While We’re Waiting… Fausto’s Future, Tribe Prospects and Potential Draft Picks

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“For years, we would read about Fausto going to the Dominican Republic in the off-season to “work on his farm” and keep a low-profile, but now we know what #55 was really trying to do – to wake up one more day living in his castle built on sand instead of seeing it crumble around him.

Now, it has collapsed for him and there are very serious questions about what the future holds for Carmona/Hernandez Heredia in terms of securing a visa to even re-gain entry into the US and as the Indians have already moved towards ostensibly replacing him with Kevin Slowey in what is only the most recent move that the Indians have made that was directly affected by the man who was thought to be Fausto. By that I mean, it’s hard not to see how that one decision in the Dominican Republic in 2000 has affected the decisions made by the Indians since Carmona’s breakout 2007 season, from assuming that they could rely on Carmona after that 2007 season (“sure CC, we don’t need you all that much anymore…we have a 23-year-old Fausto to front the rotation”), or the hopes that he could right himself year after year as the Indians didn’t pursue more pitching because of the idea that a 25-year-old or 26-year-old or 27-year-old player could right his ship.” [Cousineau/The DiaTribe]

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The Stew’s ‘Losers of the Fielder Sweepstakes’- “Kansas City Royals: Part of the prospect-packed team’s plan to return to the playoffs was predicated on the AL Central staying weak over the next few years. And while the White Sox, Twins and Indians might be cooperating with K.C.’s vision, it looks like it’ll have a big mountain to overcome in Michigan for at least the next 2-3 years.

AL Central pitching: No further explanation necessary.” [Duk/Big League Stew]

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Tribe’s top prospects. Not going to make you forget Prince Fielder this season- “Francisco Lindor, SS, Lake Country: When the Indians drafted Lindor eighth overall this June, Baseball America threw out these phrases: “tremendous work ethic,” “plays the game with ease and passion,” “scouts haven’t scoffed at Omar Vizquel comparisons” on defense, and that he was a “legitimate candidate for the No. 1 overall pick.” If that’s not exciting, I don’t know what is. Lindor is only 18 and has plenty of growth ahead of him. He’s already been dubbed best hitter for average, best defensive infielder, and top prospect by Baseball America and now will have to go to work proving that on the field. If he’s as good as he’s advertised to be, he could force his way up the minor league ladder very quickly.” [Plascik/Indians Prospect Insider]

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Um. Great scouting report. Except that whole his name is not Tim but Mike- “The North is short on centers, so Kevin Zeiter (G, Wisconsin) has moved over to back up Tim Brewster (C, Ohio State). Zeitler put several snaps on the ground and took extra reps at center at the end of practice. Zeitler snapped a few times in practice as a college freshman, but otherwise never played center, even at the Pop Warner level. “It’s just a matter of me being excited,” Zeitler said of the bad exchanges. Brewster also missed an exchange, but aborted snaps can be expected when working with three different quarterbacks under totally new practice conditions.

Speaking of Brewster, he got into a brief shoving match with Mike Martin (DT, Michigan) after Martin beat him on an inside move during position drills. Brewster and Martin are familiar foes, of course, because of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. “He’s one of my best competitors,” Brewster said after practice. “I love going against him.” [Tanier/Shutdown Corner]

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Zac’s top prospects for the Browns at the Senior Bowl- “Kelechi Osemele, OT, Iowa State: He played the all-important left tackle spot in college, but he measured here Monday at 6-5, 333, and could potentially fit as a right tackle in Cleveland. The Browns have a glaring need there, and even if that need is eventually addressed in free agency the Browns will likely use the draft to add a young offensive lineman given the uncertain status of Eric Steinbach and the right tackle spot. Osemele was a four-year starter, has some athleticism and certainly is an intriguing prospect here this week. Senior Bowl coaches often shuffle offensive line prospects to multiple positions to give NFL scouts a chance to evaluate them.” [Jackson/FSO]