Edwards Leads Indians on Top 100 List
SPOKANE, Wash. - Baseball America, who offers the best baseball coverage in the country, has released its annual Top 100 Prospects list, and former Spokane right hander C.J. Edwards leads four former Indians on the prestigious list. Edwards comes in at No. 28, with Rougned Odor (42), Jorge Alfaro (54) and Joey Gallo (60) rounding out the list.
No. 28 - Edwards, the 22-year-old "String Bean Slinger," was traded away from the Rangers organization last season as part of the blockbuster move that brought Matt Garza to Texas. Since the trade, Edwards has quickly become one of the most intriguing prospects in all of baseball. After being drafted in the 48th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, Edwards has shot up the rankings thanks to his outstanding career ERA of 1.72 in 183.2 innings. Baseball America lists the pitcher as the 14th-best right-hander in the minors, and expects him to reach the majors by 2015. This season, Baseball America says "he will aim to reach 150 innings while maintaining his high-quality control."
No. 42 - Odor, the Rangers top prospect in their farm system, is the only former Spokane Indian to receive his first invitation this season to big league spring training. The second baseman from Venezuela, is highly touted because of the polish in his plate appearance, but it's his defensive footwork that needs to improve. Odor is listed as the top second baseman within all of minor league baseball, and is expected to reach the big leagues in 2015 just after he turns 21.
No. 54 - Alfaro, who arrived in Spokane as a young 18-year-old out of Colombia, is regarding as the best defensive catcher in the minors. As of now, Baseball America lists him as the fourth-best catcher in the minors, but as his plate discipline matures, his production will as well. He's expected in the majors in 2015.
No. 60 - Gallo, who led all of the minors with 40 home runs last season, is second to none when it comes to raw power. The 20-year-old has a devastating two-strike approach while maintaining a defensive presence at third base. He is listed as the sixth-best third baseman and is expected to reach the big leagues in 2016.
Notable Mentions
Mike Olt, who was packgaed with Edwards in the Garza deal, is listed as the 22nd-best third basemen in the minors. The 25-year-old has spent a good chunk of time in the majors, but he has yet to lose his prospect status after vision issues kept him from being promoted last season.
Alex "Chi-Chi" Gonzalez, the Rangers first-round pick last year, comes in at No. 39 on the list of right-handed pitchers. Gonzalez began his career in Spokane last season before earning a mid-season promotion within the Texas organization.
The Spokane Indians open the 2014 regular season on Friday, June 13th at Avista Stadium against the Eugene Emeralds.
The Spokane Indians would like to thank all of our fans for their support during the record-setting 2013 season. The Indians are the Short Season Class A affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Ticket packages are on sale now for the 2014 season, and start as low as $63. Click here for the 2014 schedule. Reserve your seats today by calling the Avista Stadium Ticket Office at (509) 343-OTTO (6886).