president of player development Ross Atkins told MLB.com. "I think most realistic, we're looking at him going into Triple-A, playing every day."

Originally selected by the Pirates in 11th round of the 2006 Draft, Chisenhall batted .278 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs in 117 games for Double-A Akron in 2010.